South African BHP 17 round mags.

A

ATTICUS

New member
I got two of these in yesterday and would like to get a little advice from you experts.
These are nice looking mags but it took alot of effort to get 17 rounds in them. It would not of been possible without the loading tool included, and even then I had to pound, shake, and curse at them. I'm going to let them sit fully loaded for a few days and see if it sets the springs a bit. Any advice on how to make these more user friendly?

[This message has been edited by ATTICUS (edited August 29, 2000).]
 
Hello. I know just what you mean, but don't worry. Leave 'em loaded for a week and they work slick! I had two that did NOT come with the loader. No big deal I thought as I've never used loaders. Later ones bought from CDNN came with a loader each and they do make it easier. Anyway, leave 'em loaded several days and they'll work fine. Best.
 
A question about the South African mags: do they fit okay in the mag well of any BHP, including the MK III?

TIA.
 
I have a MkIII and the South African mags work great - although I do occasionally have a problem with the slide closing on the South African mags after releasing the locked back slide on a new full mag - this problem seems to go away after a little use.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AndABeer:
These are not flush fitting, correct?[/quote]

No, they are not flush fitting - they protrude from the pistol grip about 1/2-3/4" (going from memory) but the baseplate pad of the magazine covers the entire portion that protrudes.
 
These ARE flush-fitting. They have a thicker rubber baseplate is all. I like that, cuz it helps me tell them apart from the 13-rounders. I got 2 several week ago,they feed very reliably, and the spring has softened up a bit.

One side benefit, the finish on these is nice and smooth, and if your BHP still has its mag safety, these smooth mags will make your trigger pull feel a little better.

I really like these mags.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave R:
These ARE flush-fitting. They have a thicker rubber baseplate is all.[/quote]

Dave R.,

I guess I don't understand. Are you saying the half-inch or so the magazine extends below where the baseplate of my 13 rounder would normally be, if it were in the grip instead of the 17 rounder, does not contribute any volume for cartridges? That the 17 rounder's baseplate is cosmetic? If that's true, then could the baseplate of a 13 round magazine replace the SA magazine's baseplate and still have a 17 round capacity?

Joe
 
Wow, after reading the posts in this thread I've suddenly become sold on the South African mags. So I called CDNN today and ordered four blue ones and two nickel ones for my blue and nickel BHPs. I look forward to seeing them. Sounds like I won't be disappointed.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jimmy:
Wow, after reading the posts in this thread I've suddenly become sold on the South African mags....Sounds like I won't be disappointed. [/quote]

Jimmy,

I was not disappointed and I don't think you will, either. Just be aware, they are the devil to load the first time. I had to use a loading tool. After loading to capacity, let them sit for a week or so. After doing that, I no longer needed the tool.

Joe
 
Numbers, that is what I'm saying. The additional 1/2 inch below the grip is all plastic cap. The mag actually ends flush with the bottom of the gun. You could probably replace that plastic cap if the extra length bothers you.

But I don't think you could make a 13 rounder hold 17 rounds. Probably some difference in the design of the follower and the spring. I've never had them apart, so I couldn't tell you.
 
jimmy,
I just received mine yesterday, tried them out today. I can assure you that you will not be disappointed. They functioned flawlessly. I've got to order more before they disappear.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave R:
Numbers, that is what I'm saying. The additional 1/2 inch below the grip is all plastic cap. The mag actually ends flush with the bottom of the gun. You could probably replace that plastic cap if the extra length bothers you.

But I don't think you could make a 13 rounder hold 17 rounds. Probably some difference in the design of the follower and the spring. I've never had them apart, so I couldn't tell you.[/quote]

Dave, not to be offensive; but I am curious how you know that the protruding part is all baseplate if you have never taken the magazines apart?

If you'll take a look at the South African mags, you'll notice that the witness hole for the 17th round sits right above the baseplate. Either that spring compresses into a very tight bundle when loaded or some of the operating part of the magazine is covered by the baseplate.

If you have some more knowledge on the subject, I would like to hear it since I would love to replace the stock baseplate with a flush-fitting baseplate and have a flush fitting 17rd mag.

Even my flush fitting Ramlines that use a different spring arrangement are only good for 15. So 17rds flush-fit would be a great improvement.
 
Atticus,

I just called CDNN to order two of these mags but was informed by the guy on the phone that they will not ship any hi-cap mags to The People's Republic of Massachusetts! Now there is no law that I am aware of against this and he apologized but said that's the way it is.

Anyone out here want to sell me one or two of theirs? They are not illegal here.

Frosty
 
You can't get rid of the plastic base. It is an important part of the design. The mag body on the 17 rounders appears to be the same as the 13 rounders. The way they get 17 rounds in them is they use a different follower and the hollow plastic base that sticks out serves as space for the spring to compress into.
 
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