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Recommended M14 Magazine Suppliers

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#1 · (Edited)
Let's have a list of recommended M14 magazine suppliers. This way everyone will know who is "safe" to buy magazines from. What is "safe?" "Safe" means the supplier sells M14 magazines that function properly. IOW, USGI level quality. If you use a M14 magazine from one of these suppliers it will work in your M14 type riflle assuming there are no "issues" with the rifle or the ammunition. We can add or subtract from this list as needed. If a particular supplier is not listed, ask why or why not if you don't know. Let's keep this positive. The goal is to keep you, the M14 fan, from wasting time and funds. Note that the prices do vary substantially among the Recommended Suppliers so be sure to comparision shop among them.

Recommended Suppliers

1) 44Mag Distributing www.44mag.com (current CMI production)

2) Springfield Armory, Inc. www.springfield-armory.com (current CMI production)

3) Check-Mate Industries www.checkmateindustries.com (minimum order quantity of twenty-five)

4) Palmetto State Armory http://palmettostatearmory.com/ (current CMI production)

5) Desert Warrior Products http://www.desertwarriorproducts.com/M1A-M14-Magazine.html (current CMI production)

6) M1A Mags (Wrenco Arms) www.m1amags.com (current CMI production)

If you don't see a source as a Recommended Supplier, ask why if you don't know. TIA
 
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#52 ·
For purpose of clarity, M14 magazines made by ProMag Industries (South Gate, CA) are not USGI contract manufacture. Since 1970, only one firm has made M14 magazines for the U. S. military, Check-Mate Industries (Wyandanch, NY).

Yes, KMT and UHC made USGI M14 magazines in the 1960s.
 
#54 ·




I appologize for the quality of these pictures. I am neither a photographer, nor the owner of an expensive digital camera. Still, the text in the pictures read:
ProMag(tm)

SPRINGFIELD M1A
.308 20 ROUND
M1A-A1
Lifetime Warranty

WWW.PROMAGINDUSTRIES.COM
As I said, these are Springfield M1A magazines, and they are distributed by ProMag. They may not be USGI, but I can comfortably call them "mil-spec." And regardless of whether they actually are mil-spec or not, I can definately say they are good magazines.
 
#55 ·
As I said, these are Springfield M1A magazines...
I think this means they are built for the Springfield M1A rifle. It's like saying a mag is built for the Colt 1911 but there is no Rampant Colt on the magplate.

It can be confusing.

And, my opinion of Pro-mag reflects that of others: They are not high-quality. I've owned a few for different handguns and none worked as they should have. I'll not own another. However, if they work for you and you like them, then I see no problem in using them. Remeber, opinions are like elbows.

BTW: I just order 5 in the plastic wrapper from 44Mag.com. I figure $1 more than the ones without the wrapper is worth me getting them now and not waiting for the other ones to get back in stock. I'll open one or two and keep the others in reserve since I already have two 20 rnd and one 10 rnd ones.
 
#56 · (Edited)
"The magazines were distributed by ProMag for Springfield Armory, Inc. with a "lifetime guarantee.""
*************************
This comment suggests that ProMag is distributing mags for a COMPANY named Springfield Armory, Inc..



****************************
"As I said, these are Springfield M1A magazines, and they are distributed by ProMag."
***************************
That's not what you said at all. This comment suggests that ProMag is distributing mags for a FIREARM named Springfield M1A.



These are two separate and distinct statements. One referencing a COMPANY and the other a FIREARM.



ProMag is NOT mil-spec and there have been numerous reported problems.
CMI is CERTAINLY mil-spec and there have been countless reports of flawless performance.
 
#57 ·
goColt said:
I think this means they are built for the Springfield M1A rifle. It's like saying a mag is built for the Colt 1911 but there is no Rampant Colt on the magplate.

It can be confusing.
Agreed. ProMag Industries magazines will fit / are made for the Springfield Armory, Inc. M1A rifle. That is not the same as ProMag being the supplier to SA, Inc. for M1A magazines. ProMag is not the supplier to SA, Inc. for M1A magazines. Check-Mate Industries supplies magazines to Springfield Armory, Inc. for M1A rifles. Reference: Joe DeBello, Project Manager, Check-Mate Industries.
 
#59 ·
Gray_R said:
I just picked up two (2) unmarked M14 magazines from my local gun shop. The magazines were distributed by ProMag for Springfield Armory, Inc. with a "lifetime guarantee."

They have a matte black Parkerizing that gives the magazine a good "grip." The follower, also Parkerized, has a groove on the left side that allows it to be push up far enough by the spring so that it engages the bolt catch. The rear magazine catch is a square block with two holes punched in the center. It sticks out from the box of the magazine approximately one-eighth (1/8) inch. Other than the front magazine catch, there are no other holes punched into the side of the box.

