Howa Mini Magazines

[flatland1]

Hokey - That's great news! Will be checking in here as often as I can - got a lot of farm work that's going to keep me occupied for the next few weeks (unless it starts raining again), but don't think I don't have a strong desire to do whatever I can to help.

I've been a hard-core fan of the Mini action since I learned that they were going to make them with the correct boltface for the Grendel. Nothing has changed in that respect - it's just that I'm disappointed in how lethargic Howa & LSI have been when it comes to making upgrades to flawed parts such as the plastic bottom "metal". I'm aware of the downturn of customer demand in many segments of the gun business, but you'd think that with a group of shooters here who are so enthused with their Mini rifles, they'd be more likely to step up to the plate to help deal with a few of these minor issues. Guess we must be a very small segment of the overall shooting society....

[Msalm]

I really don't see this as a magazine/bottom metal problem. In these aftermarket stocks, I'm assuming the companies are using existing stock patterns and just adjusting the inlet for these actions....well the actions are scaled down/smaller and the depth through the stock really needs to be adjusted. It should require an entirely new stock design with proper layout in the first place. I get the impression they are just trying to fit this new inlet into an existing stock they already build. What needs to happen is make a stock from scratch that fits the action and the human form, then build your molds (for the synthetic stocks anyway) and start making them.

[HokeyPokeyKid]

I really don't see this as a magazine/bottom metal problem. In these aftermarket stocks, I'm assuming the companies are using existing stock patterns and just adjusting the inlet for these actions....well the actions are scaled down/smaller and the depth through the stock really needs to be adjusted. It should require an entirely new stock design with proper layout in the first place. I get the impression they are just trying to fit this new inlet into an existing stock they already build. What needs to happen is make a stock from scratch that fits the action and the human form, then build your molds (for the synthetic stocks anyway) and start making them.

Its more of a magazine tolerance issue, some magazines sit deeper than others, some have springs so weak they don't reliably push the last rounds up.

This really came to light because the B&C stock made the issue obvious. I have 10 magazines 8 of which feed flawlessly and 2 of which wont feed the last round. 2 of my stock Howa minis rifles actually have bolt drag on a couple of magazines because they sit higher in the gun than other mags.

[Gunner75]

I thought AICS and other manufactures mags drove me nuts, well, we have a winner. Sounds like I have a stock or two coming in for treatment. I know we can aid it adjusting the inletting, but my big fear is the mags may have a bigger impact. Regardless, we gotta move forward. No word from LS on yet (since mid week). This will not be forgotten.
Spring tension is weak, lips are not consistent. Latches? Latch position on mags? Regardless, I've found a happy ground.

[Msalm]

On those magazines and bottom metals (plastic) I would think the only variation would be the amount of flashing remaining along the mold seams. Ive noticed some of this material along the feed lip edges and down the centers of the mag bodies. Deburring these edges were all that was needed. A sharp knife works well and pay attention to the inside of the feed lips. If the rounds sit low, sanding the inside edges will allow the rounds to sit a bit higher. Just another alternative to getting proper feeding. Still waiting on a lightweight offering from B&C and I’ll happily inlet the bottom metal deeper if necessary!

[HokeyPokeyKid]

I can't say exactly why the magazines vary but I noticed today that one of my magazines bulged and then shot 2 rounds straight up and out of the feedlips while trying the extra power springs while the other one I have been testing had no issue.

There is a difference in the plastic, probably caused by the temperature when molded causing a different temper in the plastic.

[Chipj4]

I thought AICS and other manufactures mags drove me nuts, well, we have a winner. Sounds like I have a stock or two coming in for treatment. I know we can aid it adjusting the in-letting, but my big fear is the mags may have a bigger impact. Regardless, we gotta move forward. No word from LS on yet (since mid week). This will not be forgotten.
Spring tension is weak, lips are not consistent. Latches? Latch position on mags? Regardless, I've found a happy ground.

Mine is one that is coming in. I have 3 mags (the original and two others purchased from LSI) and they all behaved exactly the same in the new stock. None of the rounds would feed normally. I could get one to feed if I held the mag up and worked the bolt some. The next round would hang up at the bottom of the feed ramp. All rounds after that the bolt would just slide over. All three have weak springs but feed ok in the factory stock. I measured as best I could, the mag latch from the bottom of the latch to the top of the front edge that interfaces with the feed ramp and all three were within a couple of thousands of each other. ~1.203-1.205. I tried to compare the feed lips but because of the angles I could not really get a good measurement. I'll be fine if I only need to grind down the feed lips a little on one or more of the mags if that ends up being an issue after the inlet has been milled out. I sure hope it works. It is a lovely stock and fit me quite nicely. Even the comb ended up being the perfect height for my scope. It hurt a little having to put my action back into the factory stock. Crossing my fingers.

By the way, Tory was great and easy to work with. Kudos for your customer service so far.

[HokeyPokeyKid]

Well I'm calling this spring project a bust at least for me.

After about 100 cycles through the magazine with the 30 carbine springs the feed lips were worn enough to shoot all the rounds out of the top if you seated the magazine hard with an open bolt.

2 magazines that fed fine with stock springs bulged so much that they wouldn't drop free anymore. Cutting the springs shorter didn't do enough to change the problems before another feed issue was created.

[Chipj4]

Well I'm calling this spring project a bust at least for me.

After about 100 cycles through the magazine with the 30 carbine springs the feed lips were worn enough to shoot all the rounds out of the top if you seated the magazine hard with an open bolt.

2 magazines that fed fine with stock springs bulged so much that they wouldn't drop free anymore. Cutting the springs shorter didn't do enough to change the problems before another feed issue was created.

Well crud. That would have been a somewhat easy fix. I did try to stretch the spring in one of my mags and it at least did not feel so weak, however It did not solve the initial feed issue and am not certain if it will last past several loading cycles due to compressing back. It stretched kind of easy so maybe these springs are not tempered correctly? Or just too thin?

[BIGHORN66]

Ya, that blows.
I ordered 4 from Numrich and should be here tomorrow.

[HokeyPokeyKid]

Ya, that blows.
I ordered 4 from Numrich and should be here tomorrow.

don't give up on them, they might be a smaller wire diameter than the Wolff springs I got and they could still work

[Fnqhogger]

Does anyone have any mag feed issues with the MTD LSS with Howa mini? By the time I buy a stock and DIP bottom metal and post to Australia, think I’d be better off with mdt lss already done just not sure about any feed issues or howa plastic mag falling out. If only mdt had a mag with release at the rear like my howa short action, pure pleasure to cycle. C’mon guys get your act together how hard can it be to reverse the mag catch?

[flyrod]

By the way, where has Matt-Lsi been all these threads?

I think we ran him off with internet drama.

Gunner75: Thank you for posting here.

[A5BLASTER]

I think we ran him off with internet drama.

Gunner75: Thank you for posting here.

My understanding is he is in the reserve's and he shoots rifle comp's so maybe he is busy.

[molar]

Does anyone have any mag feed issues with the MTD LSS with Howa mini? By the time I buy a stock and DIP bottom metal and post to Australia, think I’d be better off with mdt lss already done just not sure about any feed issues or howa plastic mag falling out. If only mdt had a mag with release at the rear like my howa short action, pure pleasure to cycle. C’mon guys get your act together how hard can it be to reverse the mag catch?

I just dropped a mini action in a Brownells MDT chassis and I’m having feed issues. Only the first two to three rounds will feed. I have $1100 in a paperweight. Not real happy. Will probably send the chassis back to Brownells and sell the barreled action, as I don’t want a traditional stick and the factory trigger guard and mags are crap.