Plating pistol mags??

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Markit

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Anyone tried nickel plating pistol mags to keep them in spec?

I have several mags for different pistols that I use for ipsc and sometimes when they hit the ground during mag changes ( typically on gravel or concrete) the mag lips spread a bit and they need to be tuned in order to feed properly.

Any first hand experience with this ?

Thanks in advance

Marc
 
You don't tune the mags by plating them. You tune them by tweaking the lips back into position.

I've yet to see any magazines that were so undersize that they need to be "shimmed" to be steady in position by something like adding plating to the sides.

Plating also affects the base metal to some degree with some styles of process. Which is why nickel plated brass tends to split more easily than raw brass. It's also why you never see plating on any sort of springs. And the metal used for magazines is most certainly a spring stock style steel. That's why it's hard to bend despite being so thin.
 
Hi thanks for the reply.

I understand what you are saying regarding tuning the mags as this is how I do it as well.

What I was thinking (I am probably incorrect) is that by plating the mags it would make them sturdier and less prone to the mag lips spreading.

I have a nickel plated slide on one of my pistols and it is incredibly strong and resistant to wear, which is why I was thinking nickel plating a mag might make it sturdier.

Marc
 
Ah, OK, now I see where you're going.

Unfortunately the answer is still "no". Nickel plating is not a strong sort of film so it doesn't add any noticeable degree of strength. It also can limit the selections of alloys due to the effect it has on the steel depending on the method used for plating on the nickel. Hydrogen embrittlement comes to mind but I'd need to check on that.

Nickel CAN provide a slick low friction interface with steel. But for it to not wear away the steel has to be quite nicely polished and burr free so it doesn't scuff at the relatively softer nickel.

Nickel is often used as a base for a flash of chrome plating over top. The chrome provides a harder and more wear resistant surface. Could it be that your slide is actually nickel-chrome instead of straight nickel?
 
What you need to do is find some weighted base pads or extra thick plastic/rubber ones. That way when the mag drops the weighted end is the dominant side that will most likely hit the ground and not the feed lips.

This however results in cracked base plates from time to time but those can be re-welded fairly easily.
 
Unfortunately shooting in IPSC Production division you are not allowed to add weighted base pads and u have to use factory mags, hence the issue.

Had an issue with a mag this past weekend at a qualifier at BTSA. Failure to feed on the last stage and resulted in less than stellar time for that stage.

I am going to give plating a try on one or two of my problem CZ mags to see if it makes a difference anyways.

Many thanks for the replies.

Cheers,

Marc

GSG1911 said:
What you need to do is find some weighted base pads or extra thick plastic/rubber ones. That way when the mag drops the weighted end is the dominant side that will most likely hit the ground and not the feed lips.

This however results in cracked base plates from time to time but those can be re-welded fairly easily.
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Nickel plating is a 19th Century rust prevention technology. Nothing to do with strength. Won't do anything for stopping mag lips getting bent. Long, needle nosed pliers will put a mag lip back where it belongs with no fuss though.
Your CZ sending the mags out with a bit of speed?
 
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