[StuSidekick]

The problem is that the magazine won't lock in place.

Stops at about 1/4 of an inch before locking in place.

I am guessing at 2 possibilities, but not sure:

1. the magazine is being blocked from locking in place by the push rod of the trigger group

2. the ball retainer pin of the magazine does not slide when magazine is inserted.

[NoX13]

did you buy them both together?

possible the mag is an older one not compatible with the t8.1?

[StuSidekick]

That is a possibility.

It was acquired in a trade. Was working for a day. Then problem appeared after cleaning since paint was in the trigger area.

[NoX13]

if you have already taken the marker apart, then put it back together.. you want to make sure the bolt is pushed forward before putting back together.

Not sure if that could be the cause or not but worth a check.

[fullbore]

Came across this old thread as I was having the same issue with a brand new T8.1 where, for no explicable reason, the magazine would suddenly not fully engage with the magazine release.

Therefore I'm posting what I discovered in case anyone else is having the same issues.

The problem with my T8.1 was that the mag ball retainer pin, and mag ball retainer spring located just above the follower suddenly became too stiff on BOTH magazines at the same time.

I'm not sure but I think this bar pushes up against the ammo release fork as you insert the mag and then snaps into place. However, when it is not lubed properly it won't move and snap in place.

The solution is to run it wet and make sure the teeny spring, pin, and the guide in which the pin slides is lubed.

Now, I should have used a silicon based hobby lube (like those used for RC cars) because petroleum products are very bad for rubber o-rings, seals, and makes plastics fragile. But I only had some Corrosion X CLP gun lube on hand (since I shoot real steel and bought the T8.1 to be able to practice indoors). I sprayed the mag ball retainer pin and spring, loosened it up by moving the pin back and forth a few times and the mag now snaps in place without a problem.

Hope this somes in handy to the next guy looking for the solution to the problem of why the T8.1 mag suddenly doesn't snap into the mag well.