Shortening Howa Mini Mag release lever?

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  • splashy
    Bloodstained
    • Oct 2017
    • 58

    Shortening Howa Mini Mag release lever?

    Hi All
    What's the consensus on the best length to shorten magazine release lever to that still works?
    Dropped a magazine in the field today just by bumping it. I realised at the time, but I am sure it will happen again if I don't do something to it....
    Thanks
  • ThunderStick
    Unwashed
    • Sep 2017
    • 24

    #2
    I cut mine very short, more a button than lever now.

    Comment

    • 6mmTCU
      Bloodstained
      • Apr 2017
      • 34

      #3
      Ditto ^

      Comment

      • Dinny
        Warrior
        • Jun 2016
        • 607

        #4
        I may have left 3/16" sticking out.

        Thanks, Dinny

        Comment

        • TropicalVibe
          Warrior
          • Mar 2015
          • 138

          #5
          Originally posted by ThunderStick View Post
          I cut mine very short, more a button than lever now.
          Would you mind showing pics and details of the reshaping technique?

          Comment

          • splashy
            Bloodstained
            • Oct 2017
            • 58

            #6
            Thanks for the input. I wasn't sure how short to go. My intended method is to take off the bottom metal (plastic), trim the lever with a Dremel tool with a cutting blade to minimise sideways pressure on the pin etc, and the sand off the edges....

            Comment

            • ThunderStick
              Unwashed
              • Sep 2017
              • 24

              #7
              I don't have pictures, but I'll explain my method.

              With the mag in the mag well, I made a pencil mark on the side of the release lever. Then pushed the lever all the way back and marked again, then cut about 2mm over this second mark, sanded the corners and sharp edges off and reinstall. It's almost impossible to release accidentally now.

              Comment

              • splashy
                Bloodstained
                • Oct 2017
                • 58

                #8
                Originally posted by ThunderStick View Post
                I don't have pictures, but I'll explain my method.

                With the mag in the mag well, I made a pencil mark on the side of the release lever. Then pushed the lever all the way back and marked again, then cut about 2mm over this second mark, sanded the corners and sharp edges off and reinstall. It's almost impossible to release accidentally now.
                Thanks. Will get into mine after work.

                Comment

                • jason miller
                  Warrior
                  • Dec 2016
                  • 182

                  #9
                  I just took a piece of 60 grit to mine until I deemed it long enough to still function easily but short enough to be less likely to accidentally disengage. It took about a minute...

                  Comment

                  • Troutguide
                    Warrior
                    • Jan 2017
                    • 380

                    #10
                    I removed mine from the rifle and cut just above where I wanted it and then rubbed it along sand paper until it felt nice. Then reinstalled and realized it was still too long and did it all again. Mine is only about 1/8 inch but functions exactly as I like and is much harder to accidentally release. Be cautious, but you want it relatively short unless you are going to be doing a lot of gloved hunting or something else reducing your dexterity.
                    "I rarely give a definite answer" - TG

                    Comment

                    • bj139
                      Chieftain
                      • Mar 2017
                      • 1968

                      #11
                      I shortened mine to about 1/4" with a dremel cutoff wheel without disassembling anything.

                      When I slide the rifle with the barrel down through my hand it does not release every time now.

                      It could be a little shorter.

                      Comment

                      • splashy
                        Bloodstained
                        • Oct 2017
                        • 58

                        #12
                        ...so, as an update - I trimmed mine right down to where it is just over the floor plate. Then got a small, fine file and rounded off the front edge, and finally on the floor plate in front of it would a small ridge of epoxy. Now it would be super hard for anything to catch t and release the mag, except a deliberate action to work the release lever. This should be fine for my use.

                        Comment

                        • bj139
                          Chieftain
                          • Mar 2017
                          • 1968

                          #13
                          I put a small piece of duct tape on the side of the magazine overlapping the tapered top.
                          Now the magazine does not drop out easily.

                          Comment

                          • LRRPF52
                            Super Moderator
                            • Sep 2014
                            • 8569

                            #14
                            I have a special schooling degree in handheld rotary tool management, so I applied those hard-fought lessons as I took my Dremel to it.
                            NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO

                            CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor

                            6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:

                            www.AR15buildbox.com

                            Comment

                            • Sticks
                              Chieftain
                              • Dec 2016
                              • 1922

                              #15
                              That is a Bubba Gunsmith Meme quote right there.
                              Sticks

                              Catchy sig line here.

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