M14/M1A Magazine Problems

[ssblair]

Bought a Springfield Armory M1A awhile ago with a bunch of 20 rnd magazines with it and noticed that some of the magazines seem to jam up the action every shot or so. Not sure if the problem is a physical interference between the back of the mag and the bolt or if it is a suggestion that I've heard that mags have problems causing jams when the springs get weak or something ?

Has anybody else had similar troubles or solutions? I think most of those mags were blued finish, not parkerized. Dunno who made 'em. At $40-50/ea I'm hesitant to just start replacing them.


Thanks.
-SB

 

[Avenger29]

You're in luck that new magazines are $20 apiece. http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CM20

Your problem may be simply crap magazines. Any Promag or National Magazine or similar crappy magazines in the bunch? Mark the malfing ones and set them aside for further examination.

 

[General Geoff]

Probably shoddy magazines. I've had not one failure to feed from a CMI-made magazine in my M1A, in over a thousand rounds.

 

[Orlando]

Get the real deal CMI and trash the other mags

 

[General Geoff]

Accept no substitutes.

 

[Supertac45]

Never had a problem with Springfield mags in mine,

 

[General Geoff]

CMI makes the magazines for Springfield.

 

[Maj Dad]

Old GI Mags?

I replaced the springs in some of my old GI mags that were noticeably shorter than newer ones, although I can't say any of them gave me any problems. I think I got them from SARCO, but haven't looked recently. The el Cheapo mags that sold in Shotgun News & elsewhere were POS, and essentially worthless. I've not tried the CMIs, but if they're GI contract, they ought to be good.

 

[Average Joe]

Are you using genuine USGI mags? After market mags just don't cut it in the M1A.

 

[X-Rap]

All said about mags is true, you need the top shelf stuff for reliability.
$40.00 will not be an uncommon figure, I was lucky and got a bunch of 1960's vin. from a buddy whos mom found them in her garage. I'm not lookin that gift horse in the mouth for nothing.

 

[Slamfire]

Never had a problem with GI magazines. Even with magazines so well used, that the finish is rubbed off in places.

 

[General Geoff]

$40.00 will not be an uncommon figure, I was lucky and got a bunch of 1960's vin. from a buddy whos mom found them in her garage. I'm not lookin that gift horse in the mouth for nothing.

As linked by Avenger29, genuine CMI mil-spec magazines are available for $20 apiece, brand new.

 

[X-Rap]

I'd say that is a fairly uncommon price and I will be getting 5 more.

 

[General Geoff]

Also, for what it's worth, CMI recently introduced a 25-round M14 magazine. I bought two several months ago, and have put a few hundred rounds through them, with zero malfunctions. 44mag has them for $25/each. Here's one next to a 20 rounder for comparison.

 

[wally]

Centerfire Systems has Korean M14/M1A 20 round mags for $10 each. No problems yet for me in my Polytech, I've several so it doesn't seem to be a fluke.

--wally.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Another vote for CMI mags, which as noted several times are only $20 each through 44mag. Definitely get some of those.

If you're super cheap or just curious, after buying a couple CMI mags, you may try Taiwanese Type 57 mags:
http://www.keepshooting.com/firearmaccessories/magazines/m14_mag_20rd.htm

Or the aforementioned Korean mags, available at AIM and Centerfire Systems typically for $10-15 a piece, sometimes less. But get at least a couple CMI mags.

 

[X - Man]

I use only USGI / CMI mags. Just picked up several more CMI mags and they're beautiful. Great price. The M-14 is a battle rifle, accept no substitute to quality.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Another vote for CMI from 44mag or usgi.

 

[GunTech]

Has anyone tried the CMI 20 round stainless mags?

 

[General Geoff]

I was unaware that CMI makes or ever made stainless M14 mags. Got a link?

 

[ssblair]

Thanks for the links guys!!

 

[GunTech]

Stainless M14 magazines

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/sid=53057/pid=27330/sku/20_Round_Stainless_Steel_Magazine