Using the right magazine

Gil Martin · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 3:49 pm Post subject: Using the right magazine

A fellow shooter stopped by today and needed help with a problem with the magazine he purchased for his M1A. The magazine would not lock into the magazine well. It never would because it was a 20 round magazine for an FN/FAL or an L1A1. It worked just fine in my L1A1. This guy is a regular shooter at our monthly rifle matches and should know the right magazine. Fortunately the fellow has other magazines that will fit his M1A.

On the bright side, he gave me the magazine for my trouble. All the best...
Gil

dhc4ever · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

I love the L1A1.
Pity the govt doesnt trust anyone here to have one, without jumping through more hoops than a 3 ring circus.
Good score with the mag.

MacD · Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Yup it is a prohibited weapon here also and only those grandfathered in can own one. A case of looks rather than function as there are more powerful semi's around that are not even restricted.

Aloysius · Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 1:21 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Just for your info: there is a diffirence between a magazine for the FN-FAL and the L1A1 at the hook that secures the magazine to the rifle. The hook of a L1A1 magazine is much wider. So the FAL-magazine will fit in the L1A1 but not the other way around (without using a file).

Gil Martin · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Aloysius,
You are correct. The FN/FAL magazine will work in the L1A1, but not the other way around. Take care. All the best...
Gil

Aloysius · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 12:56 pm Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

I have my clear moments Smile

and for your info: same thing with the curved magazine of the BREN. That will also fit the L1A1 but not the FN-FAL, unless you use a file or a grinder on the hook.
And yes, it's nice to dress your FAL up on Sundays with a curved magazine Smile

pete4d · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 2:13 pm Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Aloysius wrote:

I have my clear moments Smile

and for your info: same thing with the curved magazine of the BREN. That will also fit the L1A1 but not the FN-FAL, unless you use a file or a grinder on the hook.
And yes, it's nice to dress your FAL up on Sundays with a curved magazine Smile

I have two FAL's one Israeli Hb G1 model , and the other Israeli standard L1A1 with sand cuts , both use the metric 20 &30 rd. mags. haven't come across any curved mag though.

Would like a source for them?

Vince · Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:01 pm Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Pete...the BREN was a WWII British and allies machine gun mate...a magnificent weapon that I consider to be a bit of a failure as a machine gun simply because it was too accurate. During WWII they were chambered for the .303 round and had a curved 30 round magazine. Down the track a ways the BREN was chambered in 7.62mm NATO with a straight magazine again of 30 rounds.

I am sure you would be able to pick up a curved 30 round mag through the collectors network mate.

Modern Firearms - MachineGuns

Elvis · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 1:00 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

magnificent sums the humble bren up well.

Aloysius · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 2:45 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

...or how a simple "wrong magazine" turns into some interesting know-abouts Smile

I'll try to make some pictures indicating the differences.

Pete, do you also have the feeling that the AR's and FNC's are just for sissies? Smile

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 4:58 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Ah, something just came to mind Pete...the BREN magazines will more than likely not be of any use fitted to a rifle as the magazine spring was designed for a top feed firearm and are not as strong as a rifle magazine spring that feed from "under" the action.

When I was in the Army we had to be careful not to mix the straight BREN magazines with those used on the SLR L1A1 or the L2A1 Automatic Rifle (pic below) as they would not work. The L2A1 pictured below is fitted with a blank firing attachment (the yellow fitting on the muzzle) so that blank rounds would cycle the action.

Aloysius · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 5:27 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Vince, I don't feel that much difference in springtension between such a BREN-mag and another 30 round mag for the FAL. And in my opinion these springs in a 30 round mag are weaker than the 20 round mag. Maybe I should dismantle some and measure the springs.

By the way: my curved 30 round mag has following inscriptions: "MAGAZINE 7.62 MM L4A1" on top of "9600089 D 59"
And I never looked it up if L4A1 is an indication for a BREN, someone told me so in the past and so I kept the magazin original and did not adapt it for my FAL.

edit: but I read l4a4 in the title of your picture, so it's coming close Smile

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 7:10 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Yes Aloys...the BREN, when rechambered to 7.62mm NATO, was designated the L4A4.

I'd be interested to see what the different spring tensions are between the different magazines mate. As I say, we were always told to never mix them up between the various weapons because you would have "failure to feed" stoppages.

Aloysius · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 7:19 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

And what was a L4A1 as indicated on my magazine?

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 7:53 am Post subject: Re: Using the right magazine

Aloysius wrote:

And what was a L4A1 as indicated on my magazine?

Not 100% certain mate...but the bit of research I have been able to do seems to indicate that L4A1 is the designation of the actual 7.62mm NATO magzine for the BREN. Again, not really sure mate.