I have some of lots of brands of mags and lots of some brands. Currently I like Cobra mags by Tripp for 1911's; Springfield mags for my XDm's & XDs'; and SIG's for the SIG's. In other words, I like factory mags except for 1911's.
Replacement Handgun Magazines
- Thread starter ArchAngelCD
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ArchAngelCD
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Thanks everyone. I agree factory mags are usually the best choice but when you can't get them it's nice to know which are "safe" to buy. (especially at the price CDNN offers)
USAF_Vet
Member
+1 on the Mec-Gar. I've always read mixed reviews on the Pro-mag, but I have a couple S&W 59 series Pro-mags, and they have functioned flawlessly in my pistol. With factory mags creeping near or over $40 a piece (although I have found a source for aftermarket of unknown manufacture for under $25), I'm willing to give anything a try.
Lycidas Janwor
Member
I didn't know that Glocks had after-market mags available. I am excited to learn that Magpul is going to start producing Glock compatible mags, but I don't think they are out on the market as of right now.
USAF_Vet
Member
What do you recommend when this is not possible, like Smith and Wesson 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation pistols that have been out of production for decades?
My S&W 469 stopped production in 1988, and while 3rd gen pistols were developed into the mid 90's (maybe later) they are all out of production, meaning no new factory mags.
New old stock factory mags I've found are few and far between, and generally of the 59 series (15 rounds versus 12 for the compact 69 series) run between $35 and $50.
Used mags online at gunbroker and such are hit and miss reliability, necessitating aftermarket mag springs, and further adding to the price.
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
Have you seen the price of factory SIG or H&K magazines? Cheap? I think not!!!
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
Very good point, what to do for those guns?
Again, I agree factory mags are good to buy bit when you can't get them I just wanted to know which were safe to buy.
USAF_Vet
Member
Sig factory mags are Mec Gar mags. You can get identical mags, without the Sig rollmark, for much cheaper via Mec Gar direct, than via Sig. Same mags, minus the stamp (generally speaking).
I got my S&W 69 series mag in the mail today (from KeepShooting.com). I'll do some test runs with it tomorrow, but won't actually get out to fire it until the temperature rises. I have no idea who manufactured this mag, but I'll see if I can find some stamps somewhere (it's still sealed in the USPS box).
For out of production guns (and mags), the after market is really the only option, or buying used. Either are hit or miss.
JR24
Member
considering Mec-Gar makes OEM mags for several of my guns... I'ma go with them.
What's your life worth?
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ArchAngelCD
Member.
How cliché of you...
Since I don't carry a semi-auto for SD I guess that question is useless to this thread.
Walt Sherrill
Member
RE: Pro-Mags...
I've had great service out of Pro-Mags for the CZ compact guns. And some S&W Model 59 mags. (I picked up some "FACTORY"-wrapper CZ full-size 10-round mags once -- which were flawless performers -- only to find that they were made by Pro-Mag (it was printed on the back of the label in each pack). The compact mags for the CZs are the ONLY Pro-Mags I've ever recommended to anyone. (Back during the mag ban, the 10-round .40 S&W mags made by Pro-Mag functioned like 13-round 9mm mags, and worked beautifully.)
Interestingly, CZ never got around to making that compact .40 version of the CZ-75 (until they did a CZ-85 compact [very few made]), and a couple of other weirdos, like the 40P...) Seems as though they never got their compact mags for the .40 guns to work well back in the day.
A lot of CZ Forum members, back then, used compact versions of CZ mags by Pro-Mag without problems and they were MUCH CHEAPER than the CZ factory mags.. That was NOT the case for the hi-cap 15-round mags for full-size guns.)
Most Pro-Mag problems seem to be due to weak springs. With some mags you can buy springs from Wolff and mags from Pro-Mag, replace the springs, and end up with pretty good mags. But not if the Mec-Gar versions are even close to the same total price.
I've had great service out of Pro-Mags for the CZ compact guns. And some S&W Model 59 mags. (I picked up some "FACTORY"-wrapper CZ full-size 10-round mags once -- which were flawless performers -- only to find that they were made by Pro-Mag (it was printed on the back of the label in each pack). The compact mags for the CZs are the ONLY Pro-Mags I've ever recommended to anyone. (Back during the mag ban, the 10-round .40 S&W mags made by Pro-Mag functioned like 13-round 9mm mags, and worked beautifully.)
Interestingly, CZ never got around to making that compact .40 version of the CZ-75 (until they did a CZ-85 compact [very few made]), and a couple of other weirdos, like the 40P...) Seems as though they never got their compact mags for the .40 guns to work well back in the day.
A lot of CZ Forum members, back then, used compact versions of CZ mags by Pro-Mag without problems and they were MUCH CHEAPER than the CZ factory mags.. That was NOT the case for the hi-cap 15-round mags for full-size guns.)
Most Pro-Mag problems seem to be due to weak springs. With some mags you can buy springs from Wolff and mags from Pro-Mag, replace the springs, and end up with pretty good mags. But not if the Mec-Gar versions are even close to the same total price.
Thermactor
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Once you buy replacement mag springs for your Pro-Mag, aren't you behind on price vs. a quality magazine?
Mec-Gar makes CZ magazines, for example.
Not sure which model you're referencing but I was browsing a lousy Slickguns Cabela's deal for today and it had a Mec-Gar CZ-75 magazine for $21 and free shipping.
What does a Pro-Mag cost, $15-20? And a mag spring is what, $7.50?
Mec-Gar makes CZ magazines, for example.
Not sure which model you're referencing but I was browsing a lousy Slickguns Cabela's deal for today and it had a Mec-Gar CZ-75 magazine for $21 and free shipping.
What does a Pro-Mag cost, $15-20? And a mag spring is what, $7.50?
rskent
Member
I have to go with “Other”.
Glock doesn't charge so much for mags that I cant afford to pick one up now and then.
Glock doesn't charge so much for mags that I cant afford to pick one up now and then.
Terlingueno
Member
I like Wilson Combat for my 1911's
george burns
Member
Other here also. Wilson, McCormic, Tripp.
Walt Sherrill
Member
Thermactor said:
Generally, yes. But not always.
You'll notice I said, "Most Pro-Mag problems seem to be due to weak springs. With some mags you can buy springs from Wolff and mags from Pro-Mag, replace the springs, and end up with pretty good mags. But not if the Mec-Gar versions are even close to the same total price."
It's generally only springs that are crappy. (At least that's been my experience with S&W, CZ, and Beretta mags by Pro-Mag. They make a lot of other mags, so I can't say anything about the others.
The Pro-Mags for compact CZs have always seemed to be pretty good. Not so, other CZ mags. But if you can't find a Mec-Gar, and you have spare mag springs (I generally keep a few on hand), the Pro-Mags may work. (The cost of the spring is generally around $5, so the price difference has to be much greater to make it worth trying.) I did learn, however, that the CZ compact mags work in the Sphinx compacts, but the Pro-Mag for CZ compacts are too fat to work in the Sphinx guns. (I'm talking about the 2000 series Sphinx guns.)
Everyone complains about Pro-Mags, and generally with cause -- but if you have a bad Pro-Mag magazine and send it back, they'll send you another, or fix the bad one. Their warranty is pretty good, but few people bother with returning the crappy mags. (The cost of a small envelope, some stuff to protect the mag, and postage is less than a spring, generally.)
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