Ruger Scout Bottom Metal

I have a steel 5-round mag, but the magwell assembly is original polymer. The mag I have is made by the same manufacturer as the 10 round steel mag that came with the gun. The mag works fine, but I still don't like the rolled out baseplate metal as it can dig into you while the rifle is slung.

I have not seen the metal magwell for the GSR in person, yet.

I know Pacific Tool and Gauge makes a bottom metal for the GSR, reviews by purchasers seem good, but no first hand experience. I have heard it requires minor fitment clearance to work.

The only aftermarket magazines I purchased for mine were the 10 round metal alpha type 2 magazines, and they are much nicer than stock, the length is significantly shorter than the standard Ruger metal mag that comes with the GSR.

The only 5 round metal mag that I'm aware of is the Ruger mag (#90352) but they are quite expensive and don't look to be of the quality of the Alpha mags and near the same price.


Sorry haven't answered any of your questions directly, but this is all information that I've looked up in the past. I never could justify the bottom metal, as my Alpha Type 2 magazines fit nice in my GSR. I would, like you like to have a couple of 5 round metal magazines but could never justify the price. I have a 5 round polymer that I use when I want low profile.

The steel AICS type sold by Ruger will not take ammo while in the gun. Whether 5 round or 10 round.

It has been reported that you can top off the Ruger polymer mags from the top. I have no first hand experience with that.

<*(((>< said:

It has been reported that you can top off the Ruger polymer mags from the top. I have no first hand experience with that.

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Yep, the feed lips will spread a bit to allow it. With enough force, it can be done with the steel magazine, too. However, it's hard to do it past the first cartridge in the magazine. The first cartridge you try to load will center on the feed lips because the magazine is empty. Once a cartridge is in the magazine, the feed lips aren't the highest point anymore, the top cartridge is. Which means you're trying to push a cylindrical object (cartridge) on top of another cylindrical object into the top of a single feed magazine. The cartridges just slip around on one another and make it extremely difficult to push down cartridge number two.

If these guns had double feed magazines like an internal box mag gun, well . . . it would work.

DPris said:

Thanks.
I'd actually prefer an internal fixed mag on the gun . . .

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I would be interested if someone happened to make an internal mag with hinged floorplate conversion for these guns. I'm sure it would be cost prohibitive to make due to low demand.