Improved ARC Mag Follower

[Tyler Kemp]

Here's a project we've been working on for the past few months, an ARC follower!

Many folks are familiar with our 3D printed throw levers, these followers are made by Stereolithography...another kind of 3D printing. It is much, much more expensive but can produce extremely fine details and surface finishes. These are printed from a UV sensitive resin, then cured in our UV oven for optimal material properties.

I'm happy with the performance of these followers in both personal testing, and from customer feedback. They were designed originally to feed Dasher cartridges, but with a bit of massaging to the design they seem to improve feeding with pretty much everything. I've attached a few videos, one I took with a 7mm-08 and another supplied by a tester with a 6mm Dasher.

You can check these followers out at:

https://mkmachining.com/product/arc-mag-improved-follower/

 

[mpk1996]

Very nice. so now we need to get ARC to subsidize these for selling us $70 mags with junk followers

 

[308pirate]

Better yet, become ARC's supplier of magazine followers.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Better yet, become ARC's supplier of magazine followers.

+1000

 

[308pirate]

One other thing, maybe upload a video of someone cycling the 6BR s-l-o-w-l-y. Sometimes a rifle that will feed fine being cycled hard will choke if you slow it down.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Definitely. My arcs in my surgeon do okay when I run fast, but junk when slow.

 

[Pusher591]

What type of massaging are we talking about. I plan to use ARC mags with the 6.5 PRC since the coal is so long in them.

 

[snarkscarbine]

Also curious to see how it runs a dasher in a push feed. From what I've seen, the ARCs have always worked decently well with Control feed actions, but went to hell with push feeds.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I wish I could answer all your guy's questions, but these things are expensive to print and I tried to send these to a variety of folks for testing, but obviously can't get a tester for every possible situation.

I do plan on contacting ARC about OEM followers. We could print low quantities, or mill a mold for larger ones.

What I can say is that Jade Precision has been our biggest tester, and they have reported hundreds of cyclings with not one misfeed. I haven't had a misfeed either with any of our shop guns.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Can we get a Hide group buy? Seems like great way to get the word out.

I wish I could answer all your guy's questions, but these things are expensive to print and I tried to send these to a variety of folks for testing, but obviously can't get a tester for every possible situation.

I do plan on contacting ARC about OEM followers. We could print low quantities, or mill a mold for larger ones.

What I can say is that Jade Precision has been our biggest tester, and they have reported hundreds of cyclings with not one misfeed. I haven't had a misfeed either with any of our shop guns.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Yeah, we can do a SH group buy. We are backordered soooooo hard on these right now, but if folks show interest we can get a list going!

 

[CMP70306]

So out of curiosity what types of actions are the regular followers having issues with? The Nucleus will be my only rifle to use these mags so am I going to have issues there?

 

[rymart]

In my experience any action where rounds can slide forward (under recoil, etc) and get caught under the feed ramp. Northwest Precision, Gillette, WY action for me has this issue...

Also an issue for many where the rounds nose-dive in the magazine due to the 'wings' on the front of the OEM follower catching and IMO also due to the ARC OEM spring only supporting the back of the follower.

I really think there needs to be a different spring to fully address the ARC mag issues. The mag box is the best on the market as far as I'm concerned, just spring and follower issues.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Our follower requires you flip the spring so it supports the front of the follower better. Cheaper than you having to pay for a spring!

 

[Nathanm40a1]

I would be in for at least 5 in a group buy. How long will it take to fill orders with your current backlog?

 

[Pusher591]

I would be in for at least 5 in a group buy. How long will it take to fill orders with your current backlog?

Same here. Curious to lead times

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Following. I could use one.

 

[Boss334OP]

ARC has been hinting at a fix (follower+spring) to be released soon...
That said I would be interested in trying a couple to see how they stack up. Count me in on a SH Group Buy!

 

[padom]

Must be a specific cartridge issue because my ARC mags have been flawless not a single issue in my TL3 with 6.5x47L through thousands of rounds to date..

 

[kthomas]

Must be a specific cartridge issue because my ARC mags have been flawless not a single issue in my TL3 with 6.5x47L through thousands of rounds to date..

