ARC Mags

Back in Jan... I ordered 4 and got a delivery date of May 1st.

I haven't gotten a tracking number or shipment confirmation so I tried calling again, no one answered.

Anyone get theirs yet? Any update?

I dropped by Anarchy Outdoors which sells the ARC Mags and talked to them the last week of July. Short story was an entire batch was bad and had to go back to the manufacturer. The curved centering tabs were brittle and cracking. They had no time frame for the replacements being shipped. I managed to get two of the magazines before the production problem. I'm happy with them but have seen the problem of the ramp getting stuck when trying to push the rounds out with my thumb. It hasn't happened for me while cycling the bolt but my personal observation is that the spring may be too light or may need to be reversed under the follower.

Ken
 
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Just received my first ARC mag for my Nucleus action installed in a Manner's PRS1 w/ mini chassis and I've had some major malfunctions similar to that described earlier in this thread.

On initial delivery, I noticed immediately that the follower is gritty and sticks/jams very easily with any downward pressure. It's unlike any follower that I've ever seen (AR Mags, Tikka CTR mags, Accurate Mags). Also, when I loaded it to full capacity and tried running it through my Nucleus after about the first 5-6 rds, the bolt stopped feeding. Here's a picture of what I found when I checked the ejection port.
iICuE7.jpg


I tried pushing down the round to see if that would reset the mag and the round was moving around loosely in the mag. I dropped the mag and here's what I found next.

2v4abX.jpg


As I mentioned above, the rounds were moving around loosely. The follower was jammed down at the bottom of the mag and would not budge. Here's a another pic, showing how much space there was behind the round due to the jammed follower.

hGJlO8.jpg


I removed the round from the mag and this is what I was left with...

ckw62i.jpg



After searching and reading through this thread I understand that ARC is recommending to file down the ears on the follower. It also states that the bottom plate is easy to remove, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to remove it. Any tips on how to remove the bottom plate so I can gain access to the follower?

Is this a simple fix or is this mag just a defective one, that should be returned?

Lastly, I'm not trying to run any boutique rounds this the mag, I was testing with Prime 6.5 creedmoor.

This rifle is my new competition rig and I need a set of magazines that are reliable, but also let me load rounds longer than standard magazine length. Thoughts?
 
The bottom plate is easy, put a flathead screw driver in the slot in the bottom and push the tip against the back of the Mag. This leverages against the bottom plate and pops it forward.

I will admit I have a near identical set up but with the PRS 2 stock and I so far haven’t had a single issue with it.
 
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My ARC mags run great in all my guns. I understand they don’t like dusty conditions so if I’m shooting a match That is super dusty I’ll run 3 mags to minimize the amount of grit each one take in.
 
Good video.
If you carefully drop your mag out when that happens, does the round stay stuck down, or does it push back up by itself?

Having same issue with arc mags catching under feed ramp (Curtis axiom, mpa chassis) when I drop my mag rounds are not stuck in mag, they come up. Rounds are getting drug under feed ramp. Trying to figure out a fix
 
Having same issue with arc mags catching under feed ramp (Curtis axiom, mpa chassis) when I drop my mag rounds are not stuck in mag, they come up. Rounds are getting drug under feed ramp. Trying to figure out a fix
If your rounds are getting stuck under the feedramp you may need to look at the MDT magazines with the binder plate. MDT has a good illustration of the issue on their website. Link attached.
https://mdttac.com/collections/poly...magazines-short-action?variant=12900156866611
 
If your rounds are getting stuck under the feedramp you may need to look at the MDT magazines with the binder plate. MDT has a good illustration of the issue on their website. Link attached.
https://mdttac.com/collections/poly...magazines-short-action?variant=12900156866611
Thx for heads up man, I’ll look at them now. I went with arc mags from seeing and checking fit at prs match. I have two arc mags, 419 extenders & lri followers. So frustrated with them. Lot of cash tied up in mags with problems. I’d like to figured out a “fix” for them. However I understand it may not be available. Just can’t believe some one shooting 6.5cm with arc mags and similar (mpa & Curtis) setup hasn’t figured something out. I’m assuming the biggest problem lays with the no-binder plate. Per arc mags being “aw style”. If I loaded to mag length in the arc mags the bullet would not clear feed ramp.
 
I figured out what the issue is with my setup, the tip of the bullets are getting caught on the ramp in the action. I don't really know who to place the blame on for this one, I am sure I could have my smith fix it so that the ramp isn't obstructing the magazine.
Having similar issue. What did you find to help rectify issue? Thx in advance! I’m running Curtis axiom (700 clone/footprint) mpa chassis). I was informed to check out the mdt mags. They have a nice right up about their mags with binder plates. However the difference with plate is .010.
 
