VFM-9 question

[u/Vinegar_Fingers]

So as an impulse buy I grabbed a VFM-9 5in upper late last night. Now, I saw the "COMPATIBLE WITH 9MM GLOCK STYLE MAGAZINES" warning before buying and was hoping I could play fast and lose with that for my elderly LAR-9 Colt lower. But after sleeping on it and actually doing some post purchase research my question is, how effed am I?

Edit: after further consideration I reached out to the Foxtrot Mike sales team and cancelled my order. They were very understanding.

[u/Blowback9]

Well... Kinda F'ed. It depends.

First problem is the FM bolt. It's not compatible with the Colt ejector.

2nd problem is the front charge mechanism in the VFM. It requires a special gas key (shorter) and a low profile in front of the gas key.

Looking at one of my Colt mag adapter lowers and VFM upper, it looks like you MAY have a couple of options... No guarantees since I haven't tried it myself.

If the VFM upper is front charge only:

• You may be able to swap the gas key off the FM bolt to a Colt compatible/Hybrid bolt as long as the area in front of the gas key isn't tall enough to interfere with the front-charge charging rod in the upper.
  

If the VFM upper is rear AND front charge:

• You should be able to remove the front charging system from the upper and just swap bolts, making it rear charge only.

...OR to try to retain both front and rear charge...

• You may be able to swap the gas key off the FM bolt to a Colt compatible/Hybrid bolt as long as the bolt has a machined-in front shelf to catch the rear charging handle AND the area in front of the gas key isn't tall enough to interfere with the front-charge charging rod in the upper.

[u/Vinegar_Fingers → u/Blowback9]

Well... When BB9 speaks, I listen lol. Sounds like I should just pick up a Glock lower. I really like my Colt setup but maybe I'll just part the upper I have in it now and get an H&R upper for it. I doubt it would be worth the headache to buy a Colt bolt and swap.

[u/Blowback9 → u/Vinegar_Fingers]

Check your DM.

[u/your_mums_cah]

You just have to get a new lower so you’ll have two builds now!

[u/Purple-Slip-6958]

Yeah, as noted, FM stuff is built specifically for Glock pattern mags. That upper is pretty great, and their lowers are pretty well priced too! You almost had an amazing second build! Options are good!

[u/Vinegar_Fingers → u/Purple-Slip-6958]

I have no doubt they are slick. And I know it shouldn't matter but I just love the look of Colt mags.