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Posted: 2/27/2007 1:51:07 PM EDT
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Last weekend I "had" to go to the range to test my mags. I've been reading about all of the various brands on this forum and wasn't sure I should trust any of them. I took my daughter to be the official unbiased trigger puller. The mag brands I had were: CProducts (aluminum & stainless), NHMTG, D&H, Brownells, Imperial Defense (Brit. steel mags), and an old Sanchez that had stowed away in my ruck when I retired. The first test I put them through was loading with stripper clips, 'cause ya gotta get em full. The stripper clip adapter worked on all of them and they loaded to capacity. Second test phase was insertion: They all fit in the mag well easily (and dropped out when emptied). Third phase was firing: Only 1 failure to feed on the last 3 rounds on the very last mag tested, a D&H. It double fed and one of the rounds got jammed between the top of the bolt and the charging handle thus ending the test since I didn't have my tool kit with me. I'm not an engineer or metalurgist so I can't/won't comment on construction or finish. My results are "unscientific"and statistically insignificant BUT they're mine. I think way too much is being made of technicalities these days. Spring type, finish, manufacturer, etc. are all really a matter of personal taste. My primary criteria is price. As my brother would say "I'm not cheap, I'm frugal". I want magazines that work for a low price. The lower the price the more I can afford and the less painful it is to cull those that don't funciton the way I think they should. I test all of my mags and send back defective products. If I don't get satisfaction I'll write off the mag AND the vendor. I haven't had to do that yet. I am not a mag "snob" I don't care whose name is on it or what color it is (real dark earth is different in different parts of the world). After wearing a uniform for a little over 22 years (almost all of it in the field as a scout or Cavalry Officer) and using a lot of mags in various M16s I've come to the conclusion that function is THE criteria on which life hangs. The rest is ego and fluff. Know your gear and know how to get around it. EVERYTHING fails at some time, it just depends on when Murphy decides to join your team. If the mag barfs in a fight apply immediate action, swap it out, or tranisiton to your backup weapon. Don't have one of those?? Well then you shouldn't have come to the fight. |
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