PA-63 Magazine Insertion Question

[HPShooter]

I have a like new PA-63 which functions perfectly and feeds everything. Loaded mags insert and lock very smoothly. My question: unloaded, the mags seem to hang up partially inserted, have to be pushed harder to get them past a sticking point. Is this normal?

These mags have an unusual hand on the left side of the mag top which I believe is for locking the slide back on empty. Could this be part of the problem?

Bottom line: just want to be sure I am not inadvertently causing any damage to the pistol or mags.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

[rcmodel]

Leave the slide locked open and try it with an empty mag.

If it goes in easy then you are correct it is the mag follower engaging the slide stop with no place for it to go when the slide is closed.
Since it can't go up with the slide closed, you are pushing the magazine follower down against mag spring tension.

It won't hurt anything.

rc

 

[HPShooter]

Thanks!

 

[jakk280rem]

magazines hanging up partialy inserted is a function of the magazine body pushing the magazine release tab out of the way until it locks into the hole in the magazine. it's normal.

the tab sticking out on the empty mag is indeed the part that activates the slide lock. it contacts the frame when inserting or extracting a magazine, making it a non drop free design. this also is normal.

it is very easy to modify this tab to not contact the frame during ejection, turning the mags into a drop free design. the slide hold open feature of the mag is retained.

 

[HPShooter]

Thanks for taking the time to clear this up for me and, I am sure, others.