Hello! I know some people are waiting for the next batch of Nmag frames so I want to do an update thread to highlight some of the changes, since there's a few new aspects that have been adjusted as of this batch.
For reference, there have been two prior batches of N-mag frames. The first was in 2017 (which are not marked to identify) and the second batch in late 2018 (which are engraved "2018" on the side). The single-trigger frames all came from the 2018 batch. This newest 3rd batch is obviously marked 2020; any frame bought new after the pandemic would be the new stuff.
As of right now, the frames are all milled but not totally finished. We're working on the secondary parts like ASAs, safeties, and whatnot.
Okay here's the changes:
1. Added a small relief cut on the top surface which assists in compatibility with rails that extend their sear below the bottom of the rail surface like the classic and H1 hybrid rails. Previously this caused a compatibility problem with earlier N-mag frames since they had solid material directly under the sear, so there was no room for it. Luke messaged me with some info and we got a pretty easy solution to keep everything matched up across the board.
2. The internal reg blocker looks different, but functions the same. Just wanted to make it more lightweight.
I know I know, the pneumag drop in STILL isn't available
that's a high priority for the upcoming season since many people have been asking for it. Just need machine time...
3. For the single-trigger frames, the trigger guard's edge radius is now slightly bigger and more rounded when it comes out of the CNC. Afterward that area will get smoothed out by hand with a buffing wheel. I found that nobody complained about it being "too smooth" (if there is such a thing, lol) but a couple people said they wished this area was more rounded. We've been doing it by hand since the 2018 frame batch, however it was a manual buffing operation. Going forward it's directly built into the frame's machining, while ALSO a quick final buff by handsmoothed by hand, so you get a combination of the two while making it easier for us to produce.
4. The safety button is a little more comfortable compared to past versions. Had to spend more time to smooth it out. We're probably going to use a slightly lighter safety detent spring too since that makes it easier to push.
5. New ASA design, called the "saddle ASA" which uses a cam lever similar to a feedneck (except the lever only opens like a quarter of an inch, so it won't get broken off). This lever ASA is quicker and easier to operate, but takes more work to manufacture compared to the simple ASA knob system used on previous frames. Regardless it's probably the biggest change going forward since the new design is very different on the outside, and its internals are totally different too.
Main reasons for this change:
- The purge system is MUCH more reliable since it uses a small pin that slides inside of the sealing o-ring, instead of using a tiny vent port. The previous knob-ASA was easy to rebuild, but hey why not improve it.
- The pressurized pin surface on the inside is small, so it can be used with high-output tanks if you so choose. That's the best part about it since it's reliable across any tank output.
- Backwards-compatible with earlier frames, so you could install the new saddle ASA onto any earlier Nmag frame if you wanted to buy the assembly. Additionally it's also compatible with our drop forward if you're running one of those.
- The ASA housing still has the optional 1/8" NPT port if you want to attach something down there.
The above pictures show the original prototype which is similar in design, but the lever is stupidly small. The lever got beefed up immediately after making the test parts, so the version you'll see actually looks more like the CAD screenshot below. The lever only swings out a quarter inch, so it can't be broken off.
6. New purpose-built air fittings are soon available direct from Nummech. This isn't strictly related to the Mag frame since they're common 1/8" NPT parts, but I wanted to mention them here since many Mag owners will likely pick up a pair along with the frame. (they're NOT required but we will have them if you want).
In brief, they're machined banjo swivel fittings that are mega easy to use and purpose-built for these frames. They're very different from the CCM design that appear to be intended for small size being the most important factor... these new fittings are just a smidgen larger but it allows a true swivel banjo that can be rotated anytime, pressurized or not.
Anyway we're making the fittings with two different threaded stems (long and short) which are specifically built for the N-mag standoff distance. Naturally they can be used with any other marker too. And yes we also have straight fittings as well, cause it'd be silly not to offer those...
Those will be available separately soon, once the stainless stems are machined.
