View Full Version : Mag Help Plz
Col N R Jessep
06-28-2003, 06:00 PM
I recently purchased a Bushmaster M4A3. I went to a local gun shop searching for mags and found 2 30 round mags in new condition for $14.95 each. Problem is they have no markings on them at all and they will not lock in my rifle, they fall out. On the receipt they are described as "Zmag AR-15 30rd Blue USA". Anyone have any experience with these mags? Are they worth keeping, or should I be waiting at the door tomorrow when they open?
Thanx
imanaknut
06-28-2003, 06:41 PM
Do NOT use the steel mags made by USA Mags. They usually do not work reliably in the AR-15. If you can return them, by all means do. Since they do not lock into your rifle, that is your first hint of trouble. I had several that were given to me, and a couple that I mistakenly bought. After one attempt at using them, they were all thrown out. On most, when loaded with 30 rounds, before I even had a chance to put them in the rifle, they would start popping out rounds by themselves.
There is also the possibility that the mags are mismarked and are really for the Ruger Mini 14. They are similar.
Stick with the USGI aluminum mags. They should all be marked on the floor plate with the various manufacturer names (Okay, Sanchez, Center Industries, etc.) The can be found at various gunshows, or on ebay (usually marked as 10 round model #30 to get around ebay being politically correct), gunbroker or various online outlets. Used they should run around $15 in good condition. Tapco sells rebuild kits consisting of new springs and the new green followers. Any feed problem with USGI mags can be fixed with a good cleaning and new spring and green follower.
The only thing to watch out for is cracked fittings that hold the floor plate on. There should be 4 good ones. Good luck!
Once the word gets out on how good OUR AR15 site is I would expect to see plenty of USGI mags for sale in our Equipment Exchange forums. :D
Col N R Jessep
06-29-2003, 06:10 PM
Thanks
Returned them today and got 2 that fit, however I can't help feeling that they owed me a reach arround. Seems to be a sellers market for AR-15 / M4 mags.
Kind of funny when there are AK mags all over the place.
imanaknut
06-29-2003, 06:14 PM
AK mags are all over the place because of 3 letters: L E O! There are no date codes on AK mags. No AK mags are marked "Government / Law Enforcement Use Only". Remember, all those bazillion AK mags were all made before Sept 14, 1994!
Yeah right!
HOLMES
07-01-2003, 07:37 AM
lots of L.E.O mags in canada
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/14017colt.BMP
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/14017colt_2.BMP
http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/14017colt_1.BMP
imanaknut
07-01-2003, 08:29 AM
That's enough to make you sick. In the U.S., law enforcement used to be nothing more than uniformed civilians. These days, LEs are given special privileges, like having mags with more than 10 rounds. If Heir Klinton was jailed for Constitutional violations, he would have to live several hundred years to serve out his sentence.
What about "shall not be infringed" don't they understand!
Well if you DO ever see a post ban mag at a gunshow...BUY IT.
Just remove the floor plate and leave the floorplate at the table.
You can use the Mag bodies to replace a damaged mag body on a preban mag. Yes it is BATFE approved .
imanaknut
07-01-2003, 10:31 AM
It's the mag body that is stamped LEO.
I know. Leave the floor plate or the spring or the follower behind and just take the mag body. Post ban LEO marked mag bodies by themselves are not contraband. Only complete mags. All parts on a pre ban mag may be replaced by post bans parts as long as you dont create a NEW magazine.:p
saleen
07-02-2003, 04:54 AM
That is true, but if you do it I'd make damn sure that I kept the original unservicable pre-ban tube on hand to prove that the LEO tube was a replacement.
CYA my man.....
Saleen
Exactly ! Although in the letters from Curtis Bartlett (ATF Firearms Technology Branch) he stated said keeping the old damaged mag bodies was not necessary or required I am still going to cover my butt and keep the old mag bodies. :)
Noah Zark
07-02-2003, 06:52 AM
Originally posted by PBR
I know. Leave the floor plate or the spring or the follower behind and just take the mag body. Post ban LEO marked mag bodies by themselves are not contraband. Only complete mags. All parts on a pre ban mag may be replaced by post bans parts as long as you dont create a NEW magazine.:p
IMO, that is not worth the trouble of recordkeeping and the potential hassle of trying to prove that it is not a LEO-only, but a put-together from parts. Think about it, some gung-ho LEO sees that repaired mag with the dated tube and nails you, then get a warrant to inspect your place and the local papers scream "Local man with arsenal arrested . . ." No matter that a couple months later you prove your case and are acquitted, the damage is done.
JMO, no flame. With so many USGI preban mags out there, it is just not worth it to me to use LEO-only bodies for repairs.
Noah
Noah, To each his own. I shoot on a private range and I dont worry about laws that I am not breaking. A few companies now are making post ban replacement bodies for different pistols ( Glocks and Para Ordanance) and there hasnt been a problem.
I doubt 99% of LEO's even could recogonise a post ban mag anyway. The point is it is 100% legal. :)
Noah Zark
07-03-2003, 10:17 AM
PBR:
I recognize the 100% legality of the practice, and I am aware of the aftermarket replacement hi-cap mag bodies for the handguns.
The issue that I have is uninformed / misinformed enthusiastic LEOs and how they would handle seeing a post-9/94 dated mag in civvie hands, no matter it was used as a replacement. That said, most LEOs have bigger fish to fry than owners of dangerous postban hi-cap mags. What is troubling to me is the zeal with which the Acronym Agency is pursuing parts kits and the dangerous chunk of scrap metal that is still attached to the barrel. It's a short jump from worthless remnants of recievers to postban dated mags. Again, JMO, and thanks for respecting it.
Your circumstances are different; I use one of two club ranges and sometimes a "private" range on a cleared right of way. No telling who's going to set up next to me.
Noah
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