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Unread 07-17-2014, 11:20 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alanint View Post
This is a solution to a non-existent problem. It is all about magazine lock-up. Semi autos were inexplicably supplied with an oval shaped magazine catch and magazines altered with an oval hole, (probably Auto Ordnance's feeble attempt to corner the aftermarket sale of magazines versus the buyer being able to access the tons of cheap surplus mags out there). They only succeeded in ruining a good number of original TSMG magazines.
Buy a GI magazine catch, (or alter yours to a round configuration) and buy surplus magazines. The round hole on the original catch and mags locks up snug with minimal discernable wobble.
Yes and no, Doug... Although this getup would assist in the badly-modified stick mags from the factory--which does whang all around and misfeed--I've had no problem at all with the original ones I've carefully adapted to the gun. Emphasis on careful. They lock up tight and feed great.

I just checked to make absolutely certain, and the mag catch on mine is round, not oval. The holes in the adapted mags are oval, however; this due to the need to raise the top edge of the hole the 0.10" so it can be engaged by the mag catch on the semis. The story I've heard about this dimension is that it is the same amount the upper has "shrunk" in the redesigned semis to eliminate any reasonable possibility of converting them to full auto. For future adaptations, I'm considering removal of material from the top edge of the catch, in the same increment, to avoid the need to butcher the mags. This would result in the business end of the catch presenting an oval shape.
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