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12rnd Billet AW magazine for BR size cartridges from Gray Ops

Has anyone asked "why billet?"

Magazines are simple to stamp and weld. Billet adds a huge cost increase with a massive waste.

Are they just avoiding stamping because they already have a bunch of CNC mills running? Or is the quantity so low it doesn't justify a set of dies?

Seems like a solution in search of an answer. They could stamp out bodies way cheaper and sell a ton more. I know I'm not spending that much to switch from MDT AI mags to get a tiny bit shorter mag. I currently run MDT 12 rounders, and paid less for 5 mags than they want for 2...
 
Just as a note, I bought some of the 6GT version of these Gray Ops AW magazines and even at the top adjusted setting for the mag catch they run exceedingly tight in my Manners TCS mini chassis (BAT Hammerhead Action) where it takes considerable force to be able to drop the magazine.

I'm going to take some material off of the mag catches on the magazines (since I swap regular AICS actions into this stock from time to time I don't want to adjust the mag latch on the stock) to get a tiny bit more clearance and they should run fun but FYI.
This is a mini chassis issue. Standard M5 dbm (OTM, Hawkins, MDT, etc) doesn't have this issue with chassis, Foundations, etc.
 
Has anyone asked "why billet?"

Magazines are simple to stamp and weld. Billet adds a huge cost increase with a massive waste.

Are they just avoiding stamping because they already have a bunch of CNC mills running? Or is the quantity so low it doesn't justify a set of dies?

Seems like a solution in search of an answer. They could stamp out bodies way cheaper and sell a ton more. I know I'm not spending that much to switch from MDT AI mags to get a tiny bit shorter mag. I currently run MDT 12 rounders, and paid less for 5 mags than they want for 2...
These mags run MUCH MUCH smoother than AICS, MDT, etc mags. Like, stupid smooth... I didn't believe it until I used them.
 
These mags run MUCH MUCH smoother than AICS, MDT, etc mags. Like, stupid smooth... I didn't believe it until I used them.

So polish your feed lips? I had one that wasn't as smooth as the others. 2 minutes with a stone and it was glass smooth.

Or, of all the stupid things, if you can live with the length restriction pmags feed amazing right out of the box. The longer fed lips also mean they feed BR cases perfectly, at least in every rifle I've tried them in.
 
Has anyone asked "why billet?"

Magazines are simple to stamp and weld. Billet adds a huge cost increase with a massive waste.

Are they just avoiding stamping because they already have a bunch of CNC mills running? Or is the quantity so low it doesn't justify a set of dies?

Seems like a solution in search of an answer. They could stamp out bodies way cheaper and sell a ton more. I know I'm not spending that much to switch from MDT AI mags to get a tiny bit shorter mag. I currently run MDT 12 rounders, and paid less for 5 mags than they want for 2...
How much do you think the cost is to setup a new process for bending and welding mag bodies for a company that doesn't do this, and already CNC's everything?

the die cost alone wouldn't make sense, not to mention these are VERY competitively priced if you factor in things such as:

1. The base cost of a mag - 85 bucks for an AW
2. BR Kit - Self print, 10 bucks if you have a 3D printer, 40+ if you buy one
3. cost pf max extension - 10 bucks if you can 3d print one, 40 if you buy one, plus the fact you have to hack apart an AW mag.

So DIY you're looking at 170 on the high end, and maybe 120ish on the low end if you can source the proper parts.

These mags are a deal, and have an adjustable mag catch, feed smooth, and are made by dudes who know what they're doing.
 
In case it helps others, for my Impact 737r with MDT bottom metal in a Foundation. These are where you need to set or at least start the fitting process. Mine feed like butter with these settings.

Mag
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Bottom Metal height indicator

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How is everyone liking the Grey-Ops AW mags for 6BR?
My daughter and I have been using the Grey-Ops AW mags for both Dasher and BRA in Impact actions for the last year, competing regularly. They have been 100% trouble free between 4 different mags and two different actions.

Definite thumbs up from me.
 
I had some trouble with the GT mags initially, but those rounds were loaded super short. Problems went away when I loaded longer. The mag height is critical on 2 lug actions for sure.
 
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Hello folks. Just jumping in to see if anyone has had any recent experience in trying the AW 6.5/308 Gray Ops mags with a Terminus Zeus QC? I read earlier in the thread that they do not work. Still the case? I'd like to try one out prior to a my first 2 day. Re: the MDT when full of 12 rounds are a beast to load and to chamber that first 2 rounds. Thanks -CH
 
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My 25gt rounds are too long for the 6gt aw from grayops. They run pretty decent in the standard aw from gray ops, but better from a straight ai aw mag with a little lip tuning.

The gray ops mags say they don't work with tl3. However I and another shooter are 3/3 on using them successfully in br, dasher and 6gt on 3 different tl3 actions. Just run em high and right with the mag latch, no slop, and they run perfectly.
 
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I will use them in the upcoming Impact Foundation match. I've heard issues of them binding with dust. As a 2011 shooter in USPSA, I know the cleaning regiment pretty well for magazines. 🤪🤪

Not very impressed with the finishing, especially given the price. I feel like they didn't tumble them after machining them. You can FEEL the ridges in the picture below.

But they seem to feed well and better than my MDT 12 Rd.

1000077967.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: lash
I will use them in the upcoming Impact Foundation match. I've heard issues of them binding with dust. As a 2011 shooter in USPSA, I know the cleaning regiment pretty well for magazines. 🤪🤪

Not very impressed with the finishing, especially given the price. I feel like they didn't tumble them after machining them. You can FEEL the ridges in the picture below.

But they seem to feed well and better than my MDT 12 Rd.

View attachment 8746119
I should know this - what caliber and action are you running?