I bought some of those grey british mags at a gun show--the steel ones that say "England" on the sticker.

Anyways, I went to the range to try them out this weekend.  One of the mags has problems.  It's tough to get the mag seated in the rifle, and when it is finally in there, when I let the bolt go forward to strip off the 1st round, the damn magazine falls right out of the rifle as the round is chambered!!!

Any ideas on how I can salvage the mag?

Hi Nick. It sounds to me like the mag isn't locking in, and you are pushing it in just a bit too far. Check the slot which engages the mag check. Compare it to the mags which work. A little judicious filing of the slot might be in order. Hope this helps.