As my communist state only allows 10 rd magazines and I use stripper clips to load all my magazines it would be quite annoying to take out an extra round every time I push 10 rounds in.
As my communist state only allows 10 rd magazines and I use stripper clips to load all my magazines it would be quite annoying to take out an extra round every time I push 10 rounds in.
Here on the Left Coast we have the same restriction. Some of the 10-round AR mags are not shorties, but modified 20-round units. There are several CA-DOJ approved ways of limiting a 20 to 10 rounds. Many involve an internal limit under the follower and a fixed base plate. One of the cleanest methods is to simply dimple the box to arrest follower travel. I don't know if this is the same in NJ. When buying a reduced capacity mag, make sure it's not tight with 10-rounds. It should almost allow the insertion of an 11th round. This will ensure that you don't have a jammed mag problem as I previously described. In some respects a reduced capacity mag may actually function better than a 10-round shorty because the spring isn't nearly fully compressed and extra long legged, smooth running, trick followers can be used.
Sounds like what That'll Do described. Are you hearing a firm seating click of the magazine latch retaining the mag? On both my pmags when they're fully loaded i either have to put some force into a reload or put it in and tap it. Reason being with the bolt carrier not drawn the first shell is protruding slightly against the bottom of the bolt carrier creating a bit of extra distance for the mag to go before catching to seat. It's almost as if you would like your springs in your mags to be a little looser, which you don't want but it would help make the process easier. Thus you can push hard on the mag and feel the shell move down on the spring and hear the firm clicking sound.
1) Retract the bolt and use the bolt hold open when loading.
2) Insert mag, listen/feel for the catch to click in.
3) Push the button, chamber round with full power of the action spring.
Loading against a closed bolt is a small percent tactical situation, not the recommended way to load the AR15. There's a bolt hold open for a reason - use it. When it's empty, it does the job for you, making combat reloads quicker.
That's the whole point of the feature, which is commonly used on combat weapons - like the Garand.
