"Keep Shooting" M-1 Carbine Magazines

[loose noose]

I do believe this is the correct area to ask questions about this company. I've already posted my recent purchase of a Iver Johnson M-1 Carbine. I got two 15 round magazines with it, neither of which holds the bolt back after the last round. I checked the bolt and it appears to be in excellent shape. Therefore I ordered several 15 round "mil-spec" magazines from this company at $11.99 each.

My question is, has anybody tried these mags, and if so were they any good as far as reliability and function? They had 24 replies and all were very positive 5 stars. Soooo what does though think?

 

[Carl N. Brown]

"I got two 15 round magazines with it, neither of which holds the bolt back after the last round."

That is standard. Don't expect the 15 round magazines to hold the bolt open on the last shot unless they have had a follower for a 30 round magazine installed.

The early M1 carbine 15 round magazine was issued with a follower that allows the bolt to close after the last shot. Most mil-spec 15 rounders are the same.

The later M1 carbine 30 round magazine was issued with a follower shaped to hold the bolt open on the last shot. Most mil-spec 30 rounders are the same.

The followers are interchangable and either style will work in either size magazine.

For my M1 carbine I have:
six 15 round magazines with last shot bolt close followers,
three 30 round magazines with last shot bolt hold open followers,
one 10 round magazine with last shot bolt hold open follower,
one 5 round magazine with last shot bolt hold open follower,
one 5 round magazine with last shot bolt close follower.

Since course of fire at our local military matches is ten shots per target, three targets per match, the three 30 rounders (loaded 10 rounds each) see the most use.

 

[loose noose]

I thank you Carl, that piece of advice was very helpful, I do wonder where I could get a few 30 round followers. Any suggestions?

 

[dogmush]

http://www.ktgunsmith.com/30CarbMag.htm

 

[Sunray]

A 30 likely won't hold a commercial carbine's action open either. Doesn't on my Plainfield anyway.
"Mil-spec" is a marketing term. Everything used by the military from paper clip to TP is "mil-spec".

 

[loose noose]

Yeh, dogmush, I went and pulled the followers out of the two magazines I've got and both don't have a way to get into the follower in order to pound out that little knob. I do believe it would be easier to just get the M-2 follower. I've looked just about everywhere I can think of with no luck so far.

 

[loose noose]

Incidentally, I took delivery of the magazines I ordered yesterday, they were all in new condition and operated as advertised while in my M-1 Carbine. I do believe "Keep Shooting" will be a mainstay for my future supplies. Note it took less than a week for delivery.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I order my S&W 69 series mags from Keep Shooting. Don't know who makes them, but they are quite good. On par with the factory mags.

 

[loose noose]

Above are the photos of that Iver Johnson M-1 Carbine with the alterations thanks to "Keep Shooting" and Numerich Gun Parts. Sure is fun to shoot. I tried bringing up the other photos of the carbine when first purchased but no go. I do realize I'm going to have to remove the barrel and receiver in order to place the magazine pouch on the rifle, but I plan on taking it up to Front Sight to shoot their two day shoot, and for some reason they don't allow ammo to be carried on the rifle. I don't want to mess with the harmonics of it just yet either, as it is right on at 25, 50, and 100 yards

 

[Devonai]

Did you clean it after you zeroed it? I would be far more concerned with a dirty rifle ruining my day than a normal field strip messing up the current zero.

 

[phil dirt]

Check with Fulton Armory. They had 30 and 15 rounders, both holding the bolt open on the last shot. I've seen them at the Puyallup Gun Show. They are Korean military and look to be very well made. Also, Cheaper than Dirt has/had them as of a few months ago.

 

[loose noose]

Devonai, You bet I cleaned it after I found zero, but I used a Hoppe's Snake, and a small tooth brush, and cotton swabs. The bayonet stud is a one piece sling swivel, as well as a keeper, and it is really tight on that little carbine so I'm not inclined to field strip it at this time, at least not until after I shoot at Front Sight. BTW right after I bought it I stripped it down to the basic parts and inspected and cleaned it up really good. I know I got a really good deal.

Phil Dirt, thanks for the heads up on the 30 round magazines that are Korean made, I've looked everywhere for them but so far to no avail. Cheaper than dirt, and I don't do business anymore ever since I made a $200+ order from them and they charged me two shipping fees, as the items came from two different warehouses, and the items were all very small. They said I should have checked the shipping fees before placing my order. BTW I was unaware of any 15 round magazines having that square follower. Could you be more specific? However the 5-15 round mags I've got from Keep Shooting seem to be all working very well.

 

[Devonai]

Ah gotcha. I hope you have fun at the shoot; you'll probably be the classiest guy there.