Tikka CTR AICS mags

[TradLife406]

Bought two plastic MDT 12 rounders for my CTR 223. Tried one for fit and it was way too snug. Had to tap it to get it out. Goes in and basically stays there.

Is it safe to low speed dremal these down to fit better? Not sure it's worth taking a chance at wrecking a $50 mag trying to make it work.

I ordered a MDT 10 rounder to try.

Any others that work well with the CTR bdm?

 

[skipper907]

the only mag that works with CTR bottom metal is the CTR mags. You would need to change out the bottom metal for a tikka AICS bottom metal to get those mags to work

 

[TradLife406]

the only mag that works with CTR bottom metal is the CTR mags. You would need to change out the bottom metal for a tikka AICS bottom metal to get those mags to work

Well frick. Will the tikka aics bdm fit the CTR?

I thought the whole point of tbe CTR was to use aics mags?

Whoops

 

[TradLife406]

Atlasworxs Bottom Metal / DBM (AICS) – Tikka T3 / T3X CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle) – Atlasworxs

atlasworxs.com

So this is what I need then for my CTR Rokstock?

 

[skipper907]

yes looks like it will work
just to make sure the rokstock you have is cut for the factory CTR bottom metal ?

 

[LongWayAround]

Well frick. Will the tikka aics bdm fit the CTR?

I thought the whole point of tbe CTR was to use aics mags?

Whoops

No. I believe aics mags are single stack, CTR mags are double stack.

I have also heard that the MDT mags could work in the CTR, but hadn't tried it.

I haven't found any good mags for the CTR other than factory.

The Waters mags are like $200 and I'm not paying that. EuroOptic had CTR mags for $85 last I looked.

The bottom metal you linked it for the CTR inlet to use aics mags.

 

[waspocrew]

Atlasworxs Bottom Metal / DBM (AICS) – Tikka T3 / T3X CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle) – Atlasworxs

atlasworxs.com

So this is what I need then for my CTR Rokstock?

Yes. If you purchase that bottom metal, it will fit your CTR inlet and allow you to use AICS magazines instead of the factory CTR magazines.

 

[TradLife406]

Yes. If you purchase that bottom metal, it will fit your CTR inlet and allow you to use AICS magazines instead of the factory CTR magazines.

Awesome!

Yeah Waterman lost me at the price and their webpage is . It's 2026, there's no reason not to be able to buy the magazines right from the webpage with online checkout. Unless it's some weird laws they have down there.

Why I figured I'd try and run an aics system.

Thanks man!

 

[waspocrew]

Awesome!

Yeah Waterman lost me at the price and their webpage is . It's 2026, there's no reason not to be able to buy the magazines right from the webpage with online checkout. Unless it's some weird laws they have down there.

Why I figured I'd try and run an aics system.

Thanks man!

Totally agree - the Waters page needs some work! Haha. I have a couple of their regular T3x mags and I like them, but man they are expensive.

 

[Formidilosus]

Bought two plastic MDT 12 rounders for my CTR 223. Tried one for fit and it was way too snug. Had to tap it to get it out. Goes in and basically stays there.

Is it safe to low speed dremal these down to fit better? Not sure it's worth taking a chance at wrecking a $50 mag trying to make it work.

I ordered a MDT 10 rounder to try.

Any others that work well with the CTR bdm?

You can modify the CTR bottom metal to be able to use AICS mags- search posts here by “shooter71”.

I use AICS mags in a TRG (father to the CTR mag system) unmodified. They aren’t a perfect fit, but do feed.

 

[Eo12]

M

Thread 'Tikka CTR 3-round flush mags/ convert CTR metal to accept both Tikka and AICS mags'

Sep 3, 2022

I saw this recently mentioned in a different thread, and the guy who apparently concocted this mod, @Shooter71 , told me how to do it--so I can't take any credit but thought I would pass this on for anyone interested. I believe he does this professionally so if interested I would hit him up.
It was not particularly difficult with the shop tools I had on hand. I have not tested it extensively with various magazines, so if anyone does and can add to this, please do.
Although I had to shorten the AICS mag I had, I was told this mod will fit factory AI and Accurate mags, and I assume...

