loose or shrunken magazine bottoms!

G.T. · 11-11-2014, 05:47 PM

Hello to all! Well my inability to say no to a difficult repair has led to another service facet in the G.T. Specialties magazine repair business!...

... Many, maybe most all, original wood magazine bottoms have shrunk over the last century, and as a result, are unsupported adequately, on most commonly, the front spine, and to a lesser degree, the rear spine area. Well, when this condition exists, it is almost a forgone conclusion that the bottom is going to break right ahead of the retaining pin, and just aft of the knobs... I've repaired dozens of them, if not more, that have failed in this manner. It is a difficult repair and also needs internal reinforcing, and some special shimming with what ever was available to take up the space... Well, just now, I have produced fixtures and jigs that allows me to build up the front of the magazine bottom with walnut, and then recut the radius back to original dimensions, insuring a tight fit, and reducing the chance of failure at the critical weak point! It's a lot of work, as the magazine, and spring, must function properly in addition to all being robustly strong. So the repair is $50.00 for all, including return postage... This repair is only for those who have something to lose with the magazine bottom hanging out of the clip bottom.. matching, rare, etc.?? BTW, whenever you fully compress a follower on a wood bottom magazine, you should get into the habit of cupping the bottom in your off hand to support it for force directed against the bottom only, not on the retaining pin... save yourself some future tears this way...

... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT

saab-bob · 12-13-2014, 04:36 PM

Hello gents
Just want to give a public kudos to GT for the fine work on 2 luger mags I sent him.

I sent him a Germany marked wooden bottom commercial mag and a nice FXO mag.
The commercial had dents all over it and the wood bottom was shattered. It came back with a replacement bottom indistinguishable from new and no dents. Even the Germany stamp looks original.

The FXO had a good plastic bottom,but was unusable do to a weak spring. It come back with a strong spring and a new bottom identical to new.
A master craftsman indeed for a very reasonable cost.
Should have taken a before and after picture!
Thanks again GT

Bob

Geo99 · 12-13-2014, 09:08 PM

Bob,

I completely agree - I don't have enough good words to say about G.T. He recently repaired a couple of my mags back to perfect looking and working condition, only took a week.

Thanks GT !

- George

11-11-2014, 05:47 PM	#1
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,523 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	loose or shrunken magazine bottoms! Hello to all! Well my inability to say no to a difficult repair has led to another service facet in the G.T. Specialties magazine repair business!...... Many, maybe most all, original wood magazine bottoms have shrunk over the last century, and as a result, are unsupported adequately, on most commonly, the front spine, and to a lesser degree, the rear spine area. Well, when this condition exists, it is almost a forgone conclusion that the bottom is going to break right ahead of the retaining pin, and just aft of the knobs... I've repaired dozens of them, if not more, that have failed in this manner. It is a difficult repair and also needs internal reinforcing, and some special shimming with what ever was available to take up the space... Well, just now, I have produced fixtures and jigs that allows me to build up the front of the magazine bottom with walnut, and then recut the radius back to original dimensions, insuring a tight fit, and reducing the chance of failure at the critical weak point! It's a lot of work, as the magazine, and spring, must function properly in addition to all being robustly strong. So the repair is $50.00 for all, including return postage... This repair is only for those who have something to lose with the magazine bottom hanging out of the clip bottom.. matching, rare, etc.?? BTW, whenever you fully compress a follower on a wood bottom magazine, you should get into the habit of cupping the bottom in your off hand to support it for force directed against the bottom only, not on the retaining pin... save yourself some future tears this way...... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT Last edited by G.T.; 11-11-2014 at 08:12 PM.

12-13-2014, 04:36 PM	#2
saab-bob User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: So Cal Posts: 459 Thanks: 774 Thanked 143 Times in 87 Posts	Hello gents Just want to give a public kudos to GT for the fine work on 2 luger mags I sent him. I sent him a Germany marked wooden bottom commercial mag and a nice FXO mag. The commercial had dents all over it and the wood bottom was shattered. It came back with a replacement bottom indistinguishable from new and no dents. Even the Germany stamp looks original. The FXO had a good plastic bottom,but was unusable do to a weak spring. It come back with a strong spring and a new bottom identical to new. A master craftsman indeed for a very reasonable cost. Should have taken a before and after picture! Thanks again GT Bob __________________ "I think,therefore I own guns"

12-13-2014, 09:08 PM	#3
Geo99 User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Whidbey Island WA Posts: 400 Thanks: 102 Thanked 127 Times in 75 Posts	Bob, I completely agree - I don't have enough good words to say about G.T. He recently repaired a couple of my mags back to perfect looking and working condition, only took a week. Thanks GT ! - George __________________ "Diplomacy is the art of saying nice doggie, until you can find a rock." - Will Rogers