Refinishing AR Mags

[zoglog]

I was tired of looking at the dull and scratched aluminum magazines on my all black AR. After doing some research on the web I was not too happy with the different paints they were using. So I stopped into Lowes and Auto Zone. Lowes was a little cheaper on the truck bed coating. Lowes has rust-oleum auto zone has dupli-color. I figured this stuff is tough and wont scratch off, plus the texture would make switching mags or grabbing with gloves much easier. I put two coats on 7 mags and am very happy with the results, there is no change in the function of the mag! This could be done on any mag and the can did two coats on 7 of mine and there is still more in can (guess I have to buy more!) I would post pictures but you cannot see the texture in any of the pictures I took, so just use your imagination and do a search for black magazines.

 

[indykid]

I got some ceramic based high temp header paint. Painted a few really ugly AR mags and baked them in the oven for a few hours, per what it said on the spray can. Came out really good too.

 

[IndyGunworks]

still going to ask for pics though...

 

[NateIU10]

Did you paint the entire body? If so, I'm EXTREMELY surprised the dimensions weren't changed enough to not let the mags drop free. That liner stuff is thick and uneven, and in 2 coats...

 

[MACHINEGUN]

 

[esrice]

Post your pics anyway.

 

[zoglog]

I did paint the entire body, I was a little nervous, but yes they drop out of the M&P15 without a problem. I was also shocked at how hard it was to remove the floor plates out of those magazines! Maybe I'm just a whimp but I had to mask several of them off because I could not get the floor plates off! I will work on the pictures, got to set up an account.

 

[zoglog]

here they are!
40 rnds on the outside 30 on the inside

you can kinda see the texture

2 coats and it fits

but this one doesnt

 

[IndyGunworks]

Awesome... just to clarify, its the DOG that doesnt fit correct? Not one of the mags and you just linked to a wrong picture?

 

[zoglog]

ha yes that is correct

 

[esrice]

Very cool! Looks good!

 

[IndyGunworks]

you didnt spray the insides at all did you? i could imagine textured paint like that would create some extra friction on the follower and possibly bind it up.

 

[zoglog]

You are correct, I was worried about about getting any paint on the inside. So I spent a good amount of time masking the magazines off, no different then painting a car/house/wall. I did not even think about the friction, I was more worried that with how hard everything becomes when that stuff is sprayed on the the spring might not compress. Have you ever seen the bed coating applied to a pop can? You can stomp on it and it wont crush, its some tuff stuff, and doesn't really come off your fingers either.

 

[jjohnisme]

...and doesn't really come off your fingers either.

Good to know, sorry to hear. I'll be sure to shake your *other* hand the next time i see you at work lol.

 

[dave29]

The mags look really good!

 

[whiskeytangofoxtrot]

Looks nice man! May try it sometime on some junk mags I have.

 

[HillRod]

The mags turned out good. How much did the truck bed stuff run ya?

 

[zoglog]

It was just over 7 bucks and I have about 1/4 left in the can

 

[SamW]

My advice would be to tape off where the mag goes into the magwell and do not coat that part. This is esp. important if you have multiple lowers or plan on adding more lowers.

One could refinish the top of the mag with reg. paint first, then scuff up the bottom and then line-x it.

 

[zoglog]

I got to use them today! Everyone that held them loved them and asked where I got the idea. They feed fine and released without a problem and I liked the added grip when switching them quickly.