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Posted: 3/1/2008 2:27:11 AM
Read the free online Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide at www.imageseek.com/m1a If you have high speed Internet access, download it to your hard drive for reference. Don't try it if you're on dial up. It's about 52 MB. |
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Posted: 5/1/2008 3:50:16 PM
Anyone know if the M14 mags Armalite is selling marked HR-R are the real thing?
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Posted: 5/26/2008 9:52:42 AM
The scammers are also using fake cardboard sleeve packaging. The dealers are getting from the distributor (scammer?) fake cardboard sleeve two packs with fake "GI" magazines inside. They are being shipped to the dealers in boxes. These fake "GI" magazines are marked BRW SI and OM. The contract number on the fake packaging ends in 0402. I'll be adding a picture of this fake cardboard sleeve two pack and associated magazines to the Pictorial M14 Magazine Idenfication Guide.
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Posted: 5/29/2008 7:36:43 AM
I'm working on getting the Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide to print. It will be offered at cost, no profit to anyone except the printer. It will be available online for ordering.
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Posted: 5/30/2008 9:58:11 PM
[Last Edit: 5/30/2008 9:59:01 PM by Different]
Today, I received two magazines from the original retail buyer. He purchased these magazines in April 2007. He provided a copy of the sales invoice. He was charged $29.95 per magazine plus shipping. He bought four. The invoice item is listed as M14/M1A 20Rd USGI Gun Magazine These magazines came from the fake GI packaging described in my quote above. This is according to the dealer who sent the original retail buyer a photo of the fake cardboard sleeve packaging. Here is my e-mail back to him: From: Lee Emerson (leeace99@hotmail.com) Sent: Fri 5/30/08 6:49 PM To: xxxxxx@flash.net Hi, Xxxxxx I received the two magazines today. They are fakes for sure: nine coils on the springs, spring material varies, won't hold twenty rounds, two welds on the follower, markings aren't right, latch plate dimple patterns are wrong, and the front side weld dimple patterns are wrong. There's no need to break out the dial calipers. They are trying to increase the spring force but they are not getting it right. There's at least two mistakes/errors on the cardboard sleeve packaging as well. I'll try to get these in the mail to you tomorrow. Thanks for the look see. I'm sorry you got taken. Lee |
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Posted: 5/31/2008 8:10:07 PM
Okay, we're just about ready to roll on the next version of the Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide. By gentleman's agreement, this is a collaborative non-profit educational resource for the M14/M1A fan.
I finished Version 1.1 this afternoon and posted it to an online printer/publisher web site. I ordered a proof copy to make sure that the color photos come out okay. When the proof copy comes in, I'll look at it. If it looks good, I'll release Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide Version 1.1 for sale. This is being offered at cost. There's no profit to me. The printer/publisher is making their profit on the print run so don't feel bad for them. LOL The print version will be soft cover, coil bound, 236 pages, 8.5 " x 11 ", and hundreds of color photos. The downloadable version is a 70 MB .pdf file so it's a NO GO if on dial up. You need Acrobat Reader 5.0 or newer to open the file. Thanks to your contributions, this reference just keeps getting better and better. |
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Posted: 6/7/2008 7:49:14 PM
[Last Edit: 6/7/2008 8:00:06 PM by Different]
Mods, if this is in the wrong forum let me know. TIA This is a non-profit book. I'm receiving no profit from this. It's being sold at my cost. The download is free.
The Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide Version 1.1 is available at no profit to me. It's $39.93 for the 236 page full color coil bound soft cover book. It's free if you want the down load (be very patient). http://stores.lulu.com/m14rhad3 Thanks to all of you who contributed on this. |
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Posted: 8/3/2008 4:31:57 PM
[Last Edit: 8/3/2008 4:32:31 PM by scmar]
As some of us know , from reading other sites you da man. Thank you for your tireless effort of sorting out what is real and what is crap.
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RatShooter
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Team Member
Joined: Jul 2007  NC, USA
 Posts: 386 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 10/29/2008 2:02:50 PM
[Last Edit: 11/20/2008 3:54:56 PM by RatShooter]
Different, excellent ID guide. Learned some good stuff about the magazines.
