Springfield SOCOM 16 magazines

[mini14gb]

OK I just bought a M1A SOCOM today and it only came with a 10rd magazine which is plenty really but I plan on keeping this at my cabin in Griz and Lion country and would hate to have a bad incident for a lack of shooting. Mind you we did have a lion get stupid on us early last fall and I'm going up there to work on the cabin all summer.

I was wondering if any of you could make recommendations for 20 round magazines? I have a inclination to buy standard Springfield mags but as any Kimber owner knows not all factory mags are the best.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Skip the Springfield Armory-branded magazines. Get Checkmate (CMI) 20rd mags, which are current US production and USGI issue, and cost less than half as much. Best price I know of for them is $20.49/each here:

http://www.44mag.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CM20

I believe those are made in the same factory as the Springfield Armory-branded mags, but I am not sure.

The only other mags I would consider are:

Taiwan Type 57 mags, which are made on USGI mag dies (From way back), but are not much cheaper:
http://www.keepshooting.com/firearmaccessories/magazines/m14_mag_20rd.htm

The Korean made generic M14-compatible mags have worked in my experience but are not as good as USGI. Sometimes they can be found cheap, but they don't seem as abundant lately.

I would completely avoid Chinese mags and anything other than the above or a prior USGI government contract mag (e.g. KMT mags).

 

[mini14gb]

I just went and bought 3 of the CMI mags on 44mag.com that is a damn good price. This rifle is a keeper for sure. I like the way that it handles much better than my AR-10. I almost never part with a gun but I'm considering dumping my Armalite. Its a good weapon and its dressed to kill with a Trijicon scope but I don't know how often I will use it in the field after handling and shooting the SOCOM.

 

[mini14gb]

Thanks for your time and effort Michigan!!

 

[Birddog1911]

Yep, can't go wrong with CMI. If you learn how to avoid a fake, pre ban USGI are nice in the collection, but they are more expensive than CMI.