Help with Mark I mag loading issues!

[kjk200]

I have a new to me Mark I (a-100 on frame) that has 4 mags. One of the mags have a black bottom, while the other 3 have the chrome bottom. The problem I am having is with the ones with the chrome bottom. At the top where you load the bullets, there are 2 little "fingers" that I assume center the round in the mag. These fingers make it very difficult to load the rounds into the mag because they seem too tight! Is there anywhere that says how far apart these fingers should be? Or any advice on how to tune/adjust/fix these mags?

Thanks

 

[Mobuck]

Are you pulling the follower down with the button on the side?
Using a thumb or finger, pull the follower down until you can drop the ammo in rim first at the front of the mag. It will slide in and down into the correct position on it's own. Pull the follower down some more and drop in another round until you have 9 in and you're done. You can also pull the follower all the way down and lock it by pushing in on the button and drop in all 9.

 

[Bkat]

If you don't have one, get one of those little thumb-saver mag loader devices. Won't load the ammo for you, but will sure make it easier to maintain pressure on the follower button without ruining your thumb. Ruger has them (or did) on their site, and I also found them at a little company in Douglas, AZ, whose name I can't remember offhand.

The ones I ordered from Ruger would not fit my mags for my Mk I A54 grip, but I think they'll work with the A100 mags.

Good luck.

Bkat

 

[captainjack]

Are the mags Ruger or aftermarket? I had the same problem with aftermarket mags (Tripple K ?? ) and solved the problem by tossing the aftermarket mags.

 

[Snake45]

Sounds like one or both lips might be bent a little on the one mag that's giving you trouble. Compare it to the others and see if one side or the other seems to be bent in more than on the mags that work. Once you figger out where the problem is, you can try carefully bending it back out with needlenose pliers or something of the sort.

 

[45flattop]

I'm not sure of the maker but I have one of those plastic molded thumb
savers that is all black that fits my A-54 original magazines and my A-100
ones and also my MKIIs too. You just lift it off of the magazine and reverse
sides and off you go.

 

[Ordguy]

One of these HKS mag loaders for the MK I make loading really easy.
Slip it over the mag to help push the button down which lowers the mag follower. Ctgs slip in rim first under the upcurved mag lips very nicely. [/urlhttp://shopruger.com/22_45-Magazine-Loader/productinfo/12024/

 

[kjk200]

Thanks for the replys. Yes, all mags are original Ruger manufacture. And yes, I am using a thumb saver thing. I guess the problem with the mags with the fingers is that I was loading the rounds straight down thru the top of the mag----like I do with my ar, and my 1911. I found that it is a little easier to put the round in the mag just like it comes out---thru the area UNDER the fingers from the front. (I hope that makes sense)

Are the mags with these "fingers" early ruger mags, specific to the Mark 0 or Mark 1? Are the new manufactured one still like this? I am just trying to figure this out so if I order new mags that I get the ones that work easily.

 

[Ordguy]

I have several of the Mk I mags, black plastic bottom, Chrome bottom, & Ruger Red label bottom, all made with same "fingers" .

HTH

 

[ranger1]

Are the mags with these "fingers" early ruger mags, specific to the Mark 0 or Mark 1? Are the new manufactured one still like this? I am just trying to figure this out so if I order new mags that I get the ones that work easily.

I have some old MK I mags with the silver bottoms also....they have 2 sets of lips with 2 smaller lips in between.

The newer MK I magazines, with the black bases, only have two sets of lips, without "the set of fingers" in the middle.

The newer MK I and the MK II mags (as pictured) will work in your "A100" frame MK I.

I hope this helps!

 

[kjk200]

What is the difference between the mag in the pic that does feed and the one that doesn't feed? Both mags look the same, so is it a spring issue? If so, can these springs be replaced like the springs in my AR mags and 1911 mags, or do you just buy new mags?

 

[ranger1]

Both magazines are the same.

The gap between the front magazine lips appears to be too narrow in the picture on the right. The gap needs to be slightly (spread appart) to allow proper feeding.

I would just buy some new mags instead of trying to replace the springs in the old ones.