last little thing?.....Mec-Gar mag bottoms

G.T. · 05-02-2016, 09:25 PM

Hi To all! A lot of my previous work both with mag upgrade and development, plus barrel work and just basic performance issues, has involved Mec-Gar magazines... Both Blue and Nickel. The latest MG mags leave little room for improvement, and actually, they have addressed problems a normal Luger shooter would NEVER see in a lifetime of shooting!....

... I am impressed both with their product, and even though it took some time, their effort to correct issues that occurred from time to time....
But, all that having been said, one thing they still are missing is the funky black plastic Navy concentric ring bottom design!

... Well, today I decided to see if that was correctible, and the good news is yes! A 3/4" ball end mill effectively removes all the rings and provides a much better concave recess to properly grasp the bottom piece... It's not all that much better looking, but it does look better???... I will trade you one of mine for one of yours for $10.00 and/or, sell you one for a broken mag bottom replacement for $15.00 ... I have a few, and will be generating more as time goes by....

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

BTW, only applies to the Nylon filled (dull not shiny) new bottom pieces... the shiny ones will break soon if not already broken...

sheepherder · 05-02-2016, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.T.

BTW, only applies to the Nylon filled (dull not shiny) new bottom pieces... the shiny ones will break soon if not already broken...

I have 2 of the shiny and 4 of the dull Mec-Gar bottoms in my junk box...New unused, all pulls...What are they worth to you???

Hint: I could use an aluminum bottom...Of some kind...

G.T. · 05-02-2016, 11:50 PM

Hi Rich! toss the shiny ones... but the dull ones are perfect trade for a new EG cast bottom that is cleaned up along the part line! (Mauser WW2 clone!?) ....

... I'll send out later this week if acceptable to you?....

... til....lat'r....GT....

G.T. · 05-02-2016, 11:53 PM

Hi to all, seems as if I've been spouting off too much again!....

... Time to get back to work as all I've recently learned is now out for review!... More in the future.. but work, work, work for now! best to all, and thanks, til...lat'r....GT...

sheepherder · 05-05-2016, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.T.

Hi to all, seems as if I've been spouting off too much again!

How about posting a pic of your modified dished Mec-Gar mag bottoms?

I hadn't noticed that Mec-Gar had changed to Nylon rather than plastic bases. In fact, I was somewhat surprised to note that an older Mec-Gar I have has an aluminum follower, rather than the new plastic followers.

Newer does not mean better.

Zorba · 05-05-2016, 11:01 AM

I recently bought one of the new MecGars - it works flawlessly!

Edward Tinker · 05-05-2016, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zormpas

I recently bought one of the new MecGars - it works flawlessly!

pictures or didn't happen

G.T. · 05-05-2016, 10:59 PM

Hi Ed and all! Yes! I'll get some pictures as soon as I get back from NC! My daughter is getting her masters in clinical psychology ..... Be back Monday! Proud papa! ....

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

Zorba · 05-05-2016, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

pictures or didn't happen

It looks something like this:

kurusu · 05-06-2016, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Tinker

pictures or didn't happen

Serving Zorba is own medicine are you?

sheepherder · 05-06-2016, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zormpas

It looks something like this:

Hmmmm...Midway has Mec-Gar Luger mags back in stock??? Greg Cote has them as well.

I think what we want pics of is Gerry's dished Mec-Gar Nylon mag bottoms. I'm just curious as to whether the ball end mill leaves a shiny finish against the dull charcoal finish of the OEM bottom...

Well, I thought that while we're waiting for Gerry to return, I'd experiment...

First pic is of a shiny plastic (not Nylon) Mec-Gar mag base clamped between two pieces of plywood...I have a quick & dirty jig for holding Luger aluminum magazine bottoms (shown on top of vise) but the Mec-Gar is a bit larger, so I just clamped it...It's junk, after all...

Second pic is after the 5/8" ball end mill dishes out the knob. Not a high-gloss shine, more dull...It could be buffed with a rounded mandrel & wet-or-dry sandpaper, but again, OEM plastic - who cares...

So, it looks like Gerry's dishing magazine knobs would be an interesting & maybe worthwhile modification. Especially if you had several mags. They could even be dished without removal.

(I'll delete this stuff when Gerry returns and posts pics of his work).

DonVoigt · 05-06-2016, 10:07 AM

Nooo!

Don't delete, it is very worth while for those who want to DIY to see what you have.
That can be done in a drill press or by hand, a mill is not necessary IMO- but the ball mill may be.

I learned something I didn't know, I thought the shiny aluminum bases were metal- not plastic.

LIve and learn.

Thanks for posting.

Edward Tinker · 05-11-2016, 08:12 PM

pictures posted for non-picture GT

Rich, I too hate it when you delete pictures / threads because its usually helpful

G.T. · 05-11-2016, 08:34 PM

The pictures Ed so graciously added to the beginning of the thread, (because I can't figure out how to do it!..

