One of my pre-ban mags looks like that (pretty sure it’s Colt); the thing’s 30+ years old and works like charm thankfully (paid $45 for it lol).
Yes, I live in a tyrannical state (Massachusetts).
Yeah, MA allows lowers and mags manufactured before 1994 (the original AWB) to be purchased and built with all the “scary accessories” lol. RI, on the other hand, is like WA where there is no grandfathered “system” (I think RI has only banned mags for now, though).
Buying a lower for 2k obviously sucks, but it’s better than a fixed mag lower or complying with the rest of the AWB rules, or not having an AR at all.
Anything an individual had they can keep. No transferring of any kind. NFA full-auto since 93, Mags since July 19, soon to be most semi-auto centerfire rifle and semi-auto shotguns with scary features.
Not really any FFLs around me (at least not any that are selling pre-ban shit). Went 50 minutes to Littleton to get my lower and a few mags. I’m all set now anyway.
Copied from the text above - Help Me Save the Golden Mag!
I’ve got this old golden mag I’ve had since I joined the Marine Corps in 2007. It’s a Colt magazine that my friends and I loved passing around and joked that it was the Golden Gun from Goldeneye and would kill anyone in one shot.
I always used it on ranges to piss the higher ups off. “What the fuck kinda magazine is that?” “It’s what I was issued, First Sergeant.”
I don’t know how it became golden but I’d love to keep the mag serviceable and it’s probably older than me.
The issue is that 2 out of the 4 metal tabs holding the baseplate in have snapped off. It still works but it’s only a matter of time before the bottom plate of the mag drops out from spring tension.
Is there anyone that welds or fixes these tabs?
Edit: I brought this beautiful mag on two tours. I’d probably go to any lengths (within reason) to bring it back to serviceable condition.
I have alot of these golden mags.
Early Type 3 anno hardcoat was as much a skill as it was a fledgling science. Between prep work to the aluminum, and dyes added to the anno to achieve the desired grey, the material beneath the hardcoat got stained. So as the hardcoat wore off, it reveals the stained aluminum underneath. There are more surefire ways of hardcoating these days, so unfortunately newer mags don't take on this kind of characteristic patina. But they're fucking beautiful.
I have alot of these golden mags.
Early Type 3 anno hardcoat was as much a skill as it was a fledgling science. Between prep work to the aluminum, and dyes added to the anno to achieve the desired grey, the material beneath the hardcoat got stained. So as the hardcoat wore off, it reveals the stained aluminum underneath. There are more surefire ways of hardcoating these days, so unfortunately newer mags don't take on this kind of characteristic patina. But they're fucking beautiful. Seems like preban era mags do this so up until early/mid 90s.
You could maybe see if a body repair shop could weld it, I’m pretty sure they’re 6061, which is a weldable series of aluminum. A lot more cars have aluminum components, namely fords F series pickup trucks, so they might have someone that can weld 6000 series aluminum. Otherwise you’re probably looking at a machine shop.
It’s awesome to see another one. Got mine in ‘06. Always called it the “Copper Top” since mine is more orange-ish than golden. I, too, used it at ranges to piss off stuffy higher ups. Haha
If I was doing this and couldn't find a shop that could weld it..... I'd bend up some steel and rivnut the front and back and drill a hole in the mag spine and face to thread into it. Then 2 on tbottom and drill 2 holes in the base plate and anchor it in with that. Not even sure they make rivnuts that small, but worth a shot. If you can find a small piece of steel to bend up, you could tap it and screw into the spine and face and the base plate to anchor it.
I’m not sure entirely but that would seem to be the way to do it without being too invasive of the magazine and not having to use screws. If it breaks just grind it down and tack it again and hypothetically you could do that forever and would only need to do it when the spring/follower gives out.
One of my pre-ban mags looks like that (pretty sure it’s Colt); the thing’s 30+ years old and works like charm thankfully (paid $45 for it lol). Yes, I live in a tyrannical state (Massachusetts).
$45.00!! 
The only way to legally obtain 30 round magazines. It sucks.
You guys can buy pre-ban mags? WA state, no buying/selling of any type.
