Be careful with aftermarket magazines!

[01rangerxl]

I went to a gun show last week and I decided to pick up a new magazine for my Ruger P89 9mm pistol. I had three already, but I figured since they were pushing 17 years old I may as well get a new one. No real rationale for it other than I can't go to a gun show without spending money.

Anyway, I couldn't find any original Ruger ones, so I got a "Pro Mag" brand magazine. I took the gun out to shoot today, and right away had a somewhat dangerous problem with the Pro Mag magazine. All except for the last round would feed properly, then the slide would retract as if the magazine was empty. In fact, there was still a round at the top of the mag ready to go. This happened every single time with the Pro Mag, but has NEVER happened with the original Ruger mags.

Lesson learned. I'm sticking with OEM magazines. The Ruger ones still work just fine after nearly two decades.

 

[SuperDave456]

If you are worried about springs replace them.

I'm sure Wolff Gunsprings has what you need.
I have used them before for several projects and have never been disappointed.

And yes, the VAST MAJORITY of Pro Mag magazines are junk.
I bought some knock off AK-47 mags and 1 didn't fit, the other the baseplate broke off and shot across the range while loading it. There was a reason that they were on sale.

I'll stick to foreign made AK-mags that work and buy in bulk.

 

[yaris0128]

Promag is meh. I have 2 Tokarev mags from them that Im really impressed with and function very well. One brand to really watch out for is Thermold. They make the cheapest junk mags Ive ever seen. I picked up a 47rd mag from them for my AK and I wont fit. Its too fat to fit in the mag well. Its a complete joke. So like SuperDave456 said, Ill stick with foreign made AK mags. Or tapco mags.... I really like them for some reason...

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: SuperDave456
If you are worried about springs replace them.

I'm sure Wolff Gunsprings has what you need.
I have used them before for several projects and have never been disappointed.

And yes, the VAST MAJORITY of Pro Mag magazines are junk.
I bought some knock off AK-47 mags and 1 didn't fit, the other the baseplate broke off and shot across the range while loading it. There was a reason that they were on sale.

I'll stick to foreign made AK-mags that work and buy in bulk.


I'm not even really worried about the springs in the original mags, I just wanted to save them from wear and tear. My thinking was that it would be better to put all the wear and tear on a new, non-original mag, and keep the originals in good shape. The plan would have worked if the aftermarket mag worked properly.

Looks like Cheaper Than Dirt has original Ruger mags though, so I guess I'll be getting one or two of those.

The gun in question does have an aftermarket Laseraim ported barrel that may have had an effect, but with the original mags it works flawlessly.

 

[Pablo]

I hear you. The problem with buying stuff at gun shows is you can't go online instantly and read reviews if that brand mag has problems in XYZ gun. I bought some fake "Colt" 10 round 1911 mags at the gun show (thinking they were real!) - I got lucky - they work fine in my Colt 1911. Haven't tried them in the Sig 1911. This last gun show I bought a real Sig P229 mag and naturally it's fine.

That said I bought 2 Promags for my P225 - Austrian Police issue made in 1983. I must admit, they work perfectly fine. Somehow Promag will actually improve a product if they get enough complaints, I have heard Promag customer service is OK. I would contact them - sounds like the spring is puny, made they'll send a new stronger spring.

I only have one magazine for all my guns that I have trouble with. It's a 1983 P225 stock mag, and someone must have dropped it of something years ago. The lips aren't right and it has FTF's.

 

[JetStar]

Most of the jamming problems I have in the past 30 years were the result of a Non-OEM magazine. There are exceptions, but not many.

 

[BarryinIN]

Some magazine observations I've made:

-Magazines are expendable. They wear out. Spring replacements might get some more use out of them, but they don't fix other areas like spread lips, worn mag catch notches, misshapen and worn followers, etc.

-ProMags are junk. USA mags are junk. Orlite is junk. Thermold is usually junk. Eagle is junk.

-OEM mags are usually OK but even then can be iffy sometimes.

-OEM mags aren't always the same OEM as the gun. Mec-Gar makes them for several companies, and Colt uses several suppliers.

-The mags sold by OEM suppliers aren't always the same as what the supplier sells on the open market. Mec-Gar makes Browning's HiPower mags, but the ones Mec-Gar sells are not exactly like the ones you get from Browning (though the differences are minor).

-What works great in one gun may not work in another. This seems especially true in 1911s, and it's probably because of the countless mag makers and gun makers over the years. Most people say Wilsons are the best, and they may be in their guns, but I have had guns that preferred something else. Don't order two dozen of any magazine without trying one or two first.

 

[Herz]

got a pro mage for my sig, garbage. Actually took a wilsom combat 1911 rebuild kit and used it in the 220 mag with the 1911 follower. Works better than the factory followers!

 

[unDummy]

My Promags work fine. Guess I'm lucky.
If you get a magazine new that doesn't work, send it back. Eventually you'll get one that is fine!!!

The more picky a gun is with magazines, the more finishing work needs to be done to complete the weapon. Get a gunsmith.

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: yaris0128
Promag is meh. I have 2 Tokarev mags from them that Im really impressed with and function very well. One brand to really watch out for is Thermold. They make the cheapest junk mags Ive ever seen. I picked up a 47rd mag from them for my AK and I wont fit. Its too fat to fit in the mag well. Its a complete joke. So like SuperDave456 said, Ill stick with foreign made AK mags. Or tapco mags.... I really like them for some reason...


Speaking of AK mags, see if you can find the old East German made ones, they are very good.

Watch your fingers though(sharp edges,) they arent really designed to protect the reloader lol.

 

[yaris0128]

Anyone have any clue where to find 8rd single stack Makarov mags? I have yet to ever find them for sale. The only way Ive seen them for sale is if you order the pistol and then you have the option of including 1 spare in your order. My FFL forgot to check that option when I ordered the the thing. Thanks...

 

[BarryinIN]

There used to be a place called Makarov.com. Besides being an info site, they sold parts and accessories. I don't know if they are even around anymore, or of they ever had 8-rd mags (because I went there reading their CZ-52 info) but they might be a starting point.

 

[Tempest]

Quote:
The more picky a gun is with magazines, the more finishing work needs to be done to complete the weapon. Get a gunsmith.

Fist thing a gunsmith will do is look at the magazines because they usually cause the problem.

 

[Buffman]

I have one pro-mag magazine, and it only works because I took it apart, cleaned out the plastic flashing, and installed a better spring in it

I only have it beacuse it holds 10 more rounds than factory (30 rounds)

 

[HyperJinx]

Dont feel too bad. Promag got me twice! I will never ever ever never buy another promag product.

As far as aftermarket pistol mags go.. I like MECGAR and Checkmate IND.

 

[bubbatime]

Do what I do. Buy new factory mags every three years and sell the old ones. This way you always have fresh magazines with fresh springs/followers.

Example: 3 New Glock 17 Magazines = About $60
Sell the 3 old Glock 17 magazines for $45.

$15 is a small price to pay every three years to have new mags that work.

Stay away from aftermarket garbage. Buy once, cry once is what I follow.

 

[Spazdog]

Yeah, it's getting to be time to buy new magazines:

I read somewhere that Glock would replace cracked magazines for $25 handling. I'm going to have to check up on that.

BTW: I never leave 15 in. I empty and clean them regularly even if I haven't been to the range. Army holdovers to "keep the spring from weakening".