Anyone Modded the Redi Mag?

[DWood]

Got my first Redi Mag from Botach today, $72 after the "stimulus" discount. It is solid, actually it's pretty heavy. Just wondering if any of you have lightened and refinished yours like the BFG Redi Mod by cutting away some of the metal.

[El Mac]

Not yet, but I'm about to do two for some folks.

[yallknowho]

I did. I used a mill at my friend's machine shop. It came out pretty good.

[Surf]

Several guys have, myself included. A dremel and about 45 mins worth of work.

[rob_s]

I have a Gen I that I bought used last year that I'm planning on cutting up... one day...

[theJanitor]

i had modded in preparation to compare to my BFG redimod. just never got around to trying it out. only part i didn't cut was the clamp section that goes around the magwell and the little bit on the side

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h30/grandprixboy/AR15/gen1002.jpg

[DWood]

[QUOTE=theJanitor;549381]i had modded in preparation to compare to my BFG redimod. just never got around to trying it out. only part i didn't cut was the clamp section that goes around the magwell

QUOTE]

What did you refinish with? Since it is steel I presume leaving any bare metal is a bad idea. I'm sure Krylon will work fine. Other, more durable options?

Now that I've got it mounted, I can see what many have said; not so much the weight of the Redi Mag as it is the weight of the extra loaded mag. I'll train with it some before cutting anything but I can see me making the modification later on.

The BCE (indicated by the arrow) that comes with the Redi Mag seems to work OK for locking the bolt open and closing it; still requires the support hand to manipulate it. I'm waiting on a BAD lever to complete the set up.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/DSC_1362-1.jpg

[Dozer]

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/l_jimenez30/IMG_3196.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/l_jimenez30/IMG_3193.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/l_jimenez30/IMG_3195.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/l_jimenez30/IMG_3192.jpg

[DWood]

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r29/l_jimenez30/IMG_3192.jpg


Dremel? are you going to refinish the bare metal? Did you weigh it before and after? I'm wondering how much weight this really shaves off.

[theJanitor]

i just spray painted mine.

it save little weight, but the angled bottom cut allows for a better sight picture of the magwell when inserting a new mag into the gun magwell. that's the biggest benefit.

[Dozer]

I will be painting mine once I finish my build. I weighed mine and it came up .2oz less the BFG RediMod. I mainly did it to facilitate magazine insertion rather than trying to shave the weight down.

[Dozer]

Dremel? are you going to refinish the bare metal? Did you weigh it before and after? I'm wondering how much weight this really shaves off.

I took it to a friend's machine shop and used the mill.

[theJanitor]

i get the magwell rolled up right in front of my face, so "seeing" the magwell isn't that big of a deal for me personally, but for the guys that leave the gun fairly low while reloading the angled cut out is a big deal.

As dozer said, the extra bonus is the spare mag goes in SOOO much easier now

[rob_s]

If you do decide to cut it, pay attention to the way dozer did his and don't over-cut on the side or the front. Note that his still covers the feedlips of the magazine. Several people have posted pictures of cut-down redimags that have left the feedlips exposed.

Also, as noted, the most valuable cut is the 45* cut at the bottom that gives you greater visibility and accessibility. I hope to have pictures comparing the various types that I have soon.

[DWood]

......... but the angled bottom cut allows for a better sight picture of the magwell when inserting a new mag into the gun magwell. that's the biggest benefit.


...... I mainly did it to facilitate magazine insertion rather than trying to shave the weight down.


After some manipulation drills I understand your point.

[DWood]

double tap

[DWood]

I hope to have pictures comparing the various types that I have soon.

That would be a big help. I notice from all the pictures that mine eliminates the "push rod" style bolt hold open and comes with the BCE (clamps on the bolt release) which can both lock the bolt open as well as close it. It's plastic (or do we have to call it polymer now?), but it seems to work OK.

I would like to see the different styles.

[DWood]

If you do decide to cut it, pay attention to the way dozer did his and don't over-cut on the side or the front.

