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.
Tom Forrest aka Tom Lee aka Banana Mag aka checkmate308 in San Diego County, California does not sell USGI M14 magazines. Myself and others have first hand experience that his magazines are not USGI contract (or CMI) manufacture.
"has anyone had any luck with forrest out of SGN are they USGI or what?"
"Tom Forrest aka Tom Lee aka Banana Mag aka checkmate308 in San Diego County, California does not sell USGI M14 magazines. Myself and others have first hand experience that his magazines are not USGI contract (or CMI) manufacture."
Check-Mate Industries has been the USGI contractor for M14 magazines since 1990. CMI magazines are USGI quality but the ones they sell to the commercial market don't have markings.
Thanks, alaskan. List has been updated, Brownells has been removed. Word must have gotten around about the CMI magazines with the fake BRW S-1. Elite K9 no longer sells these magazines either.
Armalite says they will be selling current production (read CMI) magazines in the near future with the "proper GI markings." What are the "proper GI markings?" We'll find out soon from Armalite but I interpret that to mean that the marking will meet the USGI drawing 7790181 Magazine Tube requirement, a 1/8 " high manufacturer identification marking on the rear side.
I think we're having a good effect here. Someone is reading these posts for sure. These latest developments add to my trust in Check-Mate Industries. GI2
Thanks, alaskan. List has been updated, Brownells has been removed. Word must have gotten around about the CMI magazines with the fake BRW S-1. Elite K9 no longer sells these magazines either.
I have a couple of mag replacement bodies from ELITE K9 and now know that the S-1's are fake (thanks to you!), but are still good to go as they are CMI mags, correct?
I also bought several springs from ELITE but have also found out that these are NOT USGI spec springs. Took a loss on those and ordered springs from the group buy here. Oh well, live and learn!
I purchased 20 of his "latest" T57's and have had zero issues with the 4 magazines I have tested: correctly sized springs and mags that hold 20 rounds; 3 welds on followers; 11 "hand welded" ( i.e., not straight and uniform ) dimples; no FTF issues experienced during 2 very rapid fire mag "dumps."
I take it that my experiences with this latest batch of Ammoman's T57's is not typical?
I have some "T-57's" which do not accept USGI followers.
As I understand it, REAL T-57 mag parts should be FULLY INTERCHANGEABLE with REAL USGI mag parts. If not, they are FAKE and NOT REAL T-57's.
I don't see any problem with buying non-GI spec. mags if you want to. I REALLY have a problem with all these shysters LYING about what they are selling.
You can make the choice to buy a Thermold mag. Lot's of people have these. The Thermold vendors have never tried to suggest that they are "USGI" or "T-57's". So, hey, fair enough. You can make an informed choice.
IMO, just about ALL the "T-57's" for sale for the last few years are NOT REAL. The shysters are intentionally hustling the public. The public will eventually find out the truth AFTER they have been separated from their hard earned money.
I bought over $100 of "USGI" followers from Cope's Distributing. THEY WERE NOT USGI. (2 welds...NOT 3 welds)
Vendors should tell the truth about what they are peddling. Then the public can make an informed decision on whether they want to buy or not.
I don't appreciate the "T-57" and "USGI follower" hustles. I DID NOT get what I paid for because scum bags misrepresented their wares.
BTW, these lying scum bags pull these scams because they have utter contempt for the trusting buying public. They consider us to be imbecils and jerks...ripe for the picking. I don't appreciate that either.
IMO, only buy from ethical (truthful) vendors because otherwise you are giving your hard earned money to someone who is convinced that you are an ass**** and treats you as such by feeding you BS and selling you FAKE merchandise.
Had I known more about mags prior to purchase, I would have bought CMI's ONLY and ONLY from vendors that TOLD THE TRUTH.
All above comments are "In My Opinion" and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the management of this board or anyone else for that matter.
elvis_is_dead, other members of this board and I are collaborating on updating and expanding the Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide. Revision 0.7 will exceed 200 pages and have over 300 photos when it gets done.
No, it's covered in the Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide which is part of the M14 Rifle Library CD.
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