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Posted: 10/4/2002 12:46:33 AM EDT
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Today I was going through my odds and ends of magazines and found two almost new looking 30 round Coopers. Remembering a post I read awhile ago about the "Cooper Pooper," I looked them over very carefully. Yup, it appears that the spot welds (good ones) were only three (3) in number on the back spine, they really looked like a crimp/round punch in the metal rather than a spot weld. There were other less noticeable spot welds, though they appeared to be light and not fully penetrating. The other GI mags had at least six (6) really good spot welds. As for the drop free test, the Coopers FAILED. All the other mags dropped clear, except for one Adventure Line mag. After looking closely at that single Adventure Line mag I noted the same type of spot welds like the Cooper. Only three spots with other lesser spot welds. The other Adventure Line mags in the collection had the regular six (6) good spot welds. I think someone mixed up the floor plate with this one. So, bottom line is: the Coopers FAILED the drop free test. Just my observations, on this "Cooper Pooper" topic. Perhaps the next test will be the feeding test. |
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Failing the drop-free test is not a reason to label a mag a "bad mag". This failure to drop-free may be as much related to the fit of your lower receiver, or a combination of mag and lower. Not all Coopers had the bad welds you describe. I think you are correct, the Adventure Line you describe is most likely a Cooper body with the Adventure Line floorplate. EVERY Adventure Line I have or have examined performed well. The main reason to reject a mag is poor feeding. Every Cooper Ind. mag I have tested failed this most important test. The mode of failure for thes mags is that in the last 5 rounds (+/- a few) the next round will come up tail low, and the bolt carrier will hit the side of the case, severely denting it. The reason is the mag springs in the Cooper mags are weak. Replacing the spring will usually fix the problem with some Coopers. Replacing the Cooper mag with a Sanchez, Okay, Adventure Line, Parsons, or just about any other USGI mag will also fix the problem. |
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I agree, failing to drop free of the well is not really a reason to "fail" a magazine. Hell, I still use them. Though I rather have ALL my mags drop free. As for the issue of the mag well, what can I say..........I was testing the mags in a COLT......not a BUSHMASTER (ha, ha /inside joke). And before it becomes an issue.......I also own a Bushmaster. |
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I only have one of the 30 round Cooper magazines and, yes, it displays the same "problems" described above. Only three good weld spots, and it won't drop free from either of my Colt's magazine wells (probably bulges out a bit). Still, it's the best finished magazine I have (very smooth); and it has always been 100% reliable, fully loaded to empty, with a green follower I installed in it. I'm so confident in it that I've made it the one magazine I keep loaded and available for "just in case" emergencies. I know many are apparently out of military spec, but the one I have sure does great "civilian" work. |
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