Drill viewing holes in Ruger P95 magazine?

Matt Payne · June 1, 2004, 01:40 PM

I have 4 15-round magazines for my Ruger P95. Two are allegedly Pro-Mags. They are black and have holes so you can see when 5,10,15 rounds are loaded.

The other two are stainless, and have no holes.

Is there any reason I shouldn't carefully drill matching holes so I can see how many rounds are loaded?

Thanks in advance!

Dfariswheel · June 1, 2004, 02:14 PM

As long as you de-burr the holes, you should be OK.

When drilling, be careful not to put so much pressure on the drill that you "dimple" or push in the magazine sides.

Matt Payne · June 1, 2004, 02:58 PM

Hmmm.

Might be hard to get the drill bit to "bite" without applying much pressure. Any advice?

(I'm thinking a drill press and a block of wood inside to suport the shape, but I don't have access to either!)

Quartus · June 1, 2004, 03:57 PM

Use a seriously sharp drill bit.

IOW, not like the typical cheapo bits that most of us keep lying around!

The press and wood block are good ideas, too. If you can't do it right, you'd be better off leaving them alone, methinks. Patience, grasshopper.

Clemson · June 1, 2004, 06:11 PM

I would suggest "drilling" the holes with a two-flute 1/8" end mill. It will cut its way into the sheet metal without bending it.

Clemson

4570Rick · June 2, 2004, 01:40 AM

You must be careful NOT to deform the magazine. I've been a machinist for 30 years and the method I would use is one of the following.

1. A two flute end mill is an exelent idea. Ball end would be better. You must however hold the magazine securly w/out crushing. A vertical mill is the only safe way to do this.

2. Easyer way would be to use a number of very sharp drills starting with 1/6th and increasing by 1/64th until you have a hole the desired size. This method could be done with a drill press while holding the mag by hand.

Deburing is absolutly necessary and should be done carefuly.

Bill Z · June 2, 2004, 10:39 PM

Lay down and take a nap. Soon the feeling will pass and you will never regret not risking the magazine. When the AWB sunsets you can buy new mags for 10.00 a piece with the holes already in them

.

2002gti · June 2, 2004, 10:46 PM

i wouldnt bother either

Quartus · June 3, 2004, 11:31 AM

Quote:

I've been a machinist for 30 years and the method I would use is one of the following.

Advice from The Real Deals. That's what I like about TFL.

Matt Payne · June 3, 2004, 12:25 PM

Thanks for all the advice.

Not having a machine shop, I'm inclined to be cautious.

("But 16 weeks is a looooong time!" He whined.)

Quartus · June 4, 2004, 01:27 PM

Nice sig, Matt. Probably quite offensive to liberal Jewish folks. But... It might make a few think.

That's A Good Thing!

And even if it doesn't, it's still offends them.

Matt Payne · June 4, 2004, 03:54 PM

Heh.

I grew up pretty blissninny myself -- I was raised by liberal New York Jews. (Are there any other kind?)

Then I started thinking for myself. Sigh.

The folks will never understand.

Quartus · June 4, 2004, 03:57 PM

Keep trying. Obviously the genetic makeup is right.

How's that rug-rat doing?

Matt Payne · June 4, 2004, 04:16 PM

They are great. Thanks for asking.

They will not grow up ignorant and scared of guns. I so vow!

M2HMGHB · June 5, 2004, 11:17 PM

What no family portrait? Seriously you are one lucky man.

June 1, 2004, 01:40 PM	#1
Matt Payne Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 16	Drill viewing holes in Ruger P95 magazine? I have 4 15-round magazines for my Ruger P95. Two are allegedly Pro-Mags. They are black and have holes so you can see when 5,10,15 rounds are loaded. The other two are stainless, and have no holes. Is there any reason I shouldn't carefully drill matching holes so I can see how many rounds are loaded? Thanks in advance! __________________ Notice to American Jews: "Never Again" will not be enforced by prayer, petitions or pacifism. Airplane Pictures

June 1, 2004, 02:58 PM	#3
Matt Payne Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 16	Hmmm. Might be hard to get the drill bit to "bite" without applying much pressure. Any advice? (I'm thinking a drill press and a block of wood inside to suport the shape, but I don't have access to either!) __________________ Notice to American Jews: "Never Again" will not be enforced by prayer, petitions or pacifism. Airplane Pictures Last edited by Matt Payne; June 1, 2004 at 03:43 PM.

