So I was talking to my Gunnery Sergeant about my 5.56 AK and how Mags are really expensive.
5.56 AK74 pattern magazines are very rare/expensive, not to mention the added bonus that they must be limited to 10 rounds (I'm stationed in San Diego, California). Well that got my gears turning and...
Tools used:
needle file set
dremel
plastic coat hanger (for trunnion latch and magazine latch)
3m super glue.
the PMAG follower even functions as a last round bolt hold open. pretty awesome.
Click here to watch more in depth description
Click here to watch range fit and function test
After Action report:
The trunnion latch on both mags broke off. I attribute this to the coat hanger being made of what I assume is Nylon and I didn't account for the heat the trunnion builds up.
I think I am going to drill and epoxy a small bolt to that spot instead, and then shape it to fit the trunnion latch recess.
Round 2.
I drilled a 3/16" hole on the front where the trunnion latch would go. I then cut and modified a 1/4" slotted bolt to the rough "shape" of a regular trunnion latch. I egged the hole out from .185" to just under .200 so it would be tight. Going very slowly I used the bolt to tap the hole I just drilled. Trimmed the bolt down to clear the follower and super glued in place.
Results: A MUCH STRONGER TRUNNION LATCH
Here is a pic from the top to show the interference with the follower. just some slight dremel work. the bullets clear the bolt just fine.
Next I'm going to try and replace the magazine latch in the shape like this:
I will do my best to make it form fitting and then epoxy it to the backside of the magazine. I might even get fancy with it and J-B weld over the metal strip and sand it flush.
Click here to watch remediation
5.56 AK74 pattern magazines are very rare/expensive, not to mention the added bonus that they must be limited to 10 rounds (I'm stationed in San Diego, California). Well that got my gears turning and...
Tools used:
needle file set
dremel
plastic coat hanger (for trunnion latch and magazine latch)
3m super glue.
the PMAG follower even functions as a last round bolt hold open. pretty awesome.
Click here to watch more in depth description
Click here to watch range fit and function test
After Action report:
The trunnion latch on both mags broke off. I attribute this to the coat hanger being made of what I assume is Nylon and I didn't account for the heat the trunnion builds up.
I think I am going to drill and epoxy a small bolt to that spot instead, and then shape it to fit the trunnion latch recess.
Round 2.
I drilled a 3/16" hole on the front where the trunnion latch would go. I then cut and modified a 1/4" slotted bolt to the rough "shape" of a regular trunnion latch. I egged the hole out from .185" to just under .200 so it would be tight. Going very slowly I used the bolt to tap the hole I just drilled. Trimmed the bolt down to clear the follower and super glued in place.
Results: A MUCH STRONGER TRUNNION LATCH
Here is a pic from the top to show the interference with the follower. just some slight dremel work. the bullets clear the bolt just fine.
Next I'm going to try and replace the magazine latch in the shape like this:
I will do my best to make it form fitting and then epoxy it to the backside of the magazine. I might even get fancy with it and J-B weld over the metal strip and sand it flush.
Click here to watch remediation
