Old M16 Aluminum Magazine Follower Fixes ...

[HB of CJ]

This was a temporary field fix for the older USGI 30 round aluminum mags with the horrible early type followers. The permanent fix was a new mag that worked. This fix sometimes salvaged a bad mag for short term use.

The problem was bolt over base stoppages caused by the mag follower. The old style follower would tilt down at the rear, letting the bolt ride up and over the next round. Sometimes a double feed would also occur.

FIX: Take down the mag. Lube up the insides. Lube up the follower. Take the spring and gently spread the TOP 5 or 6 REAR coils. Spread the rear TOP coil so that the spring COIL RESTS AGAINST the bottom rear of the follower.

The spring end still goes through the hole on the bottom of the follower. The spring now should assume a distinct banana shape. This increases the spring tension on the rear of the follower, thus stopping bolt over base jams.

A temporary fix. How long temporary still is unknown. Understand that when modifying the springs from their OEM condition, such modifications must be consider expedient and temporary. Hope this helps. Yikes!!

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[308]

I've added Magpul followers to my USGI mags. Caution on adding lube to the magazine if one plans on keeping them loaded. There is a possibility of the lube creeping into the ammunition and fouling the primers. My dad worked with an LEO at GPD who like to hose down his Python with WD40. Found out on range day he'd been carrying dead ammo.

 

[PaulB47]

I changed out my followers with the Magpul ones too. Cheap and easy.

 

[DirectDrive]

This was a temporary field fix for the older USGI 30 round aluminum mags with the horrible early type followers. The permanent fix was a new mag that worked. This fix sometimes salvaged a bad mag for short term use.

The problem was bolt over base stoppages caused by the mag follower. The old style follower would tilt down at the rear, letting the bolt ride up and over the next round. Sometimes a double feed would also occur.

FIX: Take down the mag. Lube up the insides. Lube up the follower. Take the spring and gently spread the TOP 5 or 6 REAR coils. Spread the rear TOP coil so that the spring COIL RESTS AGAINST the bottom rear of the follower.

The spring end still goes through the hole on the bottom of the follower. The spring now should assume a distinct banana shape. This increases the spring tension on the rear of the follower, thus stopping bolt over base jams.

A temporary fix. How long temporary still is unknown. Understand that when modifying the springs from their OEM condition, such modifications must be consider expedient and temporary. Hope this helps. Yikes!!

Thanks for the post.
In a way that's historical information, in that our guys in SE Asia probably had to do that fix.
It's criminal to issue sh!t that does not work or has to be jury-rigged.
They did a similar thing to the M9 mags when they gave the supplier (Checkmate) bad specifications.

 

[HB of CJ]

Just a final bump and also to let folks understand that WD40 and guns generally do not mix because of the aforementioned discussion of the Water Displacement Formula 40 also creeping into ammo through the case rim and primer area thus killing the powder and primers. The results is dud ammo. There may be better lubricants today. My view only. Respectfully.

We just used the old military LSA gun oil. Cheap by the gallon.