I can't make the ARC mags work in a 6.5 Creedmoor with a Defiance action, or in a TacOps rem700 .308.

Perhaps the Bighorns have better luck with these mags. I ordered a few of these followers to try out. Worst come to worst, hopefully I can get the ARC mags to at least work in the gf's TL3 6BRA build.

 

[bjay]

Tag for later

 

[308pirate]

I wish I could answer all your guy's questions, but these things are expensive to print and I tried to send these to a variety of folks for testing, but obviously can't get a tester for every possible situation.

I do plan on contacting ARC about OEM followers. We could print low quantities, or mill a mold for larger ones.

What I can say is that Jade Precision has been our biggest tester, and they have reported hundreds of cyclings with not one misfeed. I haven't had a misfeed either with any of our shop guns.

Call one of your testers and ask him to do a video of a 6BR being cycled slowly out of this mag. Should not be hard and would answer a well know failure mode.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I'd estimate we are less than a week behind getting stuff shipped. I've asked for a video of slow 6mm cycling.

Will be ordering more material tomorrow as well...if this type of thing is popular I'll get more machines and crank out all kinds of followers!

 

[craigos]

Must be a specific cartridge issue because my ARC mags have been flawless not a single issue in my TL3 with 6.5x47L through thousands of rounds to date..

Nope - I have cycled thousands of 6 Dasher (lapua with 105s, 110s and 115s) in a TL3. So ?

 

[padom]

Nope - I have cycled thousands of 6 Dasher (lapua with 105s, 110s and 115s) in a TL3. So ?

No? No what? Your saying I'm lying and I haven't cycled thousands of rounds problem free with my ARC mag in my TL3? Lolol Your post makes no sense

 

[Tyler Kemp]

I think this is a case by case basis. We've had folks ask if 6.5x47 will work with this follower because the stock mag doesn't work.


If your mag feeds correctly...that's awesome! But it seems for a huge amount of folks they are currently paperweights.

 

[TimeWillTell]

I think this is a case by case basis. We've had folks ask if 6.5x47 will work with this follower because the stock mag doesn't work.


If your mag feeds correctly...that's awesome! But it seems for a huge amount of folks they are currently paperweights.

I currently have two paperweights. Tried some mod on the follower which helped. Now I have a reliable 8 Rd mag with 6.5 Creedmoor haha.

 

[ncboiler]

My two are currently paperweights. Would definitely be in for 2 of these followers to see if I can get the mags to work.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Here's your slow feeding video

 

[craigos]

No? No what? Your saying I'm lying and I haven't cycled thousands of rounds problem free with my ARC mag in my TL3? Lolol Your post makes no sense

huh ? why you think i care about your experience? world doesnt revolve around you. I am saying i have same experience with 6 dasher in arc and tl3. Dude you need a reality check

 

[308pirate]

Here's your slow feeding video

Now that is impressive

 

[Niles Coyote]

Here's your slow feeding video

Tyler, all that left now is a video of a rifle jammed into a barricade while on the down slope of a roof top simulator with the rifle at 90 degrees, ejection port down, while slow feeding.

all comedy aside, looks like another winner!

 

[Tyler Kemp]

You guys let me know how they run in your setups!

 

[delfuego]

Hey Tyler, Have you tried it with 6BR or 6BRA?
If not, send one to me and we will test them and let you know...

 

[asus611]

I just ordered two of these. My ARC mags are working ok currently, would be nice to see if there is any noticeable improvements to these. Will follow up with an AAR shortly.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

By 6BRA, do you mean 6 BR Improved, or Dasher? They've been tested with Dasher and feed good, that's in several videos I posted. I'd expect standard 6BR to feed the same if not smoother.

 

[delfuego]

6BRA (or 6BRAI) is an ackley'izd 6BR with a 40 degree shoulder. It is not blown-out like Dasher or BRX. 6BRA is starting to catch on in the BR world, and might start to get traction in other disciplines.

6BR can be a fickle cartridge. It is a lot more difficult for mag-feed than a Dasher because the shoulder starts sooner. The magazine kits now being offered were developed by AJ @ Bighorn for us Colorado boys for the sole purpose of feeding 6BR in an AICS magazine. I can run Dashers in a straight AICS/ARC/Magpul without the need for a kit, 6BR has to have help.

