Maybe someone can help me here - pinning mags

[guess_kto]

Can someone measure their magazine and tell me at what distance (mm) I have to place a rivet to pin a regular military mag for AR-15 (aka M-16) and M-14? In other words, the distance from the top of the mag to the center of the pin/rivet.

I understand, it may not work 100%, but at least it would provide some guidance. If you have other mags, post it here too.

I'll post the answers below, so other can use it:

M-16 (AR-15) mag -- mm
M-14 (M305) mag -- mm

 

[Mike K]

It depends on the follower.

 

[Lawrence D]

May I sagest some thing? Take out the floor plate and spring, leave the follower inside. Then load five rounds and measure from the base of the mag to the lowest part of the follower. Best done with a depth gauge. Take that measurement and transfer it to the out side of the mag. Mark it with a pencil and place the rivet. This will get you close enough.

 

[zykopat]

A fellow CGNer helped me once...:

Using calipers from the lower edge of the mag, you need to be approximately 2 inches down for your centre punch. Pics to follow.

ETA: Here's a pic for you. The top hole is for pinning with USGI green followers. The measurement and second hole is for Magpul enhanced followers. The calipers read 1.925 inches. This measurement is to the CENTRE of the rivet hole. This will give you about 5.5 rounds of movement which will allow your mags to seat on a closed bolt with 5 rounds in them.

 

[jamiejaf]

Strip down a mag. Load five rds in the mag and measure the distance to the Bottom of the follower plate, where it will stop on a pop rivet.(this distance can vary) Drill a hole specific to a rivet. install a rivet. Assemble the mag and try loading five rds again. Some actions will need a little extra room in the mag or you might not be able to lock it in.