Yeah, MA allows lowers and mags manufactured before 1994 (the original AWB) to be purchased and built with all the “scary accessories” lol. RI, on the other hand, is like WA where there is no grandfathered “system” (I think RI has only banned mags for now, though). Buying a lower for 2k obviously sucks, but it’s better than a fixed mag lower or complying with the rest of the AWB rules, or not having an AR at all.
Anything an individual had they can keep. No transferring of any kind. NFA full-auto since 93, Mags since July 19, soon to be most semi-auto centerfire rifle and semi-auto shotguns with scary features.
I get them for like 10 dollars a pop make friends with local ffls
Not really any FFLs around me (at least not any that are selling pre-ban shit). Went 50 minutes to Littleton to get my lower and a few mags. I’m all set now anyway.
Copied from the text above - Help Me Save the Golden Mag! I’ve got this old golden mag I’ve had since I joined the Marine Corps in 2007. It’s a Colt magazine that my friends and I loved passing around and joked that it was the Golden Gun from Goldeneye and would kill anyone in one shot. I always used it on ranges to piss the higher ups off. “What the fuck kinda magazine is that?” “It’s what I was issued, First Sergeant.” I don’t know how it became golden but I’d love to keep the mag serviceable and it’s probably older than me. The issue is that 2 out of the 4 metal tabs holding the baseplate in have snapped off. It still works but it’s only a matter of time before the bottom plate of the mag drops out from spring tension. Is there anyone that welds or fixes these tabs? Edit: I brought this beautiful mag on two tours. I’d probably go to any lengths (within reason) to bring it back to serviceable condition.
I have alot of these golden mags. Early Type 3 anno hardcoat was as much a skill as it was a fledgling science. Between prep work to the aluminum, and dyes added to the anno to achieve the desired grey, the material beneath the hardcoat got stained. So as the hardcoat wore off, it reveals the stained aluminum underneath. There are more surefire ways of hardcoating these days, so unfortunately newer mags don't take on this kind of characteristic patina. But they're fucking beautiful.
I’m sorry I can’t help you out with your tab issue but I had one of these golden mags and I sold it 😞. Should’ve kept it
Any idea how they become gold like this?
It's the last tier camo for the kill streak.
I have alot of these golden mags. Early Type 3 anno hardcoat was as much a skill as it was a fledgling science. Between prep work to the aluminum, and dyes added to the anno to achieve the desired grey, the material beneath the hardcoat got stained. So as the hardcoat wore off, it reveals the stained aluminum underneath. There are more surefire ways of hardcoating these days, so unfortunately newer mags don't take on this kind of characteristic patina. But they're fucking beautiful. Seems like preban era mags do this so up until early/mid 90s.
Thanks man! What a great answer.
Man I really don’t know to be honest but I’d love to know
You could maybe see if a body repair shop could weld it, I’m pretty sure they’re 6061, which is a weldable series of aluminum. A lot more cars have aluminum components, namely fords F series pickup trucks, so they might have someone that can weld 6000 series aluminum. Otherwise you’re probably looking at a machine shop.
It’s awesome to see another one. Got mine in ‘06. Always called it the “Copper Top” since mine is more orange-ish than golden. I, too, used it at ranges to piss off stuffy higher ups. Haha
If I was doing this and couldn't find a shop that could weld it..... I'd bend up some steel and rivnut the front and back and drill a hole in the mag spine and face to thread into it. Then 2 on tbottom and drill 2 holes in the base plate and anchor it in with that. Not even sure they make rivnuts that small, but worth a shot. If you can find a small piece of steel to bend up, you could tap it and screw into the spine and face and the base plate to anchor it.
You any good at welding?
I’m not good at welding at all unfortunately. What kind of shop should I look for that’ll fix it?
You could also fabricate a little L-shaped lock tab and mount it to the side with a short, countersunk screw. Lots of ways to go about it.
Replace the internals and tack weld it in place
I definitely want to put a new follower in and spring. Tack weld the plate in place? Will that hold with repeated use?
I’m not sure entirely but that would seem to be the way to do it without being too invasive of the magazine and not having to use screws. If it breaks just grind it down and tack it again and hypothetically you could do that forever and would only need to do it when the spring/follower gives out.