Options for AR-15 fixed mag

[WP_Plinker]

So, the wife got me a rifle kit from PSA, and I’ve decided to go the fixed mag route and use it as more of a range toy since we currently live in an apartment and I have a few other options better suited for a defensive application.
My question is, how do you go about fixing the mag to the lower? I had a AR mag lock lying around but there’s too much legal ambiguity there. I plan to use a 10 round PMAG for the magazine if that makes any difference. I appreciate any guidance you guys can give me. Thank you

 

[Cleck]

I use the SAFE Mod from AllStar Tactical. Easy to install, has passed all checks when others view it for compliance, have had multiple leo friends tell me it'd be fine

 

[Jem45472]

I use a dd's ranch lock. Simple, does the job.
AR-15 MAGAZINE LOCK

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I use a dd's ranch lock. Simple, does the job.
AR-15 MAGAZINE LOCK

I used the same. Simple and easy and if I ever move to a free state I can have a fully functional rifle for about $10 and 5 mins of time.

I also bought an extended rear takedown pin it makes it way easier to open up for reloads.

 

[Jem45472]

I used the same. Simple and easy and if I ever move to a free state I can have a fully functional rifle for about $10 and 5 mins of time.

I also bought an extended rear takedown pin it makes it way easier to open up for reloads.

I keep the regular mag catch stored in the grip compartment in case the need should ever arise.

 

[togmaster]

FUAC

 

[Saltwater60]

I use a dd's ranch lock. Simple, does the job.
AR-15 MAGAZINE LOCK

I used the same. Simple as stated and does the trick. No ambiguity on this since I’ve seen them at gun shows and many LEO’s walk right by it without a glance.

I filled half of it with plumbers putty the filled the rest with epoxy. Easily removed with a pick or drill bit.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I used the same. Simple as stated and does the trick. No ambiguity on this since I’ve seen them at gun shows and many LEO’s walk right by it without a glance.

I filled half of it with plumbers putty the filled the rest with epoxy. Easily removed with a pick or drill bit.

I still don't think that's required to do. But at the end of the day you have to use your own level of comfort.

Personally I'm comfortable with just a magazine lock. The law doesn't state the magazine lock needs to be glued in.

The safe act sucks so bad because parts of it are as clear as mud. It's poorly written and ambiguous

 

[Jem45472]

I still don't think that's required to do. But at the end of the day you have to use your own level of comfort.

Personally I'm comfortable with just a magazine lock. The law doesn't state the magazine lock needs to be glued in.

The safe act sucks so bad because parts of it are as clear as mud. It's poorly written and ambiguous

Same here. I usually leave as is.
I have sold a couple, and ffl's were iffy so I throw a piece of sponge in the hole followed by a skim layer of epoxy. A quick tap with a punch will allow access to the bolt if removal is needed.

 

[Saltwater60]

I just figure the epoxy does no harm in me converting it back easily if needed and I took an extra step to ensure legality. That might matter to a jury.

 

[Robin]

FUAC

Yes, this, yes!
FUAC
Robin

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I just figure the epoxy does no harm in me converting it back easily if needed and I took an extra step to ensure legality. That might matter to a jury.

My logic, I am complying. My mag is affixed with a magazine lock.


To me it's locked.


There's no difference whether it is a mag lock with or without epoxy. Both can be defeated and removed with tools.

Just my .02 cents. I'm not an attorney just a guy on the internet

 

[Jem45472]

Yes, this, yes!
FUAC
Robin

I love your enthusiasm!

 

[Steal2B]

 

[pshift]

Guys, thank you for the options! I never knew this item existed. Starting my quasi-build in the next few weeks.

 

[Chevusa]

Prince 50. Cheap. Simple. Quickly converted back to full function in an emergency situation. Meets the burden of the law requirement.

Nobody is inspecting your gun for locks or anything else anyhow unless you’ve already fucked up big time.

 

[Robin]

Prince 50 is what I use too. easy!
Good luck and have fun!!!!!
robin

 

[Jem45472]

I also use a prince 50, and an fc hook.

Usually I fall back to the dd's because my thought process is it's cheap for one, and the bigger thing in my mind is if I ever did have to defend myself in front of a jury- the dd's lock - unlike the prince 50 doesn't revert back to normal by loosening a screw. Dd's needs to be fully dissembled to remove or attach a mag.

