[Rolex]

Why do my new Bolen springs and followers get stuck in the tube,
and lose the tension while loaded. Then rounds fall out of the tube. The
rest of the rounds then jump out the top of the mag with the follower
going past the feed lips and hanging up on the second coil of the spring.
To remove the spring I have to remove the follower. This is with .9mm
trying to load 23 or 24 rds. I have been using Grams with no problems,
but wanted the extra round or two, Dawson mag pads. In my .40 tubes
the follower goes right past the feed lips and out the top, looks like there
is to much of an angle on the spring/follower. All tubes are SV and STI.

This post has been edited by Rolex: 28 December 2008 - 02:34 PM

[steel1212]

I was told that with STI tubes and Bolen followers you might need to peen the inside ribs so the follower doesn't get hung up. I use SVI tubes with Bolen followers and Grams with my STIs and don't have any problems....I am using .40 though.

[boz1911]

Although I don't have of the same issues in my 9mm SV tubes, it seems I recall a judicious spring bending may be all you need. Maybe someone else can add more info.

[HSMITH]

If you are using Bolen springs on your Bolen followers the tubes are the problem. These followers and springs are designed for tuned tubes, using them in any old tube probably won't work as you have seen.

Short version is your tubes are not right and you won't be able to use the parts until the tubes are right.

[Rolex]

HSMITH, on Dec 28 2008, 05:03 PM, said:

If you are using Bolen springs on your Bolen followers the tubes are the problem. These followers and springs are designed for tuned tubes, using them in any old tube probably won't work as you have seen.

Short version is your tubes are not right and you won't be able to use the parts until the tubes are right.

Thats what I think also. Maybe I need to send them all to
you HSMITH for a good tuning?

[boz1911]

That must be why all mine work...........HSmith tuned!!

[Rolex]

YUP= think I will have to contact him and send
half of my tubes, then the other half- Guess I
will also get new base pads also!

[Jaxshooter]

I am using Gram's springs, followers and base pads and can load 24 with ease in untuned SV tubes. I load 30 rounds in my 170 mm with no problem using the same parts.

This post has been edited by Jaxshooter: 29 December 2008 - 07:32 PM

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: The tubes are the problem as stated above. I tried the Bolen 40 followers in some STI tubes that were tuned for Dawson followers and the Bolens turned the mag into a salt shaker(Merlins term). The mag body it turned out was too wide for the Bolens. I just went back with the Dawsons and everything is fine. I would send them to Mr Smith so he can work his magic but he may be backlogged now since the article in Front Sight Thanks, Eric

[Rolex]

Thanks all- Just pm'd HSMITH/ I will be
sending some of the tubes to him- next
year- for a make over! Happy
New Year to all