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18+1 in a FNP 45 and or Tactical?
1/30/2011 11:44:01 AM
I was reading another board and a poster installed a ARREDONDO extended mag base (for a Para-Ordnance) on his FNP 45 mags with success. And being that it is winter and I’m bored and need a project I decided to do a little research. Arredondo extended mag base
A review on midway usa said that there is no method for the ARREDONDO base pad to be secured onto the magazine body so I kept searching and came across an extended mag base for a para made by Dawson precision. There mag base is a really unique design and excellent quality IMO. Dawson precision mag base
There not cheap at $34.99 but I ordered one and a high capacity Para spring (the spring would not work with the FN follower) When I received the base I tried to install it on FNP mag body but the para mags are a little more round in the front than the FNP so I broke out the dremel and with in a few minutes of dremeling it fit nice and snug.
Dawson precision recommends rounding off the ends of the follower with a file so the follower does not hang up when transitioning from the mag body to the extension but I decided to skip that unless I had a problem and I did not need to because its very smooth and does not hang up at all.
18 rounds loaded with no problem my only concern was that the tension with the stock FNP spring was obviously less but to my surprise it worked fine locking back the slide on the last round and everything for the first 150 rounds. After 150 I got 1 FTF so I switched ammo and got one more FTF and it seemed like the round wasn’t getting pushed up in time because of lack of tension so I removed the spring and stretched it a bit as evenly as I could and put it back in and it worked fine for another 70 rounds (I ran out of ammo). Dawson has a high capacity spring for a STI gun that looks a lot like the FNP spring I might give that a shot if the FN spring starts to fail again.
Not sure if I recommend spending $35 on this especially when you can get a new mag for that price or less but it was interesting for me.
Here are a couple of pictures. It looks kind of odd because of the gap between the extension and the gun. I have more pictures if anyone is interested.
One last thing except for stretching the spring the mag is fine to be used with the original base plate.
A review on midway usa said that there is no method for the ARREDONDO base pad to be secured onto the magazine body so I kept searching and came across an extended mag base for a para made by Dawson precision. There mag base is a really unique design and excellent quality IMO. Dawson precision mag base
There not cheap at $34.99 but I ordered one and a high capacity Para spring (the spring would not work with the FN follower) When I received the base I tried to install it on FNP mag body but the para mags are a little more round in the front than the FNP so I broke out the dremel and with in a few minutes of dremeling it fit nice and snug.
Dawson precision recommends rounding off the ends of the follower with a file so the follower does not hang up when transitioning from the mag body to the extension but I decided to skip that unless I had a problem and I did not need to because its very smooth and does not hang up at all.
18 rounds loaded with no problem my only concern was that the tension with the stock FNP spring was obviously less but to my surprise it worked fine locking back the slide on the last round and everything for the first 150 rounds. After 150 I got 1 FTF so I switched ammo and got one more FTF and it seemed like the round wasn’t getting pushed up in time because of lack of tension so I removed the spring and stretched it a bit as evenly as I could and put it back in and it worked fine for another 70 rounds (I ran out of ammo). Dawson has a high capacity spring for a STI gun that looks a lot like the FNP spring I might give that a shot if the FN spring starts to fail again.
Not sure if I recommend spending $35 on this especially when you can get a new mag for that price or less but it was interesting for me.
Here are a couple of pictures. It looks kind of odd because of the gap between the extension and the gun. I have more pictures if anyone is interested.
One last thing except for stretching the spring the mag is fine to be used with the original base plate.
1/30/2011 12:47:05 PM
Thanks for the post. Interesting concept. I actually gave a thought to ordering the baseplates that would give me 16+1 but then I came to my senses. For $30 to $45 dollars I can just get a whole new magazine instead of two extra rounds. Think that'll be the direction I go. Currently I have 5 15 round mags, think I may get a few more and that ought to hold me fine. Nice looking setup you have there. How dod you like your RDS?
1/30/2011 1:16:24 PM
I agree $35 for a extended mag base is definitely pricey. I really did it just for the experiment I doubt I would do another unless I get the urge to find away to secure the ARREDONDO base plate ($17)
I love the RDS Its really enjoyable to shoot with. I’m at the point were this is the only Pistol I want to bring to the range anymore.
I love the RDS Its really enjoyable to shoot with. I’m at the point were this is the only Pistol I want to bring to the range anymore.
1/30/2011 5:45:51 PM
pretty awesome...
thanks for the post - definitely looking for the "battle start" hicap mag
thanks for the post - definitely looking for the "battle start" hicap mag
2/13/2011 11:01:14 AM
Just need a full auto conversion now...
Interesting project!! Might do it, I'm all about wasteing money..
Interesting project!! Might do it, I'm all about wasteing money..
2/15/2011 9:52:56 PM
My friend went out and bought my exact same FNP-45 USG... FDE frame and everything. Might need to do this mag mod just to one up him
