EMDII
January 28, 2001, 10:16
Originally posted by DJ:
Ted, this has probably been discussed to death, but....Can you give us.....the proper methods of magazine maintenance and care?. Thanks
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Like any box magazine, don't stand down-range when you disassemble. There's enough stored energy to loosen teeth and puncture important stuff.
- Remove the floorplate carefully. The sub-floorplate (depending on your magazine), attached to the spring, will extend.
- Remove the spring. Separate the spring, follower, and sub-floorplate.
- Immerse EVERYTHING in carburetor cleaner, or Simple Green. I prefer the petroleum cleaner because it penetrates the stiffeners of the body internals (again, depending on your magazines). Let stand for as long as you like.
- Get a BIG bottle brush and thoroughly clean the magazine body interior.
- Inspect/clean the internals. IF you like, use cleaner-soaked pipe cleaners inside the ribs. Polish the follower lightly- DO NOT remove metal.
- Ensure the spring is rust-free. Use appropriate brushes (old toothbrush is fine) to clean the floorplate, sub-floorplate.
- Spray w/ Brake Cleaner to dry. Let stand.
- Lightly buff the exterior w/ a 3-M pad (green or red). Use long strokes parallel to the long axis of the body. Painted exteriors WILL mar. IF you have tightly adhering rust, bead blasting works. Either process will eventually require a refinish.
- Spray the body interior w/ a moly-based dry film lubricant. DO NOT use normal lubricants on the internals, as they will contaminate MOST ammunition primers.
- Reassemble, and function check.
- Wipe the exterior down LIGHTLY w/ a lubricant, and remove ALL the excess.
IF you store empty, avoid sealed containers, or use LOTS of dessicant. Lubricant is OK for long-term unloaded storage.
Loaded MilSpec magazines will function fine after years of storage.
Before you bet your @$$ on a magazine, give it a good workout at the range.
There are different ways to clean; this is what I do w/ EVERY surplus magazine I buy. Adapt to suit your needs.
*****
- Don't ding your magazine feed lips. They are the CRITICAL part of the magazine assembly.
- When 'polsihing' feed lips, removing too much metal can shave or cut your brass.
- A bad follower is almost as bad as a bad set of magazine lips.
- Straighten magazine bodies carefully.
Magazines are an integral part of your FAL. Take as much care of them as you do the rest of the system. FAL magazines are sturdy and reliable, as delivered. DOn't get creative; you'll have the same problems Armalite did w/ their .308 Ar-10.
(As more info is requested, I'll revise and repost this thread)
------------------
1*.....Train Like You Fight: Second Place is NOT an Option.
E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II
[This message has been edited by EMDII (edited January 28, 2001).]
Ted, this has probably been discussed to death, but....Can you give us.....the proper methods of magazine maintenance and care?. Thanks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Like any box magazine, don't stand down-range when you disassemble. There's enough stored energy to loosen teeth and puncture important stuff.
- Remove the floorplate carefully. The sub-floorplate (depending on your magazine), attached to the spring, will extend.
- Remove the spring. Separate the spring, follower, and sub-floorplate.
- Immerse EVERYTHING in carburetor cleaner, or Simple Green. I prefer the petroleum cleaner because it penetrates the stiffeners of the body internals (again, depending on your magazines). Let stand for as long as you like.
- Get a BIG bottle brush and thoroughly clean the magazine body interior.
- Inspect/clean the internals. IF you like, use cleaner-soaked pipe cleaners inside the ribs. Polish the follower lightly- DO NOT remove metal.
- Ensure the spring is rust-free. Use appropriate brushes (old toothbrush is fine) to clean the floorplate, sub-floorplate.
- Spray w/ Brake Cleaner to dry. Let stand.
- Lightly buff the exterior w/ a 3-M pad (green or red). Use long strokes parallel to the long axis of the body. Painted exteriors WILL mar. IF you have tightly adhering rust, bead blasting works. Either process will eventually require a refinish.
- Spray the body interior w/ a moly-based dry film lubricant. DO NOT use normal lubricants on the internals, as they will contaminate MOST ammunition primers.
- Reassemble, and function check.
- Wipe the exterior down LIGHTLY w/ a lubricant, and remove ALL the excess.
IF you store empty, avoid sealed containers, or use LOTS of dessicant. Lubricant is OK for long-term unloaded storage.
Loaded MilSpec magazines will function fine after years of storage.
Before you bet your @$$ on a magazine, give it a good workout at the range.
There are different ways to clean; this is what I do w/ EVERY surplus magazine I buy. Adapt to suit your needs.
*****
- Don't ding your magazine feed lips. They are the CRITICAL part of the magazine assembly.
- When 'polsihing' feed lips, removing too much metal can shave or cut your brass.
- A bad follower is almost as bad as a bad set of magazine lips.
- Straighten magazine bodies carefully.
Magazines are an integral part of your FAL. Take as much care of them as you do the rest of the system. FAL magazines are sturdy and reliable, as delivered. DOn't get creative; you'll have the same problems Armalite did w/ their .308 Ar-10.
(As more info is requested, I'll revise and repost this thread)
------------------
1*.....Train Like You Fight: Second Place is NOT an Option.
E.M. (Ted) Dannemiller II
[This message has been edited by EMDII (edited January 28, 2001).]