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5/10/2007 8:06:44 AM EDT
I recently picked up some LAR manufactured lowers that have tight magwells. My question is should I use an old mag and some valve grinding compound to loosen them up a little or are there other tips tricks for doing this? TIA
5/10/2007 9:17:25 AM EDT
[#1]
You want to correct a manufacturing defect yoursaelf, instead of having the manufacturer send you a correct product?

Well, I guess it's your call, but not the one I would make.
5/10/2007 9:27:54 AM EDT
[#2]
I would first call LAR and get their input before you do anything but you might be able to do it without the grinding compound by just putting it it and out a few hundred times.
5/10/2007 9:38:23 AM EDT
[#3]
Just lube up the magazine real good and shove it it. It'll stretch.


5/10/2007 3:08:18 PM EDT
[#4]
Take a hammer and smack the mag catch extention shelf on the magazines themselves, thety will fit after a few whacks. Dont gring the inside of the mag like I did, it wont do a thing!
5/10/2007 4:04:07 PM EDT
[#5]
ok, several things first:

DON'T grind or sand or file anything on the lower/magwell itself!

call LAR and ask them if they have a recall or problems w/ the specs on the batch you got--basically, find out first if its your lower or something else

if its not your lower or if you want to narrow it down, try this:

try different mags--older or worn mags might have feedlips that have expanded and make insertion/drop very tough; you can do a temporary fix on expanded mag lips by -slowly re-bending them together w/ a vice or c clamp

check your magazine lock bar and button--are they at the correct distance seated in the lower assembly to ensure that  its not what is causing the mags to stick

also, about how tight are the mags?
5/10/2007 4:27:59 PM EDT
[#6]
Just do what all of us Olympic owners do...

Sort through all your mags to find the ones that fit the easiest.
Dedicate those mags to the tight lower.

Oh how I wish there was an easy solution to fix my tight Olympic lower, but it's a registered AW here in CA so simple replacement is not an option.
5/11/2007 4:46:16 AM EDT
[#7]
Last night I checked several different lowers with about 20 mags.  The LAR manufactured lowers consistently were tighter than my Mega lower with only about 25% of USGI manufactured mags dropping free (Colt/Parsons/OK/Adventurline).  The lowers however were fine with the C-Products mags I tested.  One thing I did notice is that the bevel in the mag well where the detent in the mag is was cut at an angle. This appears to be where the mags are hanging up. This area on my Mega lower is cut straight. Im going to call and see if they have had other complaints.  Regarding installation of the mag catch, even with one not installed the mags still wont drop free. I also took a mag that dropped free on my Mega lower and repeatedly inserted it in one of these lowers, you could quickly see where it was rubbing off the anodizing as well as wearing a spot on the mag (detent bump) where it was making contact.  Ill let you know what I find out from the manufacturer.
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