Sniper Country Duty Roster collective wisdom
Magazines - M14:
Do all USGI M14 magazines have contactor markings stamped on back?
In other words, if I come across M14 magazines without the contractor markings,
can I automatically assume it's not USGI, but some cheap Chinese mags instead?
Are the unmarked / unstamped mags worth buying?
Bach Melick <tmelick@monbar.com>
New Orleans, LA, USA - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 19:27:44 (ZULU)
Bach,
I have never seen any real GI M14 mags that weren't stamped on the
back. I have two that are marked C.M.I., and suspect they are Chinese fakes.
They don't feed worth a damn. I have a bunch of M14 mags, all others are
the real thing. There are many different contractors who made M14 Mags.
All seem to work real good.
If you are a highpower shooter and a member of your state rifle
and pistol association, you can get two used M14 mags and two brand new
ones per year from the CMP.
Bill
Bill Bledsoe <DC8PLUMBER@aol.com>
Shelbyville , KY, USA - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 19:47:51 (ZULU)
I have a dozen USGI M14 mags from the DCM/CMP, and all are stamped
with the manufacturer's code.
Dave <dave@broadsword.com>
San Jose, CA, USA - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 19:53:58 (ZULU)
I also have some Springfield Armory 5-round magazines for the M14
/ M1A. I can't recall, but I don't think there is a Mfr's Code stamped
on the back of the 5-rounder. What does Springfield use to make these 5-round
mags? Does Springfield make them new, or do they cut down USGI 20-rounders
(that would be a shame)?
Bach Melick <tmelick@monbar.com>
New Orleans, LA, USA - Tuesday, February 09, 1999 at 20:05:26 (ZULU)
Bach,
While I cannot tell you with any certainty about all M14 magazines
being marked, I can tell you STAY AWAY FROM THE CHINESE MAGS!!! I tryed
to save some money by buying some. End result, Either they would not feed
or would or they would simply drop out of the rifle during the recoil.
These magazines were unmarked 30 (thirty) rounders that had the
rectangular block of steel ( on the rear top of the magazine, that locks
the magazine into the rifle) pressed out of the sheet metal of which they
were made insted of the seperate piece 4 dot tack welded block as found
on the G.I. issue. Also, they were a brighter blue finish than the G.I.
spec. I avoid any magazines made in this manner.
Hope this helps.
Big John <scratch@1st.net>
Shortcreek, Ohio, USA - Wednesday, February 10, 1999 at 03:21:24 (ZULU)
The topic of M14 magazines was raised earlier, specifically G.I.
vs. Chinese. My own experience has been with the early Chinese magazines,
the type made as copies of the GI mags with the latch block welded on.
I have a dozen of them, and they have always worked perfectly. Mine
are every bit as heavy as GI, and I have never had a feeding problem, after
several thousand rounds. I bought them back in 1989/90...they were $5 each,
new. Hell of a sale!
The type mentioned with the pressed out piece of metal and bright
finish sound more like the ones made by the "USA" company. Those were junk...got
stuck in my rifle, and jammed like they were in a disco. I bought a few,
and gave them away...they were that bad. Every Chinese mag I have seen
has been parkerized a light grey, while all of the blued mags Ive run across
so far have been the "USA" type. Definitely stay away from the blued ones...
Grenadier2 <grenadier2@earthlink.net>
FireBase Bandit, USA - Thursday, February 11, 1999 at 01:33:05 (ZULU)
To follow up on my previous question re: M14 mags, I'm just curious
what you guys think of Thermold mags? Are they any good? What about Thermold
/ Orlite mags for the M16?
Bach Melick <tmelick@monbar.com>
New Orleans, LA, USA - Friday, February 12, 1999 at 18:00:09 (ZULU)
Re: Thermolds
Bach,
I have a few and am very happy with them. Others on the AR-list
generally have good things to report on them. Prices are reasonable too,
running about 12.00 or so.
Ron N.
Ron N. <rcn8@accnorwalk.com>
USA - Saturday, February 13, 1999 at 02:55:04 (ZULU)
Back to Hot Tips & Cold Shots