If your rounds are getting stuck under the feedramp you may need to look at the MDT magazines with the binder plate. MDT has a good illustration of the issue on their website. Link attached.
https://mdttac.com/collections/poly...magazines-short-action?variant=12900156866611
I’ll have to measure to confirm exactly. The difference from arc mags to the mdt with binder plates are .010. I’ll mic the feed ramp, we’re rounds are hanging, but guessing Im stuck in “deeper” than .010. Haha.
 
Having similar issue. What did you find to help rectify issue? Thx in advance! I’m running Curtis axiom (700 clone/footprint) mpa chassis). I was informed to check out the mdt mags. They have a nice right up about their mags with binder plates. However the difference with plate is .010.
I rectified the issue by being a fat POS and deciding I would rather shoot F Class, which is single shot so no magazines needed :D

It shouldn't be too expensive to have your smith file down the protrusions and fill in the gaps with bedding to allow a smooth transition for the round but that isn't something I looked into. Maybe one day I'll be less fat and try to have it fixed in my rifle.
 
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I rectified the issue by being a fat POS and deciding I would rather shoot F Class, which is single shot so no magazines needed :D

It shouldn't be too expensive to have your smith file down the protrusions and fill in the gaps with bedding to allow a smooth transition for the round but that isn't something I looked into. Maybe one day I'll be less fat and try to have it fixed in my rifle.
Lol that’s funny stuff man! I’m going to sell these mags and go a different route. They just don’t like my action!
 
Just received my first ARC mag for my Nucleus action installed in a Manner's PRS1 w/ mini chassis and I've had some major malfunctions similar to that described earlier in this thread.

On initial delivery, I noticed immediately that the follower is gritty and sticks/jams very easily with any downward pressure. It's unlike any follower that I've ever seen (AR Mags, Tikka CTR mags, Accurate Mags). Also, when I loaded it to full capacity and tried running it through my Nucleus after about the first 5-6 rds, the bolt stopped feeding. Here's a picture of what I found when I checked the ejection port.
iICuE7.jpg


I tried pushing down the round to see if that would reset the mag and the round was moving around loosely in the mag. I dropped the mag and here's what I found next.

2v4abX.jpg


As I mentioned above, the rounds were moving around loosely. The follower was jammed down at the bottom of the mag and would not budge. Here's a another pic, showing how much space there was behind the round due to the jammed follower.

hGJlO8.jpg


I removed the round from the mag and this is what I was left with...

ckw62i.jpg



After searching and reading through this thread I understand that ARC is recommending to file down the ears on the follower. It also states that the bottom plate is easy to remove, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to remove it. Any tips on how to remove the bottom plate so I can gain access to the follower?

Is this a simple fix or is this mag just a defective one, that should be returned?

Lastly, I'm not trying to run any boutique rounds this the mag, I was testing with Prime 6.5 creedmoor.

This rifle is my new competition rig and I need a set of magazines that are reliable, but also let me load rounds longer than standard magazine length. Thoughts?
Did you cut the ears off the follower? I cant imagine any other way the follower could cant forward like that. Ive tried with mine and the ears stop it from doing so unless you intentionally force it.
 
If the tip of the bullet is hitting the bottom of the receiver you can take a Dremel tool and grind it down in the middle where the bullet is catching. Grind or file it away and then a touch up with some cold bluing and you will be set.
 
If the tip of the bullet is hitting the bottom of the receiver you can take a Dremel tool and grind it down in the middle where the bullet is catching. Grind or file it away and then a touch up with some cold bluing and you will be set.
Appreciate the advice. I sold the mags tonight. I had read about guys doing the feed ramp. My Curtis action was already notched. Didn’t want to alter a $1200 action to fit a $70 mag. Ordering the mdt mags with binder plate now.
 
After studying my mag now for a couple of a days it seems that when the follower and spring are compressed, the follower becomes canted and jams into the side of the mag on an angle and never comes back up. This would explain why after a few rounds the mag fails because it does not push the next round up, and the rounds are just flopping around in the magazine with no tension due to the follower being jammed. Has anyone else had this issue, I'm going to call ARC tomorrow to see what they advise.

I have a second mag being delivered on Thursday, it will be interesting if it exhibits the same issues.
 
Appreciate the advice. I sold the mags tonight. I had read about guys doing the feed ramp. My Curtis action was already notched. Didn’t want to alter a $1200 action to fit a $70 mag. Ordering the mdt mags with binder plate now.
The factory notch in the Axiom's is so tiny, it's ineffective. Lots of guys remove blinder plates to allow longer high BC bullets to reach the lands. Going to mags with blinder plates seems like a step backwards. You'd think a $1200 action would have sufficient clearance to begin with.
 