June 1, 2004, 03:57 PM	#4
Quartus Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,823	Use a seriously sharp drill bit. IOW, not like the typical cheapo bits that most of us keep lying around! The press and wood block are good ideas, too. If you can't do it right, you'd be better off leaving them alone, methinks. Patience, grasshopper. __________________ . Better to know what you don't know than to think you know what you don't know.

June 1, 2004, 06:11 PM	#5
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	I would suggest "drilling" the holes with a two-flute 1/8" end mill. It will cut its way into the sheet metal without bending it. Clemson __________________ NRA Endowment Member, NRA Certified Instructor CWP Holder US Army veteran Gunsmith www.boltandbarrel.com

June 2, 2004, 01:40 AM	#6
4570Rick Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 137	You must be careful NOT to deform the magazine. I've been a machinist for 30 years and the method I would use is one of the following. 1. A two flute end mill is an exelent idea. Ball end would be better. You must however hold the magazine securly w/out crushing. A vertical mill is the only safe way to do this. 2. Easyer way would be to use a number of very sharp drills starting with 1/6th and increasing by 1/64th until you have a hole the desired size. This method could be done with a drill press while holding the mag by hand. Deburing is absolutly necessary and should be done carefuly. __________________ When the government fears the people there is liberty; when the people fear the government there is tyranny. Thomas Jefferson

June 1, 2004, 02:14 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	As long as you de-burr the holes, you should be OK. When drilling, be careful not to put so much pressure on the drill that you "dimple" or push in the magazine sides.

June 2, 2004, 10:39 PM	#7
Bill Z Member Join Date: May 30, 2004 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 97	Lay down and take a nap. Soon the feeling will pass and you will never regret not risking the magazine. When the AWB sunsets you can buy new mags for 10.00 a piece with the holes already in them .

June 2, 2004, 10:46 PM	#8
2002gti Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2004 Location: FIND ME Posts: 1,125	i wouldnt bother either i wouldnt bother either __________________ HEE with the most toys dies happiest

June 3, 2004, 12:25 PM	#10
Matt Payne Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 16	Thanks for all the advice. Not having a machine shop, I'm inclined to be cautious. ("But 16 weeks is a looooong time!" He whined.) __________________ Notice to American Jews: "Never Again" will not be enforced by prayer, petitions or pacifism. Airplane Pictures Last edited by Matt Payne; June 4, 2004 at 03:53 PM.

June 4, 2004, 01:27 PM	#11
Quartus Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,823	Nice sig, Matt. Probably quite offensive to liberal Jewish folks. But... It might make a few think. That's A Good Thing! And even if it doesn't, it's still offends them. __________________ . Better to know what you don't know than to think you know what you don't know.

June 4, 2004, 03:54 PM	#12
Matt Payne Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 16	Heh. I grew up pretty blissninny myself -- I was raised by liberal New York Jews. (Are there any other kind?) Then I started thinking for myself. Sigh. The folks will never understand. __________________ Notice to American Jews: "Never Again" will not be enforced by prayer, petitions or pacifism. Airplane Pictures

June 4, 2004, 03:57 PM	#13
Quartus Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,823	Keep trying. Obviously the genetic makeup is right. How's that rug-rat doing? __________________ . Better to know what you don't know than to think you know what you don't know.

June 4, 2004, 04:16 PM	#14
Matt Payne Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 16	They are great. Thanks for asking. They will not grow up ignorant and scared of guns. I so vow! __________________ Notice to American Jews: "Never Again" will not be enforced by prayer, petitions or pacifism. Airplane Pictures

June 5, 2004, 11:17 PM	#15
M2HMGHB Member Join Date: April 16, 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 90	What no family portrait? Seriously you are one lucky man.