I acquired these magazines after the two "Brand-X" magazines I bought failed to seat in the magazine well after firing only 40 rounds, each - the rear magazine catch was too short. Luckily, the gun shop allowed me to trade in the two inferior magazines for these magazines.
If you have Pro Mag mags that actually function propperly, you are in a minority. I had some for a Mini 14 that I once had. Junk.

I also had a couple of their AR15 mags (not sure how I got them, but I trien them anyway). Again, junk.

I have witnessed and heard too much negative experiences regarding Pro Mag to recommend them.

If yours work, keep using them till they puke. When it's time to get more, I recommend genuine USGI like you can get from 44Mag.com.
 
#92 ·
I too had some Mini 14 Pro Mags and had the same experience with them (scrap metal) tried some for a 1911 45 more junk. You could'nt sell me a dozen of those things for a dime. ff.
 
#60 ·
goColt said:
I did a search but couldn't find any info, so I thought I'd ask:

Has anyone purchased the Type 57's from Dansammo: dansammo.com/odds.asp

Sorry, I'm not allowed to post "real" links yet.

5 for $75 including shipping seems to be better than the best CMI deal found at 44mag.com which I think is out-of-stock at the moment.
I have (5) "Type 57" mags from Dans as well. While they are not actually genuine "Type 57" mags, they function flawlessly and for the price they were a good deal.

I bought them last year before 44mag and their CMI mags came on the scene.

IMO, Dansammo is scamming folks with his "Type 57" claim. He is just one of many who engage in the M14 mag deception game.
 
#61 ·
Gray_R said:
As I said, these are Springfield M1A magazines, and they are distributed by ProMag. They may not be USGI, but I can comfortably call them "mil-spec."
I'll go out on a limb and say that they are not anywhere near being US milspec. Trust me.

nolan
 
#63 ·
Magazines sold by ***** Ammo (the link immediately above this post) are not 1960s production USGI magazines nor are they made by Check-Mate Industries. The List of Recommended Suppliers is for retailers selling USGI quality (1960s production USGI or CMI) twenty round M14 magazines.
 
#64 ·
***** Ammo "Type 57" Magazines

I now have ten of these. $14 each on the average. They load 20 rounds. They empty 20 rounds. They are well made and have real spot welds. I don't like the bluing as that will scratch and I have DuraCoat to apply and that won't scratch. Did I mention $14? I don't buy a magazine based upon snob appeal. I could care less if they are "genuine" govt. mags. I can understand the aggravation of buying mags that are misrepresented. From the posts I have read, I can see that falsifying magazine types is a real problem. But I also think that paying exhorbitant prices for "real" magazines is also a real problem. The "Type 57" type magazines from ***** fit my rifle perfectly. They snap in without rubbing or without using force. Even better, they come out when I push the release without playing tug of war with them. Quite frankly, if he wants to sell me a magazine that works out of the wrapper flawlessly for $14, I will beat a path to his door. I will admit that on my initial order, I had one magazine come that had a mis-shapen tang (?) (Part that operates the bolt lock) and predicatably it would not work. I spotted that by eye and it malfunctioned as expected. I got in touch with Dan by email and he replaced it. Told me I did not have to return the bad one. I was more than willing to send it back but he said not to. Soooo, I had a SA 10 round mag that I was not using nor would I probably ever use. I took the follower out of that one and put it in the defective 20 round mag from Dan. It now works just fine! Maybe I am just too easy to please, but I just don't have a lot of time to spend on figuring out what magazine is what! There have been many many many great pointers on magazines and anyone who is looking to buy them needs to read these all as I have. I just want to see the little guy who is selling great magazines at less money getting some credit also. We need to all look into more magzines with the political situation the way it is going to be after our "gun friendly" president is gone in a year.
Greg T.
 
#65 ·
While i don't doubt your good experience with these mags, the proof will come later, IMO.

I have 5 very nice blued mags that snap into and out of my rifle, look great, and by all accounts are "as good as" the "real" USGI spec mags.

But recently, after about 3 years, the bolt is beginning to ride over the base of the rounds, due to a weakening spring. Mind you, only 3 years of minimal use, compared to my '60s generation USGI mags that continue to run after more than 40 years.

No, I'm not a snob, but I just really cannot recommend any mags other than real USGI spec mags, and the only ones now are by Checkmate. I do not like the springs in the current run of Checkmate, but nonetheless, they are the only US contract mags available. And for 25 bucks each, I'll stick with them

YMMV,
 
#84 ·
But recently, after about 3 years, the bolt is beginning to ride over the base of the rounds, due to a weakening spring.
So what you're saying is I should buy replacement springs for my ten or so T57's before it's too late.

