Gunsmithing Any ideas on how to bend the lips on a TRG42 mag?

[Layton]

Trying to get 6.5x55 cases to feed outta these. You can see what I'm dealing with here. Any ideas on how to do this? My only idea is to dremel out the stamps. Not even sure it will feed right if I can get em bent.

L

 

[MattyG]

In my .308 mags I had to tweak them slightly as they started to spread. They have some give but only above where the stamped portion is.

 

[Layton]

Thanks. These aren't spreading. I'm just trying to do something these weren't intended for and get them to reliable feed a 6.5x55 case. The mag is originally for a 300WM.

L

 

[sakobob]

there is a tool sheet metal guys use, it has wide flat jaws on a pair of pliers (dont know the actual name) they may work.

 

[bward]

HS precision makes a good tool. I've messed with the 6.5x55 in TRG 42 mags, and I don't think you'll get them to be reliable.

 

[stockdoc]

+1 on the h-s tool. You can get it through brownells

 

[Layton]

Thanks guys. Given those stamps on the lips I'm not sure that tool will do what I need. I had seen it but I don't have a lot of room to work with. I'm thinking if I want to even try to get this to work I'd have to cut out those creases.

L

 

[LRI]

A pair of hand seaming pliers for sheet metal work do a nice job. I had to tune my TRG mags Saturday for my new boomer 300/338.

Worked great.

Just know that TRG mags are amongst the most expensive of any. Bending is one thing, cutting/ruining one is quite another. Proceed carefully. I am building a 7mm for a client where I took half a dozen 338TRG mags and cut the spot welds, shortened the magazine, and reassembled.

At $247/each its a job that makes you really pay attention to what your doing.

Good luck.

Chad

 

[Layton]

Thanks Chad. I'm gonna try that. Given the price of these mags is the reason I thought I'd ask for a better idea before starting. If it doesn't look like it will work I can still use it with my 338. I'm using factory M995 mags now for the 6.5 but would really like to increase round count for matches.

L

 

[sakobob]

yep thats the tool i was thinking of thanks chad

 

[Layton]

BTW, do you think I'll be able to get a 6.5x55 to feed properly?

L

 

[bward]

As I stated above, I don't. To get the lips close enough together where it will hold the case you create such a sharp angle that the round just catches on the lip and will not go up into the position it needs to be in to feed.

 

[Layton]

Thanks. I may just leave well enough alone.

L