Browning Magazine Confusion... Please Help!

B

BlackRazor

New member
Hey all, I was hoping to get some help on some issues I'm having with the magazine design for the P35 (Browning Hi-Power). The original capacity, military mags are 13 rounders, and they fit flush with the frame. However, there are also after-market 15 round magazines that also fit flush with the frame. Upon inspection, it seems as though the 13 rounders have "grooves" near the base that purposefully prevent them from being loaded to the "full" 15 rounds that the after-market magazine can hold. The after-market mag (Mecgar) does not have these grooves. So the question is, why aren't all mags for the BHP 15 rounders, what's the *disadvantage* to being able to put in two extra rounds???

Also, what's all this I hear about the SAS downloading the BHP mags by one. I'm assuming this means from 13 to 12?!?! From what I can see, this reduces a potentially 15 round magazine all the way down to 12 rounds? If the 13 rounders are already reduced in capacity (I'm assuming for reliability) then when download even further? Anyway, thanks in advance for any help, I appreciate it.

-Robert

P.S. I think the same thing goes for the beretta 92F mags, but I'm not sure.
 
railroader,

That's my point. If it's only a different follower, why didn't they just design the mags that way in the first place? Who would want to only put 13 rounds in the mag when they could have fifteen?

-Robert
 
I think the reason they hold 13 instead of 15 is mag spring durability. Less capacity means longer mag spring life and better reliability.
 
Mec-Gar came after the original design of the Browning magazine had been built. Most Mec-Gar magazines I've found are still 13 rounds. Many contracts would specify magazines fitting original specifications. If it works, why fix it?
By changing the follower and the spring more rounds can be put in a magazine. Sometimes this requires cutting out a couple extra loops of spring. This can lead to misfeeds. This is partially alleviated by the better materials available now.
Wear on a spring is reduced by loading one less round. Some people recommend this if you keep the magazine constantly loaded.

Personally I'll take a reliablility over capacity. That's why I don't use 10 round magazines for single column 1911's. I don't find the difference between 13 rounds and 15 rounds meaningful.
 
It is not only the spring that could become a problem. Cutting down a follower can allow it to tilt and jam, and fail to push up the remaining rounds. Also remember that the 9mm P is not a straight case like the .45 ACP or .380 ACP. It is slightly tapered and this must be taken into account in the design of magazine and follower and in any attempt to alter the follower.

Jim
 
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