Having trouble with Magazines

346 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by ThatMontanaGuy, 4 mo ago

ThatMontanaGuy

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

I have a 1943 Ithaca that seems to be extremely picky about what mags will drop free. All the mags I have tried seem to feed just fine, but most of them will not drop free. I have four KimPro Tac Mags , only two of which will reliably drop free on their own, a Colt mag that will drop free, and a Wilson mag that never drops free (I have to grab it by the base pad and yank it out). I have measured the outside diameter of the good mags with calipers and found them to be exactly the same as the “bad” mags. Having visually inspected the inside of the magwell, it does not appear that the grip screw bushings are protruding into the magwell and I have ran a file across them just to be sure. I’m out of ideas trying to figure out what can be causing this as the issue is inconsistent across magazines. If there were a problem with the frame itself, the issue should be consistent with all magazines. Any ideas?

Reactions: 1

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

Maddogkiller

· #2 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

Take the magazine release out and recheck your mags.
Take the trigger bow out and recheck your mags
Take the springs and followers out of your mags and recheck them.
Check the mag bodies with a known good straight edge tool. Look for bowing and/or warping.
Report your findings here.

Reactions: 3

ThatMontanaGuy

Discussion Starter · #3 · 4 mo ago

Maddogkiller said:
Take the magazine release out and recheck your mags.

Report your findings here.

I’ve tried that too, just forgot to mention it. Obviously that did not solve the problem.

Maddogkiller

· #4 · 4 mo ago

ThatMontanaGuy said:
I’ve tried that too, just forgot to mention it. Obviously that did not solve the problem.

Read my edited post.

Reactions: 2

Dreadnought

· #5 · 4 mo ago

ThatMontanaGuy said:
I have a 1943 Ithaca that seems to be extremely picky about what mags will drop free. All the mags I have tried seem to feed just fine, but most of them will not drop free. I have four KimPro Tac Mags , only two of which will reliably drop free on their own, a Colt mag that will drop free, and a Wilson mag that never drops free (I have to grab it by the base pad and yank it out). I have measured the outside diameter of the good mags with calipers and found them to be exactly the same as the “bad” mags. Having visually inspected the inside of the magwell, it does not appear that the grip screw bushings are protruding into the magwell and I have ran a file across them just to be sure. I’m out of ideas trying to figure out what can be causing this as the issue is inconsistent across magazines. If there were a problem with the frame itself, the issue should be consistent with all magazines. Any ideas?

Use Mec-Gar mags. The problem will resolve itself.

azpoolguy

· #6 · 4 mo ago

The magazine catch trapping some of the mags? Have you compared the size and shape of the cut out in the mag tube?

FranklinBullitt

· #7 · 4 mo ago

2

ACT Nickel plated mags--problem solved.

Gas Composite material Machine Auto part Nickel

Gas Composite material Machine Automotive tire Auto part

See less See more

ThatMontanaGuy

Discussion Starter · #8 · 4 mo ago

This morning I stripped it down to just the bare frame to make sure that the problem isn’t the mag catch or the mainspring. These were the results.

http://imgur.com/a/3jhGHne

The first mag is one of the only two that reliably drops free every time, the second is one of the “bad” mags that doesn’t even try to drop free. They are both from Kimber, and I have measured both of them with calipers just to make sure that they really are identical.

Reactions: 1

Integrity Arms

· #9 · 4 mo ago

Your grip bushings are sticking through the frame a little or the front radius of the mag is catching on the radius of the front strap of the frame. I see this a lot with the radius. Mark up your mag that's sticking with blue sharpie. Insert with frame stripped, pull out and see where the scrapes are. Then that are will need to be buffed in the frame or you'll have to buy more of the mags whose radius fit. It don't take much. The blue sharpie can be removed with brake cleaner, wd-40, simple green etc..

Reactions: 4

Eastwoodfan

· #10 · 4 mo ago

Nothing to add but posting video is pretty cool, didn't know it was possible.

Reactions: 2

Integrity Arms

· #11 · 4 mo ago

Usually it's right where the grip windows meet the front strap radius. Or grip screw bushings.

Reactions: 1

switchback

· #12 · 4 mo ago

This may be already suggested, but trigger bows pinched in a little on one or both sides? You've received many great suggestions, good luck from the Bitterroot Valley

Check in at montana subforum, trying to get the locals together for a meet & greet and hopefully organize a group shoot

Reactions: 1

azguy1911

· #13 · 4 mo ago

switchback said:
This may be already suggested, but trigger bows pinched in a little on one or both sides? You've received many great suggestions, good luck from the Bitterroot Valley

In his video you can see that the frame is stripped 100% bare, Steve's has to be right - nothing is left aside from the front strap radius being tight

Reactions: 1

switchback

· #14 · 4 mo ago

like cheating in school, I've been caught and now must admit , in front of the entire class, that I did not watch the video. My bad for taking shortcuts.

Maddogkiller

· #15 · 4 mo ago

And you refuse to check the mag bodies for bowing or warping because....?

ThatMontanaGuy

Discussion Starter · #16 · 4 mo ago

switchback said:
This may be already suggested, but trigger bows pinched in a little on one or both sides? You've received many great suggestions, good luck from the Bitterroot Valley

Check in at montana subforum, trying to get the locals together for a meet & greet and hopefully organize a group shoot

That sounds like a blast (pun intended) I’ll have to stock up on ammo!

Reactions: 1

1 - 16 of 16 Posts