FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. PROVIDED INFORMATION IS TO BE USED AS-IS.
NO MAGAZINE WAS INJURED OR HARMED IN THE PRODUCTION OF SAID INSTRUCTIONS.
Background:
My just purchased Ruger PC9 rifle just arrived on my doorstep two days ago.
A single Ruger SR9 magazine accompanied the rifle. Quick google search results in magazines available for 60+ dollars each.
Magpul magazines are relatively cheap but nobody has them in stock. I don't have any use for either magazines other than in the rifle.
The whole purpose of the rifle is to have the ammunition supply match the pistol - thereby allowing a single mag to feed both firearms.
My daughter has a first generation M&P pistol and we have 10 magazines available for use. YouTube shows that it is possible for the magazine to be adapted.
I thought there had to be a better method. So, as a design exercise, I thought I'd go through the process of figuring out how to best accomplish this task.
Step 1 - SR9 Adapter removed from rifle.
Note - when the SR9 magazine is placed in the SR9 Adapter (Balloon #1) and the mag latch engages the top of the mag makes contact with point illustrated (Balloon #2).
One can manually depress the bottom portion of the engagement latch (Balloon #3) and the magazine will drop from the adapter.
We need to adapt the S&W M&P magazine to function identically to the Ruger magazine.
Step 2 - Preparing the M&P magazine for marking
2a. Take some soft masking tape (green painter tape was used for contrast) and place it on the front of the magazine shown. Length is not critical as long as it covers the area where the new slot will be cut. (Hint: The top of the SW logo on the front of the magazine is the approximate location of new slot).
2b. Depress (and hold down) magazine latch so it will not drag on the tape (Balloon #1) prior to step 3b.
3b. Gently insert magazine as shown (balloon #2) until it comes to a stop.
4b. Ensure bolt hold open floating tab just touches top of magazine follower (Balloon #3). This tab moves 1/8" inch so it should be in the upmost position when mag is inserted to correct depth.
5b. Let go of magazine latch depressed in 2b. DO NOT MOVE MAGAZINE AT THIS POINT. Friction of the latch against the tape will keep it in position for next operation
Step 3 - Marking Magazine using Mag catch
3a. Take a flat punch, wooden rod, large hex driver, etc.. and insert it into the adapter slot so it makes contact with the latch. DO NOT MOVE MAGAZINE RELATIVE TO ADAPTER.
3b. Slightly tap the end of the tool to force the magazine catch into the tape.
3c. Prior to removing magazine - depress latch again (See step 2b) so it will not drag against tape when removing magazine
3d. Remove magazine from adapter.
Step 4 - Marked M&P magazine.
4a. Once withdrawn from the adapter, you should see a clear indentation in the tape that marks where it made contact with the magazine catch.
Step 5 - Comparison to Ruger Marked magazine
5a. Note position of fully engaged magazine latch relative to original Ruger slot. Since the S&W magazine will not fit into a Ruger pistol we only need to size the new slot to fit the PC9 rifle.
Step 6 - Drilling of marked M&P magazine -
6a. Centre Mark in middle of indentation
6b. Drill at mark with 1/8 inch diameter drill. Note- Centre distance between top factory S&W tooling hole and center of 1/8 drill mark was measured to be .25 inches using a digital readout on a Bridgeport mill.
$17.00 CDN Tire Needle file set - Use the square one (second from left).
Step 7 - Initial Fitting (theoretical)
7a Use .125 square needle file to turn round hole into square one.
7b. Turn square hole into rectangular one by filing towards the base of the magazine (Until latch falls into slot with a click). Do not proceed to step 8 until this is accomplished. My CAD model shows the bottom of the rectangular hole extends just through the top of the SW logo. This is for reference only.
7c Note - the fitment of the magazine should be such that it feels identical to that of the Ruger SR9 rifle that came with the rifle. You should not have to slam the magazine up into the well in order for latch to engage. If this is the case try filing toward the feed lips of the magazine until a nice audible CLICK is heard as the magazine engages. Check often - usually, when fine tuning, the procedure is to take a couple of strokes of the file and check.
Step 8 - Final fitting (theoretical)
8a. Re-install adapter into stock.
8b. Test-fit magazine to see if it fully engages. Use Ruger Magazine for comparison. If you find you have to slam the magazine to engage - take a couple of strokes off the top edge (top of magazine).
8c. Perform pull test to see if you can withdraw magazine from rifle.
8d. File as required to ensure magazine engages latch. Make sure you do not have to slam magazine to latch. File the top of he slot to provide necessary clearance.
NOTE - THE M&P MAGAZINE IS NOT A PERFECT FIT COMPARED TO THE RUGER AND WILL ROCK IN THE MAGAZINE ADAPTER. Make sure fitment of the slot is accomplished by either grasping the magazine from the rear and pushing forward (or backwards) when inserting magazine.
Step 9 - Function Testing (empty magazine)
9a. Test to see if last round hold open works to lock the bolt back on a empty magazine.
9b. Test to see if magazine can be inserted on a closed bolt.
9c. Test to see if magazine can be inserted on a closed bolt with full magazine. DO NOT CHAMBER A ROUND
9d. At range - function test by manually loading and ejecting rounds from the chamber.
9e. At range - function test single round for loading, chamber, and ejection.
9f. At range - function test 5 rounds for loading, chamber, and ejection.
9g. At range - funciton test 10 rounds for loading, chamber and ejection. Bolt hold open should lock back after each magazine is emptied.
You now should have a fully functioning M&P magazine that works with the SR9 adapter.
Alternatively, you could wait until I have completed another design exercise, where I modify the Ruger cross catch to actuate M&P magazines via the side slot (just like the Glock system) and not the front slot (Ruger System).
