Deerfield/M77 10 round magazine by I.Q. Munitions

[Frulk]

Batty67: Deerfield's are somewhat finicky on ammo. General recommendation is that if you can't get your rifle to cycle reliably with shelf ammo that you work up a load for your specific rifle until it does:

I've never run shelf or lead ammo (not recommended due to gas system) through mine. I did work up a load for it and gun runs fine.

New Starline brass (with near or max loads I always use NEW brass)....WLP Primer...Hornady XTP 240 grain...296 powder...24.9 grains...NOTE: Published max for this load out of the source I took it from is 25 grains. I hand trickled the powder. ALL reloading precautions apply.

 

[Batty67]

Thanks Frulk. Still have not shot mine again, but I've got 80 rounds of leverevolution, which Gary of IQ Munitions said is the platimum standard. I also picked up 200 rounds of new 240 gr RHFP from Freedom Munitions, which would seem to be full power. We'll see. Even though Gary reinstalled the extended paddle release, after tweaking it, I've found that each 4-round magazine is a bit different on how easily they'll release. So, I'll have to jiggle the mags a bit to get them to drop. Frustrating, but not the end of the world IF I can get it to be fully (or darn close) reliable. The 10-round magazine is a brick but it seems to be loosening up and feeding nicely on manually racking the slide so I'm hopeful. I never expected it to drop easily. In my Deerfield, the trick is in rocking it toward the butt, back toward the barrel, and finally seating it with the magazine catch. It's not a tactical firearm, and I'm still not sure I'm going to keep it. But I'll give it two more chances...

 

[BigBlue 94]

My Deerfield never drops its factory mag either. Ill be able to test my mag for fitment in it and the 96/44 tomorrow.

 

[Frulk]

Big Blue. Hope everything goes well. Make sure you follow up on here. I’m tracking this thread.

Also, as mentioned in the instruction email for the Mag. The M77 forward screw shot lose. I noticed it around 30 rounds or so. Took several turns to bring it back down to tight. Bring a right sized flathead screwdriver and watch for that.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Big Blue. Hope everything goes well. Make sure you follow up on here. I’m tracking this thread.

Also, as mentioned in the instruction email for the Mag. The M77 forward screw shot lose. I noticed it around 30 rounds or so. Took several turns to bring it back down to tight. Bring a right sized flathead screwdriver and watch for that.

No time to shoot today, but I did test fit and cycle some ammo. I first tried it in the ol purple blued 96/44 lever gun. To my surprise, it drops right in and latches smoothly. It even cycled 3 rds of Winchester White box 240gr 44mag perfectly.

The Deerfield, was a different story. No issues with the wood, but I cant get the rear to lock in. Appears the front wont seat fully forwards, not letting the rear come up high enough.

Overall, its the best constructed magazine ive ever seen. I mean this thing is beefy! Very pleased, despite some fitting needing done.

 

[Frulk]

Love that 96/44. Always on the lookout for one locally. Missed out on them while they were in production. Hope you get the Mag to work the way it should.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Love that 96/44. Always on the lookout for one locally. Missed out on them while they were in production. Hope you get the Mag to work the way it should.

Im a big fan of the 96 action. My gramps had a pair in 17HMR that i missed out on in the "lottery" after he passed. But the 44 is much cooler. And useful. I love the short throw of the level.

Ill get the mag fitting the deerfield. Not too concerned with it. Ill probably end up getting their extended mag release as there isnt much room there for my fingers.