USGI magazine drop free fix?

**BL1** · 11-17-18, 21:54

I recently bought a bunch of heavily used USGI mags. A few of them do not drop free. There are no visible dents or obvious deformations on them, I would not have bought them if they did. Does anyone know of any tricks/fixes to correct mags that do not drop free? (possible areas to file down?)

*edit* The mags in question do not drop free from any of my lowers.

**RedDawn** · 11-17-18, 22:04

I always use an empty metal mag to use as a guide to tightening or loosening the mag release. It always works better this way for me instead of using a Pmag because I prefer metal GI over Pmag. Yeah yeah they are louder but reliable lol.

**Five_Point_Five_Six** · 11-17-18, 22:30

Originally Posted by BL1

I recently bought a bunch of heavily used USGI mags. A few of them do not drop free. There are no visible dents or obvious deformations on them, I would not have bought them if they did. Does anyone know of any tricks/fixes to correct mags that do not drop free? (possible areas to file down?)

*edit* The mags in question do not drop free from any of my lowers.

Heavily used mags purchased second hand should just be used for training. My guess is they're slightly bulged, doesn't take much. I have a few old Colt and Okay Industries mags that will only drop free in my training gun that has a well worn and shiny magwell. Take them to the range and see if they feed reliably. If they do, run them in training. If they don't, I'd toss them. Mags are cheap and plentiful these days and there's no real need to try to bandaid and limp along mags that barely work. Or keep them and sell them for $50 each next time there's a ban panic.

**mack7.62** · 11-17-18, 22:40

I have a fix that works every time, place down range and shoot full of holes. Magazines are a disposable item, AR mags are dirt cheap right now why waste effort trying to fix bad mags?

**hk_shootr** · 11-18-18, 05:47

Originally Posted by BL1

I recently bought a bunch of heavily used USGI mags. A few of them do not drop free. There are no visible dents or obvious deformations on them, I would not have bought them if they did. Does anyone know of any tricks/fixes to correct mags that do not drop free? (possible areas to file down?)

*edit* The mags in question do not drop free from any of my lowers.

A big arse hammer.

Seriously, once the feedlips or body has distorted, they are usually just junk. I’ve tried in the past to get them to feed reliably, reshape and bend but they simply return to their distorted shape.

**Stickman** · 11-18-18, 17:27

Are you in a state which has an AWB?

If not, junk the mags. If you are, use a vise and slowly work the areas which stick. If you don't know what is sticking, use a marker and slather the outside. Do a few insertions, and the wear will then be evident.