The Reasoning Behind Flared Magwells
Think of a funnel. What does it do? Well, it has a larger opening that allows you to drop your item into a smaller opening with ease. That is exactly what a flared magwell does on both a pistol and rifle. The larger opening helps with inserting a magazine into the magwell. It is truly as simple as that. Flared magwells are helpful both on the AR platform and the pistol platform for recreational gun handling and competition.
Inserting the Magazine
When we insert a magazine, the ergonomics can be a bit awkward and some issues can make magazine insertion go slower. For instance, many shooters will either insert the mag too far forward in the magwell or too far to the rear, essentially hitting the frame of the pistol, instead of the opening. If we open up that magwell just a bit, it allows for some angle at reloading. Just apply pressure to push and seat the magazine.
The Burkette Drill
A really great drill for this is called the Burkette Drill, sometimes called “Just the Tip.” This drill is a simple drill that specifically focuses on the start of inserting the mag into the magwell, but not the entire insertion. This drill is great to compare standard and flared pistol magwells, as far as what really helps find the opening for your magazine.
Guns with Machined-In Flared Magwells
Not only is a flared magwell an option to add to guns, but many companies are starting to manufacture guns with a flared magwell. For instance, the Sig P320-XTEN, a 10mm pistol, and other X-series pistols have a wider magwell and a bit of a flare to the opening as well. It’s a magwell upgrade right out of the box.
A lot of lower receivers on the AR platform also have a wider magwell built into the gun. On the Vltor lower receiver in the photo below, the magwell flares out just a bit. T funnel-like shape creates a wider opening.
How To Find a Flared Magwell
If you have a firearm that doesn’t have a built-in enhanced magwell, there are many great aftermarket options out there.
A couple of notes before purchasing: When you’re looking for a flared magwell, make sure you know and understand the applications of its flare and the actual size of the opening. There are different sizes. For instance, if you are carrying concealed, you may want a smaller one compared to a larger one you’d run in competition. There are also different weights of magwells, and some can add up to 7 oz. to the gun.
Also, ensure that the magwell can fit with the basepad on your magazine. Sometimes, after a magwell is installed, the magazine cannot be fully inserted because the basepad is too thick and catches the new magwell.
Pistol Magwells
Since all pistols are different, these magwells will be designed according to the pistol. Ensure that you research your type of pistol for the correct magwell. There are many aftermarket magwells out there for Glocks. However, as you go into more specialty pistols you will need to specifically search for those custom magwells.
The Tyrant Designs Magwell for Glock is specific to generation and model. Options include Glock 19/23 Gen 5, Glock 19/23 Gen 3-4, and Glock 43X/48.
Another magwell to look at is the Zev Technologies Magwell for Glock. Options include Standard, Pro, Pro Plus for Glock Full Size or Compact.
Rifle Magwells
Aftermarket magwells are a little more standard due to the AR-15 platform becoming more and more standardized across manufacturers (hopefully). HRF Concepts offers options for the Aero M4E1, Sig MCX/Virtus/Rattler, and Mil-Spec.
Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) Magwells
Enhanced magwells for the PCC are a little harder to come by and may take some searching. PCC Techwells are available in a ton of options, for almost every AR manufacturer out there.
Installing a Flared Magwell
Aftermarket magwells are usually pretty easy to install and just take a couple of screws. There are some things that you may want to watch out for when installing your parts though.
Pistol
Installing a flared magwell on a pistol usually involves screwing a brass piece into the backstrap with a set screw. Then, install the magwell to that piece and around the frame with another screw. These magwells can be tight, so it may take some finesse to start the screw and fully tighten the magwell to the frame.
Do your best to not cross-thread the screw as it is small and easy to do. Also do not overtighten the magwell around the frame of the gun. This can cause issues with dropping your magazine.
After fully installing your part test your magwell to ensure that your intended magazines fully seat and drop freely.
Rifle
Rifle aftermarket magazine wells can be finicky when it comes to certain lower receivers. For instance, I once installed a Lancer magwell on a Sionics lower receiver and it was so tight that it put pressure on the magwell and didn’t let magazines drop freely. Later, I installed an HRF Concepts magwell and it fit fine. This doesn’t mean that the part is bad or your lower receiver is bad, it just means that they don’t mesh well together.
Usually, rifle magwells are two pieces that are seated by two screws. They operate by hugging the magwell. Make sure that you do not overtighten these screws as that can damage both the magwell and your lower receiver.
After installing be sure to check that your intended magazines seat fully and drop freely.
Flared Magwell Uses and Applications
Remember, enhanced magwells can be used both for recreational shooting and competitive shooting. The coolest thing? They don’t really wear out.
If used for recreational shooting or during training courses, flared magwells are a great way to make reloading easier. That helps keep you focused on other things during a course such as putting good shots on target. In competitive shooting, such as Multi-Gun most competitors run flared magwells for the competitive edge that they bring, without a huge price tag.
A way to reload faster, doesn’t cost a fortune, doesn’t wear out, and is easy to install at home? Seems like a no-brainer to me.
