- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Detachable Magazines
Home > Modern Firearms Manufacture > Parts Fabrication > Low Stress Load Parts > Detachable Magazines
Detachable magazine
For decades, detachable box magazines have been constructed of thin sheet steel. The basic two-dimensional shape is fine blanked and folded to make the box. Seams are secured by interlocking or welding. The follower and springs are added to complete the magazine.
Recent trends toward using alternate materials gave rise to polymer magazines. Depending on the design requirements, metal feed lips are either cast into the main body or added during assembly.
Magazines can leave useful marks on the side of a cartridge case. It behooves the examiner to carefully determine the magazine construction before rendering a final opinion. Stamped metal magazine lips seldom exhibit carryover marks. On the other hand, cast metal feed lips (Ruger Model 10/22 and similar magazines) may leave few marks but have a greater chance of carryover from one magazine to another.