 

[Podmonkey]

I think your best option for a fixed mag AR is to toss it in the garbage and get a compliance build. Or an SCR.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I think your best option for a fixed mag AR is to toss it in the garbage and get a compliance build. Or an SCR.

It depends on what your intended usage will be.

I bet (merely for fictional purposes on the internet) that many people who go the fixed mag route do so with the idea that it will be their SHTF rifle in a zombies scenario and keep a functional magazine release somewhere handy.

 

[Jem45472]

Fixed mag suits me fine. Didn't cost me extra $ in fuac money for an ugly, uncomfortable rifle. I can change it back and forth as I see fit, and most importantly I have plenty of other things with removable mags if needed.

The fixed mag route for me was a fuck you to Andy's registration requirements, with the first ones installed with 25 cent t-nuts.

 

[pshift]

I will be building two lowers. 1 NYS compliant, and another out-of-state-SHTF lower. This is a real interesting thread for 1st time AR-15 builders. I will be going the fixed-mag route when in NYS and transferring my upper to when I go out of state to be compliant, without having 2 separate complete builds. Down the road, there will be a 2nd build .....

 

[Jem45472]

I will be building two lowers. 1 NYS compliant, and another out-of-state-SHTF lower. This is a real interesting thread for 1st time AR-15 builders. I will be going the fixed-mag route when in NYS and transferring my upper to when I go out of state to be compliant, without having 2 separate complete builds. Down the road, there will be a 2nd build .....

Don't take my posts as fixed mag being the better choice, because it most certainly is not. If you need a reliable self defense weapon you're probably better off going featureless. My fixed mags are plinking toys which I did not feel like altering with ridiculous add-ons.

 

[pshift]

I like the DD system with the extended takedown pins but what are your thoughts on this combo? I'm inclined to do a NYS build using fixed-mag:

AR-15 Compliance Kit | Cross Armory | New York Legal AR-15

AR-15 New York Permanent Magazine TOP LOADING KIT | Cross Armory

 

[Jem45472]

I like the DD system with the extended takedown pins but what are your thoughts on this combo? I'm inclined to do a NYS build using fixed-mag:

AR-15 Compliance Kit | Cross Armory | New York Legal AR-15

AR-15 New York Permanent Magazine TOP LOADING KIT | Cross Armory

Same type of lock as dd's, good to go. Ive never tried any of the speed side loaders, so no comment.

I'm using a compmag to load instead of toploading.

 

[pshift]

The more options, the better!

 

[Edwardteach72]

I think your best option for a fixed mag AR is to toss it in the garbage and get a compliance build. Or an SCR.

Fightlite just posted up they are hiring... hopefully that means they will be getting more SCR lowers out to the world as they have become harder and harder to source (not that they were all that easy before)

Granted not to derail anything but based on a lot of moves going on in Cali and the 9thCCOA along with the NY SCOTUS case maybe things like the SCR will be heading to a future Forgotten Weapons episode (but this/that is 1) for another topic and (2) not in the exactly immediate future)

 

[Podmonkey]

Fightlite just posted up they are hiring... hopefully that means they will be getting more SCR lowers out to the world as they have become harder and harder to source (not that they were all that easy before)

Granted not to derail anything but based on a lot of moves going on in Cali and the 9thCCOA along with the NY SCOTUS case maybe things like the SCR will be heading to a future Forgotten Weapons episode (but this/that is 1) for another topic and (2) not in the exactly immediate future)

I wonder if the SCR wouldn't be good enough on its own merit that it could remain viable in a post ban world.

 

[Edwardteach72]

I wonder if the SCR wouldn't be good enough on its own merit that it could remain viable in a post ban world.

I'm all for finding out myself lol..

But part of me wonders if pre Fightlite Gen 1 "issues" (lack of better term) along with low and sporadic production runs in the past and currently mixed in with proprietary parts may honestly have been a downfall of the whole SCR from day one. Based on how much we see thordson featureless builds over SCR builds (and yes I know cost is a factor in that as well)


But it would be a fun thing to watch play out if it ever did become a choice vs best avaliable option

 

[JamieZ]

Same type of lock as dd's, good to go. Ive never tried any of the speed side loaders, so no comment.

I'm using a compmag to load instead of toploading.

Can you easily make that compmag 5 rounds? Does the compmag work well?

Is it easy to load and unload?