Remove the plastic tabs on both sides to allow the magazine follower travelling all the way to the top.


Drilled and installed the screw.



Tapco modified follower installed.


Tapco magazine follower (right) is thicker & stronger than WeaponTech AK47 BHO followers (left).


With WeaponTech follower installed

Nice design. Look forward to a range report.

Think there will be any issues with the screw head being rounded and cross?

I did not have a chance to hit the range to test my modified follower. To simulate and test the durability of the modified follower, I pulled my AK charging handle to the back as far as I could and let it slammed forward for more than 20 times. My modified follower caught the bolt and kept it stay open flawless every time.

I disassembled my Tapco magazine to inspect the follower. Visual inspection, I did not see any damage to the follower. It looks as good as new. On the other hand, I noticed a tiny horizontal mark on the screw, no other damage to the screw. 20 times of simulation for BHO is equal to 600 rounds of feeding from the same magazine. As the result of the test, I can conclude that my modified follower can stand up for at least another 100 times of BHO. To add more strength to my modified follower, I added some J-B weld to the inside of the follower.

Very cool to see such creativity...I think I'll have to try one such conversion myself!  Thanks.

6x3/4 hex washer head sheet metal

I got them from Lowes.

Make sure you drill the pilot hole with 1/8 drill bit first. You may need to remove some plastic where the screw head rest on for Tapco smooth side magazine because the follower is very tie fit.

Thanks for the info!



 

I had completed converting all my Tapco AK47 magazines to have BHO features. Total cost for every things is under 8 bucks each (including the magazine). From my observation, it looks as good as WeaponTech BHO follower with 3 US compliance parts.

Nice project for me when I get home, but I'd like to do that on AK74 magazines.

If one were to do this on a foreign made follower, at what point would the product be considered US made?

If one were to take a foreign made product and alter it in function and appearance, at what point is the finished product considered a domestic product?
 
I could see Childers Guns starting with a Polish receiver blank and completes it as a 100% receiver.  Now it is a US made receiver.

If enough work is done to a foreign part it may be able to be called US maufactured -- some bike manufacturer painted/ plated bike frames and got away with them as being US manufactered. a ways back.  I wouldn't even bother trying for 922r compliance on a similar mod for foreign mags or other parts. BATF makes up rules as they go with no real regard or concern to other Govt regs. About 0% percent chance they'd go for it. Although if the receiver blank starts at 80% - Might work.