Local gunshop got a sporterized Springfield in, circa 1960's. It has a very nicely done detachable magazine set up; all steel and seems very secure. The release is a push-button in front of the triggerguard. There are no markings on it. Does anybody recognize what this set-up might be? Are any spare magazines available out there?

i don't have any information for you, but would appreciate it if you are able to take some pictures of it and post them here or send them to me. I am just curious how they did this.

thanks, and let us know if you find more info.

Red

I would also like to see pics of this modification. Sounds interesting.

hangunnr

Probably done by the same guy who came up with mudflaps for Ferrari's!

Probably done by the same guy who came up with mudflaps for Ferrari's!

Heh Heh........

Not an inapt simile.....



GV

Took photos tonight and have imposed upon Mike Smith to post them. In the meantime I will try to email them to those interested also, as it's a well done set up.

Obviously it was not designed by the mudflap guy. It was the guy that come up with leather seats for the Dodge Neon!

Photos as requested

Interesting.....

The interior of the original magazine appears to be unmodified, and the detachable magazine is merely a very close fit to the interior walls of the original.

The thickness of the metal appears to be substantial on the detachable magazine.....to avoid any deformation of the "clips" that retain the cartridges. This of course makes the "holding area" for cartridges much narrower, and changes the stagger of the held cartridges. Also the cartridges are now retained by the clips of the detachable magazine rather than the pressure of the follower against the action rails.

I'm curious how it feeds, and if the action rails have been modified. It appears the follower in the detachable magazine has been modified somewhat.

I don't see any "finger purchase" relief area in the stock, and it looks like the lip of the detachable magazine lies flush with the bottom of the stock......so I'm curious how it is removed other than with a fingernail grip.

I can't see it in the photos, but I presume there is some sort of "vertical ramp" that compresses the release button when the detachable magazine is inserted.

Thanks for posting the photos. I wouldn't be interested in a similar modification, but I find the exercise interesting. I am curious about the reliable feeding of this particular arrangement. It isn't obvious to me where the detachable magazine "clips" reside in relation to the existing action rails. I presume a charged round is guided by the magazine clips rather than the action rails.

GV

I wonder if its just a modifcation of the air crew magaiznes they made up in WW-1

There is no modification of the rails necessary. This rig came in on one sporter, the gunshop owner was so intrigued by it he switched it over onto his own rifle (another Springfield sporter). Some wood had to be removed where the release button goes towards the web of wood between the trigger and the magazine well. Otherwise this floorplate/trigger guard was a light tap in fit. His old trigger guard assembly then worked fine on the other rifle.

A third photo (not posted) shows how the angled release button locks into a beveled area on the magazine.

Have cycled dummy cartridges through this dozens of times without a problem. Done it slow, fast, and with the rifle tilted in various angles.

Whoever did this, did a very nice job. We've never seen it before.

P.S. Thanks Mike for posting these for me.

Grandview,

My guess would be that because of the substantial materials the mag drops free and doesn't require a purchase for the fingers. Is that right Matt?

Thanks again for the pics, very good reference material.

Red

It drops free real slick. It is indeed substantial, nothing tinny whatsoever. Locks up secure, no rattle, releases clean.

The angled release button depresses when the clip is inserted, then snaps over the beveled lip/hole, visible on the back of the magazine. To remove the magazine, one depresses the button and the magazine falls free.

Wish I knew where this came from. The rifle it was on is a circa 1960's "sporterized" Springfield.

Sorry I couldnt post the 3rd photo. No matter what I did hunt101 wouldnt take it. Resolution too high for them I guess.

A number of years ago i purchased 17 guns at once from a widow. Included in the bunch was an 03 with the same type of magazine. with surplus ammo the rifle shot .75 inch groups at 100 yards. It refused to feed from the magazine. I then prurchase original bottom metal and magazine, the function was flawless. I have no information on who did the conversion, but the rifle came with a Herters muzzle break, I assumed that it was purchased from Herters. I wish that it had worked better but was pleased with the fix. The rifle was given to my son as a present and now hunts deer in Wisconcin. Good luck.