ar-15 magazine disassembly

[fchavis]

I picked up a couple of cheap AR mags the other day. They feed ammo just fine, but they don't reliably engage the bolt catch. What I want to do is pull out the follower and see if there is anything I can do to smooth it out. What I have never been able figure out is how to disassemble the magazines, and the only resource I can find on the subject is the 071-311-2025 maintenance guide which says: a. Release the base catch, b. Remove the base. Is there an actual base catch, or is that just referring to the stamped indentions on the base plate? Do I just need to pry harder, or do I need a special tool?

Thanks a lot,
Jon

 

[dfariswheel]

Lift the rear edge of the floor plate just enough to allow the dimples to slip past the magazine body, then slide the plate off.

To get the follower out, pull the magazine spring out as far as you can, then tilt the follower to one side until you can slip it out.

Before replacing the floor plate during reassembly, gently bend it back into shape if it's not flat.

 

[fchavis]

got it

got it, thanks.

no trick, just a bit of effort.

I appreciate it,
-Jon