Color coded magazines

[bobhampel]

I preload my magazines. I want to make sure that I don't use magazines loaded with frangible bullets at the range. Is there any reason I can't color code those magazines with spray paint? Specifically a S&W 5906

[troutfishn]

I would not recommend it. By applying paint to a magazine no matter how light the coat, you will to some degree increase the overall circumference of it. This will increase your likelihood of the magazine become hung up if not plain "jammed" in the gun while attempting to reload. While in Iraq and Afghanistan I went so far as to "polish" the matte finish off of my magazines (for that dang M-9) in order to decrease any possible drag when exposed to sand & dirt. I think most paints might very well heat up (at the range during sustained firing) and quite possibly create quite a mess as well. Just some thoughts.

[Cush1220]

you can paint the base plate. for years i used a single wrap of colored electrical tape at the bottom of my Glock mags because i had multiple glocks of the dame frame size in defferent calibers. I never had a malfunction because of the tape...

[aj's 40 cal]

you could also just use a dot or bigger than a normal dot of paint on the baseplate. i would not paint the entire thing tho. i also like the tape idea! just my.2 cents

[adam9er]

paint marker to the base. put a "R" for range, H for hunting, and C for carry

[Glock Fan]

Marking the floor plate of your magazines using colored electrical tape, nail polish, etc. should be ok. I recommend that my students mark their magazines to make diagnosing stoppages on the range a little easier.



Use different colored nail polish or paint for different loads, or if you would like to distinguish new magazines from the older ones. I use a different color of nail polish for each set of new magazines I purchase so I'll know which ones I can part with or retire first.



gf

[Glock Fan]

you can paint the base plate. for years i used a single wrap of colored electrical tape at the bottom of my Glock mags because i had multiple glocks of the dame frame size in defferent calibers. I never had a malfunction because of the tape...

Was that before or after they began marking the calibers on the back of the magazines?


gf

[AvidshooterTX]

You can get a Sharpie permanent ink pen (in silver) that will write on the black plastic of the base. Or a different color to mark the metal sides - I don't think this would interfere with functioning like paint would.

[jtg452]

I know it won't help you with your Smith, but I had a similar problem with my 1911's.

I own 1911's in 3 different calibers (.45, 9mm and .38 Super) and wanted to differentiate the different caliber mags so I didn't, as an example, mistakenly grab a 9mm or .38 Super mag and put it into a .45 or vice versa. Wilson used to sell different colored base pads. Now, all of my .45 mags have standard black base pads, my Wilson .38 Super mags have blue base pads and I decided to go with Pachmyr 9mm mags (different look and a different base pad from the Wilson, so I ain't gonna confuse them anyhow) after I found a half dozen of them on sale for about $15 apiece.

[Glock Fan]

You can get a Sharpie permanent ink pen (in silver) that will write on the black plastic of the base. Or a different color to mark the metal sides - I don't think this would interfere with functioning like paint would.

The silver Sharpie rubs off of the plastic base plate of Glock, XD and M&P magazines in my experience. So far no problems with nail polish or marking paint.



gf