) shows the Nylon reinforced MEC-GAR mag bottoms with my effort to dish the knobs for better purchase when shooting?... Where as Rich used a 5/8" end mill, I used a 3/4" and took it to the max, both have there appeal but, I would say it is most likely what we had on hand was what got used!

I am probably going to stay with the 3/4" because it is out to the max and feels very positive for the shooter in me.. but, aesthetically, the 5/8" is by far more preferable...

... Either way, it is an improvement to the MEC-GAR concentric ring offering... The last picture is a normal day at GT's work space! (next qty. 5 Numrich drums going out!) It can change to messy and stormy in a heartbeat!...

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

Hi Rich! Please, Don't delete! You efforts and posts are always really interesting, and food for thought at a very high level!!!! .... I learn from them every time you post!..... Best to you, til...lat'r...GT

sheepherder · 05-11-2016, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.T.

I would say it is most likely what we had on hand was what got used!

Exactly. My quick change collet set only goes to 5/8". My R8 collets go to 7/8" but I lose 2" quill travel if I go to them. I haven't had a use for any ball end mill greater than 5/8" yet.

What I need is a precision ground 4" high table adapter so that the R8 collets will extend down to the work surface. Until I get that sorted out, I'll stick with the QC collets.

I like to amuse myself with humorous comments, but I realize that my humor is only appreciated by myself so I'll delete them after I have my chuckle. I crack myself up sometimes!

G.T. · 05-11-2016, 11:15 PM

Hi Rich, I get your humor.... again don't delete! It's part of the fun here....

... The main difference between what we have done, is mine is lathe turned, while yours are milled.... I wish I had a mill... maybe in the future!....

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

Edward Tinker · 05-12-2016, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonVoigt

Nooo!

Don't delete, it is very worth while for those who want to DIY to see what you have.
That can be done in a drill press or by hand, a mill is not necessary IMO- but the ball mill may be.

I learned something I didn't know, I thought the shiny aluminum bases were metal- not plastic.

LIve and learn.

Thanks for posting.

i think it just looks aluminum? Mec gar never made aluminum did they?

aldo35 · 05-12-2016, 07:18 AM

What a great thread!
Thanks to all. I will look at my mags again
Aldo35

sheepherder · 05-12-2016, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G.T.

The main difference between what we have done, is mine is lathe turned, while yours are milled.

You chuck one knob in the lathe chuck and the ball end mill in the tailstock chuck??? Another skinned cat!

I have been on the lookout for a tool post milling attachment for years. I owned one once; they are great! Basically a mill vise mounted on an L-shaped base, it has a center pivot so you can turn it 360º. It also has a screw to allow lengthwise movement.

It makes any operation so much easier.

G.T. · 05-12-2016, 12:02 PM

Hi Rich, long ago, actually since the start of my machining efforts, I've always been either under machined (too small!), or broke! Which in machinist terms is the same thing! ....So, I have had to invent almost all my own tooling, fixtures, collets and such. It not only had to be simple, but inexpensive, and flexible..... So, early on I started making my own one-shot collets by turning a round disc on my lathe, indexed to my three jaw chuck, with the correct size hole and a slot to provide clamping / spring tension, and bored to the final dia. with a boring tool or drill / reamer.. As long as I always mounted it indexed the same, it was repeatable zero and concentric! I found I could reposition the work by sliding it thru or re-indexing it to my home grown collet and maintain concentricity, as long as the index marks were aligned. So, with the mag bottoms I simply insert the knob thru the homemade collet from the back side, and it is both held tight and true... then I just plunge with a ball end mill ...

... If the stock moves, I simply wedge a piece of aluminum stock between the backside of the work and the face of the 3 jaw chuck.... (really shade tree!!!!

) If I even remotely ever knew what I was doing, I would have probably quit years and years ago!.....

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

05-02-2016, 09:25 PM	#1
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	last little thing?.....Mec-Gar mag bottoms Hi To all! A lot of my previous work both with mag upgrade and development, plus barrel work and just basic performance issues, has involved Mec-Gar magazines... Both Blue and Nickel. The latest MG mags leave little room for improvement, and actually, they have addressed problems a normal Luger shooter would NEVER see in a lifetime of shooting!....... I am impressed both with their product, and even though it took some time, their effort to correct issues that occurred from time to time.... But, all that having been said, one thing they still are missing is the funky black plastic Navy concentric ring bottom design! ... Well, today I decided to see if that was correctible, and the good news is yes! A 3/4" ball end mill effectively removes all the rings and provides a much better concave recess to properly grasp the bottom piece... It's not all that much better looking, but it does look better???... I will trade you one of mine for one of yours for $10.00 and/or, sell you one for a broken mag bottom replacement for $15.00 ... I have a few, and will be generating more as time goes by...... Best to all, til....lat'r....GT.... BTW, only applies to the Nylon filled (dull not shiny) new bottom pieces... the shiny ones will break soon if not already broken... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Edward Tinker; 05-11-2016 at 09:30 PM.

