SUBCAL 22 KIT
Tactical Innovations 22 Mag is Here
The Mag 1
The Mag 2
The Mag 3
I had to adjust the mag, once adjusted it ran perfect. 100%. I ran MiniMags and Thunderbolts through it - no problem. This is THE mag to get if you own a
SubCal 22 kit for your MAC. Stop wasting money on plastic mags and save yourself some grief...
The 22 Upper in action
This is the Subcal page. I had heard about the Fleming 22 kits for a while.
Every now and then one would show up for sale. I always thought that was kind of cool
that you could bolt on a new upper and shoot 22's. I figured over time, no more kits
existed. Then I went to Subcal.com and emailed them. Sure! Still got em. That was all I needed to hear.
Got it back in May, 2005. Bought the recoil enhancer too, is supposed to help run bulk box 22's.
Stoked!
I got a call from my son at work, my package had arrived! I could hardly wait to get home.
Looked cool, came with a Ramline 30 rounder. Did not use the same takedown pin as my Powder Springs, so I had to order a 2 piece
from Cobray. And wait again.
Ready!
Called a freind who has land to shoot on, would go up that weekend and test.....more waiting...
Problems
Took a bunch of different ammo out. Bulk Walmart Federal, Thunderbolts, you name it.
It would run a few rounds and stop with weak ammo. So I loaded some Aguila Super Maximum Hyper Velocity in the mag.
Much better, but it still jammed.
It seemed there were several problems.
1. Mag did not feed right. Hell, I could hardly load it without jamming.
2. Cases were not ejecting.
So I bought a Butler Creek Hot lips, put my own ejector on it, it did not feed reliably. Traded it for
another Ramline, which ran much better.
Tried a 50 round ramline, it was so bad, could not even load it. Gave it to friend with a 10/22.
Bought a NEW Ramline 30 rounder, could not even load it. Sent it back, they sent me a replacement. Kudos to the people at Onalaska.
It loaded ok, fed ok. Now I still had extraction issues. I read the spring was too weak, so I set out to find a stronger spring.
I read I should make sure there is no friction between the bolt and upper, so off came the finish. Polished it up, now it slid nice..
Pic of the parts - Shiny Bolt!
To the right of the extractor is the stock spring, an AR extractor spring, and an AR detent spring.
I read that an extractor spring from an AR could be used, so I picked one up. Nah - too skinny (see pic)
Pic of the springs
Found a pair of needlenose pliers (cheap), they had the perfect spring in them. At least I thought so. It squished too much when I compressed it..
Went to local gunshop, he had a good spring, nice and stiff. Could not wait to put it in.
Jeez, not an easy job. Tried compressing it with a small screwdriver while placing the extractor in the slot. No frigging way!!!
The wife got great amusement out of my cussing. And then it happened. The thing most tinkerers fear most.
I thought I would use the needlenose pliers to push the extractor and all back in the slot. ZINNGGG!!!!
Off to that other dimension went the extractor. Wife really enjoying it by now. Blood pressure through the roof, I got on my hands and knees
to look for it.
No sign...it went where the socks go.
Got on a chair, looked on top of the cabinets (best work is done on the island in the kitchen), no sign.
Look of despair
I put all the parts in a bag, figured I would give up and try and get an extractor. One last look on the top of the cabinets.
BINGO !!!! There it is, right on the ledge!! Saved!
I put it in the small parts bag with the springs. I had had enough fun for the night.
Solutions
Back to it. It has been a few days since I messed with it, had to think of a better way to get the extractor back in.
I got it!!! I have a drill press with a machinists vise on the base. I could put the bolt in the vise, put a small screwdriver
in the chuck, and crank the handle to move the vise, compressing the spring. Well, it took a few attemps, but I got it.
Pic of the rig to install extractor
I was worried the spring would be too stout, so I grabbed a 22 colibri, loaded it, stepped out back and let it rip.
POP! it went off. Which was a good thing. Pulled the bolt back, and the case was snug in the extractor!!!
Thought the spring would keep the bolt from landing against the face, but it fired, so it was a deal....
Now, I hope Santa brings me one of Craig's new aluminum mags. And a thread adapter so I can run my CAC45 on the 22 upper....
SUCCESS!!!
I ran three mags through the upper today - It Ran Flawlessly !!!! Yeehaw
I was shooting Mini Mags, next I try bulk ammo......
MORE SUCCESS!!!
Took it out again today, had some bulk 22 to try. Nope. Not enough balls.
What did work ?
Mini Mags - 100%
Thunderbolts 100%
Aguila S.M.H.P 100% and then some
NO Stoppages!!!!
The Aguila runs so good it hurts. Higher ROF, nice flameage.
So the Thunderbolts win for cheapness, , but they lead up the barrel PDQ. A buck for 50 is pretty good in my book.
The Mini Mags will probably be the choice. A little pricier at 4.77 per 100.
The Aguila Super Maximum Hyper Velocity are 30.00 per 500 if the local shop has them.
Winchester 100 round 45s are about 20.00 a box.
Looks like Mini Mags win...
Put the Recoil Enhancer on, seemed to run better without. Only ran one mag, so will try more scientific testing later
Will get some video up soon