AND SO that's a list of the changes with these frames, be it small or large. I wanted to get everything uploaded onto AO so peeps can see the development. There were tiny changes with the earlier frames so this stuff is pretty major, can't wait to get em done and available
For reference, there have been two prior batches of N-mag frames. The first was in 2017 (which are not marked to identify) and the second batch in late 2018 (which are engraved "2018" on the side). The single-trigger frames all came from the 2018 batch. This newest 3rd batch is obviously marked 2020; any frame bought new after the pandemic would be the new stuff.
As of right now, the frames are all milled but not totally finished. We're working on the secondary parts like ASAs, safeties, and whatnot.
Okay here's the changes:
1. Added a small relief cut on the top surface which assists in compatibility with rails that extend their sear below the bottom of the rail surface like the classic and H1 hybrid rails. Previously this caused a compatibility problem with earlier N-mag frames since they had solid material directly under the sear, so there was no room for it. Luke messaged me with some info and we got a pretty easy solution to keep everything matched up across the board.
2. The internal reg blocker looks different, but functions the same. Just wanted to make it more lightweight.
I know I know, the pneumag drop in STILL isn't available
that's a high priority for the upcoming season since many people have been asking for it. Just need machine time...3. For the single-trigger frames, the trigger guard's edge radius is now slightly bigger and more rounded when it comes out of the CNC. Afterward that area will get smoothed out by hand with a buffing wheel. I found that nobody complained about it being "too smooth" (if there is such a thing, lol) but a couple people said they wished this area was more rounded. We've been doing it by hand since the 2018 frame batch, however it was a manual buffing operation. Going forward it's directly built into the frame's machining, while ALSO a quick final buff by handsmoothed by hand, so you get a combination of the two while making it easier for us to produce.
4. The safety button is a little more comfortable compared to past versions. Had to spend more time to smooth it out. We're probably going to use a slightly lighter safety detent spring too since that makes it easier to push.
5. New ASA design, called the "saddle ASA" which uses a cam lever similar to a feedneck (except the lever only opens like a quarter of an inch, so it won't get broken off). This lever ASA is quicker and easier to operate, but takes more work to manufacture compared to the simple ASA knob system used on previous frames. Regardless it's probably the biggest change going forward since the new design is very different on the outside, and its internals are totally different too.
Main reasons for this change:
- The purge system is MUCH more reliable since it uses a small pin that slides inside of the sealing o-ring, instead of using a tiny vent port. The previous knob-ASA was easy to rebuild, but hey why not improve it.
- The pressurized pin surface on the inside is small, so it can be used with high-output tanks if you so choose. That's the best part about it since it's reliable across any tank output.
- Backwards-compatible with earlier frames, so you could install the new saddle ASA onto any earlier Nmag frame if you wanted to buy the assembly. Additionally it's also compatible with our drop forward if you're running one of those.
- The ASA housing still has the optional 1/8" NPT port if you want to attach something down there.
The above pictures show the original prototype which is similar in design, but the lever is stupidly small. The lever got beefed up immediately after making the test parts, so the version you'll see actually looks more like the CAD screenshot below. The lever only swings out a quarter inch, so it can't be broken off.
6. New purpose-built air fittings are soon available direct from Nummech. This isn't strictly related to the Mag frame since they're common 1/8" NPT parts, but I wanted to mention them here since many Mag owners will likely pick up a pair along with the frame. (they're NOT required but we will have them if you want).
In brief, they're machined banjo swivel fittings that are mega easy to use and purpose-built for these frames. They're very different from the CCM design that appear to be intended for small size being the most important factor... these new fittings are just a smidgen larger but it allows a true swivel banjo that can be rotated anytime, pressurized or not.
Anyway we're making the fittings with two different threaded stems (long and short) which are specifically built for the N-mag standoff distance. Naturally they can be used with any other marker too. And yes we also have straight fittings as well, cause it'd be silly not to offer those...
Those will be available separately soon, once the stainless stems are machined.
AND SO that's a list of the changes with these frames, be it small or large. I wanted to get everything uploaded onto AO so peeps can see the development. There were tiny changes with the earlier frames so this stuff is pretty major, can't wait to get em done and available
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