• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

FN Factory Bottom Metal or CDI for FN-SPR/McMillion A4

CthulhuAwakens

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Oct 29, 2012
282
0
51
Kolorado
I'm looking to replace my FN SPR bottom metal with something that can hold more than the 4 rounds it came with. I'm torn between the CDI and the FN factory replacements and would like some opinions from other SPR owners. My concern is that the rifle functions flawlessly right now with the exception that the factory mag is somewhat hard to load. I think the FN replacement will go in without modifying the rifle so I could avoid having to have a gunsmith work on it. The magazines for the FN are also cheaper than the AI mags so total cost of ownership seems like it would be less with the FN.

Does anyone know if the FN replacement will fit into the rifle I have?

FN Special Police Rifles SPR. McMillan A4 Stock | FN SPR A2/A4 DBM,FN SPR A2/A4 FLP, FN SPR A2/A4 DBM FLUTTED BARREL, FN SPR A2/A4 FLP FLUTTED (third one down A2/M4 DBM)

On the other hand, I have read really good things about the CDI replacement kit and frankly...not that it SHOULD matter but...it looks cooler ;)

Thoughts?

P.S. I did see an old thread on this but didn't think it was worth bringing back to life.
 
I don't have any exp with the CDI but I do have the FN TBM and it is awesome! 100% reliable, great mags that aren't outrageously priced. It installs I about 1 min And it is extremely heavy duty! Also it has the mag release that is in the same position as the AR platform so if you are familiar with that there is no learning curve.
 
Get the TBM, if for no other reason than you don't have to mill the receiver. The tbm fits great and works great.

Personally, I like the look of the tbm better. I also much prefer the mag release button instead of the lever on the cdi.
 
Love my CDI................ I even did a "no, no" by modding my magazines instead of my receiver. Remember, the TBM mags are proprietary, AI stuff is much more widely available. The CDI can also easily be fitted with a different style release lever as it's a very simple design. Simple means reliable. Jeff at CDI couldn't be easier or better to work with.
 
I did a CDI on my FN, I think they are the way to go. Standard 308 mags are easy to get and fit other builds if you have other rifles. Jeff will do the inlet for you and his turn around has been very quick every time for me.
 
The SPR is my only bolt gun so I'm thinking that getting the TBM might be the best way to go. No smithing, cheaper mags, etc. That way I can save my money for a DTA HTI in 375 Cheytac. I really like what DTA has done with the bullpup idea and the bigger caliber rifles benefit from the reduction in length.
 
Last edited:
During the last 8 month "crunch", AICS magazine availability has been spotty at best. The TBM mags have been readily available. They're also cheaper than AICS magazines.

If the lifetime warranty of my SPR was important to me, I wouldn't be interested in having anybody mill my receiver. FN has been nice and warrantied rifles with CDIs, but that was before the TBM hit the market. Additionally, FN usually just replaces rifles, rather than fit new barrels/bolts etc. They will return the takeoff CDI part, but you'll either be counting on Jeff's kindness to do another inlet/mill job for free, or you'll be paying to have it done again.
 
+1 for what Turbo has said.

Also since you are not looking for another rifle that would take AICS mags I would think this is an easy decision to go with the TBM with the correct fit and about a 2 min install time with zero mods to the action or stock.
 
TBM it is. I just ordered it and it should arrive on Monday. I'm sure the CDI is a great product as well but not having to mess with a rifle thats this accurate was what convinced me to go with the TBM. The stock isn't from the factory but since it has the 4 round DBM already installed I think the TBM should just drop right in. If not, I guess I'll need to have a smith do a little work on the McMillion stock but I don't think the action would require any work. I'll post my results as soon as I get it installed so that anyone with a rifle from Tactical Coordination will know if the TBM mates up with the rifle as is.

Thanks everyone for your input!
 
Your TBM Kit will fit the SPR-A2/A4 with the DBM. As others have stated, it will drop right in (unless some other modifications have been made to the rifle after leaving FNH).

It will not drop right in to floorplate rifles such as the SPR-A3G or WSM models. All that is required for these is a re-inlet by a competent gunsmith. The receiver wouldn't have to be modified, just the stock inlet. Because of the design differences between the floorplate and the DBM, there was no way around this. Unfortunately, the current TBM magazines will not feed WSM cartridges, only .308 based cartridges. I use TBM to feed both .308 and .260. I know of others feeding 6.5 Creedmoor with no problems. No modification to the magazine or feed ramp was required for these .308 based cartridges.

TBM will fit, with very minor fitting, the PBR, PBR-XP and TSR-XP with the DBM magazine assembly. The fitting required is inside the stock inlet where the internal mag box sits in the rear of the stock's magazine well. The rear corners of the Hogue stock's magazine well need a slight amount of relief to allow for the TBM bottom metal to fit. Takes a 1/4"-1/2" dowel wrapped with course sand paper and a few minutes to accomplish.

TBM will also fit, with the same floorplate inletting, most Winchester Model 70 short actions. Because very few Winchesters ever shipped with the SA DBM magazine, most M-70s will need re-inlet. In the late 80's and early 90's, Winchester offered the M-70 with the first DBM magazines. The bottom metal material was anodyzed aluminum, where the SPRs are black oxided steel.

