Magazine happiness...

[imarangemaster]

I finally finished my California legal "featureless" (Hammerhead non-pistol grip, muzzle brake, pinned stock) flat top M4gery build with the 16" chrome lined Bushmaster barrel, so I thought I would tackle my mags next. In California, we can use "more than 10 round" magazines only in a "featureless" firearm (M1 Carbine, Mini-14/30, Kel-Tec, M1A, and special AR and AK builds), and then only magazines that WE possessed IN the state PRIOR to 1-1-2000. That means we could not obtain new magazines after 1-1-2000, but can repair existing ones by replacing parts. As of 1-1-2014, we can not even buy complete "repair kits" (a felony), but can still buy individual parts.

I finally got around to rebuilding all (something like a dozen and a half) of my pre-2000, 30 round USGI M16/AR15 mags, some of which I have had since the 70s when I was in the service. The "newest date back to the late 80s or early 90s, well before I retired as an LEO in 2000.

There were Adventureline, Parson's, Colt, Sanchez, and O Kay. Most had early black followers, a few had newer green USGI, and a couple had Magpul followers. One part numbered Colt mag has the dark green follower with the white 62xxx Colt part code on it (I kept that one and its spring aside for later). Some of the 30s have had low round usage, and some very high usage.

I got new springs and Magpul followers for all. When I broke them down, many of the springs were the same length as the new replacement springs, but some were shorter by 1/2 to 3/4 inch. I seriously doubt if I will have any FTFs now (though the only rare ones I had were from old mags with the early black GI followers, Those, by coincidence, were the ones that had the shortest springs!)

Now someday I need to get new springs for my two dozen early 20 rounders, most of which are 1960s vintage "Colt 223" marked with aluminum followers. No hurry on those, though, since I only use them with my 20" retro 602/SP1 clone when I run it featureless.

I rebuilt a badly dented "Simmonds" with a Nodak Spud 601 waffle magazine body, and I also rebuilt one later "Universal Industries" (black plastic follower) 20 rounder that had crushed lips with a newer "curved" 20 rounder body, and the new USGI tan follower and longer (front to rear) and narrower (side to side) GI spring. Much handier with the low profile of the hammerhead grip on it. I like that as the "in the weapon" magazine, with a 1980's vintage Galati Int. six- pack of 30s over the shoulder for a snatch and grab.

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