Howa Mini Magazine Modification

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  • smcdurmon
    Bloodstained
    • Feb 2015
    • 85

    Howa Mini Magazine Modification

    For those of you that may be interested, figured I would post the modification I did to my Howa 6.5 Grendel.

    Magazine will only hold 3 now, but fits nice and flush with the bottom of the magazine well.

    First I cut the magazine just above the engraving below the first rim and sanded it flush with the rim. Used 100 grit first to remove material, then finished it off with 600 grit to smooth out the finish.

    Next I cut the longer rear piece of the follower where the spring attaches to even it up with the front portion. I did this for clearance inside the magazine to be able to load 3 rounds.

    I then cut a notch in the front of the magazine above the first rim just thick enough for the bottom plate to be able to slide all the way back and flush on the magazine.

    The bottom plate mod was a little tricky. I had to cut a groove on the inside towards the front of the plate so the rim would slide into the front of the bottom plate. Basically I continued the groove that's on the inside of the bottom plate to the front.

    Next I sanded the top of the bottom plate for clearance so the magazine would fully engage into the magazine well. Finished it off with 600 Grit sand paper for a nice even finish.

    Lastly I cut 2 links out of the magazine spring to allow for space and still have enough tension to function.

    I also trimmed down the magazine release tab and rounded it off for a more flush tab. It is much nicer now and easy to release with your finger, but not long enough that it will catch on everything to drop the mag.

    Put the clip back together and loaded 3 rounds. The 3rd is a little tight, but it will fit.

    Hope I explained what I did well enough for anybody else that wants a more flush mounted hunting magazine.

    clip1.jpgclip4.jpgclip5.jpgclip6.jpg
    Last edited by smcdurmon; 05-13-2017, 09:18 PM.
  • Hunter307
    Bloodstained
    • Jan 2017
    • 77

    #2
    Does it function well?

    Comment

    • smcdurmon
      Bloodstained
      • Feb 2015
      • 85

      #3
      So far. Haven't had it on the range yet, just cycled a few rounds in an out of the rifle without issue.

      It goes back together the same way it does before the modification, so the functionality shouldn't be an issue.

      Basically going from a 5 rounder to a 3 rounder for a flush mounted clip.

      Comment

      • Troutguide
        Warrior
        • Jan 2017
        • 380

        #4
        If these things weren't so dang blasted expensive I would get a second one and do this. Thanks for posting.
        "I rarely give a definite answer" - TG

        Comment

        • rabiddawg
          Chieftain
          • Feb 2013
          • 1664

          #5
          Brilliant!

          Well done and thanks for sharing.

          Matt, tell Howa this is how a bolt gun should look

          Op, please post a pic of the rifle re-assembled.
          Knowing everthing isnt as important as knowing where to find it.

          Mark Twain

          http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showt...2-Yd-Whitetail

          Comment

          • smcdurmon
            Bloodstained
            • Feb 2015
            • 85

            #6
            Yeah, they are pricey. I ordered 2 extras just in case I screwed up the first one. I sent the pics and what I did to the magazine to a rep at Howa. Maybe they will offer that option for a little less money than the 5 rounders (Hint, Hint)

            No problem. I will post pics of the rifle when I have it all assembled. I'm waiting on textured paint to cure now so I can coat it with a couple coats of Matte Clear.

            I chopped and sanded down the factory stock to make a sporter style stock. It went pretty well also. Didn't take a bunch of pics of the process, but I should have. I got the idea from someone else that did it on the factory stocks. I got the weight of the factory stock down to 29oz (1lb 13oz). It has a much slimmer feal to it now and is still stiff. I glass bedded around the recoil lug and rear tang on the stock too. I will make a new post with pics explaining what all I did to the stock when the paints fully cured.

            Comment

            • Lowerriver
              Unwashed
              • Apr 2018
              • 3

              #7

              Comment

              • rickt300
                Warrior
                • Jan 2017
                • 498

                #8
                It would seem the factory could easily build a magazine that would fit flush with the mag well and hold 4 shots.

                Comment

                • Sticks
                  Chieftain
                  • Dec 2016
                  • 1922

                  #9
                  Originally posted by rickt300 View Post
                  It would seem the factory could easily build a magazine that would fit flush with the mag well and hold 4 shots.
                  Yes they could. And you would pay twice what the 5 round costs due to R&D and a new injection mold.
                  Sticks

                  Catchy sig line here.

                  Comment

                  • se3388
                    Warrior
                    • Sep 2011
                    • 174

                    #10
                    Any chance of getting a pic with it in the rifle? Maybe side by side pic's of before and after for comparison.

                    Steve.........
                    Last edited by se3388; 08-09-2018, 11:37 PM.

                    Comment

                    • se3388
                      Warrior
                      • Sep 2011
                      • 174

                      #11
                      Lowerriver

                      Since smcdurmond hasn't been back in a while can you post a pic of the magazine in the rifle after you altered it?

                      Steve........

                      Comment

                      • Bearskinlake
                        Unwashed
                        • Jun 2018
                        • 1

                        #12
                        This is the end result of my take, spring is a little weak on the last round but it does 3+1 just fine.

                        6.4 lb with See All and 4 rounds.

                        IMG_20180821_123806.jpg

                        Comment

                        • RockWarrior
                          Bloodstained
                          • Sep 2015
                          • 39

                          #13
                          Originally posted by se3388 View Post
                          Any chance of getting a pic with it in the rifle? Maybe side by side pic's of before and after for comparison.

                          Steve.........
                          I have a picture posted here.

                          I was inspired by smcdurmon's thread on making a flush mag for the Howa and decided to tackle it myself. Here is a link to his thread. http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?14214-Howa-Mini-Magazine-Modification For my flush mag I wanted to see if I can get 4 rounds in there and did things slightly different from

                          Comment

                          • se3388
                            Warrior
                            • Sep 2011
                            • 174

                            #14
                            Good job guys, they look good. Thanks for the link RockWarrior (that needs to be a sticky), I think I'll use your method when I do mine.

                            Steve...........

                            Comment

                            • Tarvin22
                              Unwashed
                              • Aug 2018
                              • 1

                              #15
                              If you cut the follower down more and cut the 2 middle ribs inside the mag body with a dremel. Then shave down the bottom peice that faces up with the floor plate u can get 4 rounds in easily. The ribs inside the mag let's the shells double stack instead of single. Its 100%reliable to

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