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6/4/2016 5:21:56 AM EDT
I bought some preban mags and put new springs and magpul enhanced self-leveling followers in them.  Some of them function fine but in others the follower gets stuck about half way through and wont go all the way up.

They're in good shape externally but the finish is different than others I have. It appears to be parkerized(?).

I'm thinking they're just dirty inside. What's the best way to clean them?  

They are Center Industries 30rd USGI mags dated 09/92 if that makes a difference.

I have other Center Industries pre bans and haven't had a problem with them.
6/4/2016 7:54:16 AM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
I bought some preban mags and put new springs and magpul enhanced self-leveling followers in them.  Some of them function fine but in others the follower gets stuck about half way through and wont go all the way up.

They're in good shape externally but the finish is different than others I have. It appears to be parkerized(?).

I'm thinking they're just dirty inside. What's the best way to clean them?  

They are Center Industries 30rd USGI mags dated 09/92 if that makes a difference.

I have other Center Industries pre bans and haven't had a problem with them.
View Quote


Take off the baseplate and remove the spring and follower.  I use a cleaing rod with a copper brush wrapped in cotton cloth and covered in Mobile 1 oil.

6/4/2016 9:37:05 AM EDT
[#2]
Also check the inside seam for weld splatter.

I had a few where the follower would get stuck, they all had Colt base plates and on the inside at the welds, there was weld splatter that needed to be filed down, sanded and smoothed out.

It seems the black followers would function because the amount of plastic contact was small enough, but the increased contact with the sides by the welds of the non-tilt Magpull follower had enough resistance to stop the follower.
6/4/2016 11:17:32 AM EDT
[#3]
Quote History
Quoted:
Also check the inside seam for weld splatter.

I had a few where the follower would get stuck, they all had Colt base plates and on the inside at the welds, there was weld splatter that needed to be filed down, sanded and smoothed out.

It seems the black followers would function because the amount of plastic contact was small enough, but the increased contact with the sides by the welds of the non-tilt Magpull follower had enough resistance to stop the follower.
View Quote


If you still have them, check to see if the magazine bodies have 33710 stamped on them. There is a LOT of faking Colt magazines. At one point counterfeit floor plates were showing up.

More common is for someone to purchase Colt mags and swap out the floorplates on a cheaper mag and then sell them as Colt's.
6/4/2016 3:02:49 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote History
Quoted:

Take off the baseplate and remove the spring and follower.  I use a cleaing rod with a copper brush wrapped in cotton cloth and covered in Mobile 1 oil.

View Quote


I will try this. What does the Mobil 1 do?
6/4/2016 3:03:20 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote History
Quoted:
Also check the inside seam for weld splatter.

I had a few where the follower would get stuck, they all had Colt base plates and on the inside at the welds, there was weld splatter that needed to be filed down, sanded and smoothed out.

It seems the black followers would function because the amount of plastic contact was small enough, but the increased contact with the sides by the welds of the non-tilt Magpull follower had enough resistance to stop the follower.
View Quote


This is what I was thinking.  I'll open them up again and take a good look inside.
6/4/2016 3:47:34 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:


If you still have them, check to see if the magazine bodies have 33710 stamped on them. There is a LOT of faking Colt magazines. At one point counterfeit floor plates were showing up.

More common is for someone to purchase Colt mags and swap out the floorplates on a cheaper mag and then sell them as Colt's.
View Quote View All Quotes
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Quote History
Quoted:
Quoted:
Also check the inside seam for weld splatter.

I had a few where the follower would get stuck, they all had Colt base plates and on the inside at the welds, there was weld splatter that needed to be filed down, sanded and smoothed out.

It seems the black followers would function because the amount of plastic contact was small enough, but the increased contact with the sides by the welds of the non-tilt Magpull follower had enough resistance to stop the follower.


If you still have them, check to see if the magazine bodies have 33710 stamped on them. There is a LOT of faking Colt magazines. At one point counterfeit floor plates were showing up.

More common is for someone to purchase Colt mags and swap out the floorplates on a cheaper mag and then sell them as Colt's.


I do, there are no markings on the body at all.

They are supposed to be pre-ban

All the floor plates look authentic and not fake.
6/4/2016 4:23:04 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:


I do, there are no markings on the body at all.

They are supposed to be pre-ban

All the floor plates look authentic and not fake.
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Also check the inside seam for weld splatter.

I had a few where the follower would get stuck, they all had Colt base plates and on the inside at the welds, there was weld splatter that needed to be filed down, sanded and smoothed out.

It seems the black followers would function because the amount of plastic contact was small enough, but the increased contact with the sides by the welds of the non-tilt Magpull follower had enough resistance to stop the follower.


If you still have them, check to see if the magazine bodies have 33710 stamped on them. There is a LOT of faking Colt magazines. At one point counterfeit floor plates were showing up.

More common is for someone to purchase Colt mags and swap out the floorplates on a cheaper mag and then sell them as Colt's.


I do, there are no markings on the body at all.

They are supposed to be pre-ban

All the floor plates look authentic and not fake.


They aren't Colt! They're fakes!!!

I don't suppose you purchased them from Sportsmans Guide? There were several threads about them selling mags that had Colt floorplates but weren't Colt, if you complained about it they refunded your money.

Do a search on identifying fake Colt 30 round AR15 magazines, everything I've mentioned will come up.

