I've also posted this in the gunsmithing forum:

Does the leaf spring in the magazine need to be attached at the front... mine isn't on a recently acquired 1969 .308 and it MAY be the problem I'm having with the rounds not loading smoothly or ejecting properly... what say ye?

The leaf spring is free to move front to back in the magazine.

VR
Earl

I can't say. I have a couple of them for a .270, but it is at my son's house so is not available for me to examine.

You can usually pick those magazines up pretty reasonable. There were almost always a few avaialable nearly any time on ebay before they became contraband there. You might check Gunbroker or Auction Arms for a new replacement. Be sure it is for the original BAR and not for the Safari Mark II.

Thanks... it was a broken tab and I got another from my local gunstore AND a spare is on the way from Midwest Gunworks ($15)

VR
Earl