That being said, and not to knock the T57's at all, but by the time you get them re-parked and replace the springs you're right up in the same ballpark as the CMI's.
 
#67 ·
I guess I should confess that I do have some of the costlier magazines. This because a friend of mine on another list who had some from past ownership of an M1-A sold them to me as a quantity of about 10 very reasonably. They do 'feel' differant and they do work well. The dealer who sold me the rifle also had two and these I know are Springfield Armory. So, I was very pleasantly surprised when I found the 57's. I always stock repair parts for my rifles, and it seems logical to do the same thing for the magazines. I would also think that someone must make govt spec springs for these magazines, as some make springs for firearms. Same with followers. I just have to figure out who these firms must be. Again not being critical about the search for good quality magazines, just want to bring out what I have found about the less costly ones. Thanks for taking the time to take part in this discussion.
Greg T.
 
#69 ·
Brownells'...

"Wolff springs are tops, and can be bought from Brownell's."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What??? Brownells' doesn't make their own springs???

<G>

I e-mailed them as to who actually makes the Mags they claim they build themselves...but I have received no answer to date !?

I posted on another thread that Mark thinks they look like NHMTG...and they certainly do look the same...

Cavman in Wyoming
 
#70 ·
More from Brownells' on mags...

"I e-mailed them as to who actually makes the Mags they claim they build themselves...but I have received no answer to date !?
I posted on another thread that Mark thinks they look like NHMTG...and they certainly do look the same..."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, now they have replied...

I asked: "What company actually manufactures your AR-15/M-16 Magazines?"

Reply: "As you can imagine, we didn't run out and build a stamping company and a welding company and all of the other processes that it takes to build the magazine. But, we do own all of the tooling and the processes it takes to manufacture our mag. So you can only get our magazine from us. We don't just put our name on someone elses magazine like so many other companies do today."

Well...that kinda sounded like Baloney to me, so I wrote back what I thought was a fair follow-up question...

Q: Well, the 'body' of the mag...and the followers...look just like the HNMTG Mags...so I wanted to know?
So... who actually stamps out the mags for Brownells'...and are they really Different from HNMTG?

Reply: "HNMTG is really High Standard and their magazines are made by Okay Industries. Both Okay and Brownells are two of the three companies that supply magazines to the DOD under a military contract and we have to comply with most(YES! ---He Said MOST!!! <G>)of the same specifications. This is the reason that our mags and their mags look so much alike."

So...I always think that Baloney is Baloney...no matter How Thin You Slice It !!!

I will now leave it to other more knowledgeable Forum Members to 'parse' this new info to their heart's delight...

<G>

Cavman in Wyoming
 
#73 ·
I just wanted to put in another "+" vote for CMI mags from 44MAG.com. Had them in hand 3 days after ordering. Can't beat that.

And thanks to this topic and board for pointing me in the right direction. Almost bought something I wouldn't have liked from Midway.

-- Sam
 
#77 ·
NEED ADVICE.
When I go to place my order at 44 MAG.COM for 10 + mags I get a pop-up for a coupon code.
Is there a coupon code I need or should have?

Please advise,

ArmayorNAV1
+1
I too would like to know about the coupon code?

M48TNK
 
#76 ·
M14 Magazine Ident.

Thank you gentlemen for the information about magazine identification. I had previously purchased Military Specification magazines from Sportsmans guide they were returned and I purchased ten magazines from 44 mag. The mags were in the packages and I would not have opened them. I came across your web site opened the pack and to no supprise they were not mil spec. Thank you gentlemen for saving me from an expensive lesson. We call it crew resourse managment. Regards 01
 
#79 · (Edited)
Tom Forrest

Bad news IMHO.Bought around 6 "New cz75" mags circa
'1998'. Absolutely the WORST JUNK ever purchased by this
individual In some 40 years.Not one of the supposed nags fit or functioned out of some 7 purchased at an outrageous price.
Recall the post '94'hi-cap panic? MR Forrest took full advantage,not one of the $35 something mags functioned,some wouldnt even fit weapon.Believe he tried to substitute the Italian CZ copy magazines instead of the real thing.Shoot,grip angle didnt even match mag floorplate angle,wouldnt feed needless to say and wouldnt even hold slide back.Absolute junk, I will never do buisiness with Tom Forrest again.I hold no grudges just go by the motto burn me once shame




on you,2x shame on me. Avoid The first!!BRSTBOMB Tom, should you happpen to come across this
post your junk still resides in my closet if you should care to make it right?Which I doubt.

PS; perfect feed and function w/44mag cmi,midway T57s,poly/norinco? And, 2 un,IDedMags with a chinese star on the rear of the mags also 100%

PSS; Different, All the CMI mags Ive bought have been marked CMI.
 
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