TBM was purposely designed to drop in, not only for customer ease of installation, but also from a manufacturing aspect: only one stock was needed to build both DBM and TBM rifles. No machining to the receiver meant these could be universal for assembly too, as well as easy on the customer for upgrade of their DBM. The magazine release was purposely designed to be snag resistent and mimick SCAR, FNAR and by extension, AR platforms. The magazines were intentionally kept as affordable as possible because FNH realized the proprietary nature of magazine was a hurdle when competing against a more ubiquitous AICS-style magazine. Availability was also an upfront concern and was addressed.

Originally, the concept was to simply lengthen the DBM magazine. Testing revealed that the longer magazines needed more support than the short magazine well and front latch of the DNM design could offer. The reliability was not there when pressure was applied to the exterior of the magazine, as one might experience when shooting in an unsupported position or resting the rifle against the magazine. Reliability and function are non-negotiable on these types of systems. The location of the release in front of the longer magazine did not appeal to users, either. TBM bottom metal needed to better support the magazine and incorporate a new release design. That's why is is not merely a longer DBM magazine.

The TBM Kit came along about five years too late, I'll agree. It competes against CDI's very popular aftermarket set-up. Each has its pros and cons. I believe the TBM kit to be the better of the two, but I am a bit biased. I am very pleased to read favorable comments from TBM kit owners. This is the best from of advertising a manufacturer could hope for. Let us know how it works out for you.
 
Action Guy - Excellent information and I second Big Al's thanks.

Cegorach - Sorry for the FNG question but what is "COAL"?
 
COAL= Cartridge Overall Length.

In another note, there is a very good alternate to AI magazines for the various DBMs out there like CDI, Badger and H.S. Precision. The Alpha mags are generally 2/3rd the price of the AI mags and work very well in my CDI DBMs.
 
TBM internal length is 2.900". Very good question, I should have included it originally.

I load my .260 Remington with 142gr SMKs at 2.875" COAL. 139gr Scenars are at 2.885" COAL. No feeding problems with either.

I typically set OAL from a Stoney Point Ogive tool (which means very little in this discussion), the resulting COAL will vary slightly based on meplate variance but the point I measure to is always the same. I use a meplate uniforming tool on the 139 Scenars for a more uniform COAL, so I feel more confident in getting closer to the max length with no feed issues.

Hope this helps.
 
Last edited:
TBM should be at my house today. Can't wait to get it installed and out to the range. Will report back with details.
 
Waiting for packages of gun parts or ammo components is so hard but very fun at the same time. You will love the TBM setup and most likely be surprised at how solidly it is built when you first pull it out of the package.
 
WOW! Took longer to take it out of the packaging then it did to install the TBM! Magazines drop freely and the rounds feed smoothly. Really solid kit and I'm glad I went with the TBM. I'm sure the CDI kit is great as well but not having to worry about cutting on the stock or modifying the action made the TBM an easy choice. It looks better than what I saw in pictures.

Next step is a bolt knob conversion. Any recommendations? I've been searching the forums and it sounds like SAC is the way to go for FN bolt knobs. Thoughts?

Bolt Knob Conversions | Short Action Customs
 
Mark @ SAC does fabulous work, you won't be disappointed.

Karl @ Kampfeld Customs also does a great job too.

Either is 100% good to go.
 
WOW! Took longer to take it out of the packaging then it did to install the TBM! Magazines drop freely and the rounds feed smoothly. Really solid kit and I'm glad I went with the TBM. I'm sure the CDI kit is great as well but not having to worry about cutting on the stock or modifying the action made the TBM an easy choice. It looks better than what I saw in pictures.

Next step is a bolt knob conversion. Any recommendations? I've been searching the forums and it sounds like SAC is the way to go for FN bolt knobs. Thoughts?

Bolt Knob Conversions | Short Action Customs

Dude do you have pictures of this setup? I just read the thread and it sounds like an awesome setup!
 

Attachments

  • photo.jpg
    photo.jpg
    94.4 KB · Views: 55
  • photo copy.jpg
    photo copy.jpg
    94.2 KB · Views: 66
  • photo copy 2.jpg
    photo copy 2.jpg
    93.7 KB · Views: 60
  • photo copy 3.jpg
    photo copy 3.jpg
    90.3 KB · Views: 55
  • photo copy 4.jpg
    photo copy 4.jpg
    95.2 KB · Views: 59
Thanks. That is nice. I'm talking the entire package not just the bottom metal. I really like the magazine release. I think you made a great decision on everything! Rifle, scope, stock all of it.
 
Thanks. That is nice. I'm talking the entire package not just the bottom metal. I really like the magazine release. I think you made a great decision on everything! Rifle, scope, stock all of it.

Thanks! I owe a ton to this site and all the help from you all.

P.S. I took LowLights class with Trigger Time Gun Club the weekend before last. I learned a ton and would say its one of the best classes I've taken.

P.P.S. The only downside to the class is seeing all the guys with DTA setups and feeling the urge to drop the cash on one of those amazing rifles. :)
 
Last edited:
ok....great comments by everyone but if I was going to do the swap in an A3G......what are you guys' opinions on that? If I was going to have to chop op the stock anyway. Obviously there is a benefit for a direct drop in with the other rifles but what do you think for the A3G?