I downloaded it to compare some previously unidentified magazines purchased from Widener's. The nice lady I asked about them said there had been no complaints and that I could return them if there were problems. Turns out they are the fake T57 magazines with a few slight differences. Wrapping, grease, appearance is identical. Dark bluing. No body markings except a horizontal 5 above the catch plate. Incomplete stamping on 2 others. Catch plate has 3 welds. Body thickness .032. 12 welds on the spine, the 11 + 1. Follower identical, 3 welds. 8 coil LH springs, no tooling marks on springs, hang straight, .059 diameter. Springs are uniform but barely short at 10 7/8 measured free. Floor plate drain hole .185, .030 thickness. The floor plate can be flexed, but I don't about the "file hard" spec. It did spring back. Now to find out if they work. 11/20/08 update. Tested 5 of the fake T57s mentioned, no problems. |
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Posted: 11/1/2008 3:19:51 PM
I don't see where I can download the free PDF of the magazine ID info. Am I missing something
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RatShooter
Member
Team Member
Joined: Jul 2007 NC, USA
Posts: 394 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 11/1/2008 8:58:53 PM
I had to scratch around a little to figure it out after going to the web site.
Here's what you do. Go to Different's M1A web site at imageseek shown at the top of this page. Just under the picture you'll see Pictorial M14 Identification Guide - V 1.1 (click) You're now at the online archive, scroll down until you see the same guide listed again with order online under it, and click again. 6th one down. Now scroll down near the bottom of the new page where you can purchase the book. Just under that is a download for free option. He must have put a tremendous amount of work into that, an epic work on magazines. All  Different |
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Posted: 11/1/2008 9:45:01 PM
Direct route for the Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide Version 1.1:
www.lulu.com/m14rhad3 The download for the Mag ID Guide is free. |
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TurdyDingo
Hoof Hearted
Team Member
Joined: Feb 2003 TX, USA
Posts: 2063 Feedback: 100% (22) Link To This Post |
Posted: 11/12/2008 10:42:54 AM
This is a helluva resource, thanks for all the hard work
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Posted: 12/13/2008 7:40:29 AM
[Last Edit: 12/13/2008 7:40:45 AM by Different]
Originally Posted By Different:
Direct route for the Pictorial M14 Magazine Identification Guide Version 1.1: www.lulu.com/m14rhad3 The download for the Mag ID Guide is free. This is free. To date, 1,329 copies have been downloaded from the web site address in the quote above. Get your free copy and don't get scammed on M14 magazines. |
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Posted: 12/13/2008 5:31:36 PM
[Last Edit: 12/13/2008 5:32:06 PM by Different]
I just came back from the Las Vegas fun show. The fake "GI" magazines were being peddled and at $29.95 each.
If the packaging has a "contract" number ending in "OMINC-AB", pass on it. |
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Posted: 12/15/2008 1:26:19 AM
excellent guide.
I bought two M14 mags at the SAR show in Phoenix recently. after reading your guide turns out one is a real BRW-S1 USGI mag (used condition, paid $35 for it) and the other "BRW S-1" mag I bought is a fake (new condition, paid $40 for it). the seller I got the real one from had about 6 more mags at his table, wish I would have bought more  |
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Posted: 12/21/2008 10:39:58 AM
There are still deals out there on mags or at least there were before Nov. 4th. This past summer at a local gunshow an older gentleman with his wife had a selection of magazines and accessories on one table including an ammo box with 13 M14 magazines priced at $15 each. I wasn't real familiar with the difference between a fake and the real deal but I pulled out several to examine and they had a variety of makers stamps and all looked to be in excellent condition with the proper color parkerizing. Finally I asked him what he would take for the whole bunch including the box and he said $13 each for a total of $169. Paid the man and took them home. Breakdown by makers mark was as follows...
