BX-25 mag feed issues (Multiple Threads)

[fearme4ever]

I seem to get the same issue randomly firing Remington Bulk Ammo.

[JRICKARD81]

I have had great results with my 2 25rd shooters ridge mags, both have been flawless.

[buck22]

Hey guys, I just thought I'd try to get this simple and easy fix for the BX-25 magazines out there.

Please note that this only applies to the magazines that suffer the issue - I believe Ruger actually did improve the design after a while since only SOME of the magazines have the issue. If you have no issue...there's no reason to do this.

I've been reading around and it appears I'm not the only one with this issue. The issue is as follows:

Magazine will occasionally cause jams due to the bullets being at too little of an upward angle. This issue is more noticeable when the magazine is filled to capacity.

If you're like me...you want to know "why?" and I think I've figured it out.

While loading and unloading my magazine trying to see if the seemingly BS "oil in the magazine fix" would fix it - I realized what was actually happening. As more and more rounds are loaded, there is more and more lateral pressure being exerted on the follower. One of two things or both is happening...either the rounds are allowed to slip into the space between the follower and the side of the magazine and/or the follower is binding against the inside of the magazine which results in lack of tension. The reason this is happening is because there is an excessive amount of slop in the spindle/spool pieces. The little 'axle' on the follower is about 50% smaller than the inside diameter of the spool the spring is attached to.

Ironically enough, the fix involves using a spent .22 casing. Simply disassemble your BX-25 magazine, trim down your SPENT .22LR casing, slip it into the space pictured below, reassemble, then you're done! Life will be even easier if you have a .22 SHORT used casing laying around, but a .22LR will work, you'll just need to trim it down to make it fit.

It's not rocket science. Just make sure you trim it short enough to allow it to sit flush against the spool. It is IMPORTANT that it is flush against the spring spool, otherwise it will bind when the magazine is reassembled.

I used a set of toenail clippers to trim mine. Also, I'll add that it does help to put a little oil on the casing and in/around the spool to facilitate better function.





Hope this helps somebody out there.

-Buck

[Dsteele]

Slick idea.

[351mustang65]

I may have to try that.

One or both (not sure yet) of mine do that though not as often as a lot of people are saying mine only does it about 4 times every 100 rounds.

[Benemorte]

Genius! Pure.....genius!

[buck22]

You're too kind!

Another thing I think this 'mod' does is keep the spring spool pushed completely flush against the follower, instead of moving around laterally inside the magazine.

I'd be interested to see the inside of a newer magazine that doesn't have the problem to see if they did indeed decrease the tolerances.

[buck22]

Little update here...

I went to the range today and shot an entire box of Federal 36gr HP's - the blue 525rd box - using the repaired magazine. That's 21 mags worth. Not a SINGLE issue other than a singular stovepipe but that's not a mag issue.

I intentionally loaded the magazine haphazardly and quickly, seeing if I could induce the problem - nope. Flawless function.


Enjoy guys!

[MarkB]

buck,

Great fix! I haven't had the problem yet but I'll file this away in case I need it. I have one concern. It looks like you have to make sure the cut end of the .22 case is smooth and flat with no burrs or sharp edges that might cut the axle on the follower. Just something to watch. I also tried to measure the clearance between the spool and the side of the mag. I came up with 1/16" between the mag wall and the spool end on the one mag I measured. I hope this helps.

[buck22]

Hmm...good point.

Here's some pics. This is after the 21 mag cycle:




As you can see, there is some VERY light wearing on the spool and the face of the follower. Does not appear significant. Also, remember this was after 525rds.

Here's the improved version:



Pretty much won't be a problem in the future. You can see how jagged the first one was...of course that's because I took all of 30 seconds to trim it. This time I went to the trouble of sanding it and deburring the edges with a steel brush tool on my Dremel.

Come to think of it...that's the first time I've used a Dremel in close to a decade.

[buck22]

And just for good measure, here's a picture that clearly shows how much slop there is in my spool and axle...



If nothing else, it's not centered...which could be a contributing factor.

[MarkB]

The improved version looks like there won't be a problem. There was very little wear on the first one but you can't be too careful. The rim of the case fills the extra space between the follower axle and the mag case wall nicely. You have done a VERY good job with this suggestion.

By the way, the photos are great!

[buck22]

Originally Posted by MarkB

The improved version looks like there won't be a problem. There was very little wear on the first one but you can't be too careful. The rim of the case fills the extra space between the follower axle and the mag case wall nicely. You have done a VERY good job with this suggestion.

By the way, the photos are great!

Thank you!

Ironically enough, I was looking at the photos and thinking they looked crummy compared to the ones I used to take - I essentially sold a camera lens I paid $500 for to buy my first gun. The one I am using now is just a cheapo one that came with the camera (Canon Rebel XTi DSLR)

Funny how stuff works out, right?

[Soulman1282]

I have been having the same problem with my BX-25, this may just do the thing! I really didn't want to go to the hassle of mailing it to Ruger and waiting to get it back.

[buck22]

Hope it fixes it for you!

Might try calling them and seeing if they'll send you another one for your trouble.