New Member, long time lurker. Mag conversion help?

[stanfieldnc]

Hey all! From NC. Finally decided to join because I had a question that needed to be posted.
Of items that may be of most interest to the diehards here...
I own:

• Action Arms Model B sporter 16"
• Ikon Galil Hybrid Pistol
• Tavor TS12

I formerly owned an unfired Vector that I got rid of for way too little.

What brings me here is my question.
I have a quite a few IMI mags, including some South Africans and I'd like to have some converted for use as Colt style stick mags.
This is a job I do not want to do myself.
Can anyone point me in the direction on a service that will do the milling and conversion?

Looking forward to becoming a more active member.

 

[JackFlak]

Hello and welcome! Cool toys you mention having. I recommend purchasing some of those type mags instead of converting your UZI mags. Just my two cents. You could sell those UZI mags here. Check out https://www.robertrtg.com/ar15-9mm-colt-smg-32rd-mag-new-asc Also: https://gunmagwarehouse.com/magfinder/ar-9-ar-9-colt-smg
I'd go with Duramag or ASC brands.
If you really really want to modify I'd reach out to Practical Solutions https://macmachineguns.com/contact-us/

 

[ericthered]

Welcome. I agree with jackflack. I would recommend buying new rather then converting. Colt mags have a number of different features then the Uzi mags. Often Uzi mags are dimensionally different as well. Specifically with the overlap weld versus the butt weld for where the sheetmetal meets. Im not sure if yours fit in your colt magwell, but non of mine do. There is also a relief cut on the top back of the mag. It isnt only necessary because of the bolt hold open feature (which the Uzi follower does not have), but it also clearances for the colt bolt. Cutting the slot for the colt mag catch would be pretty straight forward to do. However, if you intend to use the same magazine between the colt and Uzi, the uzi magazine catch will always snag on it while inserting or extracting the magazine. So you will have to hold the mag release until the entire mag is extracted, as well as hold the mag release while inserting the mag.

The ASC mags are great. I have a promag and it is atrocious. The polymer body barely fits the squeeze into the gun.

 

[trilogymac]

I never tried the promags but from the majority of reviews I stayed away. The Brownells were some what pricy so I went with the ASC and bought 5. Only one out of the 5 would run reliably. Got rid of all 5 and went with the Brownell mags. Caught the Brownells on sale. Never even a hiccup. Buy once cry once.

 

[stanfieldnc]

I may just end up doing what you guyd suggested since they are relatively inexpensive. Interchangeability would make range days a little more easier.

Another member shared a 3d printable jig. I printed it and will see if I feel up to the task. Now I just want to do one for the challenge.

 

[Poacher]

I’m more of a Mac shooter but I do have a semi auto Uzi carbine, and there’s a great group here with a lot of knowledge.

 

[JackFlak]

I may just end up doing what you guyd suggested since they are relatively inexpensive. Interchangeability would make range days a little more easier.

Another member shared a 3d printable jig. I printed it and will see if I feel up to the task. Now I just want to do one for the challenge.

I see what you mean on interchangeability. I have so many flippin' mags these days, it is a bit difficult lugging everything to the truck, in the range, back to truck etcetera ha ha. So much gear and toys to keep up with

 

[Dirk Hawthorne]

what about exomags? People seem happy with them

 

[stanfieldnc]

what about exomags? People seem happy with them

That uses a regular lower. I'm keeping the Colt profile.

 

[MANCAVEVETERAN]

I know that I converted a couple of Uzi mags to use in a colt style AR9 build. They worked in the AR build but are not pretty much useless in the Uzi. They hang up when you try to drop them and they will misfeed due to the conversion at the top of the mag behind the feed lips.
I wasted those mags.

 

[stanfieldnc]

I know that I converted a couple of Uzi mags to use in a colt style AR9 build. They worked in the AR build but are not pretty much useless in the Uzi. They hang up when you try to drop them and they will misfeed due to the conversion at the top of the mag behind the feed lips.
I wasted those mags.

Good feedback. I'm starting to reconsider converting and just purchasing new mags

 

[Slowmo]

Some people will pay a premium for the South African mags. I would keep them original if I were in your shoes.

 

[stanfieldnc]

Some people will pay a premium for the South African mags. I would keep them original if I were in your shoes.

I have quite a few I purchased a while back. What's the street value? Maybe it can fund this Colt build.

 

[Slowmo]

I have quite a few I purchased a while back. What's the street value? Maybe it can fund this Colt build.

Apex is a very legit dealer who usually offers competitive pricing. As you can see, the IMI 25rd mags are $14 while the South African mags are about $60.

https://www.apexgunparts.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Uzi%20magazine

 

[root]

I don't have any issues with the converted mags in the Colt carbine or the UZI's
South African mags are FN mags if I remember correct.
If you Read the UZI EXAMINED book you will see FN totally scrapped & shredded all the S African tooling so the S. African stuff will never be made again.
Kinda gives it a collectable value to some.

 

[stanfieldnc]

I don't have any issues with the converted mags in the Colt carbine or the UZI's
South African mags are FN mags if I remember correct.
If you Read the UZI EXAMINED book you will see FN totally scrapped & shredded all the S African tooling so the S. African stuff will never be made again.
Kinda gives it a collectable value to some.

I thought S. African mags were Lyttolton.

 

[root]

UZI Talk - Contract 9mm Magazines

You are correct.
I'll have to read through the book again been a few years.
I remember tooling not only getting scrapped but shredded also in S. Africa.

 

[stanfieldnc]

Ended up deciding to build and got a great deal locally on some metalform colt mags. Got a dozen from a guy who was offloading stuff, so my uzi mags are preserved well.