I'm thinking I will cut a little lower than Dozer did.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/redimodbydozer-1.jpg

[theJanitor]

I'm thinking I will cut a little lower than Dozer did.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/redimodbydozer-1.jpg


that extra bit won't save you anything, but will make the cutting more difficult. and make the possibility of f*cking it up greater too. not worth it, IMO

[DWood]

that extra bit won't save you anything, but will make the cutting more difficult. and make the possibility of f*cking it up greater too. not worth it, IMO

I'm actually thinking more of the top cut being a little lower. The angled cut on the bottom is not so important to me.

[DWood]

After considering the input you guys have provided I'm thinking this might be the only cut I would make. Open up the area to facilitate mag insertion.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/DWood13/redimodbydozer-2.jpg

[Dozer]

Trying to do an angle cut on the mill was a pain in the ass for me so I decided againts it. Another thing you might want to do is level of the angle cut on the face of the redimag. I found out that the 45 degree cut interfered with magazine insertion. I leveled it off and then put a slight bevel on the inside. Just making this change help me improve on reloads.

[theJanitor]

+1 i rounded the edge on mine. the sharp edge would catch on the pmags. on gi mags, not so much

[Surf]

As I mentioned earlier 45 mins from set up to finish using a dremel. Didn't weigh it before or after but it was a noticeable difference. Again the full mag is the weight issue.

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd60/SSDSurf/Guns/IMG_22761.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd60/SSDSurf/Guns/IMG_22721.jpg
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd60/SSDSurf/Guns/IMG_30881.jpg

[Reddevil]

I caveman dremeled mine in 45 minutes. It's not a arfcom foto queen so I don't care about looks, just function.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v646/symr00/9f6434f5.jpg?t=1264207833

[Marc]

My RedyMag Gen. 1 after mod. And before refinishing.

Not only 30 grammes less but also can be used to remove the spare mag. only.


http://gi149.photobucket.com/groups/s57/M9I25PT9NR/GunnyGen1modifiedRedyMag.jpg
http://gi149.photobucket.com/groups/s57/M9I25PT9NR/GunnyGen1modifiedRediMag3.jpg
http://gi149.photobucket.com/groups/s57/M9I25PT9NR/GunnyGen1modifiedRediMag2.jpg
http://gi149.photobucket.com/groups/s57/M9I25PT9NR/GunnyGen1modifiedRediMag4.jpg
http://gi149.photobucket.com/groups/s57/M9I25PT9NR/GunnyGen1modifiedRediMag5.jpg

[DWood]

[
http://gi149.photobucket.com/groups/s57/M9I25PT9NR/GunnyGen1modifiedRediMag3.jpg



Interesting, what did you cut with and how hard was the cut on the back plate that goes against the left side of the receiver? Are you going to refinish the entire thing or just the cut edges? I like the original finish so I'm thinking about just doing the edges.

Your cuts look very straight and the corners are radiused nicely, like they were done on a mill. I'm limited to a Dremel and files.

[DWood]

Another doubletap

[theJanitor]

marc, that looks like a fantastic job. the modified lever seems like a great idea. i doubt my tiny brain could remember what to do with two release systems, though :D

[Marc]

All was done with a small milling machine, files, tig welder and crap steel.
The most difficult things was to clamp the Redi mag with wooden block inside/out to avoid to crush it!
I am going to refinish it completely as stock (manganese phosphatation).
Will have to practice a lot with but seem to be a good compromise between Gen. I and 2.
Sorry for my English but I don't practice enough any more!

[CoryCop25]

I have a GEN 1 that I just finished. I sent it out to get hard coat anodized to match my lower due to my OCD. I should see that in a few months :rolleyes:.

[rob_s]

Here's an OK view of the BFG version showing how their cuts still leave the magazine covered.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q111/rob_s/gun%20stuff/6933-02.jpg

[CAPT KIRK]

Did mine with Dremel and air powered cut off tool

http://i391.photobucket.com/albums/oo355/DEPKIRK/N4front2010.jpg