Gunsmithing Cut down AICS magazine?

[Quietcro]

Has anyone had any luck reducing a 5rd AICS magazine (300WM in this case) from 5 to 2or3 rounds? With a little metal bending on the bottom, after cutting, to make 'lips' for the base, it seems reasonable. The spring trimming seems like it it will be the toughest part.

I want a mag flush to the bottom metal for hunting purposes. The planned build is a Tikka lite in a McMillan Game Hunter with Mountain Tactical DBM.

Thanks.

 

[Carpdoctor]

I believe Accurate Ordnance does it.

 

[PBWalsh]

http://www.curtiscustom.com/product/magazines/

 

[308pirate]

Let me ask the obvious question: why would you go through all this trouble when the rifle already comes with a flush fitting, 3 round detachable magazine?

Why would you invite all this work, cost, and potential reliability problems when you can just have the stock inletted for the DBM that already comes with the rifle?

 

[MarinePMI]

Sure it can be done, but like 308P asks, would it not be easier to just buy the bottom metal that comes with a 3rd mag?

If it's a matter of money, existing parts stash or what not, than yeah, a vise, a hack saw, flat nosed pliers and some files will allow you to do it. While I haven't specifically done an AI, I have shortened other similarly made metal mags in the past. Just make sure you get your measurements right; it's a lot easier to take the metal off, than put it back on.

 

[MarinePMI]

Okay. I just went downstairs and pulled a 5rd AICS .308 mag and did a quick measurement, so have to add some caveats to my previous post.

Can it be done? Probably. But, looking at the mag now, the challenge you'll have is that the taper of the mag starts about .50" from the bottom. While the corners remain square the full length of the mag, the taper between the two ribs will mean that you will have a gap in the floor plate lip at some point if you go more than .50". This means the mag wall will not have the support of the floor plate to keep the mag walls straight and square (could bulge when loaded). Also, removing .50" (I think) will still not get you a true flush mag. Again, this is for a .308 mag, so not sure how much of that applies to the .300WM version (just reread your post and caught the .300WM detail).

Is this desire for a flush mag for aesthetic reasons? You might be able to cut it down some (not completely flush) and then add a delrin shroud to the floor plate that comes up the sides of the mag to so that it gives the illusion of being flush (shroud tapered rear to front to blend it into the stock/DBM lines).

Just thinking out loud here...

Edit: Went at looked online at the .300WM mag, and it looks like you could just cut it down (as mentioned in my first post). The taper on it appears much higher up the magazine body, so disregard my .308 AICS gibberish. I need to drink more coffee int the morning before responding.

 

[308pirate]

Sure it can be done, but like 308P asks, would it not be easier to just buy the bottom metal that comes with a 3rd mag?.

Don't even need to buy a bottom metal, just re-use the one that comes with the T3X. Yeah it's plastic, but so are Glock frames so there's that.

If he wants to splurge for an aluminum bottom metal that works with OEM mags, Mountain Tactical makes them for $150.

I'm always amazed at the amount of work and expense some want to dive into for no good reason.

 

[MarinePMI]

I hear you, but I just look at it like "Meh, people are strange, and tend to do what they want to do, for whatever perceived reasons they have. If it doesn't affect me...shrug...let'em have at it. We all may learn a thing or two in the process. Who knows?"

No harm, no foul. Different horses for courses, so-to-speak....

 

[Stooxie]

Seems to be a classic example of solving a problem that didn't need to be created in the first place, which I think is what @308pirate is getting at. People are so quick to do away with the factory plastic mag and trigger guard for AICS. But the AICS mags are crazy long and certainly no cheaper.

For the OP, I have no doubt that with enough effort what you seek can be made to work. However, for those times I would just put the plastic trigger guard back in your stock and use the OEM mag.

-Stooxie

 

[MarinePMI]

LOL! You two sound like some classic crusty old guys. (And I'm not saying that as a pejorative either.)