NO MAGAZINE WAS INJURED OR HARMED IN THE PRODUCTION OF SAID INSTRUCTIONS.
Background:
My just purchased Ruger PC9 rifle just arrived on my doorstep two days ago.
A single Ruger SR9 magazine accompanied the rifle. Quick google search results in magazines available for 60+ dollars each.
Magpul magazines are relatively cheap but nobody has them in stock. I don't have any use for either magazines other than in the rifle.
The whole purpose of the rifle is to have the ammunition supply match the pistol - thereby allowing a single mag to feed both firearms.
My daughter has a first generation M&P pistol and we have 10 magazines available for use. YouTube shows that it is possible for the magazine to be adapted.
I thought there had to be a better method. So, as a design exercise, I thought I'd go through the process of figuring out how to best accomplish this task.
Step 1 - SR9 Adapter removed from rifle.
Note - when the SR9 magazine is placed in the SR9 Adapter (Balloon #1) and the mag latch engages the top of the mag makes contact with point illustrated (Balloon #2).
One can manually depress the bottom portion of the engagement latch (Balloon #3) and the magazine will drop from the adapter.
We need to adapt the S&W M&P magazine to function identically to the Ruger magazine.
Step 2 - Preparing the M&P magazine for marking
2a. Take some soft masking tape (green painter tape was used for contrast) and place it on the front of the magazine shown. Length is not critical as long as it covers the area where the new slot will be cut. (Hint: The top of the SW logo on the front of the magazine is the approximate location of new slot).
2b. Depress (and hold down) magazine latch so it will not drag on the tape (Balloon #1) prior to step 3b.
3b. Gently insert magazine as shown (balloon #2) until it comes to a stop.
4b. Ensure bolt hold open floating tab just touches top of magazine follower (Balloon #3). This tab moves 1/8" inch so it should be in the upmost position when mag is inserted to correct depth.
5b. Let go of magazine latch depressed in 2b. DO NOT MOVE MAGAZINE AT THIS POINT. Friction of the latch against the tape will keep it in position for next operation
Step 3 - Marking Magazine using Mag catch
3a. Take a flat punch, wooden rod, large hex driver, etc.. and insert it into the adapter slot so it makes contact with the latch. DO NOT MOVE MAGAZINE RELATIVE TO ADAPTER.
3b. Slightly tap the end of the tool to force the magazine catch into the tape.
3c. Prior to removing magazine - depress latch again (See step 2b) so it will not drag against tape when removing magazine
3d. Remove magazine from adapter.
Step 4 - Marked M&P magazine.
4a. Once withdrawn from the adapter, you should see a clear indentation in the tape that marks where it made contact with the magazine catch.
Step 5 - Comparison to Ruger Marked magazine
5a. Note position of fully engaged magazine latch relative to original Ruger slot. Since the S&W magazine will not fit into a Ruger pistol we only need to size the new slot to fit the PC9 rifle.
Step 6 - Drilling of marked M&P magazine -
6a. Centre Mark in middle of indentation
6b. Drill at mark with 1/8 inch diameter drill. Note- Centre distance between top factory S&W tooling hole and center of 1/8 drill mark was measured to be .25 inches using a digital readout on a Bridgeport mill.
$17.00 CDN Tire Needle file set - Use the square one (second from left).
Step 7 - Initial Fitting (theoretical)
7a Use .125 square needle file to turn round hole into square one.
7b. Turn square hole into rectangular one by filing towards the base of the magazine (Until latch falls into slot with a click). Do not proceed to step 8 until this is accomplished. My CAD model shows the bottom of the rectangular hole extends just through the top of the SW logo. This is for reference only.
7c Note - the fitment of the magazine should be such that it feels identical to that of the Ruger SR9 rifle that came with the rifle. You should not have to slam the magazine up into the well in order for latch to engage. If this is the case try filing toward the feed lips of the magazine until a nice audible CLICK is heard as the magazine engages. Check often - usually, when fine tuning, the procedure is to take a couple of strokes of the file and check.
Step 8 - Final fitting (theoretical)
8a. Re-install adapter into stock.
8b. Test-fit magazine to see if it fully engages. Use Ruger Magazine for comparison. If you find you have to slam the magazine to engage - take a couple of strokes off the top edge (top of magazine).
8c. Perform pull test to see if you can withdraw magazine from rifle.
8d. File as required to ensure magazine engages latch. Make sure you do not have to slam magazine to latch. File the top of he slot to provide necessary clearance.
NOTE - THE M&P MAGAZINE IS NOT A PERFECT FIT COMPARED TO THE RUGER AND WILL ROCK IN THE MAGAZINE ADAPTER. Make sure fitment of the slot is accomplished by either grasping the magazine from the rear and pushing forward (or backwards) when inserting magazine.
Step 9 - Function Testing (empty magazine)
9a. Test to see if last round hold open works to lock the bolt back on a empty magazine.
9b. Test to see if magazine can be inserted on a closed bolt.
9c. Test to see if magazine can be inserted on a closed bolt with full magazine. DO NOT CHAMBER A ROUND
9d. At range - function test by manually loading and ejecting rounds from the chamber.
9e. At range - function test single round for loading, chamber, and ejection.
9f. At range - function test 5 rounds for loading, chamber, and ejection.
9g. At range - funciton test 10 rounds for loading, chamber and ejection. Bolt hold open should lock back after each magazine is emptied.
You now should have a fully functioning M&P magazine that works with the SR9 adapter.
Alternatively, you could wait until I have completed another design exercise, where I modify the Ruger cross catch to actuate M&P magazines via the side slot (just like the Glock system) and not the front slot (Ruger System).
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