cheers623 Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 So I've been using Dawson basepads for years and been very happy with them. My only complaint is that they are big-feeling in the hand and sometimes hinder my getting a good grip during a heated reload. I've seen the Taran Tactical basepads and they look well made and possibly much more comfortable to grip on the magazine. However, how hard is it to get them off when the spring and follower are in the mag? The basepads I've tried in the past like Grams and Bolens are a hassle to disassemble because the spring catches in the bottom of the basepads and I'm always having to stick a screwdriver or something to pry the springs up over the lip of the basepad to slide them off. I'm always afraid I'll bend or stretch the mag springs out of shape when taking them off. Reassembly is easy enough but the takedown seems to be a hassle. Any wisdom or tricks to it? Otherwise I'll stick with the ease of takedown with the Dawson pads. Thanks in advance for any info and advice. Oh yeah...if I do buy them, who has em in stock? Looked everywhere... Cheers623 DVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gng4life Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 You must be referring to Bolens pads since you have to push the pin down and then slide them back and it catches the spring in it until it clears the basepad lips on the mag. The Grams pads have a U retainer that is pulled out and the basepads is taken directly off and no sliding so no spring catch at all. I believe Taran got the rights to the Bolens pads and produces them under his name. If not, they sure are identical twins. If you don't like the size of the Dawson and don't want to deal with sliding the pad back with the spring catching slight, then get the Grams. They come in many different lengths and are a good size, not too small or too big. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchUSMC Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 I recently went from the Dawson SNL+1 to the TTI pads. Combined with TTI springs and followers I got 1 extra round in 3 of 4 magazines and they come apart much easier than the Dawsons. Make the switch you won't regret it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotLoad Posted October 21, 2013 Share Posted October 21, 2013 Love my Bolen (TTI) pads. Super easy to take on and off. No problems with the springs. Jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheers623 Posted October 21, 2013 Author Share Posted October 21, 2013 Gng4life....sorry my bad. Had the Grams and you're right about the design. The thing I didn't like about them was the material. I train around concrete floors and busted a few too easily. Regarding the TTI pads, it sounds like they're going to be the same as Bolens used to be before they got bought by Taran. Keep the input coming and thanks for the replys, Cheers623 DVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheShrink Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 They are fantastic! I tighten the set screw all the way down on my TTIs but over all the take down time isn't much slower than the Dawsons. I too switched for the reason that the Dawsons felt really bulky in my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durtarg Posted October 31, 2013 Share Posted October 31, 2013 I am tossing the idea of this around myself. I currently run the Dawson SNLs and considering the TTI 4mm for my 140s with grams guts. I have one I am trying out now. I will give some feedback after testing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheers623 Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 Alright, got one to try and in dry fire reload practice it feels great in the hand compared to the Daswson SNL. Seems to give me a more consistent grip on the magazine. However, one question remains. It seems as if I might start bending or mangling the mag spring at the bottom, every time I pull the pads off. They seem to bend and stretch the heck out of the spring right before they come loose. Anyone know if this is actually a concern or am I overly worried about nothing? Cheers623 DVC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMV Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Alright, got one to try and in dry fire reload practice it feels great in the hand compared to the Daswson SNL. Seems to give me a more consistent grip on the magazine. However, one question remains. It seems as if I might start bending or mangling the mag spring at the bottom, every time I pull the pads off. They seem to bend and stretch the heck out of the spring right before they come loose. Anyone know if this is actually a concern or am I overly worried about nothing? Cheers623 DVC I have been using Bolens (TTI) basepads for several years without any issues so I think you are worried about a non issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheers623 Posted November 2, 2013 Author Share Posted November 2, 2013 (edited) Alright, got one to try and in dry fire reload practice it feels great in the hand compared to the Daswson SNL. Seems to give me a more consistent grip on the magazine. However, one question remains. It seems as if I might start bending or mangling the mag spring at the bottom, every time I pull the pads off. They seem to bend and stretch the heck out of the spring right before they come loose. Anyone know if this is actually a concern or am I overly worried about nothing? Cheers623 DVC I have been using Bolens (TTI) basepads for several years without any issues so I think you are worried about a non issue.Thanks for the reply. Do yours do the same thing I'm describing? If so, and you've had no problems with your springs then I'm going to be buying a few more of these bad boys. Cheers623 DVC Edited November 2, 2013 by cheers623 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Like CMV I use Bolens/ TT and yes the springs hang up on the pads a little until you figure out the ins and outs putting them in and taking them out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fmj3 Posted November 2, 2013 Share Posted November 2, 2013 Just got some TTI 4g's to try - mainly because my mags fit the gauge with them and still load 21 rounds (my mags didn't fit with DP SNLs). I just slide a thin punch/takedown tool in the slot in the mag body and push down on the spring a little and the pad slides right off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durtarg Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 After running the one i had to test, I found the the TTI base pad fit better in my hand leading to better reloads. I tested it with both my .40 limited and 38s open mags. I do believe I will be switching all my base pads to TTI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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