MAB Model C magazine problems

[cc-hangfire]

I need some guidance. I have a French MAB Model C in .380acp. Neat pistol w/ grip safety & striker fired, imported by WAC post WWII through the 70's I believe.

The problem is an extremely tight fit of the magazines. I've tried polishing the mags plus various wet & dry lubricants without much improvement. It's bad enough to require pliers or a screwdriver on the metal mag lip to pry them free. I have 3 Model C mags and 1 Model D that serves as an extended mag. All are tight with the Model D mag being the loosest - I can get a hand grip on it since it extends below the grip and rip it free.

I like the pistol for its history (check out WAC on the web for some interesting Cold War era government history) and as a range curiosity. The last resort is to disassemble toe pistol and file/grind/hone/polish the mag well to a few thousands larger. Any other suggestions?

 

[5-SHOTS]

Check the magazines for improper cutting of the magazine's release cut. Check also how the magazine release button looks through the magazine well. Check the magazine safety (if that gun has it). Check the front and back of the magazines for possible dents due to cartridge movements during firing. Check the magazine well for burrs or other obstruction.

 

[cc-hangfire]

Update: I shouldn't have been so timid in disassembly. Thanks to YouTube it was no problem --- well, maybe one false start till I figured out the exact alignment of the flat spring that operates the trigger, sear, and grip safety. I filed out the mag well with a combination of flat & round files. Two mags are now "drop-free", and the other two are an easy slide out.
Here's some pistol porn of the MAB Model C in .380acp; all-steel, striker fired, grip safety, French made (yes, the patina is brownish):

 

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Photo 2

 

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Photo 3

 

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Photo 4

 

[andrewdl007]

I have a Model D in .32ACP. The pistol that came with the gun fits like a dream, but I bought a replacement magazine that would get caught on the frame about two thirds in. Had to polish it down in one spot.