Building a pre 81 BLR magazine

[Techball]

I know these mags are super hard/expensive to get. I’m worried that I will eventually lose mine. I saw on townpost someone selling 3d printed tikka mags so that got me thinking. I have the tools to 3D print my own. Just want to see if others are interested in this idea. I don’t think I will get the same capacity as the original with its staggered loading (4 rounds). I figure straight stack with 2 or 3 rounds is still better than nothing. I prefer to have less capacity versus it sticking out too much.

I need to figure out the spring design though. What’s a good source for magazine springs? Maybe cutting a blind box spring to size is the easiest path. Any local sources? USA shipping will make things very expensive.

 

[hunter5425]

A wire spring like those found in some magazines might work, you'd need to make a template or jig to wrap the wire and then harden and anneal the spring but that is probably easier than trying to source a spring that would fit the magazine. Spring wire is accessible fairly cheaply online.

 

[GunMunKey]

I think that's a fantastic idea. If you made polymer mags that fit common patterns and could produce them cheaper than OEM you'd have a business. Go for it! Either source the springs or make your own. Might be cheaper to buy the OEM spring and install in your printed magazine? If it saves me $20+ I'll buy two for each rifle right now.