Colt magazines are manufactured by Okay Industries. ALL magazines manufactured by Okay industries have the Cage Code of 33710 stamped on the bodies.


6/5/2016 1:22:36 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote History
Quoted:


They aren't Colt! They're fakes!!!

I don't suppose you purchased them from Sportsmans Guide? There were several threads about them selling mags that had Colt floorplates but weren't Colt, if you complained about it they refunded your money.

Do a search on identifying fake Colt 30 round AR15 magazines, everything I've mentioned will come up.

Colt magazines are manufactured by Okay Industries. ALL magazines manufactured by Okay industries have the Cage Code of 33710 stamped on the bodies.


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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Also check the inside seam for weld splatter.

I had a few where the follower would get stuck, they all had Colt base plates and on the inside at the welds, there was weld splatter that needed to be filed down, sanded and smoothed out.

It seems the black followers would function because the amount of plastic contact was small enough, but the increased contact with the sides by the welds of the non-tilt Magpull follower had enough resistance to stop the follower.


If you still have them, check to see if the magazine bodies have 33710 stamped on them. There is a LOT of faking Colt magazines. At one point counterfeit floor plates were showing up.

More common is for someone to purchase Colt mags and swap out the floorplates on a cheaper mag and then sell them as Colt's.


I do, there are no markings on the body at all.

They are supposed to be pre-ban

All the floor plates look authentic and not fake.


They aren't Colt! They're fakes!!!

I don't suppose you purchased them from Sportsmans Guide? There were several threads about them selling mags that had Colt floorplates but weren't Colt, if you complained about it they refunded your money.

Do a search on identifying fake Colt 30 round AR15 magazines, everything I've mentioned will come up.

Colt magazines are manufactured by Okay Industries. ALL magazines manufactured by Okay industries have the Cage Code of 33710 stamped on the bodies.




That is not what I have read. All of my Okay mags ( preban ) have no  cage code either, nether do any of the other manufacturers.

Once I smoothed out the weld splatter they function fine, and I am only talking having about 4 or 5 that had that problem. As lomg as they are preban, that is all I care about.

From what I read and researched, only very early colts and post ban Okays have a cage code.

I dont remember whete I got  them from, but it was not from there, not that it matters.
6/6/2016 11:11:54 AM EDT
[#9]
I don't know if you live in a ban state, but if it were me and I was having issues,definitely try everything you can but I would be hesitant to buy any more parts due to cost vs. benefit.I use a stiff bristle tooth brush and a good gun cleaner. If you use any oil to clean it, make sure you get it all out as it could cause issues. D&H makes a good metal mag and they can be had for only $6.99 a pop plus shipping. Sometimes it is better just to get a new mag.. I have had issues in the past with some mags(small dents in the walls, welds were bad,etc.) and just wound up chucking them or suing them for spare parts. Probably not much help, but I have been where you are and spent more money on a mg than what it was worth.
6/6/2016 1:13:59 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote History
Quoted:
I don't know if you live in a ban state, but if it were me and I was having issues,definitely try everything you can but I would be hesitant to buy any more parts due to cost vs. benefit.I use a stiff bristle tooth brush and a good gun cleaner. If you use any oil to clean it, make sure you get it all out as it could cause issues. D&H makes a good metal mag and they can be had for only $6.99 a pop plus shipping. Sometimes it is better just to get a new mag.. I have had issues in the past with some mags(small dents in the walls, welds were bad,etc.) and just wound up chucking them or suing them for spare parts. Probably not much help, but I have been where you are and spent more money on a mg than what it was worth.
View Quote


Unfortunately I do live in a ban state, MA. Haven't had time off of work to try and clean them but once I do I will.
6/6/2016 2:19:44 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote History
Quoted:


I will try this. What does the Mobil 1 do?
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Quoted:
Quoted:

Take off the baseplate and remove the spring and follower.  I use a cleaing rod with a copper brush wrapped in cotton cloth and covered in Mobile 1 oil.



I will try this. What does the Mobil 1 do?



It is the oil I use on all my firearms now.  You can use anything you want.
6/6/2016 2:22:33 PM EDT
[#12]
Did they work before the follower/spring swap?

Could be the bodies are smooshed just a bit in the middle.
6/7/2016 6:07:58 AM EDT
[#13]
They did work before the swap. I used a cleaning rod and a 12 gauge copper brush and the insides were clean.

They do look a little smooshed in the middle. Gonna have to figure out how to open them up a little.

Quote History
Quoted:
Did they work before the follower/spring swap?

Could be the bodies are smooshed just a bit in the middle.
View Quote

6/7/2016 8:59:02 AM EDT
[#14]
Since they were work8ng prior to the swap, i'd look 9n the followers for excessive wear marks (where its b8nd8ng), and file away a little bit of plastic at s time, test fitting as you go.
6/7/2016 5:36:32 PM EDT
[#15]
Great idea, thanks

Quote History
Quoted:
Since they were work8ng prior to the swap, i'd look 9n the followers for excessive wear marks (where its b8nd8ng), and file away a little bit of plastic at s time, test fitting as you go.
View Quote

6/7/2016 5:54:18 PM EDT
[#16]
Sorry for the fat fingered reply earlier.
7/18/2016 12:30:30 AM EDT
[#17]
For anyone that was wondering on the result on this; I ended up filing down all four side of the followers. That seem to rectify the problem.
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