An improved base pad for a firearm magazine that more securely attaches to the bottom of a magazine tube in a manner which is easier and faster to attach or remove therefrom when cleaning the magazine. The improved base pad has a body member with a pair of ends and a pair of sides. The sides each have a groove configured to slidably receive, preferably snugly, the lips at the bottom of a standard magazine tube. One end of the base pad has an outwardly extending section with an upwardly facing, generally planar face. A securing mechanism at the outwardly extending section has an upwardly disposed projection that selectively engages one wall of the magazine tube to secure the base pad thereto when in its engaged position and allows removal of the base pad when in a disengaged position. In a preferred embodiment, the securing mechanism is a detent device.