Last night I was trying to modify a magazine to fit in a different handgun, and my high speed steel tools did not cut it. I made the mag catch slot with a Carbide end mill and it worked.

Is it normal for mag bodies to be hardened?
How hard are those mags?

I do not have an RC hardness meter.




TIA

Two words, Spring Steel.

I recently tried to drill 2 holes in the floorplate of a Mec-Gar magazine. While I eventually succeeded, it was the hardest thing I have ever tried to drill through in my entire life!

I eventually succeeded after heating the floorplate a dull red, and letting it cool. This seems to have softened it some, but it was still tough to drill through.

Now, I am afraid to use this mag for any serious purposes, but it does seem to be functioning normally.

quote:

Originally posted by grendelbane:
I eventually succeeded after heating the floorplate a dull red, and letting it cool. This seems to have softened it some, but it was still tough to drill through.

Now, I am afraid to use this mag for any serious purposes, but it does seem to be functioning normally.

As long as you didn't cook the spring, follower and feed lips you will be fine.