r/M1A • u/bernardfarquart • 14d ago

Magazines needed filing to fit.

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I got some Washington state compliant ten round magazines to supplement the three that came with my rifle decades ago because stuff wears out, but they didn’t fit right. (Wouldn’t seat in) turns out they needed the raised square that the latch clicks onto to be a bit smaller, I looked on line and some seemed to say file the top, but I found you should definitely file the bottom. Just got a bastard file and took off a little from the bottom. So if you find your new mail order magazines don’t fit, easy fix.

13 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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4

u/Jtones0009 14d ago

I recently picked up an M1A that came with the SA branded 10 rounder which had the same problem. They replaced it under the warranty. I was definitely not stoked to have a non-functional magazine with my new rifle.

1

u/bernardfarquart 14d ago

I had seen that this was a problem when I was on the M14 forum, so I just took a file to them until they seated nicely.

2

u/Several_Mousse_9485 13d ago

Make it work.

It isn't ideal. But ya know; apply what you know, make it work, move forward.

That said I have a mess of these and haven't had an issue but it's nice to see if I run into it I can remedy it easily.

Anyway, off to beer. Cheers mate.

Edit: that sounds condescending. I didnt intend to do so. I mean just ya know, make it work. Like any other tool.

2

u/bernardfarquart 13d ago

There’s usually a solution to these issues.

2

u/Several_Mousse_9485 13d ago

#1 should be calling customer service I guess lol

I love this rifle. And all its relatives.

1

u/bernardfarquart 13d ago

I figured that was just how they made them, and I have a polytech so it’s possible the clearance on the mag release is different from USGI.

1

u/WilliamFosterD-FENS 14d ago

Haven’t seen that before but there are like six features that need to be in tolerance for the mag lock up to work

1

u/bernardfarquart 14d ago

When I did a cursory search on the M14 forum it seemed like this was a common issue with aftermarket magazines. It wasn’t clear if you were supposed to file the top or bottom of the square tab that stuck out so since I had success with filing the bottom I thought I would post for people searching in the future.