Mag Lever Fabricated for Model 93

Hi All,

Picked up a new Savage 93 in 22 WMR, two weeks ago, and just got to the range, yesterday. I had ordered five 10-round mags and, like many of you, experienced several problems:
1. Most of the 10-round mags were very tight (the factory 5-rounder slid in and out easily).
2. Failure to feed issues (although they all worked fine from six rounds down to zero).
3. The magazine release tang was a real pain in the thumb!

So...

1. After measuring the mags, I found that the track was considerably wider on the factory 5-rounder than on the new 10-rounders.
5-ROUND MAGAZINE
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...psf7123e8a.jpg

Using a wide screw driver, I tapped it into both ends of the 10-Rounders to get some more clearance. The all slide easily now.
10-ROUND MAGAZINE
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps3bf1092f.jpg


2. I'll cover the magazine feeding issues later, except to say I disagree with some of the YouTube video fixes.


3. Now, to the Magazine Tang. I decided to fabricate a Magazine Release lever. Pics are below but let me warn you that unless you have a machinist's tools, you will not be able to drill through the Savage Magazine Tang. I went through six drill bits from 1/16 - 7/64, from hardened steel to titanium and managed a dent! I then remembered a set of "Bad Dog Drill Bits" I once bought at a wood worker's show... you know, from the guy who sits and easily drills holes through machine files all day. They worked! Have to run them over 3,000 RPM for them to work properly. Anyway, here's the result of that effort:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...pse633f60a.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s...ps83564c3a.jpg

Regards,

John G.
St. Petersburg, FL