warning re: GI mags

3199 Views 19 Replies 15 Participants Last post by MulsanneArnage, Nov 14, 2001

mr_camera_man

Discussion Starter · Sep 17, 2001

Hey all,

Was at a gunshow today and picked up a GI mag marked w/ mfr. 30745. Ammoman, among others, sells mags with that same mfr. number.

I noticed 2 problems with the mags.

1. Upon later comparison with other mags, the witness holes aren't anywhere near their proper location. They start with the second round and go to the general vicinity of the sixth, but they aren't quite spaced right. No biggie, so long as it works right.

2. It doesn't work right. The mag catch hole is cut a bit low, and the mag will only seat properly with a good hard slam. A little time with a file might resolve this, if I file carefully. For now, this is only a range mag.

I also purchased a mag with mfr. #1m291, and the follower on that one binds inside the tube... and doesn't let go until it's dropped. Quite strange, because I have another one with that same number that's OK.

Just thought you all should know.

John

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

WDG

· #2 · Sep 23, 2001

I bought some of the mags from ammoman. I have shot each of the ten mags once. I also numbered the clips to keep track of them. I had a failure to strip with clip #1 loaded with CCI lawman ammo about half way through the ammo in the mag.

Mag #8 didn't go to full batery on first round

Other then that all went well with the mags.

In service to His Majesty

· #3 · Oct 6, 2001

Originally posted by mr_camera_man:
Was at a gunshow today and picked up a GI mag marked w/ mfr. 30745....

I picked up two of these last week at a Detroit-area gun show. Each was sealed in a brown paper sleeve and dated June 1987.

Fired about 50 rounds through each. No malfunctions.

I followed a link that somebody posted here and the 30745 manuf. code belongs to:

MASON-RUST CO
PITTSBURGH, PA 15200

I paid $10 for each. Heck, for range mags you can't go wrong.

Rob

Firestar

· #4 · Oct 6, 2001

At $10.00 per magazine you could order blued CMC magazines from CDNN.

[This message has been edited by Firestar (edited 10-06-2001).]

In service to His Majesty

· #5 · Oct 7, 2001

Originally posted by Firestar:
At $10.00 per magazine you could order blued CMC magazines from CDNN.

Heck, I don't even know what CMC or CDNN is.

I was actually looking for Colt factory mags. I found only two. One vendor wanted $22 and the other wanted $23. While this might be the going rate, it was a little pricey for me considering these are only going to be range mags. When I get my CCW in a couple of months (Michigan just adopted the law and it is taking a long time to process them all) I will carry a better quality than range quality.

Thanks,
Rob

[This message has been edited by In service to His Majesty (edited 10-06-2001).]

mr_camera_man

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 8, 2001

I had the same problem at that gunshow. The only 1911 mags to be found were GI mags (and I think I got the last 2 at the whole show), or the ones stamped "Colt 45 Auto" on the floorplate w/o the horse.

I've heard that the "Colt 45 Auto" mags are cheap knock-offs... can anybody comment on these?

h4444

· #7 · Oct 8, 2001

I bought five of them from Ammoman a few months ago and while they aren't the prettiest (they're surplus after all),,,,I haven't had any problems with them.

mdcalvert

· #8 · Oct 9, 2001

FYI, 1M291 is the DoD "Cage Code" for Check-Mate Industries, Wyandanch, NY. CMI is the company that filled the last DoD contract for magazines for the M1911A1 Pistol System. The company is also current sole DoD producer of all magazines for the Beretta M9 Pistol System. At one time (fairly recently) they produced all pistol magazines for Colt. Their quality is usually exceptionally good.

Mason Rust was a one-time contractor for DoD magazines. The company was a general metal stamping contractor and ceased to exist about 1979.

------------------
Regards,

MDCalvert
Tennessee

Firestar

· #9 · Oct 9, 2001

CMC is Chip Mcormick Corp.
CDNN is CDNN Investments http://www.cdnninvestments.com

Check the magazine listing under Colt.

Jager

· #10 · Oct 10, 2001

You are correct. The "Colt 45 Auto" stamped mags are Chinese manufacture and are not reliable.

They come blued and stainless and both are junk.

maddog355

· #11 · Oct 11, 2001

Jager I have 2 of the "colt 45 auto" mags in chrome and have not had a problem. As for the military surplus mags, What is the going rate on them now? I picked up 5 at Knob Creek back In april for $7.50 each. Didn't see any last weekend but didn't get there till noon sunday. All the venders I talked with said the 1911 stuff went pretty good so I figure the price went up.

