magazine mechanics 101

[Ron Wood]

The magazine "button" is staked into the follower so it is almost impossible to pull it from the follower without damage. Remove the magazine base and spring, then lower the follower until the stud of the button is opposite the small hole in the left side of the magazine body. The button can then be drifted out of the follower using a very small punch. Care must be taken to properly support the magazine during this operation as it is easy to deform the magazine body. Very early magazines of the "flat button " variety had a button that screwed into the follower, but this practice was quickly abandoned since the button tended to loosen and either be lost or inhibit the insertion and operation of the magazine.
Installation of the follower and button is the reverse of this process. The button stud must be staked with a pointed punch through the same small access hole. I am sure there are some folks on the forum that have done this operation many times and can give you detailed tips on how best to support the magazine for the removal and installation of the button. Good luck.