Best solution for a tight Mp40 magwell

[cavalry]

Whats the best option for a tight magwell on a MP40?

 

I am using a Wilson tube gun. The magwell is the late war style with no notch ground into the bottom of the well. The thing is I have 13 magazines and only 3 fit into the gun. Of the three that fit, two are slab sides.

 

I was going to try grinding down some Vig mags. Is that the best option? I have two other magwells and my mags fit into those fine. This one is real snug on the sides.

[Rich.Urich]

Check your mags for "bte" manufacturer on back of mags. These "bte" tended to be much over-wide.

[cavalry]

Most of them are 98E Styr. There is a 27 in there, a few MP41 mags.

 

Of the three that fit I have a 41 AYF, a 40 98e slab in fantastic condition that I initially did not want to use, and a 41 98e that barely fits.

[M17ap]

Try using a nut and bolt that fit inside your mag housing. Hex head type. Put a wrench on each side then slowly back the nut off the bolt. This should expand the mag housing side to side so your mag will slide in and out easily. It’s trial and error just go a 1/4 turn and try mag. Don’t over do it. Sometimes people put the mag housing in a bench vise to hold barreled receiver. Clamping too tight will cause mag housing to close making insertion of mags hard or tight. HTH

[TSMGguy]

What maker made the gun and magwell?

 

It's been my experience that Steyr 98E and kur mags are the best functioning and most consistently made. Agree, bte mags are a real crap shoot.

[cavalry]

I dont see any stamps on the magwell to identify who made it. Its a late war kind of design without that groove in the bottom back of the well. Assembled by Wilson in the states.

[Wiking44]

Have you considered swapping out the magwell? It's not that difficult to do.

 

Edited September 14, 2022 by Wiking44

[cavalry]

I was looking at why the magazine that came with the gun fits fine, and I noticed someone sanded it. They must have encountered the same problem I am running into.

 

The mag on the left is the one that fits and came with the gun. For now I have three that fit without feeling like I am going to break something so that will get me going at least.

 

 

Edited September 15, 2022 by cavalry

[Normal1959]

You can also replace the magazine well.

Eric

[Wiking44]

Have you considered swapping out the magwell? It's not that difficult to do.

 

 

Is my post above invisible?

[cavalry]

No but I have a lot of questions on swapping magwells. Is it a super easy operation or am I better off leaving the gun as-is and just trying to sand down a few magazines? First I need to shoot this gun and make sure it works before anything gets messed with.

[Mike Hammer]

I would not grind down the mags just so they fit that magwell. The magwell is the problem. If you have 2 others that work just change it out, that to me is the best solution.

[Wiking44]

I would not grind down the mags just so they fit that magwell. The magwell is the problem. If you have 2 others that work just change it out, that to me is the best solution.

 

Additionally, if you sand down magazines they may not work as well in a working magwell. Those magazines aren't inexpensive, and by sanding them down you could make them undesirable for others to buy them if the time ever comes.

[Rekraps]

Jaws for life will work.