Savage 110 Apex Hunter XP Very hard to install magazine

[MorganDollar]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum.

I recently purchased a Savage 110 Apex Hunter XP .270 from Cabela's. I unboxed it. I tried to attach the (empty) magazine to the rifle and this required me 2 hands to push the magazine to the rifle until a click -- one hand pushing the barrel while the other hand need to push the magazine. I cannot even do this with my fingers. I'm wondering if this is normal, or am I missing some steps.

I've owned 10/22s, AR15s and Glocks and I never need this much force to attach a magazine. This is my first bolt action rifle.

Attached are the photos of the rifle and the magazine.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3d2RzDdewuluNDg8IYQbqTHRb0VQqqb5JdsyKGptNNU1RtMlO2 ZV0BsJrVttKd41PZFfD-sB-KpN5vorDtVNnN9heRpgp7Iw31bl44myohruuwlAnRPyGXFgtYL B6mMmd8u37tfZ7Ti5FgvgaE6DeKR=w1730-h1297-no?authuser=0


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3e0WUg7M9p99RGlHnmS-gtm2KkefEnkkWgFBdlUO4lclFIl2JbU7n-kNqKo9fftB4kAQmk2tiSM71516FJxfDgn20eHdHZ7xv1VqSnUW FWhBKx7sRr9pYZgZXAE8ZH7Z4y_KQ7Y7uXk2OOsSMZlPo0p=w9 73-h1297-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3cHC0TdFfVMzAjg-HKQNupLuCFIteTE5fXznbtJLUs4ckVCPqfYVMcKp_-xVrBAChqot5DBSVhc4rZo9Oln_cnq_DE1LSnlTuaY2rIjSOsXc IF7vutEk8YsTHHw_9R8Z3Wx_mEHPr-_rKyVxOhFdL2P=w973-h1297-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fOmRtLUED7jGuqKpU0VUX-2ZY4TilN-iRHWYIgeU7QruKZk9a9N_-06PamOP1_EJ7MV9rprZ-34DxvNYCW97UU4KK1lQfXq3uneF04CA5xxP-yOEx6jUgSKY3mIeZoW1OPQOMFOuHQaHCpCK53Qizw=w973-h1297-no?authuser=0

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3fo7IWckikVUqrYptCzOBE26tzfnfSUFtfz5LRL2Ma0dOevH9Q 1z2uLBITJfyiqoLxREgcYzDKFb0awy7Wy-ja0OwnjSY-GBDwbFGkC6dGXvemcK0KIJa53k5Wl8Jr0oSf5_4Nz-oV0TyHNORkPYsUQ=w973-h1297-no?authuser=0

[J.Baker]

Somewhat of a common problem on this original version of the Axis-style magazine. What I've done in the past is took a small flat file to remove some of the material from the bottom of the latch's lip at the front of the magazine - effectively moving the lip higher and allowing the mag to catch sooner and with less pressure. Just go slow and check often so you don't over-do it.

Savage has a new bottom cap design out now that's spring loaded which is a much better system. They've been shipping the new design for about a year now so your rifle must have been sitting on a dealer or distributors shelf for a while.

[Newtosavage]

Interesting. I wasn't aware they even shipped the new style stocks with the old style magazines. But hey, that's just being thrifty and using up what you have I guess. I actually prefer the older style magazine bottoms to the new. They don't protrude down as much, and I liked the smooth bottom vs. the inscribed logo on the new mags.

[Newtosavage]

Morgandollar, if you want I'll swap you stocks and magazines from my 116 30-06. It's the original plastic Savage stock with the indian head logo and the magazine fits perfectly. I'm looking for one of those newer stocks.