That being said, sometimes I think we forget that innovation (a lot of times) comes from efforts that most scoff at, or ask the "Why in the hell would you do that, when this other thing already works?" question.

I'm not saying your points aren't valid and common sensical, only that squashing someone's desire to do something different (even if it doesn't make sense) is counter productive.

@308pirate I get it, you're a manufacturing engineer, so it's in your nature to immediately go to the quickest, most efficient solution. And from a manufacturing perspective, that makes perfect sense. However, from an R&D/innovation perspective, that is exactly the wrong approach to take.

@Stooxie I gather you're an older guy, that's been around the block a time or two (which I can relate to as well), and just doesn't tolerate foolishness much. So, I can see your perspective in "skip to the end, and quit wasting time and effort".

But, if the OP is just exploring options, is willing to do the work himself, and has a unique requirement/desire, why get down on him because he wants to use his opposing thumbs to solve a perceived problem? It costs the rest of us nothing.

As someone that has worked R&D in both Defense, and the shooting sports industry, I've seen things like this actually provide real value and innovation that never would have been done, if it hadn't been for the quirky curiosity to explore doing something that doesn't quite make sense, but fulfills a unique need.

I guess what I'm saying is, how about we be a little less negative to someone asking a question to perform a task, and just try and provide insight into how it could be done, with maybe a few questions about what they are trying to achieve? Enable someone, not dissuade them.

Again, this is not a personal attack on either of you. I'm just trying to (politely as possible) suggest maybe voicing a little less negative of a response.

b/r

 

[Stooxie]

Your assessment, at least of me, isn't quite accurate. No offense taken. I have no issue with innovation and I don't consider myself an older person. I'm building a 6.8 SPC Tikka T3, half because everyone said it couldn't be done. Hogwash, it's actually coming together with minimal effort. The key, here, for me, is that I am leveraging the Tikka platform, not fighting it.

My context for the OP isn't that he shouldn't boldly go where the naysayers say he shouldn't go, but rather just to check to make sure he isn't solving a problem for which there is already a solution sitting in the spare parts bin, and the only reason he's not using them is because he's been convinced that AICS is the only way to go.

-Stooxie

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

With a little metal bending on the bottom, after cutting, to make 'lips' for the base, it seems reasonable. Thanks.

If I was going to undertake the project I would have the base TIG welded/tacked to the body and forget about making the lips for the base to attach. You could just soak the whole deal in solvent in the event you needed to clean it (probably every 5 years or so.) Make your cuts, trim, weld and paint.

 

[bjay]

What about HS dbm with 3 rds mag?

 

[308pirate]

Your assessment, at least of me, isn't quite accurate. No offense taken. I have no issue with innovation and I don't consider myself an older person. I'm building a 6.8 SPC Tikka T3, half because everyone said it couldn't be done. Hogwash, it's actually coming together with minimal effort. The key, here, for me, is that I am leveraging the Tikka platform, not fighting it.

My context for the OP isn't that he shouldn't boldly go where the naysayers say he shouldn't go, but rather just to check to make sure he isn't solving a problem for which there is already a solution sitting in the spare parts bin, and the only reason he's not using them is because he's been convinced that AICS is the only way to go.

-Stooxie

Exactly.

Innovation should solve a problem

 

[MarinePMI]

Exactly.

Innovation should solve a problem

True. But sometimes innovation comes from trying to solve one problem (that really isn't that much of a problem), only to find the solution is a better fit for a separate problem.

That's more of my point.

 

[308pirate]

True. But sometimes innovation comes from trying to solve one problem (that really isn't that much of a problem), only to find the solution is a better fit for a separate problem.

That's more of my point.

Yep, not discouraging the OP at all. I was just asking why he didn't follow the most logical path.

Unfortunately he's not told us.

 

[spife7980]

http://www.curtiscustom.com/product/magazines/

 

[308pirate]

What about HS dbm with 3 rds mag?

Why?

Tikkas come with a perfectly good 3 round DBM already.

 

[Quietcro]

Well, I sure missed one hell of a tangent conversation. Gotta love the internet.