WDG

· #12 · Oct 11, 2001

$79/10 at ammoman.com

Forgot to say that shipping is included.

[This message has been edited by WDG (edited 10-11-2001).]

Jager

· #13 · Oct 14, 2001

Maddog355,

I should clarify my statement. I intended to say they were junk for defensive magazines. I purchased about 4 of each a while back for use as range magazines since I could locate no GI surplus ones during two successive gunshows. I paid $6 each for them while $8 is the going rate for the GI magazines.

The Chinese knock-offs did perform good for awhile as they did see some regular use. Then one failed, followed shortly by another and the domino effect began.

By contrast, I purchased 8 GI magazines prior to the Chinese ones. All but one are still in range service after even more severe use.

I recently purchased several new Colt 7 round magazines and am running them through the paces. They are nicer than all of the above for range magazines thus far. The seller seems to have plenty on hand and the price is right. If you are interested, drop me an e-mail.

77Bronc

· #14 · Oct 21, 2001

I learned the hard way a long time ago, do not buy cheap mags, even for range mags. Go with the McCormick Shooting Stars, and better yet the McCormick Power Mags. The Wilson Combat are just as good. If I were to rate them:

CMC Power Mag: 10.0
Wilson Combat 7 Round: 10.0
WIlson Combat 8 Round: 9.5
CMC Shooting Star: 9.0
Springfield OEM: 7.5

DO you self a favor, buy the best you can afford, save you money and go for the ggod ones, the $7.99 specials can be a headach.

I have 20 of the above and all shoot well.

77Bronc

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mohecus

· #15 · Oct 21, 2001

Originally posted by mr_camera_man:
Hey all,

Was at a gunshow today and picked up a GI mag marked w/ mfr. 30745. Ammoman, among others, sells mags with that same mfr. number.

I noticed 2 problems with the mags.

1. Upon later comparison with other mags, the witness holes aren't anywhere near their proper location. They start with the second round and go to the general vicinity of the sixth, but they aren't quite spaced right. No biggie, so long as it works right.

2. It doesn't work right. The mag catch hole is cut a bit low, and the mag will only seat properly with a good hard slam. A little time with a file might resolve this, if I file carefully. For now, this is only a range mag.

I also purchased a mag with mfr. #1m291, and the follower on that one binds inside the tube... and doesn't let go until it's dropped. Quite strange, because I have another one with that same number that's OK.

Just thought you all should know.

John

i completly agree with bronko77 save your self the crap and go with the better and
affordable magazines. chip mccormick.
the 10rnd mag at under 20 bucks will make
you a happy man get 10 and you will never
look at a7rnd mag again.

imashooter2

· #16 · Oct 22, 2001

Originally posted by mohecus:
i completly agree with bronko77 save your self the crap and go with the better and
affordable magazines. chip mccormick.
the 10rnd mag at under 20 bucks will make
you a happy man get 10 and you will never
look at a7rnd mag again.

I love my Chip 10's for plinking and competition. They have worked flawlessly for me. They are just too bulky for concealed carry though. IMHO, 7's are the way to go for a carry weapon.

Battler

· #17 · Nov 2, 2001

The chip 10s work fine in my fullsize AND compact (officers grip) Kimbers. Even when unloading with one gun in each hand (bruce willis style?), i.e. limpwristing like crazy (stupid exercise that's another topic).

I use them for concealed carry, shoving them feed lips down into the "innermost" side of the pockets on my jeans. The bulky bottom is a little annoying; but the extra length helps me grab them.

Yes, carry mags would be better on the weak side; but I find a magholder to be harder to keep from getting in the way than the gun itself, and it gives me an extra side to "protect".

Originally posted by imashooter2:
I love my Chip 10's for plinking and competition. They have worked flawlessly for me. They are just too bulky for concealed carry though. IMHO, 7's are the way to go for a carry weapon.

CH

· #18 · Nov 11, 2001

Anyone else tried the surplus mags from www.ammoman.com ?

rmdye

· #19 · Nov 12, 2001

i can post a reply tommaorw i have ten on order should be here 11-13-01. Ronald

MulsanneArnage

· #20 · Nov 14, 2001

First of all, having delt with Eric the ammoman for a while now, I can say he sells only good stuff at a fair price. Secondly, range mags should be consistant quality as good as front line as you can afford. Rather have 3 Wilsons that work, than ten that are prone to stoppages. THIRDLY?? It kills me how we hesitate not on dropping $1200-$2500 on a nice 1911 (Wilson,Baer,etc) but $30.00 for a decent mag is too much. Puulleeese....

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