Issue w/ Tactical Innovations TI25 mags for 10/22

[Garndawg]

Gents,

I recently ordered some TI25 poly mags from Tactical Innovations, due to everyone's high opinion of them.

I can't seem to get them to feed. After closer inspection, the follower presents the bullet much steeper than the factory mags (see pic), resulting in the bolt gouging into the gas check of the bullet below as it feeds.

I've adjusted the mag level screws until the mag won't even lock and the bolt still gouges.

Anybody have these mags before with this issue? Solutions? I assume I could file/sand down the angle a bit, but they're brand new and many folks rave about them.

I've emailed TactInc for guidance, but I'm loath to start smithing on a brand new magazine without their say-so.

On a related note, do the Butler Creek Steel Lips do this?

Thanks much!

 

[CraigC]

Mine are like that too and they work 100%. Skip the email, give them a call.

 

[RGPM1A]

You are not the only one having this same problem. However, I had the problem with the expensive 25 round aluminum version. I sent the magazine back and they replaced the follower with one with a proper feed angle. It helped but the magazine needed a lot more work. After much polishing and deburring I finally have one that works but only if you load 15 rounds! My advice is to get your money back and stay away from these guys.

Note that some people solve the issue by stoning the cartridge pick up point on the bolt. If you have an older rifle with a machined bolt this area can be very sharp and it will scrape the round under the one being fed and will make the feed angle problem with these magazine much worse.

A link for the same problem:

http://forum.pafoa.org/rifles-42/112407-problem-tactical-innovations-ti25-mags-pic-added.html

 

[Garndawg]

Update: Went and got the file...

OK, so I read that link (thanks, BTW) and that seemed to be the same problem I was having.

I called Tac Inn and they basically said they were unfamiliar with the issue.

Then I bought a Butler Creek Steel Lips mag at Bass Pro, and saw that it presented the bullet more horizontal like the factory mags. And the BC mag fed flawlessly.

So I'm left with three choices: buy more BC mags, stone the bolt on the rifle, or work the TI mag. I _really_ don't like the idea of removing metal from my rifle, especially when it feeds factory and BC mags just fine. And I much preferred the ability to take apart the TI mag (plus if I screw up the job, new followers are just $3).

So I grabbed a file and sanding block and milled down the follower to where the bullet was about the same place that the factory and BC mags presented it. I had to take about 1/16" off the front of the follower and tapered it to where I took no material off the rear of the follower. This also reduced the slope of the follower closer to horizontal.

And now the mag feeds fine...

Lessons learned:
Older rifles have sharp edges (and perhaps stainless ones like mine)
Don't be afraid to file on TI mags, as replacement parts are cheap.
TI25 poly mags are 1/2 the price of BC Steel Lips at Bass Pro