[Brizzo]

We all know how important a mag is. It seems to be what most often fails first and can literally be the difference whether we live or die.

For an excellent article on how to do so- please purchase or borrow a copy of Guns and Ammo HANDGUNs magazine. The February/March issue. Refer to the article "MAg Matters" by Patrick Sweeney.

I learned a couple tricks or ideas I was never shown or thought of through trial and error. ( I have been a shooter for 30 plus years even back when we layed DOWN to shoot silhouette and shot at bowling pins with revolvers)

Respectfully,
Brizz

 

[Brizzo]

Re: How to test your mag for reliability- GREAT Refference Article ( the Update)

I thought I would hit the highlights at the risk of plagiarism. Since most is good gun sense I should be ok.

1.) Check the springs and NEVER stretch the spring. If unsure try to compare to another mag of the same kind.

2.) Reassemble mag and do some dry runs with it. Make sure it inserts freely and drops free of it's own weight.

3.) Does it lock the slide open during your dry run?

4.) Does the baseplate stay put in normal handling?

A no on any of the above means an unsafe mag.

5.) Does the mag hold the advertised number of rounds and do the cartridges strip of easily using your thumb?

Time to test them out at the range.

6.) Load your mags with 3 rounds and test fire them. Do this a minimum of 10 times. Also fire limp wristed and with your hand at a few different angles to make sure you get positive lock on the last shot.

7.) If the mag(s) pass the above then load them to capcity. Fire only 3 rounds from the mags at least 10 times . The reasoning is that mags usually fail when firing the top 2-3 bullets or the bottom 2-3.

The article also mentions some good common sense things and some info on rebuilding your mags if they DO fail.

The above is the just of the article but the whole thing is worth a read.

Respectfully- Brizz

 

[Brizzo]

My apology. I just reread the article at my son-in-law's house to see if i missed anything.

The first item mentioned was to dissasemble the mag and clean it. Get any dirt accumulation wiped off the inside and wipe away any grease that may be on the inside magazine body or the spring. Also check for any bad spots or burs inside mag body -on the spring -or on the follower

< A liitle note on fixed or welded bottom magazines- If the bottom plate on your magazine is non removable, depress the follower down with a pencil or some such item. While depressed insert a small screwdriver or heavy wire through the bottom inspection hole completely through the mag. Make sure this wire or whatever is BELOW or UNDERNEATH the follower. Remove item that is depressing follower and turn magazine upside down. By gently shaking mag the follower should fall free. You can then remove wire or screwdriver that is holding the spring down. You may want to put the pencil or whatever back into the mag to keep the spring from shooting out. Perhaps do this in a large palstic bag or facing down over the bed- carpet-pillow etc. Slowly release pressure on spring.

Once spring in removed you can inspect inside of mag for burs or rough spots- clean it and the spring and inspect the follower.

Reassemble the same way. Depress and lock spring down a ways in the mag and replace followerer by dropping it into magbody. Release spring and make sure followerer moves up and down properly. Your're ready to finish testing the magazine.

This wasn't mentioned in article that I recall but I thought it may help some of you. >

Respects- Brizzo