HK_DUDE

OK, I went and got one a ways back just to see how it was compared to my RRA magblock. The body is made of plastic but the bolt-hold-open tab is metal, the ejector is metal and the guide ramp is metal. The big problem is it goes in from the top and needs the bolt stop to be removed to allow it to go into place. This makes it a kind of deal where you want to be sure you want to shoot 9mm for a while because you need to remove the bolt stop again to get the Promag magblock back out. I found that magazines fit really tight in the magblock –– this might change over time as the magblock gets broken in but I didn't have the time. I did hand-cycle some rounds from a mag through it and it seemed to function for me but the businesss with the mags being so tight really turned me off. I tried both Colt 9mm mags and the Promag magazines and I think the promags actually fit a little better. I believe this magblock was actually made for some other company (I don't remember the name) but it was decided back then that the magblock was junk but since you want to tinker it's perfect for that. You might be able to open the thing up so that mags fit better. It's your $50 –– see the link below.

Edit to add: I was thinking about what I said about what mags fit and I believe the Promag magazine fit when empty but they seem to expand when loaded and made for a tight fit. You can't just remove the BHO tab on the magazine –– there is rib that runs all the way down the backside of the magblock that would still get involved with the bolt stop in the lower.

ALSO: If you don't have a barrel yet you might want to take a look at this AR 9mm SS 16" barrel
I was building a 9mm junker and got one of those $99 barrels but the darn thing required the chamber be beveled, the positioning pin hole needed to be drilled and needed the pin. It also required a shim –– and it wasn't stainless. I think the one in the link looks like a good buy. Another ALSO: Take a look at the price of the Promag magblock that's just below the barrel –– like $35 –– if you were really going to get one!

I have a test lower that I call a mule since it gets to do all the dirty work for me when I'm messing with stuff. I cut the tabs off the top of the block, that are meant to hold the magblock in place, and added a screw in from that goes through a hole in the front of the magwell. The hole is no big deal for me since it's my test lower but you might cringe at the thought –– but the magblock goes in from the bottom now.

HK_DUDE
I never really got a chance to play much with the promag magblock but I will say it comes apart in two halves –– there are two screws in the front and two in the back. You could open the block up and sand it to give it a little more clearance for the mags. It could also be that my lower has a tight magwell to start with and compressed the magblock a bit. Dang, for $42 bucks you can feel good messing with it. I was almost thinking about getting that SS 9mm barrel myself for no better reason than just to have a 9mm SS barrel. I already have two CM barrels –– one is a mid-length and the other, the $99 special, that's a carbine profile. Post something one way or another about your experiences with that Promag magblock. I thought it was tight and the part about going in from the top was a pain but you know what I did about it. Of course I really don't use it –– I have a RRA magbock that works great.

I was wondering if anybody was going to post that they ordered one of those barrels –– I didn't really expect it to be you. I would really appreciate your impressions on the magblock and the barrel –– actually more on the barrel. I'd love to get one myself but just can't justify it at this time –– but I am jealous.

Best of luck on finding a bolt –– wish I could help you there. I don't know if you have a 9mm buffer –– but –– there was a YHM 9mm buffer on that same page with the barrel but near the bottom right. Looks like it's one of the longer types so the 9mm bolt doesn't get to travel so far.

If your options for the 9mm bolt run out try this: RRA 9mm bolt
It's all the way down on the page, second from the bottom –– it's only a little less than RRA's price and it's not ramped –– just a thought.

I know just what you mean –– I'm stll having a hard time saying NO to that SS barrel and I really don't need it. I'd have to sell something in order to buy one and I really want to keep what I've got. The barrels are down to 4 and those extended 9mm buffers are gone.

You probably got one of the last of the bolts that JSE had. I figured maybe HK_DUDE might want one but they were out of stock. I had posted the other bolt for sale only because of the price and the ones of JSE were all gone –– it's a good bolt but not ramped. The CMMG bolt looks really nice and it can be had a Brownells for $159.00 if you have a gunsmith account –– normal price is $199.00. HK_DUDE is trying to do a build as cost affective as possible.

Another update.

So far, I have my own lower ready that I am robbing from a complete gun for the build....these parts are all on the way now:

1. GSE barrel (have a delta assembly, and a midlength FG MOE handguard and spikes SD style fake can..will match a 5.56 and .22 upper I have)
2. Promag block (may be my weak link.....but don't mind fiddleing with it to make it work right if needed)
3. 2 - 20rd Metal form mags
4. RRA bolt and Colt 9mm buffer
5. Vortex Strike Fire Reddot


Need to order:
1. Vortex Strike Fire reddot sight (I have one and love it......I need 2 now actually)
2. If all runs well with my existing lower and Promag bloc.....I will need to buy another lower half to replace it.

I should be test firing in a week or so....I will have no sight on it yet, but that is fine.

The nice thing about ordering this barrel, is I will have it to measure, etc.....to help finish off my 9mm barrel blank.

Yes I am....

Here is my dedicated .22 (I have a 5.56 just like it.) The spikes SD fake can holds the round handguard retainer cap in place for the handguards. On the .22 (because the barrel is shorter) the rear of the can had to be shortened. On the 5.56, is installs with no mods at all and works perfect.

Thanks....

In the case with the 9mm and the .22, there is no gas block used.......just the handguard cap held in place by the fake can.

I will see once the parts come in if the 9mm barrel length will allow the fake can to be used unmodified or if it will need to be slightly shortened.

Keep us posted on the 7" one.....I may need one of them too. I have 2 registered SBR ARs and may switch caliber on one of them to 9mm as well.

I am at home all day with a sick little one.

UPS just dropped off a couple boxes. There is still a chance that more parts will be coming via USPS too, that doesn't come for another hour.

Can you say "Kid in a candy store"

The barrel is nice......when I opened it, I thought..."For $100 bucks, I should another one"....although I really don't need one

I kept the threads in mind when ordering. Spikes makes the same fake can with 1/2 x 36 theads so I am covered.

I can sum up my first impression of the mag block in one word "Cheap".....but, the block went into the lower nice and tight (I am going for the designated 9mm lower idea). The bolt cath actuator (is that a word?) is very loose in the block, but that actually makes sense. The mags are very solid and nice. The finish isn't great, but that is fine. The mags go in the block very nicely. Not drop free at this point, but almost. I think with time and use they will drop free.

The first time I put a mag in the lower, it wouldn't lock in. A very short amount of the mag catch stuck through to the inside of the mag block. After comparing the mag catch to others I have, I decided it looked like the pad area was shallower. It has always worked fine for 5.56 mags and .22 mags. I switched it out for one in a different gun and it now works like a charm.

Everything went together nicely. Now I just need my bolt assembly, buffer, fake can and Vortex Strike Fire......and all of those items are on the way