The thread about Kimber mags got me wondering..

[Venus Pax]

How do you properly clean McCormick mags? (or any magazines for that matter?)
I got mud in some of my mags last night at the range. Fortunately, it was just around the top. I used Q-tips & Hoppe's #9 to get the dirt out of the top, but I'm thinking one is supposed to take the mag apart & clean it.

Does anyone do this? If so, how?

[O6nop]

Properly? Not sure, but they do make magazine brushes.
I've been looking for one for a while since I was introduced to them at an IDPA/IPSC match. You just insert it into the mag and push the follower down as far as it can go. It should get most of the dirt and dust out if you are dropping your mags on the ground to load in another mag.
I think it's Kleen-bore that sells them.
I need to start looking for them again on the Internet.

[pbandjelly]

I typically just scrub the follower reeeel guuuud, wipe off the mag itself.
course, I don't usually get mud in my mags....

[TxD]

How do you properly clean McCormick mags? (or any magazines for that matter?)
I got mud in some of my mags last night at the range. Fortunately, it was just around the top. I used Q-tips & Hoppe's #9 to get the dirt out of the top, but I'm thinking one is supposed to take the mag apart & clean it.

Does anyone do this? If so, how?

Venus.
This is one reason the Wilson mags are so popular in competition.
(Removable base plate makes for easy cleaning.)
For a quick cleaning at the range on non removable base pad mags,
get a paint stir stick (flat wood about 1.5" wide and push the follower and spring down as far as possible and lock down with a nail through the witness holes.
You then can clean the top section with a brush. An old toothbrush
trimmed to fit will work nicely.
A very good mag brush can also be made from a baby bottle brush from
Walmart. Just trim the bristles to match the mag.
Hope this helps.

[Venus Pax]

Thanks!

[longtooth]

Easier way, for me at least. Wilson & Chip MC Power Mags for sure, & any other mag I know of that has small hole in the center of the Plastic base plate.
Does not work on mags w/ welded plates.

Turn mag upside down incert small punch into the hole in center & push down. I use a large paper clip. They are strong enough. You will feel the base release. Push the plastic base off toward the front. It will come off & there will be a metal base under it. It will now slide off to the front. Spring will come out & follower. THere are lips on the bottom too so the spring will not "fly out". You will have to work it out one coil at a time.

Clean away.

Reinstalling spring.
Follower on top of spring & insert them. There are lips on the bottom of the mag that will hold each coil of the spring as you work it in. When the follower gets to the top make sure it is propperly in place at the lips. When the whole spring is in, insert the steel base w/ the BUMP up. Push the steel base in & the plastic pad will slide in until the BUMP snaps in the whole.

[nemesis]

This is what I do on mags with fixed floor plates.

Stand mag on firm surface and push mag follower into mag with large end of 1911 barrel bushing wrench.

Push small screwdriver/punch/rod through witness holes in mag partway down the mag and remove barrel bushing wrench. This will immobilize the spring and leave the follower loose in the mag.

Remove follower, then remove screwdriver/punch/rod while capturing spring.

Clean as necessary.

Reinstall spring, correctly oriented for top and bottom, front and back.

Push spring down with barrel bushing wrench and pin in position as above.

Reinstall follower and hold in place while removing pin and releasing spring.