Had a small win tonight. I'd lashed out on one of the Magpul 10 rd restricted Pmagf30's and I picked it up tonight (with other stuff I'd ordered.) It's called the MAG557-10 here, and I sat down to have a close look at how it has been restricted. A press of the follower told me it had a full length spring, so that was promising. The base appeared to have been electronically welded in place, and epoxy had been used to bind the lock plate to the base plate. Next, I put on my readers and inspected the welding on the base. I could see a faint line in the weld, so I scraped around the baseplate and exposed the join:
![P1010056.JPG](./download/file.php?id=23014&sid=7c34f4d6c251ca5cdff0de110229b618)
- P1010056.JPG (183.16 KiB) Viewed 5499 times
Encouraged, I carefully used my knife to pry open the front and it popped open enough to show the weld was almost superficial. Up-ending the mag, I rested it on my thigh, took a screwdriver and placed it over the lockplate tab and gave it a rap with pliers. The second hit broke the epoxy bond and the lockplate was free of the base. Taking a deep breath, I placed the back of the mag against the edge of the bench just above the baseplate, and gave it a whack with the pliers, taking care to keep them square to the mag body. Sure enough, the baseplate broke loose. Wooppee!!
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif)
So much for their "electronic welding".
Slid off the baseplate and this is what I found:
![P1010057.JPG](./download/file.php?id=23015&sid=7c34f4d6c251ca5cdff0de110229b618)
- P1010057.JPG (225.52 KiB) Viewed 5499 times
Epoxy use:
![P1010058.JPG](./download/file.php?id=23016&sid=7c34f4d6c251ca5cdff0de110229b618)
- P1010058.JPG (180.83 KiB) Viewed 5499 times
The insert is from Magblock. The lockplate area isn't exactly well made, but does the job. A quick cut with my woodsaw and no more blocker:
![P1010059.JPG](./download/file.php?id=23017&sid=7c34f4d6c251ca5cdff0de110229b618)
- P1010059.JPG (337.74 KiB) Viewed 5499 times
I assembled the mag and proceeded to load 30 Hornady Steel case rounds in. All good. Feeding through the 7615 is perfect. I'll need to use a Magpul lockplate, as the Magblock one is too short and allows the base to move back and forth almost an 1/8". Someone in Melbourne is selling M3 Pmag30's for $200 AU, so to get a new 30 rd mag for $75 + postage is the best deal around here in Aus, without an AG permit.
Now, I only bought this one to see if they were able to be unblocked, and it seems to be that it's an easy task, a lot easier than I'd expected. I really want the MAG556-10, with the window, but these were out of stock, so I opted for the non-window version. Once I have 6 Pmag30's, I'll get a few Pmag20's and see if they convert. The 20 rd mag is handier for shooting from prone, so I'll see how they go at a later date.
Later.