Thread: HVHA Tikka bottom metal

Yip, I have one. Purchased maybe 4 months back. No police import was required but YMMV.

My only complaint is that the mag release button sits proud of stock at similar height to front end of (3 rnd) magazine. This means it easily gets ejected and I managed to loose the mag and 3 expensive rounds in Beech scrub on its first trip into the hills. Gutted.

I did a bit of testing once the new magazine arrived ($115 and police mail order hassles later) and clearly this "feature" of the extended magazine throw lever seemingly all the aftermarket bottom metals tout is the problem. Holding stock with hand half under magazine, pop. Even a strap running over it when on side of pack was enough for it to release.

I dont even know why its necesarry to lengthen it as the standard T3 polymer one isnt an issue. Never had it release in scrub, in the hand or on the pack, and no trouble ejecting magazines even with cold wet snow gloves on. However having broken a plastic one before i was keen to perservere with the metal.

Contacted HVHA asking if they could manufacture a shorter relase lever and all they responded was saying I hadnt clicked the magazine in properly. User error etc blah blah. Dissapointing no support, but ok.

My only work around now is to file or dremel the lever down. In the meantime while I build up the courage I've retrofitted the original plastic release lever into the bottom metal. Took a little bit of sanding to get it to properly release and it has side to side play but works fine and I have significantly more faith in it.

I guess the take away is, if this is for a hunting rifle test it well before going into the field and be prepared to carry a spare, tape the magazine in or modify the damn thing!

Anyone else had experiences similar to this with an aftermarket bottom metal or have I just been unlucky?