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Gunsmithing AICS mag modifications?

sobrbiker883

Lt. Colonel
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 18, 2003
7,112
207
Gilbert AZ
I planned on using my<span style="text-decoration: line-through"> MORTA</span> Alpha Industries Type 2 for my rifle with the Seekins AICS DBM, but once I get to 9/10 rounds the mag's sides bow out and make the mag not fit width-wise.

My 7-08 is happiest when I can load a little longer than the stock AICS mag can take. They fit in the <span style="text-decoration: line-through">MORTA</span> Alpha mag fine, but I hadn't counted on the full 10rds bowing the mag box.

Are there drawbacks to running the AICS mags without the spacers? My actions are revieved for the bullet tips and can be relieved more if necessary.
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

MORTA mags are Alpha Industries......they are the ones bowing out and not fitting when fully loaded.

Thanks though.



I see the site doesn't reference "MORTA" anymore. Edited mypost to reflect.

I wonder if anyone else is having issues with them bowing under full load?
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

yeah, the real bitch is that the Alha T2 drags a little when full but is workable on my Badger M5 that I tried before I got the Seekins (which of course I just fitted to my stock and action).
The Seekins is a tighter tolerance I thin than Badger and I can't even get the mag when loaded into the Seekins.
In its defense, the Alpha feeds fine in my 308 equipped with the Badger. Maybe I can swap someone for an AICS mag......

I guess my only option is to open up the AICS mags I have and try to swap the Alpha out.
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can the spacers be pried off on AICS mags or does the spot weld really need to be drilled out? </div></div>

I believe the spacer is thicker than the mag body, you'll end up bending the front of the mag, better to drill it out.... JMHO
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

They need to be drilled out.

The Alphas feed fine with rounds at 2.80" or so, but longer rounds do not. They push forward when the bolt goes forward and get hung up under the feed ramp. I long ago notched my ramp and even opened up the notch since getting these mags. Still they dont work. AICS mags with or without the front plate work perfectly.
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

Be careful when drilling out AI mags.
The metal work hardens if you get it hot.
So oil it up good, use a sharp bit and get on it quick so you cut without getting it hot.

When I did some of these, I layed a piece of copper inside the magazine body and tigged the top hole shut afterwards.
If you leave the hole open, bullet tips might get caught in there when you least want them to.
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

Thanks Randall, I need someone that knows what they're doing open 'em up.

Hey Ace, if you are exclusively using Alpha's, see if you have an old AI 10rd'er laying around, I'll swap ya!
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I planned on using my<span style="text-decoration: line-through"> MORTA</span> Alpha Industries Type 2 for my rifle with the Seekins AICS DBM, but once I get to 9/10 rounds the mag's sides bow out and make the mag not fit width-wise.

My 7-08 is happiest when I can load a little longer than the stock AICS mag can take. They fit in the <span style="text-decoration: line-through">MORTA</span> Alpha mag fine, but I hadn't counted on the full 10rds bowing the mag box.

</div></div>

Chris at Alpha is gonna swap me for a new version TypeII that is supposed to have fixed the bowing issue, we'll see.
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

Chris (Buldog) at Alpha is working very hard to get the Type 2 mags perfect.

It sounds like they will have the expansion issue fixed with the next iteration.

The latest I've tried (just got another pair-these have black delrin followers as opposed to the white followers my older Type2 has) are almost there-they drag a bit when loaded to 10 in the Seekins DBM, but are more like a CZ75 or Glock non-drop free mag than the first ones I had. Once the first round of the ten is gone, they drop free perfectly. In my 308 with the Badger M5 they work almost perfectly-just a c-hair of drag on insertion, but they will drop free fully loaded.
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sobrbiker883</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chris (Buldog) at Alpha is working very hard to get the Type 2 mags perfect.

It sounds like they will have the expansion issue fixed with the next iteration.

The latest I've tried (just got another pair-these have black delrin followers as opposed to the white followers my older Type2 has) are almost there-they drag a bit when loaded to 10 in the Seekins DBM, but are more like a CZ75 or Glock non-drop free mag than the first ones I had. Once the first round of the ten is gone, they drop free perfectly. In my 308 with the Badger M5 they work almost perfectly-just a c-hair of drag on insertion, but they will drop free fully loaded.
</div></div>

off topic, but did you get your CZ75 yet? and if so, hows it working for ya?
 
Re: AICS mag modifications?

I had a few Alpha mags that bowed on me to. They exchanged them for new ones. I haven't tried them yet. Good customer service. They stand behind their product.