I bought a couple of extra baseplates ($7.26 + shipping at Numrich) and modified them by using a dremel to cut a vertical notch in the top plastic crossbars between the rear latch lugs to increase their flexibility, making them easier to push inboard to clear the plastic lug out of the metal slots. I modified the bottom of the metal portion of the mags by using the dremel to cut a small notch underneath the existing latch slots on each side. The notch in the attached photograph is larger than need be, and I still need to file it smooth. The notches serve two purposes - They allow a small straight blade screwdriver to be inserted in each notch to simultaneously pry the metal slightly outboard to clear the latch lugs. And they make the metal more flexible in order to reduce the force required to do that. Note that the plastic baseplate is rather brittle and the lugs are prone to shear off if abused. Round off the top of the new metal notch to make it less likely to shear through the plastic lugs. To remove, use the two screwdrivers to slightly and simultaneously spread the mag sides and slightly depress the plastic lugs so they clear. Then rotate the aft end of the baseplate down and out. Be careful - the spring will launch it to far corners of the room. To reinstall, insert the front end of the baseplate on the spring, then compress till closed and latched - this is easier said than done, and frankly I think the mod probably isn't worth the effort. But I do find it interesting. I don't know how to upload a photo of the mod, but the mod is simple to do and takes about 15 minutes.
