Magazine check question

[Scurrent]

I have several Ar-15 and M1A Mags of unknown quality. Is there any way to test these mags without going through several hundred rounds of test ammo? Thanks for the help.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I think running a couple of magazinefuls through each one in live fire would be sufficient. That would still be quite a few rounds, given the number and capacity of them.

 

[10X]

You can test feeding by hand cycling rounds from loaded mags through the rifle(s). That won't tell you if the mag will hold the bolt open when firing. That has to be done firing a live round. So hand feed 19 rounds and fire the last round.

 

[Bill2e]

Stupid question, but I did not realize it was teh empty mag that held the bolt open. What does it catch on?

 

[crushbup]

On AK's (excluding ones that have BHO built in) the magazine follower holds it open (assuming the mag is so equipped), but I don't think that's what he's talking about.

 

[MrCleanOK]

On an AR, the back of the magazine follower rises up into the square notch in the back of the magazine between the lips and pushes up on the bolt catch inside the lower receiver. When you hit the button on the outside the internal portion of the bolt catch drops and releases the bolt.

Somebody who owns an M1A will have to tell you how that one works.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The action needs to run at full speed via actual live fire to tell the whole story. Hand cycling the rounds introduces human error, e.g., short-stroking or riding the bolt.

 

[Chipperman]

The action needs to run at full speed via actual live fire to tell the whole story.

True, but if you are getting consistent failures on a mag despite proper hand cycling, that mag is certainly suspect.

 

[CWL]

Are these new mags, or are they of unknown age? Also, what are the brands of them?

There are some well-known military contractor magazine makers and then there are well-known crappy magazine manufacturers. Just knowing the brand is a start on how good the mag bodies are.

If you do not know the age of the mags, you can (should) change-out the springs and followers to get them functioning. AR15 rebuild kits (springs & followers) aren't that expensive and well worth the peace of mind. They are definitely cheaper than blowing thru several hundred rounds of ammo in testing.