Legality of using magazine blocks to reduce capacity

[Stargazer65]

I notice that Springfield makes a 10 round magazine that fits my XD9. I assume that is to make them legal in CA, and now I would have to buy them here in CT as well.

There's a company that makes a block to convert my XD9 16 rounders to 10 rounds. Is this a legal way to convert a standard magazine to a reduced capacity magazine?

To clarify: This assumes I'm intending to switch to 10 round magazines to avoid registration. I haven't decided on that yet. No one knows what registration actually entails because the DESPP doesn't have a provision for that yet.

 

[Stargazer65]

From SB1160:

The bill defines "large capacity magazine" as any firearm magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device that can, or can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It excludes:

1. feeding devices permanently altered so that they cannot hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition,

2. . 22 caliber tube ammunition feeding devices,

3. tubular magazines contained in a lever-action firearm, or

4. permanently inoperable magazines.

It appears like altered magazines would be legal (per exclusion #1). I assume that means the block would have to be affixed with some kind of epoxy to make it permanent.

 

[X-Rap]

I doubt that any standard capacity that is reduced to 10 will fly since it can just as easily be changed back.
All of the 94 10 rd mags that I have seen would not be easily converted to a higher capacity.
I have some Glock, H&K, Beretta, Taurus, and S&W 10 rd and I can't see a way to increase capacity.

 

[Stargazer65]

It would be cheaper if I could legally modify them. I have 5, so it would be about 25 dollars to modify them.

New 10 round magazines are about 25 dollars apiece.

I don't know if registration is going to cost money at this time, but I'd like to avoid that hassle altogether if possible.

 

[Stargazer65]

I doubt that any standard capacity that is reduced to 10 will fly since it can just as easily be changed back.

I don't know if it could be just as easily changed back if I used JB Weld.

 

[X-Rap]

It's to bad you have an XD, I will sell or trade all the 10 rd mags I have for $25 or standard cap mags.

 

[CapnMac]

You will probably have to wait until DESPP defines "permanent."

Standard-capacity Magazines with floorplates might be toast; not many good ways to weld(or solvent weld) blocks into those. And, a follower stop is likely going to trap the follower in the mag, which will be less-good for thorough cleaning.

Now, if DESPP wanted to be smart, they'd find a spot on the existing CHL, and add an endorsement showing you paid your $35 to own magazines. They could also add endorsements showing you paid your $35 to own "aw"; the $35 to buy long arms; the $35 to own hand guns.

That is, unless DESPP decides that the law means "per each" . . .

Both choices seem to be allowed under the law as I read it--mind you I'm only a reasonably-knowledgeable interweb dufus from Texas, too.

But, for 2¢, I'll wager that there will be some sort of exchange set up to help out our Nutmeg brethren. Were I employed, I'd go buy some 10-round mags just to "pay it forward."

 

[N003k]

Not sure on the magazines as it definitely is questionable how 'permanently modified' will be interpreted.

However, as far as the other permits, the law DOES clearly (You just have to dig for it!) Say how long the permits are good for, for example; Sec 16 (a) of the passed bill sets out that the ammunition permit will be $35.00 (Which doesn't cover the background checks) (b) Says it will last for 5 years before being renewed.

Further, going off Sec 14 (c) if you have a pistol permit, you don't need an ammunition certificate.

"(c) On and after October 1, 2013, no person, firm or corporation shall sell ammunition or an ammunition magazine to any person unless such person holds a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver issued pursuant to subsection (b) of section 29-28 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, a valid permit to sell at retail a pistol or revolver issued pursuant to subsection (a) of section 29-28 of the general statutes, a valid eligibility certificate for a pistol or revolver issued pursuant to section 29-36f of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or a valid long gun eligibility certificate issued pursuant to section 2 of this act and presents to the transferor such permit or certificate, or unless such person holds a valid ammunition certificate issued pursuant to section 15 of this act and presents to the transferor such certificate and such person's motor vehicle operator's license, passport or other valid form of identification issued by the federal government or a state or municipal government that contains such person's date of birth and photograph."

Alternatively, you may need a pistol permit, a permit to sell at retail for pistols and revolvers, and an eligibility certificate all at once...but since it's going to be rather difficult to get two of those at once, I'm assuming they'll just opt for one of the three being necessary.

 

[smalls]

A cheaper solution might be to put a rivet in them to only allow 10 rounds in it.

 

[returningfire]

It works for shotguns and is legal to hunt migratory birds with a magazine plug. Why could the same not apply for other firearms?

 

[dprice3844444]

look at the ar-15 20 rounders converted to 5 rounds for hunting.they have a bent piece of banding material bent over the outer part of the spring and a pop rivet holding the band to the base

 

[X-Rap]

It works for shotguns and is legal to hunt migratory birds with a magazine plug. Why could the same not apply for other firearms?

That's fine so long as there is no limit on your shotguns capacity. The game department doesn't care if your tube will hold 5 or 10 so long as you have the plug in while in the field. In state or federal law dictates that there is a maximum I doubt that will be satisfied with a removable plug.
I could be wrong.

 

[9mmepiphany]

You don't really have to buy a plug, you can just make one...what a lot of local folks use is a length of nylon rod that fits inside the spring and limits depression of the follower. You could also add a plug to fill the lower portion of the magazine, but you'd need a reduced length spring.

Our local definition of permanent is to have the base plate welded/soldered to the mag body

For those thinking of a plug, as used in a shotgun...not permanent
For those thinking rivet, as used on rifles...pistol magazines have to be inserted into the frame, rivets protrude

 

[smalls]

For those thinking rivet, as used on rifles...pistol magazines have to be inserted into the frame, rivets protrude

Yeah, I guess I didn't think of that...