This is RUGER 10/22 specific....But I would recommend this for any magazine fed rifle.
During a 200 yard Rimfire event a month or 2 ago, both my daughter and I had issues with magazines not dropping freely from the rifle in the Rapid Fire stages of the AQT.
I have probably 20 or so 10 round 10/22 magazines, some are clear (like 3 or 4) and some are standard black.
Specifically, we had issues with the CLEAR magazines not wanting to drop freely from both of our rifles. I like the clear magazines, because they are what we use for our magazine of 2. But....they gave us issues.
So....knowing we had an Appleseed event coming up...in our garage we did a test of all of my magazines.
We inserted them empty, into the rifle....and then hit the magazine release to see if they would drop freely.
NONE of my clear magazines would drop freely. And a couple of the black ones did not drop freely either.
So, I took some painters tape and wrapped them and segregated them for further analysis/troubleshooting at a later date.
It is NOT a stock issue, as they are not binding on the stocks....the clear ones are a bit wider is all for some reason.
2 different stocks, mine is a MAGPUL X22, and hers is a Volquartsen Sporter. The triggers are KIDD single stages.
The magazines that did not drop freely in my rifle, did not drop freely in her rifle, and vice versa.
So....a good tip is to check those magazines and make sure they will not give you issues.
IF ALL stick or do not drop freely, that may indicate that you need to sand off/remove some material inside the stock. That is not the case with our rifles, although I have encountered that before.
Figured I would share....and hopefully this helps some of you to identify any problematic magazines before your event.
R/
Chris
The clear plastic cools from the mold with slightly different dimensions than the black plastic.
Use emery cloth, or sand paper, especially on the upper rear corners of the mag.
The rear of the mag has to pivot down slightly to fall free.
Most of mine will drop freely, but strangely, I seem to have problems getting them inserted quickly/smoothly. I'm guessing there must be some small trick to this that is eluding me. Obviously, during a 55 second stage 3, I would like them to be a non-issue.
Any tips? :)
Quote from: Captain on September 05, 2019, 03:48:32 PM
Most of mine will drop freely, but strangely, I seem to have problems getting them inserted quickly/smoothly. I'm guessing there must be some small trick to this that is eluding me. Obviously, during a 55 second stage 3, I would like them to be a non-issue.
Any tips? :)
My daughter struggled with inserting them as well, both with the 10/22 and with the AR15.
We did drills to help her overcome that. Simulating with empty magazines, or.... magazines with snap caps.
On the 10/22, my right thumb anchors against the ejection port while inserting the magazine with my index and middle fingers till it clicks.
Try that, and good luck.
R/
Chris
Rob,
Rock the mag front to back.
Front goes in first, then the rear pivots up to lock in place.
I struggled a lot at my first couple Appleseeds with magazines not dropping free and having trouble getting leverage slung up to seat them properly. I now have these on 6 of my magazines: https://www.tandemkross.com/Companion-Magazine-Bumper-for-Ruger%C2%AE-1022%C2%AE-2-PACK_p_27.html
It adds a little weight to help them drop and gives you a grip surface to help with insertion or rip them out.
I do not tend to loan them to less experienced shooters though - they try to rip them out without using the mag release (or push some other button) and with enough force (and not enough reinforcing epoxy, which I use now) they can come off.
They do stick out, which may interfere with no-sling off-hand positions, but you don't need to change mags for that and can use standard mags.
I also understand why people use 15 and 25 rounders to have the same grip surface and leverage, but I haven't found them 100% reliable as they are sometimes sensitive to approach angle and pressure.
My daughter had the same issue at her first Appleseed. Using the black mags in a factory Ruger stock. I put a slight bevel in the magwell, and knocked every corner of the mags down with 1000 grit paper. Next event she shot Rifleman every time.
Quote from: USNAVYCHIEF(Ret) on September 05, 2019, 08:13:29 AM
I like the clear magazines, because they are what we use for our magazine of 2.
Three things about prepping 2 magazines of 2rounds and 8 rounds (as for stages 2 and 3 of the AQT):
1) When prepped, the magazine with 8 rounds will have a slight rattle if shaken. This is because the follower/feed-spindle doesn't keep static pressure on
all of the rounds. However the magazine with 2 will not rattle, because both rounds are being pressed up towards the lips by the follower.
2) You can use a silver sharpie or any paint to mark your magazines. Many people will write "2" on a magazine and write "8" on another.
3) Practice "Natural Point of Magazine." Place the mags in a regular pattern on your shooting mat, and place them close enough to reach them. Exempli gratia: I always place my 2 round mag closer to me, and the 8 round mag slightly farther away.
Quote from: Mark Davis on September 05, 2019, 10:02:08 AM
Use emery cloth, or sand paper, especially on the upper rear corners of the mag.
^What he said.
Quote from: USNAVYCHIEF(Ret) on September 05, 2019, 04:08:01 PM
On the 10/22, my right thumb anchors against the ejection port while inserting the magazine with my index and middle fingers till it clicks.
I prefer to partially insert the magazine to get it aligned. Then I leave my thumb under the magazine base, and place my finger tips on top of the receiver. The back of my hand faces the sky, my index finger is closest to me, my pinky closest to the muzzle end. Then I squeeze to fully seat the magazine. This has the added benefit of my fingers being right there to slide off the top of the receiver, and onto the charging handle to chamber a round. Then the hand returns to a firing grip.
^^1) and 2) both work for me at AS and in the HP matches.
I use the Butler Creek 10 round steel lip mags in my personal Appleseed rifles. YMMV
But like Ruger you may have to buff up a little to fir your particular stock.
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/butler-creek-steel-lips-22lr-10-22-10-round-clear-magazine.html