AR-15 to Swiss Arms magazine conversion development thread *New Video in post #51*

Ar180shooter

Ar180shooter

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So, having been bummed out by the high cost and relative unavailability of mags for my Swiss Arms, I decided to go full Frankenstein and modify an AR mag to fit. I built up a lip on the front and back of the mag, carefully measuring the height and thickness of each so that it will fit and function. I'll be testing the "prototype" tomorrow. The bolt hold open works, and it feeds snap caps without issue. The ultimate plan is to have tabs you can glue on to a standard 5/30 round IWI mag or Magpul Pmag. If this test mag works, I'll have a 3D printed prototype test run made and tested, then maybe (if there is demand), have a batch of the conversion tabs made.

What do you guys think?

Mag1_zpsyalplf5l.jpg

Mag2_zps2inyzkmm.jpg

Mag4_zpsjgvobadl.jpg

Mag3_zpsybzqeali.jpg
 
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Looks pretty sweet to me. Though I do love the Swiss mags. I'm just lucky mine came with 6, I can at least make a go of a small 3 gun stage. I'm looking forward to hearing how this goes.
 
Big_Red said:
Save yourself the arts and crafts time and buy CanAm mags:

https://www.canadaammo.com/product/detail/sig-swissarms-rifle-magazine-30rd-black-nylon/
Click to expand...

Yes, you can get those (already have 18 FYI), but they are not consistently available, and my mags cost less to make yourself, plus it's a fun project to try. If this prototype goes well, I'll make a few more advanced prototypes using a 3D printer, and if those go well, might have them put in to a small production run. The goal would be about $5-$10 to retrofit a PMAG or IMI mag to work in a Swiss Arms. This would still be 3/4 the cost of a CanAm mag, and they'll fit in basically all AR-15 load bearing gear (something the Swiss mags have issues with).

shawn said:
Just to nip this in the bud If you modify a pistol mag to fit this gun it is required to be pinned to 5 rounds.

Shawn
Click to expand...

Correct, modifying Beowulf mags for this is questionable in terms of legality.
 
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Fun project but if you can't use pistol or beowulf mags why bother? You have 18 mags, to me that's getting pretty close to having enough (close but not quite :p )

If you're not doing this to try to take advantage of higher capacity magazine options available for the AR platform then why would you want to make it use an inferior magazine? Everything I've read and experienced through owning one tells me that the Swiss Arms mags are more reliable and of better quality than the AR pattern magazines. I believe HK also makes a better magazine than the STANAG spec mags.
 
Ar180shooter said:
This conversion also requires modifying mags, so any issues with using 10 round LAR's or beowulf mags applies to both conversions.
Click to expand...

If filing a groove in a magazine is considered re manufacturing one I would recommend that those with concerns not use ranger plates, ceracote, exchange followers or use mag couplers either.
The legislation many seem to be concerned about refers to alterations of capacity not "any alteration".
 
$40 magazine = high cost? lol

Aside from that, I'd have worries about durability, but otherwise I think it's a cool project. Innovation and creativity hardly ever should be frowned upon in this game.
 
Shooting Centre said:
If filing a groove in a magazine is considered re manufacturing one I would recommend that those with concerns not use ranger plates, ceracote, exchange followers or use mag couplers either.
The legislation many seem to be concerned about refers to alterations of capacity not "any alteration".
Click to expand...

All I'm saying is that if filing a groove in to it so you can fit it in to a different firearm is legal, then gluing a tab on should also be legal, no? If gluing on a tab is illegal, then filing a groove would also be illegal. It all depends on how the magazine regulations are interpreted. All I'm saying is if modifying 10 round pistol mags to work with the kit you posted is legal, then my modification should also be legal to do to 10 round AR pistol mags, no?
 
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