I don't think the 5rd sticks out to far it's more that I don't need 5rds and just looking to slim/lighten where I could. Going with more 5rd mags with their special follower is probably the best option and they aren't any more than standard 5rd AICS Magpul mags. They easily could have made them $50 apiece if they wanted for the special follower.To me the 5rd is close enough to flush, barely past the trigger guard, and even the 10rd is shorter than the pistol grip. How would it benefit a hunter for the magazine to be perfectly flush with the bottom of the mag well on a rifle like this? Serious question, I've been trying to figure out what part of my Cross is going to surprise me in a bad way on my upcoming mulie hunt but this one seems to be a non-issue.
I'm really trying to talk myself out of making this a 6CM for deer and antelope and better for small varmints. Or maybe a 20" 6.5CM Carbon6 barrel to squeeze a little more velocity/balance a little further forward.