dubya 198 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 I have a few 12rd mags and no 8rd ones so I'm planning on cutting one of my SGM 12's to a 8. Does anyone know how many spring coils I need to remove to make it feed correctly? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
haugpatr 972 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 I would think you can just keep the spring as it is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theorangeplanet 968 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 I cut all my 10's down to 8 back in the day... I kept the springs the same and had no issues. I would at least try it first without cutting the springs. If the full length spring starts causing feeding problems, just take half a coil off at a time until you think the problem is resolved. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 Sounds like a good way to go about it. This is where I'll cut the 12 at to make an 8 correct? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HotShot308 11 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 Yes... the ribs are 12, your current length, 10, 8, 5, 3. There is a vid on the tube and the guy recommends cutting the spring to the same number of coils that extend before cutting... IOW if it has 5 sticking out with the floor plate on when in 12 rd config, then cut it to 5 extending out after cutting it down t 8 rounds. I haven't done it though, so I am not sure, just relating what I saw. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PRISONSHANK 70 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 I cut one of the old 12's that holds 13 down to an 8/9...didnt touch the spring and its the best running mag i own. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 (edited) I left the spring alone and hand cycled the mag through and it seems like it'll work fine, if not I'll cut the spring. Looks like you'll have to heat and bend a spring leg after cutting if needed. Only thing I don't like is its almost as long as my promag 10rd mag. I wish I could just find an Izzy 8 without having to pay $100. Edited April 6, 2013 by dubya Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted April 6, 2013 Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 (edited) IIRC, the factory spring is the same for 8, 10 & 12... No cutting needed. I cut all my 12s down to 10s and didn't cut the springs. Edited April 6, 2013 by ChileRelleno Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2013 Cool, it seems like it loads and cycles fine. I'll have to shoot it tomorrow if the cold rain ever stops.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HotShot308 11 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Just do a mag dump with it, then hug it... you'll be warm and cozy... but the guys at the range may look at you funny... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Matthew Hopkins 1,065 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 question is, why cut the mags down anyway? just doesn't make a bit of sense to do something like that, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 question is, why cut the mags down anyway? just doesn't make a bit of sense to do something like that, Answer is, because it's MY mag and I can do what I want. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blitz636 6 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 (edited) There are bunch of reasons to trim a mag, but I would say one of the most justifiable reasons is for carrying in packs. The 12rnd mags aren't like 30rnd AR mags, they're so long they barely fit in a duffle bag. I just bought a pair of 10rnd mags specifically to cut to 8rnd. Edited April 7, 2013 by Blitz636 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Exactly. The 12rd mags aren't exactly nimble but it's nice to buy them because you always have the option of leaving it or cutting it to any length. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 (edited) I'll trade you an 8 for one of your 12s. It is just a shame. Edited April 7, 2013 by GunFun Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 Why? I have 20rd drums, I don't want a foot long mag sticking out of my shotgun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 (edited) question is, why cut the mags down anyway? just doesn't make a bit of sense to do something like that, 12rds was initially all tacticool, but that wore off after awhile due to them being ungainly long, donkey dicks mags. 12s and longer, are popular for 3gun and other competitions, but kind'a suck for most other shooting. 12s have a documented history of failure when shooting slugs/magnum loads, the weight and recoil has sheared either the front and/or rear locking lip/tab. The above failures have been attributed in part to freezing temps making the polymer brittle. The springs have been reported by some to feed kind'a weakly in some 12rd mags. 8 & 10rd mags are significantly shorter and easier to handle, have not had the history of failure as the 12s and the spring are not an issue. Edited April 7, 2013 by ChileRelleno 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Blitz636 6 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="dubya" data-cid="886342" data-time="1365305335"><p> Why? I have 20rd drums, I don't want a foot long mag sticking out of my shotgun.</p></blockquote> I'm with you, if you've got more 12rnd'ers and drums then you'd ever care to yank the trigger through in one setting, why not add a little versatility to your arsenal. Just for what it's worth, I've done the opposite on my ARs, I plug 30rnd'ers to 5rnds for hunting, I like to grip the mag on a bi-pod while sitting. To each there own. Now it'd be a shame if we were having this conversation because the Feds were castrating our capacity... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dubya 198 Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 I find a true 8rd Izzy is close to the best mag around IMO. I have 2 5rd Izzys and I'm trying to buy my buddies 8 but he's keeping a death grip on it.. I'm really looking forward to the new Chaos drum though. I can't remember if it's a 10 or 12 but its only 3.5" in diameter. If that runs well it may become my new go to. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HighPlainsDrifter 466 Posted April 7, 2013 Report Share Posted April 7, 2013 (edited) Legion is offering new factory 8 round rock-n-lock mags for $109 each. It's a steep price but fair in today's market. Edited April 7, 2013 by HighPlainsDrifter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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