Mag brands vs. Feed Problems

[Messiah Jones]

I just bought an Armalite M15A2 and it came with a 7 round mag which I swapped with the dealer for a 30 rounder "OKAY" mag.

He said the "OKAY" was a good brand and was the standard for Colt. I immediately had to return it because of feeding problems. This mag was the thinnest, cheapest thing I have ever seen in firearm mags.

When I went back he traded it straight up for an "Imperial Defense Services" 30 rounder made in England. This mag feeds great but really needs some pressure to seat/catch it all the way. It is much thicker metal than the "OKAY" mag. I think the seating/catching thing is minor and will work itself out.

Do you think he just tried to get rid of a crappy mag?

Are the English IDS mags any good?

[imanaknut]

Not familiar with the English mags, but the Okay Idustries mags are usually really good ones. Unfortunately, feeding problems are normal with AR mags. I always keep spare springs with me when I shoot my ARs. Also, if the mag you returned had the old black follower, that could also cause feed problems. AR mags were updated with green followers that had longer "legs" to keep them lined up better in the mag. I hate to say this, but all USGI mags have the "thinnest, cheapest" feel to them, but they are the best feeding devices out there. They are aluminum, don't have the heft of a steel mag, but they work fine with good springs and the right follower.

[Messiah Jones]

Thanks for the info...

Are the "OKAY" mags USGI?

The OKAY he gave me had a black follower like you mentioned.

This steel English mag is seating/catching much better now. I just took it on and off a few times and now it acts normal. It has a green follower. I haven't fired the rifle yet but it cycles ammo through it normally with the English mag.

[recon]

Yes there consider USGI mags. I have some of those SA-80 mags and love them! :D

[oclvtrek]

Okay mags are one of the USGI manufactures and the company that Colt buys mags from.

The english mags are great but as you find out you may need to file the mag catch a little to get them to work. I have a few of the English mags and I've replaced all the springs and followers (silicon springs & green followers) and I've never had a problem with them. But they are a bit heavier. I'm always on the look out for more English mags.

[Messiah Jones]

The English mag I got has the green follower. Since I got it yesterday the mag catch started working great. I really like this mag. It is thick and solid.

We'll see how it goes. They are $25.00 at the local shop. If they continue selling the ones with the green followers I'll probably stick to those. :)

[oclvtrek]

That's not a bad price. I picked a bunch up at a gun show for $15 and bought green followers and silicon springs for $5 per set and they've functioned perfectly. Look around, shop around and buy all you can :D

[recon]

Where did you get the silicon springs from?

[HOLMES]

i only use USGI,COLT L.E.O, couple of promags and a couple of canadian thermelts--they all work in mine

[oclvtrek]

Originally posted by recon
Where did you get the silicon springs from?

I get them from CMMG (http://www.cmmginc.com)

[Messiah Jones]

I've been having a little problem with jamming. The English "Imperial Defense Services" is the only mag I have. It has the green follower.

The jams are "bolt on top of round". The bolt slides over the top of the round and fails to chamber it. And it leaves a gouge in the round.

I've talked to many people who also use Wolf ammo and they say although it's dirty, it's not the problem. Plus it happened with some brass ammo too.

I really like the sturdiness of the English mag and would like to buy a bunch of them, but I'm afraid to if this is common with them.

Is there a remedy for this problem? The rifle and mag are brand new... do you need to file or oil anything? Are there any USGI mags that aren't flimsy and thin?

[DarkStar]

http://magfaq.tripod.com/


Personally, I've not been too impressed with the English Steel mags, some I've used seem to have enough manufacturing variation <some with a very tight magwell fit, some dragging on the bolt> to make them a question in my mind as to their reliability... some love them, tho... YMMV

I've always used nothing but USGI Center's and LaBelle's with green followers and have had great results with them. Remember that USGI's were designed to be 'disposable', so they do wear.

Another thing to consider is the weapon is new... be sure you've cleaned it properly following the recommendations in the manual with CLP. Get yourself a few NIW USGI magazines and don't use Wolf until you're rifle has been completely broken in... 300 to 500 rounds. Wolf works great for me, but it's so underpowered I'd never expect it to work in weapon that is still 'tight'...

Oh... no filing on anything...;)

[Corpsie]

Originally posted by DarkStar
be sure you've cleaned it properly following the recommendations in the manual with CLP.

What's the big deal with CLP? There seems to be a love/hate relationship with the stuff.

[Klutz347]

Originally posted by Messiah Jones
I really like the sturdiness of the English mag and would like to buy a bunch of them, but I'm afraid to if this is common with them.

Is there a remedy for this problem? The rifle and mag are brand new... do you need to file or oil anything? Are there any USGI mags that aren't flimsy and thin?

All USGI magazines may look and feel "flimsy and thin" but you can not find a better made magazine in the world.

You said that you like "the sturdiness" of the English mags but from what I have read, you are having problems with them. What good is a "Sturdy" mag if it doean't work?

I think you need to give up the notion that USGI mags are "Flimsy and thin" and try one. Buy a new in wrap mag, take it out and try the thing with brass cased ammo, forget about the Wolf stuff until your gun is broke in.