Problem with Vis P-35 Magazines

[MoscowMike]

I got a couple of additional magazines for my Polish Vis P-35 pistol from TripleK. They are the only source I can find, and have a mixed reputation. They seemed to fit well, and dropped free easily. Too easily, as it happens. When you load them and drop the slide, they just fall out of the pistol.

Turns out they are a bit too narrow. The good mag which came with it is .466” thick and the two they supplied are ~ .452. A couple of pieces of blue painters tape on the side away from the catch brought the thickness up to .461 and pushed the magazine more firmly onto the catch, which seems to work fine. If they weren’t so much thinner than the original mag I would wonder about replacing the catch, but this pistol looks like one that was carried a little and not shot much. The internal parts are not worn.

When I reported that to TripleK, with details, they just said I could return them and pay shipping. If the replacement mags also have problems I have just spent more money - so I’m debating coming up with a more permanent way of making them thicker. It’s just a range toy so I don’t need things to be perfect.

Any suggestions for how to do that, or comments on TripleK actually coming through with better magazines?

 

[bannockburn]

MoscowMike

Maybe find some sheet metal that's the right thickness and cut out slabs for both sides of the magazine body and fix them them in place (perhaps though soldering or welding).

 

[Nuclear]

Maybe ceracoting the mags to make them thick enough.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

MoscowMike

Maybe find some sheet metal that's the right thickness and cut out slabs for both sides of the magazine body and fix them them in place (perhaps though soldering or welding).

Brake pad shims come to mind......about the right size, easily cut with tin snips or a dremel.

I would probably see if I could "blow out" the mag body first by hammering a slightly oversize socket or somesuch down into it at least to the level of the cut for the catch.

I got very lucky that my VIS came with a spare factory magazine- those stupid things are going for $300+ on Ebay!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Now that I think about it, wonder if a 9mm 1911 mag could be made to work?

 

[Skylerbone]

I would probably see if I could "blow out" the mag body first by hammering a slightly oversize socket or somesuch down into it at least to the level of the cut for the catch.

I vote this with a strip of lumber to flex the outside dimensions slightly without damaging the interior surfaces. Then it can be compressed externally, likely with simple hand pressure, if things go slightly over.

 

[Mizar]

Just get small needle nose pliers and carefully bend outward the upper wall of the magazine catch slot. Go slowly!

 

[MoscowMike]

Several very interesting ideas! I notice nobody has suggested exchanging them with TripleK

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Several very interesting ideas! I notice nobody has suggested exchanging them with TripleK

Naw, youll just get more of the same, lol.

I had a 3K magazine for my 1907 Savage and never could get it to work, despite much bending, filing, and dimpling.

On the other hand, the 3K mag for my M51 Remington fits and functions fine out of the box.......

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Its crazy how rare Vis35 mags are considering they were the 3rd most numerous Wermacht pistol after the Luger and P38.....of course, its not like those mags are a dime a dozen now either, I suppose.

 

[Monac]

There is an extended 10 round Radom VIS-35 magazine on Ebay for $50: https://www.ebay.com/itm/363406695888?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

At least it looks like it is made quite differently from the Triple K's. I have no idea if it's any good or not. The seller has or had an actual Radom (albeit a nickel plated one).

 

[Monac]

Now that I think about it, wonder if a 9mm 1911 mag could be made to work?

I would guess not. If you put a VIS-35 and a 1911 side-by-side, the 1911 is significantly bulkier; in particular, it's wider. When I look at Colt 1911 9mm magazines on Ebay (because that's what I had handy), they all seem to have the external dimensions of the 45 ACP magazine, and use grooves pressed into the sides of the magazine to narrow it down for 9mm. Here's a Colt factory one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/354095676911?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Aftermarket ones are similar.

I'm just guessing, though, because I've never had a 9mm 1911. But that's the way the magazines look to me.

 

[MoscowMike]

I followed the suggestion of using some thin sheet metal to shim the magazines. My hobby shop had some really thin brass, but even so I had to buff it thinner so the magazine will drop free. This is the third version I tried. Earlier I covered most of the side, but the KKK magazine is thicker near the bottom so it dragged too much. A small patch just where the magazine touches the frame opposite the catch worked better, and then I decided to drill the witness holes. Now that I know what works I'm tempted to cut some new pieces which are more symmetrical, but I'm probably too lazy.
These are held on with 30-minute epoxy. Soldering would likely be more durable, but for my purpose this should be OK.
An interesting project.

 

[tarosean]

When I look at Colt 1911 9mm magazines on Ebay (because that's what I had handy), they all seem to have the external dimensions of the 45 ACP magazine, and use grooves pressed into the sides of the magazine to narrow it down for 9mm.

Yes, 9mm 1911 mags are the same size as 45acp as there is only size frame is used. However, there is a spacer in the rear of the magazine to fit the shorter cartridge. Grooves would only be for style points.

 

[Monac]

Yes, 9mm 1911 mags are the same size as 45acp as there is only size frame is used. However, there is a spacer in the rear of the magazine to fit the shorter cartridge. Grooves would only be for style points.

Oh, thanks for the correction. I had been guessing that the internal width of the magazine needed to be reduced in some way because of the difference in the diameter between 45 ACP and 9mm Para. I need to learn not to make declarations based on guesses.

 

[tarosean]

I need to learn not to make declarations based on guesses.

No your okay!!! For some reason I had fancy groves stuck in my head. So I definately had a stupid moment..(I'll blame Insomnia/Jet lag ) Yes modern 9mm mags are crimped.