Paracord Magazine Pulls (Tactical Magazine Extractors)...on the cheap!

 by Hodge-Podge
How to make cheap tactical magazine extractors. Mag pouch have an annoying tendency of holding mag to tight, making it hard to remove mags when needed. This method of making so called "magazine pulls" has been around for awhile, and I don't claim to have invented this, but it wasn't on instructables yet, so I thought I'd put it up.

This article is pend with 30 round aluminum USGI AR-15/M-16/M-4 magazines in mind, but it can be made to work for most any magazine.

For a more professional look, check out magpul.com
 
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Step 1: What you need

1. A Magazine, for this demo, we'll use a Bushmaster aluminum 30 round AR magazine.

2. Paracord, aka 550 cord. 6"-6.5" per magazine

3. 100mph tape, duck tape works to, gaff doesn't hold up well.

4. A cutting tool. for paracord.

4. FIRE! lighter works just fine.
Cerberus says: Jun 4, 2009. 7:49 PM
I second the besplate/zip-tie method. Even 100mph tape will eventually give out. Tie a fat knot at each end of your 550 cord with the stuffing replaced with zip-tie then just reattach the base plate with only the knots inside tha mag. Works well enough. Or just buy some MagPuls...
GIJohn in reply to CerberusJun 1, 2011. 6:31 PM
thats what I did before I bought magpuls
baneat says: Mar 20, 2011. 2:24 PM
The best part about this is it's the kind of thing a soldier would actually use - 100mph/Duct tape and paracord are all standard surival kit components ;)
cu_cullen says: Mar 25, 2010. 1:43 AM
I would just pull off the end plate about 1/2 inch and the add the 550 cord and close the base plate. but if you're not worried about using it often then it should work.
Zloty says: Apr 30, 2009. 11:04 PM
Realy useful instructable. In Poland ASG shops made great interest on magpuls. They buy 3 pack for 10 bucks and sell single magpul for 10$ - stupidnes. So cheaper option is welcome :)
knexfan9182 says: Apr 12, 2009. 6:12 PM
Wow! so someone on this site (not sight.........) actually has an ar-15 rifle.
spooner mencken says: Dec 10, 2008. 8:45 PM
I do mine a little different. I gut the paracord by pulling out the inner strands and then insert a short length of zip tie with the ratchet end clipped off. The springy plastic will always hold the loop open so you can find it under stress. I also tie knots in the ends of the paracord and use my magazine floorplates to hold them instead of using duck tape.
stamestame says: Jan 20, 2008. 9:11 AM
What did you do to that lighter that makes it easier?
oakleygear in reply to stamestameJun 11, 2008. 8:00 AM
oakleygear says: Jun 11, 2008. 5:19 AM
Great job Hodge... keep up the good work.
mr.smashy says: Sep 13, 2007. 2:16 PM
Hey Hodge-Podge Good instructable, but I'm not a huge fan of this method. Like you said, this has been around for a while, and there are more than a few ways to do it. I like to strip the center out of the cord, cord put a thin zip tie in the center, tie off the ends, and then tuck them under the floorplate. I still wrap tape around the mag to keep the battle rattle down, but the zip tie will keep the cord standing up. I'll post some pics on flickr, got some highspeed mags from cproducts. SMASHY
oakleygear in reply to mr.smashyJun 11, 2008. 5:19 AM
I would like to see that, especially because I was under the impression that you shouldn't put anything inside of the magazine anywhere near the spring and that includes clogging up the drain hole at the bottom. Cool idea about the zip tie.
alvincredible says: Feb 7, 2008. 8:49 PM
LOL at first i thought it was some sort of magazine holder that some magazine sends it in and i thoguth you were making something that'll pull them out of the case they send it in... -_- HAHAHAH. that's a good idea...but won't the paracord slip if the magazines in there too tight?
Hodge-Podge (author) in reply to alvincredibleMar 5, 2008. 10:43 AM
Yes, that could possibly happen, but the mag pouch we have to be absurdly tight
Cosantoir says: Oct 29, 2007. 8:59 AM
Use a longer section of cord, and start the ends of the cord at the bottom of the magazine, running upwards. Wrap one layer of tape around the magazine and tape, then fold the cord back over the tape and tape-covered section of cord and wrap with another layer or two of tape. This will prevent the cord from pulling out.
blackhistorymonth says: Apr 1, 2007. 1:07 AM
Holy crap...now i dont need to buy magpulls for my ar-15's magazines!!! Why didnt i think of this before?! I might use black or real tree cammo [even though it wouldnt match the gun] too.
jkyas says: Mar 15, 2007. 3:11 PM
Make sure mag is unloaded? What, like the tape is going to ignite the primers? :)
Hodge-Podge (author) in reply to jkyasMar 15, 2007. 11:44 PM
I know, I know. But if I hadn't put that in there, someone would haw posted a comment freaking out about firearms safety.
Vertigo666 says: Mar 12, 2007. 3:43 PM
yeah, i have airsoft too but my P-90 mag is weird, it won't work too well :( oh well
liquidflorian says: Mar 12, 2007. 3:28 AM
This works great for Airsoft too. I did these to my Armalite mags when magpuls were still too expensive. You can use olive drab or black tape for that tactical look.
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