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Mags not dropping free (45T)

3840 Views 19 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  marshal kane
I know a lot of people have this issue of mags not dropping free in their FN. I have this problem and I've tried to just use the gun and see if a little wear would help fix this issue and it hasn't fixed it after 700-800 rounds. I saw an older thread from Cerakote about this. I wanted to know if any of you who have had this issue went about fixing it?
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Yep, I had that issue. I picked up a set of diamond files from harbor freight and followed the Cerakote thread. Took about a half hour to do. Just file a bit at a time and check if it's fixed. you don't want to file too much. Pretty easy process and much better than sending to FN with a 6 month wait.
Yep, I had that issue. I picked up a set of diamond files from harbor freight and followed the Cerakote thread. Took about a half hour to do. Just file a bit at a time and check if it's fixed. you don't want to file too much. Pretty easy process and much better than sending to FN with a 6 month wait.
Two ways to approach this. One is the mag release. The other is the hammer/safety assembly. Best bet is to use white out on the mag, see where it is sticking. On my 'new' FN, I noticed some grinding on the back of the hammer/safety group where it lies against the corner of the frame underneath-from the factory. So, if it rubs on the mag release, file it. If the mag is tight in the mag well, it is likely rubbing on the black part of the hammer/safety group. Probably protruding out a tad pushing the mag against the other side.
Is there a video of anybody actually doing this? I'm afraid of ****ing up something somehow.
It's not a video but a member posted some photos of the process in a different thread.
http://fnforum.net/forums/fn-fnx/36752-fnx-45-tactical-mag-seating-catching-issue-4.html
Thank you. I have done this and i think i have an oversized mag or something. 2 of my 3 mags drop free now and i still have 1 hanging up. I also have noticed that the cold seems to affect the frame i believe, I'm not sure if anybody can attest to that or not but i'd like to hear what some of you think about that.
My FNX9 has had a problem once with mags dropping in the cold (40's). This happened recently and then gun has 1200 rounds through it. I'm guessing the cold had something to do with it, but I'm going to clean the mag release mechanism really well to start with. I've read others say that fixed the problem, or at least made it better.
I did the mod from the thread. 2 of my 3 mags drop and i have no problems inserting mags now. I still feel they aren't loose enough, they drop but there is still definitely friction. Little slow for my taste doing an emergency reload with an empty mag. It's still fairly new so hopefully it will loosen up. For some reason the 3rd will not drop, it goes down a little than stays. I also feel like its fatter/oversized than the other ones. i can't figure out how to fix it.
I did the mod from the thread. 2 of my 3 mags drop and i have no problems inserting mags now. I still feel they aren't loose enough, they drop but there is still definitely friction. Little slow for my taste doing an emergency reload with an empty mag. It's still fairly new so hopefully it will loosen up. For some reason the 3rd will not drop, it goes down a little than stays. I also feel like its fatter/oversized than the other ones. i can't figure out how to fix it.
I don't have any issue with inserting the mags. The 2 that do drop free are pretty good and i still feel a some resistance in one of my mags but I'll just live with it and hopefully more use will break it in some more. For a $1200 pistol i'm surprised it's still an issue.
I don't have any issue with inserting the mags. The 2 that do drop free are pretty good and i still feel a some resistance in one of my mags but I'll just live with it and hopefully more use will break it in some more. For a $1200 pistol i'm surprised it's still an issue.
Pout white out at the top of the mags. All around, and see where it us rubbing. Sounds like it's rubbing on the top rear of the mag against the black safety group.
I just noticed after well over a thousand rounds that my mags do not drop free with the right side release (left release works with a little drag).
Upon close inspection I can see where the mag release has scratched a spot on each side of each magazine, right where these photos show to file. Except it seems both sides need filed.

It's not a video but a member posted some photos of the process in a different thread.
http://fnforum.net/forums/fn-fnx/36752-fnx-45-tactical-mag-seating-catching-issue-4.html
ps. Shoots great no matter what I run through it.
I just sent mine to Cerakote Industrial Finishers. It has been a few days and they have already shipped it back. I was tracking it when I saw this post. (Cerakote Firearms Refinishing)

Here is a direct quote from the email I received from the gunsmith at CIF: "Your gun is done. I took off a bit of material from the rails using a diamond file and also took off a bit of material from the mag catch."

Mine had the problem where after the mag catch released it, the mag would slide a bit down then get stuck because of the tight tolerances. If I cleaned the gun and the mags, the problem was reduced but still there. Now the gun is fixed and I get to receive it.... Today!
Which gets back to my original post on this forum.....are you guys not checking functionality prior to purchasing? Call me unnecessarily anal, but before making any gun purchase I do weeks of homework and research. If you think about it in terms of taking time to find out as much as you can about a weapon system that could ultimately save your life or your brothers, it's really not that big of an undertaking.
I was handling one at lgs yesterday. It was a FDE FNX Tactical. I found if you depress the mag release and hold it in the mag dropped about 2 inches. If I quickly pushed the mag release and let go really quick it slid right out.
Grant the mags should drop free, but for us at least, we don't see mags not dropping free as a deal breaker. The only scenario we can think of when it would be critical for the mags to drop free is in a pitched combat situation with many shots (in the case of the FNX .45, >15) exchanged. Otherwise, is it not a minor inconvenience only? What are we missing here?

We trudge on (ignorant).
Grant the mags should drop free, but for us at least, we don't see mags not dropping free as a deal breaker. The only scenario we can think of when it would be critical for the mags to drop free is in a pitched combat situation with many shots (in the case of the FNX .45, >15) exchanged. Otherwise, is it not a minor inconvenience only? What are we missing here?

We trudge on (ignorant).
The way I use my FNX, it is only a minor inconvenience as I am not LE, military, or competing with it.
The way I use my FNX, it is only a minor inconvenience as I am not LE, military, or competing with it.
Good point, but there are some who use the FNX as a duty pistol so I could see it being problematic in a gun fight.
I was handling one at lgs yesterday. It was a FDE FNX Tactical. I found if you depress the mag release and hold it in the mag dropped about 2 inches. If I quickly pushed the mag release and let go really quick it slid right out.
Take a look at the front of your magazines about 1/4 inch below the retaining lug. You will likely see a small scratch on each side where the mag release contacts the magazine. When the release is pushed (on the left side) it releases the lug but contacts the magazine side till the button is released. On the right side release button, the mag may not drop as well as the left side because the magazine engagement lug guide is only beveled on the one side. Pull the slide off and remove the magazine and work the release, you will see where the release protrudes into the mag well.
One can file the release for more clearance or send it to FN for 5 weeks. Good Luck!
I'm having a similar issue with the magazine not dropping freely. I've notice that my mags are scratched as well. I will be sending back to the factory for inspection due to the fact that the slide will sometimes not lock when the mag is empty. I'll keep everyone posted
Good point, but there are some who use the FNX as a duty pistol so I could see it being problematic in a gun fight.
Totally agree. Didn't mean to imply that this could not be problematic for any reason.
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