OM (4), BRW-Sl (3), HR-R (2), W (2), UHC (1), KMT (1). I then checked them against Different's Magazine Guide and they were the real thing. I was told by a friend at the show that before I bought the mags someome was looking them over with a magnifying glass. I don't know if they were afraid they were fake or were trying to get a better deal on them by walking away and coming back later. While I was walking around the show with them someone came up and asked how much I paid for them. He said that the followers had not looked right (he must have been the guy with the magnifying glass). He did not look like a happy camper and I think it was a case of sour grapes. |
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Posted: 1/25/2009 4:20:14 PM
Hi Gents, and thanks all around for the useful info - I was able to spot LOTS of fakes at the gun show this weekend (and didn't buy any of 'em)
I did buy a 20-round mag from Brownell's a bit ago, however, and I didn't find anything close in the guide. Brownell's sez it's made by CJ Weapons Accessories and it's part # 100-002-425 on their web site. I finally got to the range this morning, and it worked 100% with my SOCOM-16. This is a phosphated mag, but not claimed to be "USGI". I did have an initial problem (before I went to the range) with it, however - it went in fine, then I couldn't get it out! After applying the right cuss words and elbow grease, I got it out, then noted that the latch plate had rough, protruding edges, probably where it was punched out - so I filed it smooth and hit it with the wire wheel - it now comes out just fine. I also noted that the curve above the catch hole was done with a grinder, and left a nasty burr on the inside, so I smoothed it with the file & wheel as well. It has nine welds on the front - two at the bottom, three along the tube and four (!) at the top by the catch hole. The latch plate has 6 dimples and one centered visible spot-weld. The follower has two welds, and has no provision to catch the spring. The spring has 9 coils, and I was able to get 20 rounds into it, no problem. Putting it back together required some fiddling to get the spring to set properly into the follower - after that it was OK.. There are no marks or stamps on the mag that I can see. I didn't take any pictures, but could if anyone is interested. I could use a few more 20-round mags - does anyone know if the "USGI" ones Widener's is currently selling work OK? Thanks, Hartley |
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RatShooter
Shall not be infringed
Team Member
Joined: Jul 2007 NC, USA
Posts: 553 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 1/29/2009 3:20:22 PM
[Last Edit: 1/29/2009 3:21:58 PM by RatShooter]
I could use a few more 20-round mags - does anyone know if the "USGI" ones Widener's is currently selling work OK?
Thanks, Hartley They work fine. I've tried all mine now. Look for my post 5 or 6 above yours. Get some spare springs, note that they measured short on the free spring length. I thought they were out though, I didn't see anymore on the web site. I bought several and they had 8-900 left, not there now. |
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Posted: 1/29/2009 7:24:35 PM
Thanks, RatShooter,
I should have read a bit more carefully. I ordered a couple before they disappeared - I guess I'll find out at some point if they really had any or not..  |
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Posted: 2/3/2009 8:46:38 PM
[Last Edit: 2/9/2009 5:58:37 PM by Wulf_XXIII]
I'm new to the forum and the M1A (but have been shooting for almost 40 years), and I've been researching various magazine options for the M1A.
Has anyone tried the "New T57" (Tiawanese) mags from KeepShooting.com? They're supposedly in stock and only $20/ea. - being "brand new" I would hope they don't come pre-rusted, but that doesn't mean they won't eventually. Even more doubtful seem the "Genuine Mil.-spec M14/M1A mags" from SportsmansGuide.com - they're only $15/ea. or 3 for $40!? (They're supposed to be in stock as well, but in "limited quantities") I know it sounds too good to be true, so they probably are, but I was just wondering if anyone had actually tried them yet. Try not to beat up on the newcomer too much. 
Thanx! |
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Posted: 3/11/2009 10:11:04 PM
Am i crazy or is it next to impossible to find pre-ban (pre-94) M1A/M14 USGI 20 round magazines?
Anyone have a reliable source for these? |
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Posted: 3/12/2009 2:12:10 AM
Fulton Armory lists pre-'94 ban USGI M14 magazines. www.fulton-armory.com
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Posted: 3/20/2009 3:32:56 PM
[Last Edit: 3/20/2009 3:34:38 PM by FOX184]
I was recently given a 20 round mag stamped BRW S-l (upside down). I followed the flow chart and came to the conclusion that it is a BW USGI magazine. My only question is the follower is not stamped BW like I have read that it should be. Other than that it has all of the other characteristics it should have. It is blued not phosphate finished. Does anybody have any idea why the mag follower is not stamped?
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Posted: 3/21/2009 1:58:38 AM
[Last Edit: 3/21/2009 1:59:13 AM by Different]
Not all magazine followers were stamped with a manufacturer marking. Per the government drawing B7267085, the manufacturer marking on the follower stop was optional. USGI magazines are required to have a phosphate coating per the drawing. If it's blued, it's not the original finish.
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