How To Upgrade Your 30-Round Rifle Magazines, 5.56mm (.223 Cal)

In this instructable, i upgraded my 30-round magazines for my Bushmaster XM15 Assault Rifle, 5.56mm / .223 cal.  take a look at the 4th photo below, you might want to check to see if your magazines came with the GEN1 followers first before you decide to go out and spend money on the improved follower design.

i didn't pay taxes or shipping for these products so i spent a total of about $32.00, but if you buy it online, you'll spend a little less than $50.00 for applicable taxes and shipping if you're upgrading 6- 30 round magazines.

below are the product descriptions provided by the manufacturer, MAGPUL. you can visit them at http://www.magpul.com/ for the items i purchased to upgrade my magazines.


Magpul® 5.56 NATO, 3 pack $9.95
When installed on the base of a rifle magazine, the Magpul provides unsurpassed speed and controllability during high stress, tactical magazine changes.

Durable thermoplastic loop with recessed rough gripping surface. Quick and easy installation and removal. Patented design based upon the tried and true para-cord loops and duct-tape tabs currently in use with special warfare units worldwide.

review item: http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG001/13


Enhanced Self-Leveling Follower™ – USGI 5.56x45, 3 Pack $5.95
The Magpul Enhanced Self-Leveling Follower is a drop in replacement for the current issue aluminum USGI 30-round magazine follower.

Featuring a patent pending 4-way anti-tilt design, the Enhanced Self-Leveling Follower is made from a non-hydroscopic and self-lubricating polymer.

review item: http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG110/20


after you've gathered the goods, the tools you will need are:
- Narrow-tipped flathead screw driver or punch
- Cleaning/Lubricating/Protecting fluid aka CLP (or equivalent Rifle cleaning oil)
- Rifle Brush, or an old toothbrush
- Clean rag - one that does not leave lint is a good choice
- Non-absorbant Gloves and Safety glasses are optional safety considerations

Step 1 Step 1: Strip the OEM magazine components

in this step, you're going to strip the magazine of the OEM components.  this is how:

1. get the punch or screw driver and insert the tip into the hole located at the bottom of the Magazine's base plate, lift SLIGHTLY and pull or push as the metal tabs allow - see picture below.

2. after removing the base plate, pull the follower spring out.  if it catches on the metal flanges, as it tends to, wiggle it around until the entire assembly comes out, it will be attached to the old stock follower.

3. remove the old stock follower from the follower spring, it's challenging to some.  you have to remove the end of the spring from the old follower by pulling on the small loop at the end from the gromet hole - see photo.

4. i don't have a photo for this but, after you get the spring out, and remove the follower from it, stretch it out a little bit.  just to about 120-140% of it's current length and let it come back.  this is to ensure that you're restoring it's original length and compression - you don't have to do this if they're brand new or if you've never loaded over 10 rounds...