Repairing Mags?

MtnMike1 · February 28, 2014, 10:51 PM

I've only been shooting semi-autos for a few weeks now so I'm still learning. Need some help with a mag. I have a new M11 A1 and one of the three mags does not keep the slide open after the last shot. It looks like the follower is not as close to the top of the mag as the other two when empty. Is the fix to stretch the spring?

Also, the top edges of the mags are much sharper than the mags of my 226. Will filing the edge off a little harm the functionality?

Thanks

nemesiss45 · March 1, 2014, 04:06 AM

I say go for it. could help. I have to stretch mag springs from time to time. as for filing on it... just be careful. if you file too much in the wrong spots it may mess with the feeding. I'd avoid it unless the sharp edges are really detracting from the mags usability.

Dixie Gunsmithing · March 1, 2014, 06:58 AM

On the one thats not activating the latch, check to make sure it has the same follower inside, as the other two, and if it does, look close to see if it is rubbing on something protruding from the magazine body, or it has something not right with it that may be keeping it from coming all the way up.

The top of the lips, outside edge could be broke/dulled with a file, but don't do anything to the inside edge toward the cartridge follower. You don't need to take very much off at all, just a few passes of a file.

MtnMike1 · March 1, 2014, 09:02 AM

Thanks Dixie, I'll try that.

Jerry45 · March 1, 2014, 02:09 PM

What type of mags? Does the one with the problem have a metal or plastic follower? Do as Dixie has suggested and then and only then, if it has a metal follower and still fails you can bend the tab that hits the slide stop up a little. Also some times the tit on the slide stop is a little short to work with all mags. In that case you'd need to replace the slide stop with one with a longer tit.

natman · March 2, 2014, 10:37 AM

Quote:

You don't need to take very much off at all, just a few passes of a file.

Amen. I have a half round stone that I use for magazine work. You just want to remove the burrs and polish the metal, not carve a new shape.

10-96 · March 3, 2014, 06:38 AM

Also- double check to ensure the offending magazine's spring isn't inserted backwards. That will cause similar problems.

MtnMike1 · March 5, 2014, 10:40 AM

Thanks 10-96. You nailed it; reversed the spring and all is good. Thank you.

10-96 · March 7, 2014, 07:03 AM

De nada MtnMike- I knew being a lowly dept armorer would pay off one of these days.

February 28, 2014, 10:51 PM	#1
MtnMike1 Member Join Date: January 22, 2014 Posts: 90	Repairing Mags? I've only been shooting semi-autos for a few weeks now so I'm still learning. Need some help with a mag. I have a new M11 A1 and one of the three mags does not keep the slide open after the last shot. It looks like the follower is not as close to the top of the mag as the other two when empty. Is the fix to stretch the spring? Also, the top edges of the mags are much sharper than the mags of my 226. Will filing the edge off a little harm the functionality? Thanks __________________ P226 Enhanced Elite MA11 A1 Desert Glock 27

March 1, 2014, 09:02 AM	#4
MtnMike1 Member Join Date: January 22, 2014 Posts: 90	Thanks Dixie, I'll try that. __________________ P226 Enhanced Elite MA11 A1 Desert Glock 27

March 1, 2014, 02:09 PM	#5
Jerry45 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2000 Location: Metairie, Louisiana Posts: 890	What type of mags? Does the one with the problem have a metal or plastic follower? Do as Dixie has suggested and then and only then, if it has a metal follower and still fails you can bend the tab that hits the slide stop up a little. Also some times the tit on the slide stop is a little short to work with all mags. In that case you'd need to replace the slide stop with one with a longer tit. __________________ Guns are not dangerous! People are! RKBA!

March 3, 2014, 06:38 AM	#7
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Also- double check to ensure the offending magazine's spring isn't inserted backwards. That will cause similar problems. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

March 5, 2014, 10:40 AM	#8
MtnMike1 Member Join Date: January 22, 2014 Posts: 90	Thanks 10-96. You nailed it; reversed the spring and all is good. Thank you. __________________ P226 Enhanced Elite MA11 A1 Desert Glock 27

March 1, 2014, 04:06 AM	#2
nemesiss45 Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2014 Posts: 526	I say go for it. could help. I have to stretch mag springs from time to time. as for filing on it... just be careful. if you file too much in the wrong spots it may mess with the feeding. I'd avoid it unless the sharp edges are really detracting from the mags usability.

March 1, 2014, 06:58 AM	#3
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	On the one thats not activating the latch, check to make sure it has the same follower inside, as the other two, and if it does, look close to see if it is rubbing on something protruding from the magazine body, or it has something not right with it that may be keeping it from coming all the way up. The top of the lips, outside edge could be broke/dulled with a file, but don't do anything to the inside edge toward the cartridge follower. You don't need to take very much off at all, just a few passes of a file.

March 7, 2014, 07:03 AM	#9
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	De nada MtnMike- I knew being a lowly dept armorer would pay off one of these days. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

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