M9 Beretta magazine problems?

[GerryRA]

I’ve heard scuttlebutt about stoppages and feeding problems with some M9 pistol mags in the Gulf. Are these related to contract mags or original Beretta mags. I’ve seen mags marked “PB 9 para Made in Italy” and “PB 9 para Made in USA”. I presume these are original equipment Beretta manufacture. I’ve not seen, but have heard of contract mags with a stamped baseplate instead of the cast aluminum of the Beretta mags. Are these Checkmate manufacture? Are there other contractors? How do you identify the substandard magazines? I’ve some family in the Gulf that tote M9's and I’d like to send them some ”best available” mags if they have been issued anything unreliable.

[RRTX]

Most of the problems are due to weak mag springs, if you were to send them mags I would say factory Beretta mags would be the best bet. You could also send them some new Wolff springs for the issue mags, that way they can make use of the issue mags as well as any new ones you send.

[WT]

The US Army wrote up a 'Lessons Learned' paper back in 2003. Report dealt with the experiences of the 101st Airborne and their M9 pistols. Unfortunately, I can't find the link.

Anyway, the problems with the M9 centered around weak magazine springs produced by somebody other than Beretta. Therefore, I would assume that if the mag was made by somebody other than Beretta the mag is probably NG.

Buy original Beretta mags. Forget those made by others.

I don't own any Berettas nor do I have any dealings with them. I have nothing to gain by suggesting staying with the factory Beretta magazines.

[cxm]

The quick fix is replacing the mag springs with Wolff springs. Should do the trick.

[Old Dog]

MecGar, which makes factory Beretta mags, also markets the magazines under their own name. These are excellent magazines and can sometimes be found a bit cheaper than the ones sold under the Beretta marque. Stay away from USA brand and Pro-Mags.

I took my last two remaining "Ram-Line" 18-rounders with me (they're about eleven years old), and since I've babied them, they still function well (unique flat spring design instead of the coil). The company is long out of business, unfortunately.

[MrMurphy]

The problems apparently centered around the cheapo "Checkmate" mags some pennypinching beancounting chairborne ranger ordered instead of the microscopically more expensive but far, far more reliable Beretta-made magazines. Mec-gar's are good too.


Ditch the Checkmates or at least get Wolff sprigs in them, or get original Berettas (or new ones).

[BrokenArrow]

Chekmate Incorporated (CMI?), also known as Chokemate, has made "bad" mags for the SIGs and M14s too.