AICS magazine identification

[Darryle]

Who manufactured these mags? Are they genuine 5rd AI mags? I bought them for the Browning X-Bolt Target Max Competition Lite rifle and they will not latch in fully.

The Magpul 5rd AICS mags latch in place, but they are slightly too big and difficult to remove. I really hate to have to order the 5rd MDT mags.

I am actually beginning to hate this rifle and I haven't even sent a single round down range.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Well the bottom would indicate they were made by/for Accuracy International. The top looks like an AICS magazine for the 308 family of cartridges. It sounds to me like the magazine catch is too long. If you were to hold a loaded magazine up into the stock will it feed the catridges.

 

[Rob01]

Is the bolt open or closed when you try to latch them in?

 

[Darryle]

@ShtrRdy , no they will not feed, the magazine base is hitting on the bottom of the front of the factory bottom metal causing the bullet to be below the feed ramp of the rifle.

@Rob01 , I tried it both ways before figuring out that the magazine base is bottoming out on the front on the bottom metal.

In the meantime, I ordered a 3rd and a 5rd MDT magazine, I also ordered the MDT Hunting Bottom Metal for a build around the Aero Precision Solus action, so, if nothing else, I can use these there.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Oh, interesting. I ran into a similar issue with an MPA chassis and AI magazines. I had one Accurate Mag that would latch in and work. I'm afraid you're going to have to get the magazine they recommend or use a 10-rounder.

 

[B y r o n]

If the magazine is hitting the bottom metal before the magazine latch will catch then your only recourse is to use longer magazines like 10 rounders. It's either that or change the bottom metal to a version that will allow the 5 rounder magazine to engage the catch when inserted.

 

[Rob01]

Ah ok. I thought it was a latch problem but if it's hitting the front of the actual bottom metal then longer mags are probably the only fix if you don't want to go at the bottom metal with a file. That bottom metal does seem excessively long.

 

[Darryle]

I would love to use the original style X-Bolt magazine for hunting, but they machined the action specifically to feed from AICS magazines and the rotary magazine sits too deep. I am hoping that the 3rd flush MDT magazine will work, if not, it's going to be the 5rd Magpul and just deal with fighting to get them out of the bottom metal.

Since Browning refuses to sell this bottom metal separately, it's am hesitant to modify it just yet.

Hunting action compared to the Target action, 6.5 Creedmoor target up top, standard 6.5 Creedmoor sporter below

 

[Darryle]

Well, to add more misery to this situation, the 5rd MDT polymer mags will not work, they hit the bottom of the magwell flare just like these AI mags

 

[Rob01]

If you need 5 round mags that bad then just grind down the magwell until they fit.

 

[19Scout77]

Get a ten round mag.

 

[roostercogburn98]

Ah ok. I thought it was a latch problem but if it's hitting the front of the actual bottom metal then longer mags are probably the only fix if you don't want to go at the bottom metal with a file. That bottom metal does seem excessively long.

View attachment 8402292

Jeebuz, I’m surprised he doesn’t trip on that thing the way it hangs down. I can load 5 rounders in an old shitty PTG stealth, and I thought it hung low.

 

[Darryle]

If you need 5 round mags that bad then just grind down the magwell until they fit.

I will be seeeing my gunsmith about it. Looking at possibility flaring the magwell even more. The 3 round MDT is on the way, it was backordered.

At first, I thought Browning executed this nicely, now not so much. Also, this was an exercise in knowledge, I couldn't find any information other than what Browning constantly regurgitated about the rifle, nothing showing the actual differences between the standard X-Bolt and Target. While there are some nice features, there are some fantastic quirks to offset the advancements.