20rd Centerfire Sten mag conversions

[Gaujo]

I am setting up my sten mags for use with my MAX-31a. I have 20, 20 round sten mags coming in from centerfire. Also, I am going to be converting the centerfire 20rd sten mags back to 32.

It is pretty easy to convert them. The best way to do it is grab the brass tab at the bottom with pliers and twist until it snaps off, then drill out the "spot" at the top of the mags. 4 bars, 4 spots. They took the brass rod and made it into a rivet at the top so drilling is by far the best method.

UPDATE 9-18-2013
I just got them in they are rusty but 18/20 function smoothly, 2 have rough traveling followers. I cannot for the life of me see anything that limits them to 20 rounds!?

UPDATE 10-10-2013
Turns out there are 4 that don't work properly. Three have plungers that don't return all the way after testing it with a long screwdriver, and one did not feed ammo properly. I called Centerfire and they agreed to cover the return shipping for me and give me a refund without any restocking fee. I found that very decent of them and wanted everyone to know it. I would not reccomend buying these unless you are a project kind of guy.

I am refinishing them with a fine wire wheel and cheap black spraypaint.
1- put 4 mags in bucket of acetone, shake
2- strip on wire wheel
3- let me dry out
4- spraypaint.

next update I report on the paint adherence and performance. If you guys buy mags, be sure you test the plunger and the feeding with real ammo before you invest a lot of time and work refinishing a mag.

 

[bruh44]

I've been hoping someone would be selling these soon, or that I could pay someone to do the conversion for me since I have no idea how to do it myself.

 

[kingjamez]

I've been cleaning my 20 rd Sten mags since I got them. I don't think a new spring will be required. It might be as easy as removing the brass rods. However, there is a reason the rods were put in there in the first place. I'm very happy with them so far and will probably just keep them at 20 rounds to make them very reliable.

-Jim

 

[Schnitzeraffe]

I remember reading somewhere that the round count was reduced to 20 for ease of loading.

Don't quote me on this, but I think all you need to do is remove those rods and they're back to full capacity.

 

[Gaujo]

I remember reading somewhere that the round count was reduced to 20 for ease of loading.

Don't quote me on this, but I think all you need to do is remove those rods and they're back to full capacity.

I had read it was for more reliable operation.

 

[chili17]

just remove the the 4 brass rods and the mags will hold 32rds.

 

[01SVTvert]

If anyone has insight into the condition of the centerfire 20 round mags I would appreciate it. Just wanted to see how they actually look.

 

[Gaujo]

When i get em thursday you will know

 

[AmishEskimoNinja]

There is a plus side of 20 round mags. When you have gun "tourists" wanting to shoot it, you can give the person a full 20 round mag and not feel guilty about it.

 

[Gaujo]

I just got them in they are rusty but 18/20 function smoothly, 2 have rough traveling followers. I cannot for the life of me see anything that limits them to 20 rounds!? Will try with ammo when i find some and update

 

[Gaujo]

What is a good way to quickly strip these in prep for painting? I was thinking of getting a wire wheel for my 6" bench grinder.

 

[mailman]

I've never attempted to re-do a magazine, but a wire wheel seems pretty aggresive. I'm sure there are people here who know for sure, but I'd use a stripper (maybe that will take care of your girl friend problem too) actually a chemical stripper.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

What is a good way to quickly strip these in prep for painting? I was thinking of getting a wire wheel for my 6" bench grinder.

If you have access to a bead blaster,this would be the best way to do it.

 

[chili17]

never saw the point in refinishing anything, but i fyou feel the need, blast and repark them

 

[magnut]

I think the rods,and filled in witness holes were to make them more reliable in sandy environments.

 

[kanewtervalve]

I just got 9, 2 of are no use, bent to hell, 7 seem fine, not as much rust as I expected. I soaked them in hot water and Dawn detergent, they cleaned up pretty fast. Heated mag bodies in oven right after the hot water to stop rust. I used a wire wheel on my bench grinder to remove rust and white paint on them. I got a can of high temp engine paint to spray them and then cook in the oven to bake the finish on. I'm not going to spend a lot of time and money on these mags, they are only $5 a piece. I do have a couple mag bodies left over from the big Tapco sten mag sale from years ago I could probably use the innards of the 2 that are damaged so it works out financially in the end.

 

[Gaujo]

I used a wire wheel on my bench grinder to remove rust and white paint on them.)

Coarse or fine wire wheel?