CAMO66 Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 OK. I got a used P16 coming and got a question about it. It has a S & A magwell on it and I know you have to modify the frame alittle to get it to fit. Now my question is, Can you still put a Dawson magwell on it or not? Thanks Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChuckS Posted December 10, 2009 Share Posted December 10, 2009 Scott, Welcome to the forum! The Dawson magwell is held in place by a long MSH pin. I think the shortened frame from the S&A mod will not let it seat properly. Later, Chuck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMO66 Posted December 11, 2009 Author Share Posted December 11, 2009 Scott,Welcome to the forum! The Dawson magwell is held in place by a long MSH pin. I think the shortened frame from the S&A mod will not let it seat properly. Later, Chuck Thanks For the reply Chuck. Since I don't even have the gun yet (should be here tommorrow) I haven't see how it's been modified. The S&A just doesn't look near as big as the DP. I thought I might put a DP on it or I really wanted to try and find someone that had an DP Ice for it. Well, Anyway thanks Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dohboy Posted December 11, 2009 Share Posted December 11, 2009 FWIW, Dawson USED TO make an Ice Mag Well that retrofitted frames that were cut for an S&A because I had one. Now, if you go to a Dawson mag well, you may have to modify the base pads on your mags, unless they are DP base pads, in order for the mag to seat properly. I didn't have this issue with my S&A though. Just something to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 It's been a while since I had a DP ice, but I think it will still work with the cuts it just won't look so hot. Be sure and do a bunch of reload practice before you spend much time searching for an Ice. For me the biggest reloading improvement was switching to STI for Para mags. That's when I switched from the Ice to the S&A. Remember thou that with enough practice you can learn to cram a tuba up there in less than a second!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted December 13, 2009 Share Posted December 13, 2009 The S&A is a boat anchor that adds a lot of weight to a gun that doesn't need it. If I was stuck with one, it would be the aluminum version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 The S&A is a boat anchor that adds a lot of weight to a gun that doesn't need it. If I was stuck with one, it would be the aluminum version. True. Do you think most 5" steel frame guys notice the difference thou? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted December 15, 2009 Share Posted December 15, 2009 The S&A is a boat anchor that adds a lot of weight to a gun that doesn't need it. If I was stuck with one, it would be the aluminum version. True. Do you think most 5" steel frame guys notice the difference thou? I run Dawson (not ice) magwells on my Paras, and to me the extra weight of one with a steel S&A is hugely noticeable the instant I pick it up. Ask the owner of the S&A equipped gun to compare the two, and they never admit to any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3quartertime Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Ask the owner of the S&A equipped gun to compare the two, and they never admit to any difference. Well of course not. That would mean I'm wrong!!! Seriously I think your 100% right on that. I've shot a bunch of guns in a bunch of configurations, but by far the most trigger/dry fire time I've had is with a Para with an S&A. At this point it just feels like it's set up just right to me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIIID Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 A Para without a S&A magwell feels too light and out of balance, the DP magwell doesn't provide a funnel effect it's too flat. It's more or less a flat ring around the bottom of the frame. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wide45 Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 A Para without a S&A magwell feels too light and out of balance, the DP magwell doesn't provide a funnel effect it's too flat. It's more or less a flat ring around the bottom of the frame.Rich A Para too light! The angle of the internal bevel is less than optimum, but they do work. When I'm off with the reload, it's usually to the front of the grip. The S&A provides no help there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spd522 Posted January 1, 2010 Share Posted January 1, 2010 I have S&A magwells on my 3 Paras. The one on the P18 is aluminum so it would make the IDPA ESP weight limit. Holding the two magwells in your hand, you can tell a big difference in weight. Once on the gun, it's negligible. FYI- I was concerned about the durability of the aluminum magwell but after 8 years, it has held up fine. I think I stoned a couple of dings off of it but they were from banging on props, not mag changes. With a S&A, any base pad works. That is why I put them on. I have factory Para, Grams, Arrendondo,Dawson, and some I can't recall who made them (circa 1993). All work without mods. I do have some STI for Para mags that are quicker to reload. However, I have found them to not be as reliable as the factory Para tubes in stock form. This is in my 9mm P18 and Major 9 Open Paras. YRMV. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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