Stick Mag Lock Up

[T-Bone]

How much vertical play is acceptable or normal in the lock up of a stick mag?

 

Thanks

T

[T Hound]

Mine fails to load if it falls below about 1/16th of an inch. But I haven't actually

measured it. The bolt edge has to catch the cartridge rim enough to push the

round in. Obviously if the rim of the cartridge is just below the bolt cylinder then

it will fail to load. Measure that distance and you will know but I believe it is around

1/16th of an inch.

Edited February 24, 2013 by T Hound

[reconbob]

The less play, the better. If the gun works and feeds don't worry about it.

However, I would think that a very loose mag would eventually batter the mag

catch and certainly that it not a good thing.

My personal opinion on this is that the ideal fit of a mag is that when you

insert it, the catch engages it, but not all the way. Then you push on the

catch and hit the mag with the heel of your hand and the catch clicks into

place and engages fully. If you have this fit you have no rattle at all.

 

Bob

Edited February 24, 2013 by reconbob

[T Hound]

Agreed and well said Bob. But we should probably add for T-Bone's benefit that the

problem may be the box mag to begin with. The usual suspect of course.

[Piep]

T-bone

Have you tryed more than one mag to check the fit up?

 

Bob

[T-Bone]

Thanks all!

 

This was on a new (3/2012 manufacture) Kahr Semi. I figured the problem was generic so I posted in this forum.

 

Some converted (and tested) mags bought off the board were loose and were not feeding on the right consistently. Some overrides, and some misfeeds. Half of the factory Kahr mags were occasionally misfeeding on the right, with loose lockup. Feed from drums is 100.00% reliable. So, I figured it was the mag catch. The mag catch was visibly low in the cutout.

 

I adjusted the catch. They are rather soft, although the steel itself sparks like 1030 or 1040. I pulled the catch up ~.040". At that all but one factory mag would seat. The others seated with little or no play. After a little more adjustment and some deburring on 2 of the Kahr mags, I now have all the mags locking up with virtually no play, pretty much as ReconBob recommends. The converted mags can move vertically about .030", but appear to feed well now. I'll have to go check at the range to be sure.

 

T

[TSMGguy]

The less play, the better. If the gun works and feeds don't worry about it.

However, I would think that a very loose mag would eventually batter the mag

catch and certainly that it not a good thing.

My personal opinion on this is that the ideal fit of a mag is that when you

insert it, the catch engages it, but not all the way. Then you push on the

catch and hit the mag with the heel of your hand and the catch clicks into

place and engages fully. If you have this fit you have no rattle at all.

 

Bob

 

Have to agree with Bob. My USGI M1928A1 and WH M1 both have pristine GI internals, to include the magazine latches. New condition GI magazines have no vertical play in either gun, but they will wiggle from side to side somewhat in the magazine channels in the frames. Both guns have been absolutely reliable.