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M-16 Mags
by Stuart A. Leach a.k.a. "the Colorado Gray Fox"
Stewart Alexander Leach
835 Mohawk Drive
Boulder, Colorado 80303
Home: (303) 494-3061
Work: (303) 894- 2166, ext. 319
Internet: stewart.leach@dora.state.co.us
October 21, 1998
COMPETITIONS DIVISION
National Rifle Association of America
11250 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax, VA 22030-9400
Re: Magazines for M16 based service and match rifles
Dear Competitions Division:
I
have the pleasure of serving as an NRA Official
Referee. While there have been no formal assignments
in the past couple of years, I am often asked to
advise match officials, or to serve on or chair a
competitor jury. As a result of this, highpower
competitors have come to me with questions regarding
magazines for use in M16 clone rifles, in both the
service rifle and match rifle categories. The number
of questions has increased since the publication of
a photo of Jeremy Branning, 1998 Sub-Junior
Champion, using what appears to be a standard size
twenty round magazine in what is plainly an NRA
match rifle based on an M16 clone. [See upper left
photo, page 38, November/December 1998 American
Rifleman.]
As I understand and have applied Chapter 3 of the
Highpower Rulebook, using a standard 20 or 30 round
magazine in an M16 based match rifle where the
modifications have gone beyond sight replacement
would constitute a palm rest, which is not permitted
under Rule 3.14.
Back about 1980 a group of us here in Colorado began
using match rifles based on the M16 receiver system,
chambered for the 6mm x 45mm AKA 6mm x 223 wildcat
as there were no suitable 22 caliber bullets
available. We were using magazines cut off flush
with the bottom of the magazine well for the slow
fire stages. The palm rest question arose at a
regional or state championship; the protest was that
use of a standard magazine constituted use of a palm
rest, and that even supporting the rifle with the
forward hand under the bottom of the magazine well
containing a shortened magazine constituted use of a
palm rest. The on the scene ruling at that time was
that such match rifles had to use a magazine which
did not extend below the bottom of the magazine well
for the slow fire stages, and that the standard
length magazines were permissible in rapid fire
stages. I believe there was contact with the
Competitions Division on the issue, resulting in
confirmation of the field ruling. As a new highpower
competitor at the time, I did not participate in the
discussion or decision, other than to abide by the
ruling.
Have new determinations been made on this issue?
Perhaps you could take a few minutes to respond to a
few questions:
·
May a competitor use a 20 or 30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle where the modifications have
gone beyond sight replacement?
Response of George Harris, NRA Competitions
Division: Yes, except in Standing, where the
magazine should be flush or near flush with the
frame.
·
May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle where the modifications have
gone beyond sight replacement in the standing slow
fire stage?
GH: No.
·
May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle where the modifications have
gone beyond sight replacement in the sitting rapid
fire stage?
GH: Yes.
· May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle where the modifications have
gone beyond sight replacement in the prone rapid
fire stage?
GH: Yes.
·
May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle where the modifications have
gone beyond sight replacement in the prone slow fire
stage?
GH: Yes
·
May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle in any of the stages, so long
as the magazine body is not used as a gripping or
supporting surface?
GH: Yes. I have a note in my rule book that states:
"A magazine not in the grasp during standing is not
a palmrest". I cannot confirm that this week, but
believe it true.
·
May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle in any of the stages so long
as contact with the magazine body is limited to
exerting backward pressure on the front surface of
the magazine body?
GH: No. I would construe contact the same as 'in the
grasp' - and subject to the palmrest rule in
standing. No restriction in other positions.
·
May a competitor use a 20/30 round magazine in an
M16 based match rifle where the modifications have
gone beyond sight replacement if there is no contact
between the magazine and the forward hand?
GH: Yes - note above.
·
Must a competitor using an M16 based NRA match rifle
where the modifications have gone beyond sight
replacement use a magazine which does not protrude
below the magazine well in the standing stage?
GH: If the magazine area is 'in the grasp', then
yes. If not - not necessary - see above
· As immediately above, but for sitting rapid fire,
prone rapid fire, and prone slow fire?
GH: All positions other than standing the length of
magazine is not relevant.
The magazine size issue has also come up in the
service rifle category, with regard to the magazines
now supplied by rifle manufacturers such as Colt,
Armalite, DPMS, and Quality Parts Company. In an
apparent effort to avoid conflict with the
provisions of the 'assault weapons' ban,
manufacturers are supplying magazines with external
dimensions shorter than those of the standard 20
round GI magazine. Apparently installation of a
block to limit capacity was not sufficient to meet
the requirements of this statute, so they shortened
the magazine body to prevent modification to hold
more rounds. I have always advised those with these
magazines that they are not allowable in the service
rifle category under NRA or DCM rules. We usually
let 'em shoot at that match, while urging them to
get proper magazines for the next event. I have
given the same advice to shooters of M14/M1A rifles.
Am I correct?
GH: Yes!
I
need a fairly prompt response- the matter will
surely come up at the Boulder Rifle Club this
Saturday morning. Could someone pencil in some
answers and fax this letter back to me at (303)
894-2683?
George Harris responded in less than 24 hours!
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Stewart A. Leach |
