Hi Power 9mm mag follower compatability?

[RA40]

There are two factory follower versions that I have. One with 2 legs and the one with 4. In a clumsy moment I dropped the four legged follower and when turning around it wound up under foot with a leg tab broken.

Browning doesn't sell these separately and the customer service gal couldn't relay if a 10 round follower had the same design. Or be compatible with the 13 round mag.

I haven't compared them though would think that there may be spring differences for the 2 and 4 leg follower. Any insights on fixing this?

Edit Found an answer here but still would appreciate possible thoughts on this.

http://www.handgunsandammunition.com/hi-power-forum/8617-hi-power-magazine-follower-3.html#post78509

I also have experienced a broken post on a magazine follower. Feeling clever, I decided to swap the follower from a 10 round magazine but discovered it was of an entirely different design. Once I reassembled both magazines I marked the broken 13 rounder for practce/range use and never looked back.

 

[ku4hx]

Magazines are too cheap to worry about. Recently I've bought several 13 round BHP magazines from Brownells for less than $25 each.

I'd keep the old magazine for spare parts maybe and get a new replacement.

There's another thread here about when to give up. I cut my loses when aggravation exceeds enjoyment and fretting over a broken follower is one place I'd cut loses and move on.

 

[danez71]

EDITED TO BOLD : The OP is in CA and is allowed to rebuild his std-cap mags but not buy new 13 rounders.


This appears to be a derivative of the 2 legged. Browning/MecGar have had a few different versions over the years. Maybe give them a call to confirm. Could be an old stock photo.

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/1132800.htm


I believe the springs are the same for the 2 and 4 legged versions and this pic appears to support that assumption.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/mec-gar 9mm Hi Power magazines 13 vs 15 shot.htm


ETA: OP, there is always JB Weld and they make some really good epoxies now too. Being in CA right now too, Id try the that and buy a follower.

 

[rodinal220]

Use the compromised mag for training,mark it so you wont mix it up with your good mags. As stated,mags are relatively inexpensive.

Wideners has them starting for 19.00(mec-gar).

https://www.wideners.com/itemview.cfm?dir=625|711|713

 

[ku4hx]

EDITED TO BOLD : The OP is in CA and is allowed to rebuild his std-cap mags but not buy new 13 rounders.

That's a shame; living in a free state I don't even try and keep up with states that limit freedoms. That being said, what California allows or disallows doesn't change my basic premise.

 

[danez71]

You know.....

scrounging around the interwebs.....

I'd almost be willing to bet that this 10 round follower would turn your 13 round mage into a 15 round mag.

http://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/browning-hi-power-parts/B515593701


Take a look at it and compare it to the 15 round follower shown here about 1/2 way down.

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/m...015 shot.htm


Hmmmm.......

 

[RA40]

Thanks...appreciate the input.

I opened them up and the springs are cross compatible between the 2 leg and 4 leg followers. The four legged follower has an opening to hook the spring through it. One of the generic 13 round mags had a looped bend at the end so that one was different.

The follower danez71 posted resembles the Mec-Gar 15 round version which I have. Not sure if the new Browning 10 round mags have a different spring design. This is a pic of the Mec-Gar follower and factory Browning 4 leg. Then a comparison of the springs in the Mec-Gar and Browning. The Wolff springs on hand are wound like the factory 13 rnd Browning. I'll epoxy up the broken leg and see how it does. The HP isn't the SD gun so a mag like this isn't critical duty fortunately.

CDNN has the 13 round factory mags for $28. Being in CA sucks for instances like this.

(Bad enough that I cannot even order Tritium sights from some online sellers due to a CA restriction. )

 

[JDR]

I'd call Mec-Gar at 860-635-1525 and explain that the CA mag cap law allows you to rebuild but not replace a 13 rd. mag, maybe they will send you a replacement follower & spring.