Unloading Magazines (Without the Trigger!)

[Badger Arms]

I've had one of those MagLULA devices for my AR-15 for a while. Well, I was playing with my FAL magazines and wanted to unload my two SHTF mags. The first one was a bugger so I thought I'd use a dummy round and depress the second round in the magazine to see if I could unload them quicker. WOW! It worked great. I just pressed the second round in the magazine while holding the mag with a slightly upside down aspect. See the picture. Might help those who don't want to pay for the MagLULA or those who don't have an AR-15 magazine to unload (As was my case).

 

[Al Thompson]

Ya know, I've been shooting for almost 30 years and have unloaded my fair share of magazines. Never thought about this technique.

Thanks!

 

[ENC]

I have always used a flat-head screwdriver to strip off the rounds.

Why do push the second round down? To relieve spring tension. never had a fal or ar or ak so I don't know if there is a difference.

 

[Badger Arms]

Sorry, I should have been more clear. Yes, you depress the second round in the magazine (or the follower if you are trying to release the last round in the magazine). This action releases the tension on that round and the round will drop to the ground.

Note that in the pictures, I am holding the dummy cartridge back farther than I normally would to illustrate the fact that it is, indeed, a dummy cartridge. I use the dummy because it's less likely to damage the magazine or cartridges. This technique keeps you from hurting your fingers and keeps you from damaging the lips of the magazine. I've known people who use their guns to cycle loaded cartridges from magazines. They do this to keep from having to strip them the old-fashioned way. I also neglected to include the picture that illustrated the angle the magazine should be at.

 

[Badger Arms]

BTT in case anybody else wanted to see. Sorry, I just think this is the coolest thing since sliced bread.

 

[LightningLink]

I do something similar, except I use a plastic magazine combo-tool I got from Bushmaster that has various nubs for unloading.

Using a method similar to Badger Arms, holding the mag at the above angle, I push down on the second round with the long part of the "tool" and the top round falls right out.

However, it gets better. Because it's a piece of plastic, I can slide it from the now top round to the other side and pop, out comes another round. Basically I just ratchet back and forth until it's empty. On a good run, I can empty an AR or AK 30 round magazine in about 5 seconds.

LL

 

[Correia]

That is a pretty nifty idea. I'm going to have to try it out.

I usually just popped the base plate off and shook the rounds out. Kind of a pain though.

 

[mercedesrules]

Haha! I just fought 40 rounds out of 2 .308 mags earlier today I had loaded some soft points a while back, but now want to have cheaper rounds in there for sight-in, plinking and pests. All my fingers are sore...and I'm a guitarist. Thanks, BA, for the tip!

MR