05-02-2016, 11:50 PM	#3
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	Hi Rich! Hi Rich! toss the shiny ones... but the dull ones are perfect trade for a new EG cast bottom that is cleaned up along the part line! (Mauser WW2 clone!?) ....... I'll send out later this week if acceptable to you?.... ... til....lat'r....GT....

05-02-2016, 11:53 PM	#4
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	Going back in my cave for awhile? Hi to all, seems as if I've been spouting off too much again!....... Time to get back to work as all I've recently learned is now out for review!... More in the future.. but work, work, work for now! best to all, and thanks, til...lat'r....GT...

05-05-2016, 10:59 PM	#8
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	Pictures! Hi Ed and all! Yes! I'll get some pictures as soon as I get back from NC! My daughter is getting her masters in clinical psychology ..... Be back Monday! Proud papa! ...... best to all, til...lat'r....GT....

05-06-2016, 10:07 AM	#12
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,681 Thanks: 1,443 Thanked 4,354 Times in 2,041 Posts	Nooo! Don't delete, it is very worth while for those who want to DIY to see what you have. That can be done in a drill press or by hand, a mill is not necessary IMO- but the ball mill may be. I learned something I didn't know, I thought the shiny aluminum bases were metal- not plastic. LIve and learn. Thanks for posting. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

05-05-2016, 11:01 AM	#6
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 952 Thanks: 777 Thanked 527 Times in 290 Posts	I recently bought one of the new MecGars - it works flawlessly!

05-11-2016, 08:12 PM	#13
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,960 Thanks: 2,062 Thanked 4,591 Times in 2,114 Posts	pictures posted for non-picture GT Rich, I too hate it when you delete pictures / threads because its usually helpful

05-11-2016, 08:34 PM	#14
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	here ya go! The pictures Ed so graciously added to the beginning of the thread, (because I can't figure out how to do it!..) shows the Nylon reinforced MEC-GAR mag bottoms with my effort to dish the knobs for better purchase when shooting?... Where as Rich used a 5/8" end mill, I used a 3/4" and took it to the max, both have there appeal but, I would say it is most likely what we had on hand was what got used! I am probably going to stay with the 3/4" because it is out to the max and feels very positive for the shooter in me.. but, aesthetically, the 5/8" is by far more preferable... ... Either way, it is an improvement to the MEC-GAR concentric ring offering... The last picture is a normal day at GT's work space! (next qty. 5 Numrich drums going out!) It can change to messy and stormy in a heartbeat!... ... Best to all, til...lat'r....GT... Hi Rich! Please, Don't delete! You efforts and posts are always really interesting, and food for thought at a very high level!!!! .... I learn from them every time you post!..... Best to you, til...lat'r...GT Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Edward Tinker; 05-11-2016 at 09:31 PM.

05-11-2016, 11:15 PM	#16
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	Process used! Hi Rich, I get your humor.... again don't delete! It's part of the fun here.... ... The main difference between what we have done, is mine is lathe turned, while yours are milled.... I wish I had a mill... maybe in the future!....Best to you, and all, til...lat'r...GT.....

05-12-2016, 07:18 AM	#18
aldo35 User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Northern GA Posts: 389 Thanks: 2,294 Thanked 180 Times in 89 Posts	Mec-Gar Mags What a great thread! Thanks to all. I will look at my mags again Aldo35

05-12-2016, 12:02 PM	#20
G.T. Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Chandler Arizona Posts: 3,522 Thanks: 1,321 Thanked 3,706 Times in 1,011 Posts	Shade tree machining!!!! Hi Rich, long ago, actually since the start of my machining efforts, I've always been either under machined (too small!), or broke! Which in machinist terms is the same thing! ....So, I have had to invent almost all my own tooling, fixtures, collets and such. It not only had to be simple, but inexpensive, and flexible..... So, early on I started making my own one-shot collets by turning a round disc on my lathe, indexed to my three jaw chuck, with the correct size hole and a slot to provide clamping / spring tension, and bored to the final dia. with a boring tool or drill / reamer.. As long as I always mounted it indexed the same, it was repeatable zero and concentric! I found I could reposition the work by sliding it thru or re-indexing it to my home grown collet and maintain concentricity, as long as the index marks were aligned. So, with the mag bottoms I simply insert the knob thru the homemade collet from the back side, and it is both held tight and true... then I just plunge with a ball end mill ...... If the stock moves, I simply wedge a piece of aluminum stock between the backside of the work and the face of the 3 jaw chuck.... (really shade tree!!!!) If I even remotely ever knew what I was doing, I would have probably quit years and years ago!........ Best to all, til...lat'r....GT.....