Today, we'll look at the 20 round magazine. This item is the #1 weak point of the rifle because it is not produced by SMG. It is actually a Czechoslovakian made ZB26/30 produced very long ago, as in pre-WWII. The magazines are extremely well made and durable but there are two problems. First, because they have not been produced in 70+ years, there are only so many around. Second, like all magazines of that era, there are inherent variations in the dimensions so that a given magazine may or may not fit your rifle. Back then, the factory tested magazines with each rifle until they found a given number that worked well with that particular rifle. These magazines were then numbered to and issued with it. SMG does the same thing and includes two magazines numbered to the rifle. So far, I have tested five magazines with my rifle. The two that were numbered to it worked just fine as did one of the unnumbered ones. However, the other two unnumbered did not work. One of them had a follower that stuck in the magazine body when loaded past just a few rounds (there are no dents in the body either so I'm not sure what the issue is yet) and the other would not properly lock into the magazine well so it would fall out after just a few rounds. These magazines are not cheap either so it quickly becomes an expensive gamble to buy them untested. But we are not taking this thing to war either so do you really NEED more than two magazines when they are so well made that you will never wear even one of them out? Alright, lets take a look at one.
Here's a 3/4 front view of the ZB26/30 magazine:
Given its age, there are some blemishes in the blued finish so it doesn't exactly match the new finish on the rifle. No biggie.....just make your rifle match through some hard use!
Here's the rear:
The bit left in the white at the right of the picture is the follower. Some are blued and some are not. When the magazine is empty, the bolt will catch on the follower and hold the action open, just like an original rifle. When you remove the magazine, the bolt will fly home if you do not have a firm grip on the charging handle. DO NOT let it fly home on an empty chamber as this is detrimental to both the chamber face and the sear. Instead, ease the bolt forward after magazine removal.
Here's a closeup of the original markings on the rear spine showing that it was made in 1937 and matched to a rifle with a serial number ending in 270:
The bottom showing the floor plate with the rear to the right:
To remove the floor plate for internal cleaning or inspection, use a bullet tip to depress the spring button and slide the floor plate to the rear.
So, why use this magazine if it's so old and potentially finicky? Here's whet SMG has to say on the subject:
" This was done in an attempt to use a high quality mag that was moderately priced, available, was the right caliber and looked right..."
It is a decent visual match to an original magazine as can be seen in this picture with an original on the right:
Yes, that is an original WWII German FG42 magazine and NOT a Shoei copy. Original magazines WILL NOT fit into the SMG rifle.