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According to what I've read, you pay about the same or less for a low cost magazine and it'll do a better job.

The criticism I've read about vise blocks is they wobble, where an actual magazine put in a vise will remain steady, allowing cleaning or scope mounting or whatever...

Use an old beat up magazine or just buy a new cheap one and use it instead of an actual vise block.

Am I right?

Thanks!

What I use is an old metal GI mag with the guts removed and a 1x2 inserted for added stability.

I use a worthless (as a functional magazine) 20-round Thermold mag I picked up for $7 years ago. Works perfectly for a vise block. Use it every time I clean my AR.

I have an old steel 20 round magazine with the spring and follower removed and a piece of 3/4" plywood cut to fit the interior of the mag. I can clamp it as tight as I want it isn't going to crush.

Abraham wrote: The criticism I've read about vise blocks is they wobble, where an actual magazine put in a vise will remain steady, allowing cleaning or scope mounting or whatever...

Not sure what vise blocks your friends were talking about, but mine are 100% rock solid delrin. Wobble is far more likely caused by a mag chamber with looser tolerances (this isn't unusual and is sometimes desirable). Use what suits your needs, but if you want to use a magazine, please make sure it's solid (i.e, spring and follower removed and the interior epoxy/resin filled), otherwise you're asking for a LOT of trouble.