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The factory notch in the Axiom's is so tiny, it's ineffective. Lots of guys remove blinder plates to allow longer high BC bullets to reach the lands. Going to mags with blinder plates seems like a step backwards. You'd think a $1200 action would have sufficient clearance to begin with.
Was my thoughts also. Didn’t seem like the notch was more than 1/8”. My loads are only 2.825 COAL. They were also getting stuck on either side of notch. after shifting forward, under fire recoil. I believe they were getting stuck while coming from double stack-single feed position. Hell I don’t know though!
 
Five pages worth of people having problems and fixes to those problems. I think I'll stay away and keep buying what I already have because it works.
Not arguing with that logic! I read through this whole thread. Were u using the alpha mags? I looked into them. Do you have any issues with sides bulging when loaded at capacity? Seen the reviews on alphas page and other forums?
 
Five pages worth of people having problems and fixes to those problems. I think I'll stay away and keep buying what I already have because it works.
Not arguing with that logic! I read through this whole thread. Were u using the alpha mags? I looked into them. Do you have any issues with sides bulging when loaded at capacity? Seen the reviews on alphas page and other for
My Alpha Mags bulge when loaded and will not insert into the mag well.
Thx for the info!!! Seen a lot of ppl saying the alphas did buldge. Just older reviews tho. I ordered MDT after talking to @MDT_Josh i’ll let you know how they function when they arrive.
 
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The ARCs work great when they want to! Get any type of crud into them, you’re better off single feeding...

I went through probably 5 ARC mags at one point or another, trying to get them to work with different rifles, followers, baseplates, etc. Having gone through all that, I went back to AICS/Accurate Mags. Heck even the MDT and PMAGs I have aren’t as finicky. I’ll deal with the added length if it means getting better reliability.
 
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Thx for the info!!! Seen a lot of ppl saying the alphas did buldge. Just older reviews tho. I ordered MDT after talking to @MDT_Josh i’ll let you know how they function when they arrive.
My Alpha Mags are a few years old, back then people were complaining about not receiving magazines from them. I did not have any issue receiving them but both bulged when loaded with ammo, I got 1 of the normal mags and 1 of the extended case length ones.

Most of the people complaining about ARC was the nose dive issue. In my case there was just a little bit of room between the top of the magazine and the feed ramp and sometimes when the round was transitioning from double stack to the single stack spot the tip of the bullet would get caught under the feed ramp. At the time I thought I had the nose dive issue so I was trying everything, after marker followers, I put the 5 round AICS spring and follower in there, filed down the sides of the original ARC follower and nothing helped. Then I found out that no matter what I did, there was a chance the tip of the round would get caught up on the feed ramp.

I feel like magazines can be a pretty big shit show. The upward pressure of the 10 round AICS was too much when fully loaded, I had to practically punch the bolt forward to strip the round out but that was fixed by cutting the spring down. Other than that the AICS worked great, except I wanted more case length to get closer to the lands so I got the Alpha Mags and those bulged out when loaded. Then I got the ARC mags and the outside of the mag was fantastic, slid in there real gud but then I was having binding issues. Sometimes it feels like there is no winning, except when using a bob sled and going into F Class.
 
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My Alpha Mags are a few years old, back then people were complaining about not receiving magazines from them. I did not have any issue receiving them but both bulged when loaded with ammo, I got 1 of the normal mags and 1 of the extended case length ones.

Most of the people complaining about ARC was the nose dive issue. In my case there was just a little bit of room between the top of the magazine and the feed ramp and sometimes when the round was transitioning from double stack to the single stack spot the tip of the bullet would get caught under the feed ramp. At the time I thought I had the nose dive issue so I was trying everything, after marker followers, I put the 5 round AICS spring and follower in there, filed down the sides of the original ARC follower and nothing helped. Then I found out that no matter what I did, there was a chance the tip of the round would get caught up on the feed ramp.

I feel like magazines can be a pretty big shit show. The upward pressure of the 10 round AICS was too much when fully loaded, I had to practically punch the bolt forward to strip the round out but that was fixed by cutting the spring down. Other than that the AICS worked great, except I wanted more case length to get closer to the lands so I got the Alpha Mags and those bulged out when loaded. Then I got the ARC mags and the outside of the mag was fantastic, slid in there real gud but then I was having binding issues. Sometimes it feels like there is no winning, except when using a bob sled and going into F Class.


Ever try accurate mags without binder plate? I was thinking of giving those a shot
 
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My Alpha Mags are a few years old, back then people were complaining about not receiving magazines from them. I did not have any issue receiving them but both bulged when loaded with ammo, I got 1 of the normal mags and 1 of the extended case length ones.

