loose or shrunken magazine bottoms!

[G.T.]

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