[Tim/GA]

I have a Sub 2000 with a Beretta grip in 40 S&W and have wanted a way to mount a spare mag on the carbine but did not like the one offered by KT. I am not sure if they are available for the Beretta mags anyway. I felt the best place to place the mag was in line with the forearm along either the left or right side. After playing with it I found that the best place for me is the right hand side forward on the grip. I made one out of Kydex, it wraps around the forearm and is held in place with one of the forearm screws. It is not only extremely fast to reload from the position but the mag is held securely and not at all in the way. I did use PVC cleaner and cement after forming the Kydex with a heat gun and it seems to be solid. I can adjust the tension by applying the heat gun and tightening or loosening the fit of the mag. The pics show the holder with a 16 round mag in place (actually a 20 round 9mm Beretta mag that holds 16 rounds of 40 cal with no changes and feeds fine). The tape you see around the mag is not used to hold it to the carbine but used on the mag to make the cheap mag fit the mag well better.

http://www.nccops.com/ktrange/images/currie/magholder003.jpg

http://www.nccops.com/ktrange/images/currie/magholder004.jpg


http://www.nccops.com/ktrange/images/currie/magholder007.jpg

http://www.nccops.com/ktrange/images/currie/magholder008.jpg

 

[Flyer]

Very interesting!
So I take it the mag stays in place by a tight friction fit in the holder?
Looks good!
Flyer

 

[Tim/GA]

Yes, I just am using a friction fit, it is easy to adjust the fit with a bit of heat from a heat gun. I have it set pretty tight and have smacked the butt of the gun on the floor a few times with a fully loaded (16 rounds) mag without any movement at all. Yet it is still easy to pull loose. In fact, I have found it fastest to load by pulling the mag loose with the fingers of my left hand while the right is dropping the old mag. By the time it has fallen free I am ready to pop in the fresh mag, extremely fast. Another plus of this set up is that gravity is pulling the mag into the holder when slung muzzle down on a tactical type sling. Oh, on accident I cut the Kydex backwards so the rough side ended up inside the holder. This might not be a bad deal as far as the friction goes.
An extra loaded mag does add to the weight of the carbine but with the mag on the forend it puts the weight towards the muzzle rather than the butt. I like it this way. I have a cardboard pattern that I used to mock up the mag holder. I will try to get it scanned soon if anyone else is intersted.

 

[Gun_Nut_2k1]

Nice Work Tim. Great idea.