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Posted: 4/24/2006 4:45:37 PM EDT
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Alright so I just bought a 20 round Universal Industries magazine at the fun show yesterday. On the floorplate it's marked: "M16/M16A1 CAL. 5.56MM UNIVERSAL INDS. DIV. SIMMONDS PREC. PROD. INC. WEST HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A." then on the front of the magazine, there's a U with an I above it (both capital) which I assume means Universal Industries. Then, I have a Colt 20 round mag that i bought awhile ago from a guy on the EE. The floorplate is marked as follows: "COLT AR-15 CAL. 5.56MM COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. INC. HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A." and on the front it also has the U and I. It also has a very similar finish and color to the follower as the UI mag. So did I buy a UI mag with a Colt floorplate or did UI make mag bodies for Colt? I was actually pretty pissed when I found this out. Also, another question is: If I wanted to tape two 20 rnd. magazines together to make a jungle mag, what kinda tape should I use? Would black electrical tape work? Or should I use something else? If you've ever seen Platoon and looked at what Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) had on his carbine, you'll know what I'm talking about. Thanks guys!! B_D 
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I have about 20 old Colt mags that all have UI in the front. I believe that Universal made them for Colt. Get some olive drap duct tape. My brother got cases of it at the PX |
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The "I" inside the "U" signifies Universal Industries. Colt never manufactured their mags, they were farmed out. As you noted the only difference is the floor plate between these two mags. The magazines you got are Tier 1, good stuff regardless of the floor plate. If I were going to secure two 20s together with tape, I'd start w/ fiberglass reinforced strapping tape to securely and tightly hold the mags together. (This is the clear tape with the lines of fiber running lenthwise in it) Then I'd cover the strapping tape in duct tape to closely match the silverish moly coat used on early 20 round mags or black electrical tape to match a newer production black rifle. keep in mind the moly coat on these early mags is "soft" and will transfer easily by rubbing. I would not be surprised if the finish sticks to the tape should you take it off, thus removing the finish with the tape. HTH Sly |
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Okay thanks for the info about the U and I. Also, would just regular duct tape (silver i guess) secure the two mags together? ETA: And would it peel off the finish of Adventure Line mags? I wasn't planning on using my Colt or UI mags. I have 2 Adventure Line mags that I bought for cheap so that's what I'd be using. They seem to have a different type of finish than the Colt and UI. Dry film is it? Or maybe park'd? |
The duct tape would work, but there's nothing really binding in it if you were to say fall and land on the mags first. Or any wrenching motion would twist them loose. The reinforced tape would keep em together securely. The Adventure Line mags have a harder moly coat as found on current 30rd USGI spec mags. It won't transfer as easily but then again, I've never had magazines taped together for much of any length of time. I'd say it's at your own risk but my opinion is that it won't come off too easily. Sly |
Depends how old your Adventure line mags are...  My buddy whos serving in the sandbox lent me his mags that he uses w/ his civilian AR, an Adventure line mag is pic'd below.  Original finish all worn, but the mag works like a champ! 
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