For the constructive answers, thank you. For the haters:

I know the MT DBM for factory mags, thanks for the suggestion, but not what I'm after.

The desire for an AICS is the availabilty of 5 and 10rd mags for use in PRS, steel plinking, etc. while still being a good hunting platform. The balance of my tikkas tends to be on the mag well, like the majority of rifles, and carrying the rifle low by one hand sucks with a long mag. In my quick problem solving process, cutting an AICS to fit seems like the greatest solution for my desires. Plus, I fucking love tinkering.

 

[308pirate]

Nobody's hating on you. It was just a simple why? question. The answer "because I fucking want to" is good to go.

 

[MarinePMI]

Sigh...

The written English language is such a fickle bitch to convey tone, context and tenor...well maybe not fickle. It does require effort though.

 

[MarinePMI]

Well, I sure missed one hell of a tangent conversation. Gotta love the internet.

For the constructive answers, thank you. For the haters:

I know the MT DBM for factory mags, thanks for the suggestion, but not what I'm after.

The desire for an AICS is the availabilty of 5 and 10rd mags for use in PRS, steel plinking, etc. while still being a good hunting platform. The balance of my tikkas tends to be on the mag well, like the majority of rifles, and carrying the rifle low by one hand sucks with a long mag. In my quick problem solving process, cutting an AICS to fit seems like the greatest solution for my desires. Plus, I fucking love tinkering.

I'd offer up some photos of shortening a mag, but they were lost on a hard drive, two computers ago.

You can likely cut a large (square) chunk off the bottom of the mag with a band saw (leaving enough to account for the floor plate tabs), and then use a hack saw to split the corners (vertically) to the depth that you need, for the length of the floor plate tabs. Then, using flat nosed/duckbilled pliers (or a vise), then bend the tabs into place. Files and a dremel with a grinding stone will help trim/shape the tabs to spec (they probably don't need to run the entire length of the mag wall, just the majority of it). I'd wrap the mag in masking tape where possible, to prevent an inadvertent slip from marring the bluing anymore than you have to. Trim the mag spring as needed.

 

[Quietcro]

Pirate,
No worries, brother.

Marine,
That's basically the exact process I had planned. The big question is if two rounds could even fit in the mag and still be flush with the base. I don't think I would mind having to manually load a third round.

I'm stuck TDY, so I using the time for planning the finer points/possibilities of this build.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I haven't done what you're wanting to do but I had an experience with a AI mag that might help you know what you'll be up against.

I bought a couple AICS mags from a guy for the 300 Win Mag. I needed them for a legacy AICS. The mags he sent were for an AX AICS. There's a modification on the front, top of the magazine to hold it in place in the chassis. I figured "no problem". I can just bend that little protrusion back in to make it straight and it will be just like a legacy AICS mag. The steel was REALLY hard. I ended up pounding on it with a hammer while supporting the side. I didn't get it totally flat but it seems to work. Basically, I think AI has the magazine formed and then welded. Then they go through some hardening process to make them tough.

 

[M338]

Ruger makes a 3rnd mag that is compatible with ‘most’ AI type bottom metals,there are two models one is for the Gunsite scout and the other for the above mentioned.They are plastic.

 

[M338]

This is it here.Its not completely flush but as close as you’ll find in factory form.

 

[MarinePMI]

@M338 I think you made the same mistake I did initially. He's asking about an AICS 300WM mag, not the .308 version.

 

[M338]

@M338 I think you made the same mistake I did initially. He's asking about an AICS 300WM mag, not the .308 version.

Your absolutely correct,I should have read that properly.

 

[Tac284]

I sectioned one once, got some pictures somewhere... took 5/8-3/4” out of the middle. Tig welded it back together. Held 3 rounds when finished. It would take an awful lot of money to make me do another one...

 

[Millron]

This is it here.Its not completely flush but as close as you’ll find in factory form.

I have used these to do exactly what the op describes. They seem to work but you will probably need to mosify them a bit with a file