M1A Magazine Help

[loadedround]

Guys, I'm having one of my senior moments again. Several days ago there was a discussion (I believe here )about the best after market mags for the M1A. There was a reccomended brand that I was not familiar with and I meant to write it down. Now I can't find the the post and the Springfield mags cost twice as much. Can someone please help me?

 

[GunTech]

Checkmate Industries, or CMI, probably.

 

[Dazen]

Yep I would bet it Was CMI, you can pick them up at 44mag.com for $25 with free shipping

 

[loadedround]

Both of you are correct. That's the name I was look for and couldn't find. Many thanks to you both.

 

[Double Vision]

How do the CMI magazines compare to OEM?
I find the original magazine on the M1A very stiff to insert & withdraw.
Does it improve over time?

 

[srkavanagh6621]

I really liked the quality of the CMI mags I got, I purchased them at Brownells though for a very good price!

 

[Messenger Guard]

CMI are current issue. I think I may have been the OP on that thread. 44MAG.com is the place....FREE shipping.

 

[Onmilo]

I have found the cast trigger housings on current production Spring Inc. rifles is the major contributor to hard to insert/remove magazines.
My suggestion is to replace the cast housing with a USGI forged housing and that problem goes away.

CMI/Checkmate are current government issue for the M14 rifle.

 

[Colt Smith]

I'm new to the M14/M1A. CMI seems to be the best. But these looked good too and much cheaper:

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/MAG3573-36.html#Reviews

 

[357fan]

That link is to a 10 round mag, the CMI at 44mag.com are standard 20 rounders, and MUCH more desirable IMO.

 

[Colt Smith]

Yup, sorry about that. I know the 20's are more desirable. But I live in the backward state of New York. So I was shopping for 10's because that's what ships with the M1A to my state. Still, it looks like a decent price for anyone looking for 10's.

 

[1KPerDay]

Do yourself a favor and avoid any aftermarket mags. USGI or CMI mags are THE ONLY way to go if you want quality and reliability. There is a lot of junk out there. CMI makes 5, 10, and 25 rounders also FYI.

 

[PGNHAWK]

I have two or three of the Cheaper Than Dirt 10-rounders. So far no probs whatsoever. I prefer the 10-rounders I got from Springfield, but it's a huge price difference. Us Ny'ers have limited options...

 

[Colt Smith]

PGNHAWK,

How did you get the mags you ordered from Cheaper Than Dirt? Even though the gun ships to NY with a 10 rounder, and it's legal to own a 10 rounder in NY, they said they won't ship to me because I'm in NY. Brilliant.

 

[Roughneck08]

Yes Checkmate is what I have, both 20 rounders. Good products!

 

[fragout]

Current CMI mags actually are USGI mags. I have several issued magazines for an issued M14 service rifle with me now, and they are the exact same magazines that 44mag sells.

CMI also filled a Gov. contract for M14 mags in the early/mid 80's as well.

I have a few 5/10/25 rd M14 mags that are CMI and purchased from 44mag. All work as reliably as the 20rd mags have so far.

They also have a 20rd stainless steel version out as well, but I haven't tried any as of yet.

11B

 

[seldomseensmith]

CMI mags have treated me well. Seats well and not a jam yet.

 

[Kenneth]

SA factory, and CMI 20 round mags have worked well for me. The factory 10 round mag was low feeding on the right side, just enough to leave copper shavings around the chamber mouth. Bent the lip up ever so slightly, problem solved.

I find the original magazine on the M1A very stiff to insert & withdraw.

The front magazine catch which is part of the spring guide is heavily spring loaded when the bolt is locked back. The factory 10 round mag is harder to get in and out because you have less leverage than with a 20 round mag. The 5 round mag is a royal pain in the [insert body part here] to get in and out no matter what.