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Posted: 5/18/2026 9:25:12 AM EDT
This past Saturday, I bought some old GI aluminum 30rd mags at a gun show. All were in great condition. They were some old names you don't see anymore.  But, one was a little different. (bottom mag in first three photos)  It had a metal anti-tilt follower, and a multi-strand spring. Also, there were no markings at all on the mag body or floor plate.   It's also one of smoothest sliding mags (referring to the follower travel) I have ever felt. Anyone have any idea who made this odd one? |
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My first thought/first glance was that last mag with the braided spring "might" be what I believe one of the original, first production, USGI 30rd mags. If you check the link below, you'll see your follower is different in in the rear/rib portion of the follower, so maybe a CMMG(?) instead. Good news/bad news. If it's an original, vintage, they are collector items with value, and at the same time, worthless for feeding your rifle; they absolutely suck for feeding, and were ditched for that very reason. I had three original, metal follower mags back in the 90's I sold as "collector item only, will not feed" Colt perfected the design with the numbered/emerald green follower version. Link below from M14 forum; Brief History of the 30 round magazine. Link below from this forum; ARFCOM Mag forum History of the AR/M series magazine. Neat find either way. |
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