 

[dttheliman]

I'll take 4 .... I own 4 nose diving paper weights , I'd like to be able to use them as I like the idea of the 10 rd stack

 

[leftyk82]

Mine will arrive Saturday, looking forward to trying them out!

 

[TimeWillTell]

I ordered one to try. Hopefully it works out!

 

[dttheliman]

I'll take 4 .... I own 4 nose diving paper weights , I'd like to be able to use them as I like the idea of the 10 rd stack

And I ordered 4 - got to be an improvement

 

[Tyler Kemp]

6BRA (or 6BRAI) is an ackley'izd 6BR with a 40 degree shoulder. It is not blown-out like Dasher or BRX. 6BRA is starting to catch on in the BR world, and might start to get traction in other disciplines.

6BR can be a fickle cartridge. It is a lot more difficult for mag-feed than a Dasher because the shoulder starts sooner. The magazine kits now being offered were developed by AJ @ Bighorn for us Colorado boys for the sole purpose of feeding 6BR in an AICS magazine. I can run Dashers in a straight AICS/ARC/Magpul without the need for a kit, 6BR has to have help.

If no one else has tried feeding with this cartridge we can send you a tester when we get caught up. The backorder list keeps growing haha.

 

[delfuego]

If no one else has tried feeding with this cartridge we can send you a tester when we get caught up. The backorder list keeps growing haha.

That's a good problem to have!

 

[TimeWillTell]

So I got mine. Installed it. I'm happy to announce that it totally fixed the nose dive/hang up problem for me. However, another problem arose.

In my surgeon action it feeds flawlessly until round 8. Always round 8. Or if I down load it's still that third from the end. The tip gets caught on the corner of the feed ramp cutout on the surgeon. The round moves forward just enough in the mag with the bolt closing that it shifts forward (like all the others when I watch closely) yet this single round doesn't then move to the center of the mag. Only thing I can figure out is that it must be a perfect storm of friction on the mag body with the exact spring tension on that round. The following rounds feed slower and it doesn't happen, the rounds before have more tension so maybe enough force to move it to the center of the mag. The later rounds move slower so doesn't get caught against that tip. So I guess I'll see if Beanland can do a slight rounding of that feed ramp cutout.

 

[NLS7162]

Tag

 

[nexusfire]

I have the same issue as timewilltell

 

[TimeWillTell]

I have the same issue as timewilltell

Damn. Surgeon also?

What's frustrating is the alphas feed so flawlessly, every single time. Never one failure in thousands of rounds over 3 different mags (though the newer ones do take a little finessing with the feed lips for 6.5 Creedmoor). But the customer service issue on the alphas just don't make them a viable option anymore for me (unless that improves). ARC is a good company and I want to support them. Hopefully they get it figured out.

 

[nexusfire]

Damn. Surgeon also?

What's frustrating is the alphas feed so flawlessly, every single time. Never one failure in thousands of rounds over 3 different mags (though the newer ones do take a little finessing with the feed lips for 6.5 Creedmoor). But the customer service issue on the alphas just don't make them a viable option anymore for me (unless that improves). ARC is a good company and I want to support them. Hopefully they get it figured out.

Yes I have tried it with a standard 591 action and one cut for AW mags that had the feed ramp modified. It will feed fine for 5 or 6 rounds and then one round gets drug forward by the one above pushing the nose into the front of the mag. Even tried the mk follower with no luck. Mine is a 6.5 creedmoor.

 

[TimeWillTell]

Yes I have tried it with a standard 591 action and one cut for AW mags that had the feed ramp modified. It will feed fine for 5 or 6 rounds and then one round gets drug forward by the one above pushing the nose into the front of the mag. Even tried the mk follower with no luck. Mine is a 6.5 creedmoor.

6.5 Creedmoor here also. Stock feed ramps but doesn't sound like modifying those will fix it either. I still just can't figure out what the deal is, why AICS, Accurate and Alphas work well but ARC won't. Frustrating.

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Sounds like Surgeons are the culprit with these mags! Literally haven't had one feeding problem reported that isn't a Surgeon. Wish I knew why