Factory v.s. Aftermarket Mags...

[Good Ol' Boy]

Title pretty much speaks for itself. Do you rely on mags from the maker of your pistol or do you use aftermarkets?

Why?

My current gun in question the factory brand mags range between $30-40. I can get aftermarkets for $15.


That is why I ask. Is it a crap shoot or what? My only other current pistol has extra factory mags and has had no issues.


Thoughts/experiences?

 

[Chuck R.]

It really depends on the aftermarket maker......

Some are in fact the company that make the OEM mags.

For instance I've never had issues with ACTs, nor Mec-Gar magazines, meanwhile Pro-Mags I run from.

Chuck

 

[JTQ]

It depends on the gun.

For 1911's I always buy aftermarket, mostly because I don't think there is a 1911 maker that makes their own mags anyway.

If I were shooting HK's, I'd always buy their factory mags.

SIG P-Series & Beretta 92, aftermarket Mec-Gar are either the same mag as the factory delivers or maybe better.

I'm not buying ProMag's, if that's what you're hinting at, no matter what they cost.

 

[Walkalong]

That's about it.

Aftermarket for my 1911, SA for my XDm, Factory or Mec-Gar for my CZ-97.

 

[FL-NC]

For 1911 I go with Wilson or McCormick. For Glock I stick with factory, as with my Ruger 22 pistols.

 

[unclenunzie]

My experience is factory preferred, but in after market, MEC-GAR are excellent and trustworthy. I have had poor results with pro-mags except for one type, which they don't make anymore.

 

[Drail]

Very few gun manufacturers actually "make" magazines or springs today. They outsource them.

 

[mgmorden]

Really depends. Some aftermarket mags are as good or better than factory. Some are terrible.

You have to evaluate them on a brand-by-brand basis. In general, Promags aren't that great. Mecgar is very good and actually makes the factory mags for many different guns (most new stuff from Ruger and S&W has Mec-gar made mags).

 

[pblanc]

Agree with the above. Mec-Gar mags are excellent. Promag mags are crap. I vastly prefer Wilson Combat magazines in my Springfield Armory Model 1911 A1 to the factory SA magazines.

 

[highlander 5]

I have mags for my 1911s from Wilson,Tripp,Checkmate and Metalform in 9mm Luger,9x23 winchester and 45 acp and all have functioned flawlessly. The Tripp and Wilson's are a bit pricey but very well made.

 

[C0untZer0]

The 19-round MEC-GAR CZ-75 magazine for my SAR B6P is the mag that's almost always in the gun. But I think the 16-round "OEM" mag that came with the gun is made by MEC-GAR anyway.

 

[RA40]

I've tended towards factory mags for most of mine. Both the .45's haven't been picky fortunately. The 1911 is dominantly Shooting Star and Wilson 47's.

The Mecgar for the Hi Power have been good. Picked up some 10 rounders I have yet to use.

I have some Pro Mag for the Star Firestar M43 9mm. They feed fine but don't catch the slide on the last round. I wouldn't buy them for any of my other guns. Luckily a handful of years back Numrich received a good sized shipment of factory mags so more were acquired.

HK only has HK so that solves that choice. For the Sig, haven't tried the 228 in the 229-1. Online talk says these are loose and may not feed so that has me leaning towards the 229-1 from Sig. The Mecgars are about half the price though.

 

[thewillweeks]

I only use factory and PMag mags in pistols.

For rifles I use Tapco for the x39 and a wide smattering in my AR's.

 

[wojownik]

OP - not knowing what guns you are talking about, this may be a bit general. Like the others have said - depends on the gun, and what aftermarket mags you are comparing them to. Aftermarket, MecGar meets or exceeds most factory mags (and are actually the factory mag anyway in cases). Promag, IMHO, is sketchy (and personally I think should come with a notice "not intended for personal protection purposes").

Sig Sauer - come with excellent factory mags, excellent aftermarket mags from MecGar

Colt 1911 - OK factory mags, much prefer Wilson or McCormick aftermarket.

Springfield 1911 - OK to iffy factory mags, again Wilson or McCormick, or even my old milsurp have been 100% reliable.

CZ - excellent factory mags, again MecGar aftermarket

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

I appreciate the input so far.


To be more specific to my case, the gun in question is my recently purchased Taurus PT709. It only came with one mag and I'd like at least a couple more.

So far I've only been able to find Taurus branded factory mags at $35-40 a piece, or Promags at $15-17 depending on capacity. I know most folks frown on Promags so I was wondering if it's worth it to spend the extra on the Taurus "factory" mags.

 

[wojownik]

CDNN has factory PT709 mags for $29. I'd look there before looking at Promag.

I'd look anywhere before looking at Promag, but that's just my opinion.

 

[wanderinwalker]

Factory or Mec-Gar from my experience. Excepting 1911 magazines, where there are a lot more options available.

I honestly can't remember a Pro-Mag (Cro-Mags...) running 100% in anything I've seen them used for. There was another brand around that was in about the same price range that I think was equally spotty, but I can't remember the name now.

It may be possible to tweak some of the lesser quality aftermarket magazines to work reliably (and in some cases that may in fact be the only option for magazines for a given pistol). Add the rates a gunsmith gets, plus the money for the parts he's going to replace, plus the welder's charges, it's cheaper and less hassle to get Mec-Gars or factory mags if they're available.

 

[pblanc]

Pay the two dollars.

Buy the Taurus mags. Avoid Promag.