Disassembling FN 57 10-Round Magazines

[threedeadflies]

After doing my due diligence to find the slick way to disassemble the 10-round magazines for my new FN FiveseveN (latest generation as of 2024, I guess), and I came up blank.

The magazines of which I speak are those with two catch clips on each side of the magazine that snap into a rectangle on the main body of the magazine. I have sausage fingers so I cannot press BOTH tabs at the same time -- I can't even press ONE tab far enough to achieve release. But in truth, you'd have to press both tabs sufficiently deep at the same time to disassemble the magazine.

If only I had a tool, a disassembly tool, that would press both tabs at the same time... I wondered what I could create that would do the trick.

Here's what I came up with.

I got a binder clip (used by lawyers to hold stacks of papers together) and I removed one of the wire handle thingies used to open the binder clip.
Using pliers, I bent the wire such that it would straddle the magazine. Then I bent the legs of the wire such that they would strike the plastic retainer clips holding the base portion of the magazine to the upper portion of the magazine, at the same time.
Then, I just squeezed both sides of the wire. VOILA! The magazine popped apart!

I sweat bullets trying to figure out how to disassemble these 10-round magazines reserved for the People's Republic of Washington State where we are felons if we have more than 10 rounds in our weapons. But, since I am stuck with this neutered magazine until the courts can overturn this ridiculous law, I will need to occasionally disassemble them for cleaning. A simple tool was in order. And, if there are any others out there trying to get these magazines apart and getting frustrated, this is a pretty simple and inexpensive way to get the job done.

[panzermk2]

I use a very large set of channel locks with the jaws wrapped in electrical tape. I then open them up in the slot that allows the jaws to pinch those tabs. Also same system for normal magazines.

[threedeadflies]

That's great! I know you, panzermk2! I've followed you for years and for a fleeting moment, I thought about asking you about this problem. But then I thought, "Naw. He's too busy for some piddly thing like this. Leave him alone..." and I didn't ask.

I like your answer better than mine because, the jaws on a set of channel lock pliers are squared off and not round like my bent wire idea. The squared off jaws would prevent the catch clips from sliding to one side like they do with my bent wire idea.

Thanks for taking the time. It's the little things in life... you know?

[panzermk2]

You're welcome, it's why I make the big bucks LOL

[panzermk2]

[threedeadflies]

That's perfect! Thanks for the image. I will pass this around to all my friends who shoot this same weapon.

[panzermk2]

I have over a dozen channel locks and this pair has 1 job.

[danielcraig]

Hi threedeadflies,
Did you notice any specific debris or wear inside the mags after disassembling them that might explain why they needed cleaning,Block Blast especially with the limited use under Washington’s restrictions?

[threedeadflies]

DanielCraig,
To answer your question directly, no, I didn't any debris inside the 10-round magazines after use. In fact, I have only had one outing with those magazines and shot each one vigorously to confirm their viability. They feed great. They fit great. My weapon is a Gen 4, I believe, and the previous generations of magazines do not fit my newer released weapon -- Grrr! I didn't know that before I bought 2 from ProMag and they didn't fit for beans! Again, my ignorance was: there is a difference between the new FN FiveSeven weapon and older magazines do not fit -- specifically, the curve at the bottom of the grip has a ripple in it that requires the magazine to have a matching ripple. Older magazines do not have that and so those ProMag magazines were a complete loss.

I tend to keep my equipment clean. When I took them apart, I didn't suspect any dirt or debris inside. The original reason I was taking my 10-rounders apart was to see if they had a plug in them or if there was some way they could be reconfigured to handle 20 rounds -- which there isn't, of course. Just my wishful thinking.

So, for all of you out there who are just now getting around to buying FN's 5.7 handgun, know they are not all the same and the magazines must match your generation in order to fit the weapon.

[panzermk2]

Yes they use different mags. FNH for the MK3 MRD changed the mag well lip and changed the magazine base plate.

There are three type of FsN Magazines,
DOA to Gen4 USG used the same magazine. It's feed lips where prone to breaking so FNH added a full rib
running up the front of the magazine. About halfway through the production run of the gen4 USG product life, sometimes with both old and new shipped with the same gun.




The third type is the MRD MK3. The body, spring, follower are all the same as the Gen 2 magazine.
Only the base plate is different. You can easily modify your older magazines to work with your MRD

[jeffreestar]

goood