Most of the people complaining about ARC was the nose dive issue. In my case there was just a little bit of room between the top of the magazine and the feed ramp and sometimes when the round was transitioning from double stack to the single stack spot the tip of the bullet would get caught under the feed ramp. At the time I thought I had the nose dive issue so I was trying everything, after marker followers, I put the 5 round AICS spring and follower in there, filed down the sides of the original ARC follower and nothing helped. Then I found out that no matter what I did, there was a chance the tip of the round would get caught up on the feed ramp.

I feel like magazines can be a pretty big shit show. The upward pressure of the 10 round AICS was too much when fully loaded, I had to practically punch the bolt forward to strip the round out but that was fixed by cutting the spring down. Other than that the AICS worked great, except I wanted more case length to get closer to the lands so I got the Alpha Mags and those bulged out when loaded. Then I got the ARC mags and the outside of the mag was fantastic, slid in there real gud but then I was having binding issues. Sometimes it feels like there is no winning, except when using a bob sled and going into F Class.
This all sounds like my story!!!! Page right out of my book!!! I have the mdt with binder plates coming. I load my 6.5 at 2.826 C.O.A.l. The mdt with binders are max of 2.87 (pmags are 2.86, which run well without pressure from obstacles) I was in between the accurate mag and mdt, went with the mdt bc @MDT_Josh responded quickly and gave great info and willing to give support if issues are present when new mags arrive. Tempted to order an accurate mag also to compare and decide if there’s difference.
 
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Ever try accurate mags without binder plate? I was thinking of giving those a shot
I have not but the way my action is in the stock, there is just a point that no matter what you do there is a chance the round will get stuck. Like if the ARC mag had a plate that restricted case length then it wouldn't have a chance to get stuck and would work perfectly.
 
Tempted to order an accurate mag also to compare and decide if there’s difference.
I'd be curious about this also. In looking at pictures of them, the follower looks identical and just a slight difference in the shape of the sides.

I'm looking to pick up a couple mags also and trying to decide which way to go, more arcs, accurate, or mdt. Have been using arcs without a lot of issue but still have to reach in and push down on the rear of a round on occasion to get the nose to pop up. I think the polymer tips rub the front slightly and hold the nose from poping up completely.
 
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Bought two ARC mags only after the assurances of a buddy, that another buddy's printed follower kit makes for a smooth and reliably feeding mag.

Haven't had a chance to do more than swap the followers and cycle ten rounds but I can say this. So far so good. Cycled slow and fast, flawless feeding in my Bighorn TL3 in an XLR Envy chassis.

Will report back after some range work and maybe some dirt.
 
I ran ARC mags last year with a TL3 in 6BR in a MPA chassis with no problems.

That said, for other combinations the LRI followers are very nice and add to the reliability of these.
 
I'd be curious about this also. In looking at pictures of them, the follower looks identical and just a slight difference in the shape of the sides.

I'm looking to pick up a couple mags also and trying to decide which way to go, more arcs, accurate, or mdt. Have been using arcs without a lot of issue but still have to reach in and push down on the rear of a round on occasion to get the nose to pop up. I think the polymer tips rub the front slightly and hold the nose from poping up completely.
MDT mags arrived today. All problems are gone!!!! I didn’t run mag Lips across file as they were just touching bolt. Cycles perfect, fast, slow etc.
 
My second ARC mag arrived this last Thursday and it runs flawlessly, like butter, so obviously there's something wrong with the first. I checked the springs, and can't see a difference, same with the box so I'm going to send it back to ARC to have them take a look at it.
 
Glad you arent having any issues with them. Do you have any arc mags to compare them to? Physical size and feed lip length comparison?
I sold the arc mags to buddy who’s rifle they work fine in (for now). Seems from reading the 700 clone/foot print dosent like them bc of feed ramp(even with notched center). I Bought The mdt with binder plate. My loads don’t exceed the length allowed with binder. Put 50 through rifle today. No failures, smooth feeds. The mdt seems to be a better made magizine, much better follower in the mdt. The springs in MDT are flat & wider, they are tuned very well. The ARC springs were thin, round and rather “janky” when compared. Honesty the only thing the mags shared is the fact the are both steel. I did run the MDT mags (10 & 12 rounder) over a file a few swipes as the feed lips were just touching my bolt. Maybe 3-4thou. Another buddy shoots an AI, I tried his factory mags, which were SUPER tight on bolt. Didn’t even want to run them for last rifle match, bc they were so tight against bolt. The MDT feed lips would have prob worn in fine. I just elected to speed up the process. Also nice that @MDT_Josh is on here and willing to help!
 
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