Smith and Alexander magazine funnel

[pepperbelly]

What do ya'll think of this part?
The mag well on my Springer Loaded is beveled, but will this help even more?
Jim

[John]

Yes, is the one word answer.

[theArmedRebel]

But you will have to blend the bevel on the magwell to the bevel on your frame for a smoother look.

Robert

[darrenk75b]

The S&A magwell gives you about 100% more area than the stock pistol affords. Because your pistol is already beveled, you will get a slight overhang from the S&A magwell (they are set up for non-beveled frames). But, that is nothing that a dremel tool can't fix. A little grinding and polishing and you'll have a nicely blended magwell. But, if grinding on your pistol isn't your cup o' tea, no worried. The non "blended" well will still work great.

[pepperbelly]

Thanks. I have never had a mag well beveled before. It really makes a difference, but the Smith and Alexander part seems like it might make a good thing better.
I plan on shooting some IDPA and quick reloads help. I qualified on a course when I was a cop in the '80s that seems very similar to the IDPA course. I managed to qualify with a stock Colt series 70, but anything that improves speed is welcome.
The thought of grinding on my new (to me) Springfield loaded sends shivers down the back of my neck though. I'm going to have to think about it for a while.
Jim

[theArmedRebel]

Just the magwell. here's a pic of my (not well done) magwell bevel job.

http://homepage.mac.com/themacdaddy/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2004-12-31%2023.57.00%20-0800/Image-7D6ED2C55BCA11D9.jpg

Without beveling it, the there would be a "lip" where the madwell's bevel overlapped the bevel on the frame. If you have a non-beveled opening (like on a GI model) the Smith & Alexander would require no modification and line up perfectly.

Robert

[desertplinker]

Ok so to clarify things a little... On beveled magwell models the only grinding is to the Magwell extension itself. Not the frame of the gun, correct?

[darrenk75b]

Ok so to clarify things a little... On beveled magwell models the only grinding is to the Magwell extension itself. Not the frame of the gun, correct?

Yes, this is basically the case. You can grind the magwell down to be flush with the bevel on the frame and stop there. However, if you want the frame to mate up perfectly with the magwell, you will have to do a bit of grinding/polishing with the magwell in place, and you will likely end up removing a small bit of material from the frame itself (but the transition from magwell to frame will be almost seamless). I'll try to post a pic of mine in a couple of days when I get back from a business trip. The amount of material removed from the frame, however, can be very minute- just enough for a clean "blend".

[darrenk75b]

Okay, here are a couple of pics of the magwell that I belnded. I need to do some more polishing , as it has gotten a bit dinged up recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/Overkill2/Picture039.jpg

A closer Look

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v481/Overkill2/Picture040.jpg

[theArmedRebel]

Beautiful work. I didn't have the guts to touch the frame on mine. Basically, I put the magwell on, marked where it overlapped, removed it and filed. I still need to clean it up, but right now the magwell is in Arizona for a Yost-Bonitz lanyard modification.

Robert

[darrenk75b]

Beautiful work. I didn't have the guts to touch the frame on mine. Basically, I put the magwell on, marked where it overlapped, removed it and filed. I still need to clean it up, but right now the magwell is in Arizona for a Yost-Bonitz lanyard modification.

Robert


Yeah, I understand. I bought this gun to mess around with. It was a great deal at $375, so tinkering with it doesn't concern me all that much (although the great SA warranty is now voided). There's nothing quite like hands-on experience.

[theArmedRebel]

My Magwell came back from Yost-Bonitz Saturday. :cool:
http://homepage.mac.com/themacdaddy/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2005-04-11%2015.30.52%20-0700/Image-3546BC22AAD911D9.jpg
http://homepage.mac.com/themacdaddy/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/2005-04-11%2015.30.52%20-0700/Image-3546FF10AAD911D9.jpg

Robert