Why not spot-weld in a U shaped plate and shorten the spring rather than chop it...The SAFE Act allows modified/shortened magazines...But few mfg's/distributors want to go to the trouble...
I was scrolling thru Herr Cuomo's SAFE web site last week; some yahoo on GB wouldn't sell AK buttstocks to NYS...I asked why and he answered that AK wood was banned in NYS...I asked how an oblong piece of wood could be banned but he never replied with any written/Internet posted ban on furniture, and I couldn't find any either...Just the ban on folding and/or telescoping buttstocks...And it wasn't clear if it was just the stock or if the stock was banned if mounted on the rifle...
Dave - Does that lip on the magazine actually function as part of the feed ramp??? I see daylight in front of the mag...