VZ52 to VZ52/57 Magazine Conversion

thingiverse

**Magazine conversion follower for VZ52s being converted to use 7.62x39** If you're a fellow VZ52 owner who is tired of not being able to use your rifle due to 7.62x45 being unobtanium, then you're in luck, you have options! For years Numrich has sold the 7.62x39 chamber conversion kit (https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/197610) but the drawback was always either living with an unreliable magazine due to it being several mm too long for the new rounds, or dropping over $100 on a VZ52/57 magazine *if you can even find one!* Well, I got tired of dealing with an inconsistent magazine, and am too much of a cheapskate to drop that much cash on a single mag, so I taught myself CAD and designed us a solution! **About the files:** UPDATE 7/31/2022: After testing the follower has been reworked. Instead of two designs with trade-offs the new design allows for both a full 10rd capacity *and* will operate the bolt stop when the mag is empty. The follower has "7.62x39" embossed on it as a way to non-permanently mark that your rifle has been converted. As opposed to something destructive like engraving the gun, or just remembering that it's converted (which is great until you sell it or pass it down and the next guy isn't awares!) **Printing notes:** The follower should be printed vertically, standing on its rear end, and the spacer should be printed laying on it's side along the narrow edge. These orientations are the best combination of strength (avoiding layer line weak spots that will allow thin bits to break away) and reliable functioning (layer line orientation will not allow layers lines to grab each other and cause problems while the follower moves up the magazine) *See photo above* As far as infill and walls go, I use three walls, 25% infill and cubic. however, you can probably get away with less. Print on standard or finer for smaller layer lines that will cause less friction as things move during operation. **Spacer Installation:** The spacer needs to be glued to the inside of the mag body. In my experience super glue isn't enough, but an adhesive caulk works very well. The thickness of the caulk fills in gaps and stabilizes the spacer in addition to adhering it to the magazine wall. **Installing the spring:** Turn the spring upside down and slide the rounded end into the slot as shown in the photo. **If you make a print of this, please drop me a comment! I'm really excited to see if this helps out anyone else other than myself.**