AR15 Magazine Marked "ENGLAND"

[bad_dad_brad]

A dealer I know has a few 30 rd AR15 magazines with no markings on them at all but a piece of tape with the country ENGLAND printed on it (lower left side).

It has a black and/or dark gray follower and the sheet metal is much thicker than on most AR15 magazines and it seems very well made.

They appear to be almost brand new and have a gray finish with very little burnishing. The sales guy didn't have a clue, except to say, nobody has brought one back.

It seems like a good buy at 22 bucks, and since, it is unmarked, I am assuming it is pre-ban.

I did some searches THR, TFL, and the internet and found that Sterling made some that supposedly fit in AR15's and AR18's but this one only has a catch notch for the AR15.

Does anybody know the origins of this magazine?

Just curious - thanks in advance. I will probably buy one and try it out unless somebody thinks they are post-ban.

 

[gun-fucious]

in an attempt to fix the current SA-80 british assault rifle, they ditched the made in England mags and bought HK mags thus flooding the US market with preban mags

me wonders how the managed to get them imported into the USA

 

[bad_dad_brad]

So they are original SA80 mags? Didn't know that.

Hmm, gun-fucious, but are they any good in an AR15? The SA80 had (still has) a lot more problems than just magazines.

I have no clue how they were imported but they seem really robust compared to the usual tinny aluminum mags.

Since they are preban, I guess I will try one out.

 

[Atticus]

Do a search over at www.ar15.com. The equipment exchange forum there was flooded with them a month or so ago. All the comments I read about them were positive.

 

[RussB]

Ditto about checking thm out at www.AR15.com

FWIW, I paid $17 for a new one at a local gunshop. They have steel bodies, and work well (no problems)

"Tinny" 30-rnd aluminum USGI mags (add the green followers for top reliability) are the best available for AR15 rifles. The USGI 20-rnd aluminum's are top notch as well

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Thanks folks, I will buy a few. Interesting.

RussB, I agree that the tinny aluminum USGI mags (I have some) work good, but I seem to be constantly fixing them by re-bending the mag catch notch so it takes hold. Other than that, I agree, they do work good.

 

[mark mcj]

I've had nothing but good results with these mags.
See if your dealer will come down to $20 if you buy 2 or more.
The follower is the same as the "green" ones except it's black.

 

[Gunner45]

A friend of mine got two of them for 29 each. I they were going for 17 around here. For what it's worth, they seem to function perfectly. Very solid, not "tinny".

Gunner45

 

[Bottom Gun]

I have a few I bought from Eric the Ammoman and they work fine.

 

[dog3]

I bought a dozen of 'em.

Only had to end up using 2 out of
12 as targets.

Not too bad.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

Dillon sells 'em for $19.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

They worked fine for me, but they sure are heavy. I actually like the light aluminum a bit more.

 

[sasnofear]

may be SA80 though if u got real luckey it may be a southern gun co mag designed for man-op AR-15's will work in any variant though

 

[T.Stahl]

I read that British soldiers actually bought American M16 magazines for their SA80s and kept their issued Radway Green magazines only for inspections.

And they were the reason why HK developed new mags for the SA80.

 

[uglygun]

http://dillonprecision.com/template/p.cfm?maj=39&min=0&dyn=1&

 

[mark mcj]

The Brits have had so many problems with the SA80 [aka POS]
I believe they were trying anything and everything to try to get a dependable firearm.

 

[AirPower]

I wonder if the Brits gained any better reliablity by using HK mags. It could just be a game of blamegame though. The SA80 looks good just wont' feed worth a dime. Probably too much polymer in it.

 

[mark mcj]

HK is modifying and rebuilding all of the SA80s for $600.00+. That rifle has alot more problems than the magazines.

 

[FPrice]

bad_dad_brad

Thanks for directing me to this thread. I did a search but missed this. I think I am going to get a few and try them out.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Welcome FPrice.

I search first as well, but internet searches are what they are, and so when I see someone asking the same questions, I try to help out.

I have not shot anything out of these mags yet, but they do seem pretty good. Regardless, they would make a good door stop!

 

[BDM]

Hey FPRICE I see your from massachusetts to,FOUR SEASONS firearms in wouburn has them for $25 a piece in a 5 pack and COLLECTORS COIN GALLEREY in stoneham has them 5 for $95 or I have 5 good used ones GI alum. for $80

 

[FPrice]

Just coincidentally...

SWAT Magazine (the August 03 issue) has an article entitled "M16 Magazines, Myths and A Better Mousetrap". Some interesting material.

 

[BallisticTip]

Good mags, might need to file, the mag ketch hole a bit.