• Macintosh
• Replies: 9
• Forum: DIY Gear Modifications

• 

 

[RancherJohn]

The middle rifle here is a 6.5 PRC Tikka with MDT Hunter AICS bottom metal. I believe it is the same cut as a CTR bottom metal. When I had a .223 in this stock/bottom metal I had some teething issues with a few mags making them work correctly. The Accurate Mag 5 rounders worked the best, MDT poly mags needed some mag catch and feed lip tuning to work 100%.

 

[wind gypsy]

@RancherJohn beat me to it. MDT makes Tikka AICS bottom metal for CTR inlet or you could just buy CTR mags.

 

[Timberline001]

Atlasworxs Bottom Metal / DBM (AICS) – Tikka T3 / T3X CTR (Compact Tactical Rifle) – Atlasworxs

atlasworxs.com

So this is what I need then for my CTR Rokstock?

That’s what I use in my NRL rifle. Works good but it’s big just FYI. Everything’s enlarged ergonomically

 

[sbaker0029]

I purchased the CTR stock from Macintosh that he modified per shooter71's instructions.

He filled down two 3rd mdt mags and they fit and feed great. One drops free nicely and the other could use a tad more filing to drop completely free.

I tried a bunch of my buddies AICS pattern mags; magpul 5rd and 10rd, 10rd mdt plastic mags, metal 5rd and 10rd AI mags. None of which had been modified.

The magpul mags did not fit, plastic was too thick.

The 5rd metal AI mag fit best but was snug and took some force getting out, it was a brand new mag and could see the spots that were rubbing.
A little sanding on this mag would have made it fit great. This is the only mag I tried with rounds in it and it fed perfectly.

All other mags fit but were extremely tight and took some real effort to get out.

These were not my mags so I didn't modify them in any way.

To answer your question:
I would have no problem buying some plastic mdt mags and doing some sanding and filing on them to get them to work. Dremel away.
I would make the modification to the ctr mag catch that allows for aics mags to catch before I did anything to the mags though.

Go for it and keep us posted.

 

[FLS]

Easy CTR to AICS conversion that works.

Tikka T3 / T3x - AICS conversion kit

Tikka T3 / T3x - AICS conversion kit

lumleyarms.us

 

[Muley Buck]

What exactly is a guy getting from migrating away from the CTR bottom metal/mag system? I wouldn't want to change it at all. It feeds and functions so damn well, even loaded out long.

 

[Lawnboi]

What exactly is a guy getting from migrating away from the CTR bottom metal/mag system? I wouldn't want to change it at all. It feeds and functions so damn well, even loaded out long.

Lots of guys have long term issues with ctr mags.

Aics come in a wider variety, both capacity and cartridge size/diameter. Aics mags also are more easily adjusted in the feed lips to tune feeding.

Of what’s available I don’t think you can beat an aics mag system currently.

 

[Muley Buck]

Lots of guys have long term issues with ctr mags.

Aics come in a wider variety, both capacity and cartridge size/diameter. Aics mags also are more easily adjusted in the feed lips to tune feeding.

Of what’s available I don’t think you can beat an aics mag system currently.

The 223 CTR mags? Honestly I havent heard of any issues with the CTR mags except for the spring issue. Which is easily remedied by pulling it out and putting a harder bend to it. I suppose I can understand other possible issues with the standard mags. I am new to the 223 CTR but I can't see myself ditching these for something else. They feed very reliably and smooth. I suppose time will tell.

 

[FLS]

The 223 CTR mags? Honestly I havent heard of any issues with the CTR mags except for the spring issue. Which is easily remedied by pulling it out and putting a harder bend to it. I suppose I can understand other possible issues with the standard mags. I am new to the 223 CTR but I can't see myself ditching these for something else. They feed very reliably and smooth. I suppose time will tell.

Price and availability. Until the recent re release of CTR 223 rifles in the US, CTR mags were unobtainable. If you managed to find some they were expensive. In my experience the 223 CTR mags were not super reliable, occasionally the last couple of frounds didn’t feed. No big deal till you’re in a match that you’ve driven 3-4 hours to shoot and paid an entry fee.
You can always get AICS mags and they’re easy to tune if needed. Once I quit using accurate mags and started using MDT if haven’t had to tweak one.
FWIW I’ve never been able to get the 223 poly mags to work reliably. Feed lips are too thick and once you sand them down enought to half ass fit and feed they don’t retain your rounds very well.