M1A/M14(s)/M305 Magazines (56K warning)

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a0jc

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First off, I'm no expert inthe M14 series of rifles or M14 Magazines. Just very curious. I wanted some extra mags for my 2009 Norc M305 and stumbled upon http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497989

I couldn't find much information on those mags here at CGN and the info listed felt rather vague. So I decided to purchase some to check them out. Originally I was going to post this post at that thread but I got curious about Norinco magazines, too. So for those prospective or curious, here is what they look like:

gedc0153.jpg


These mags are a near black colour. Darker than Norinco mags; a bit darker than a Norc polymer stock. I'm not sure what kind of coating it is as it feels more like paint than bluing.

gedc0192.jpg


gedc0202.jpg


Welds seem alright,

gedc0186a.jpg


But the follower is a bit stiff compared to Norinco mags. I'm not really sure if this is just a classic case of new mag springs or how it is pinned.

gedc0189.jpg


This is how it is pinned. You'll also notice that there are 6 holes on the mag latch plate while most Norcs I've seen have five. Not sure if this suppose to be cloning CMI GI-spec mags or not.

gedc0184u.jpg


Yes, it is riveted. A look inside:

gedc0171.jpg


Compared to how Norinco mags are pinned:

gedc0197.jpg


As for whether these are really US made or not, I'm not sure. They aren't marked so I'm still skeptical. As for reliability, I haven't spent the time spitting enough rounds downrange with each mag I purchased to put in a comment. Too busy with other parts of life. So far, they cycle for now, but it is a bit stiff for reloading. Especially where the rivet is. If CGNers want to see more pics of the mag or more on the Norinco mag, let me know. Feel free to chime in. Hopefully this helps.
 
I bought one of the 20 round mags from Ryan , its a norinco , it doesnt have all those holes drilled in the side of the magazine , im not sure what that is but its definitely ugly .

Its internally pinned just like yours in the picture and are very easy to load/unload even when using the stripper clip guide . I have about 120 rounds in and out of the New magazine and not a single issue.
 
i guess you guys arent allowed to modify your magazines are you ?

in NZ we can have 7 rounds in the mag for a semi auto, and can modify a magazine legally ( from 5 to 7 rounds )

recently discovered that the 5 round standard mags from norinco can hold 7 with a very minor ammount of cutting


de-rail over :D
 
Just a heads up..

I saw some aftermarket M1A mags a few years ago for around the same price..

one of the guys at the club had a couple.. they looked good, but after using them for a while, the front part of the mag bent because the metal was kind of thin..

he had probs seating them after that.. even when we bent them back they would eventually go back and fail again...

not sure if these are the same type or not.. they also were a "no-name" brand.

how's thick is the metal on the front, compared to a norinco or springfield mag?
 
The Norinco magazines are reliable and well made. Don't buy pinned versions, buy them with pin-weld followers (they have a length of metal extending from the bottom of the follower). These are great. The black painted magazines look like junk. I wouldn't go near that one.
 
I bought five 5/20 Norc mags for $200. But I would pay $40 shipped for each one used. They are good mags. All of mine are flawless, all numbered, all tested. But NONE are pinned. I do not want those!
 
Fenix.NZ said:
in NZ we can have 7 rounds in the mag for a semi auto, and can modify a magazine legally ( from 5 to 7 rounds )

recently discovered that the 5 round standard mags from norinco can hold 7 with a very minor ammount of cutting
Click to expand...

How the hell did the powers that be decide on 7 rounds? What a random number...
 
valmet762 said:
how's thick is the metal on the front, compared to a norinco or springfield mag?
Click to expand...

Using Vernier Calipers, the thickness of the metal on the front of the black painted 5/20 mag (the side of the mag with the hole) is 0.19cm +/- 0.02cm. The Norinco 5/20 is 0.21cm +/- 0.02cm. Black mags weigh in at 227.5 grams while Norinco 250.4 grams. The Norinco mag is noticeable heavier but keep in mind this is a lanced mag (mag where the follower has a strip of metal perpendicularly welded to it). I don't have a Springfield magazine to try out simply because it costs quite a bit, hard to find, and 5 rounders are more difficult to remove. But I am curious about them.

i guess you guys arent allowed to modify your magazines are you ?
Click to expand...

No, not really. I believe the law is semiautomatic rifles and shotguns are relegated to a maximum of 5 round magazines unless it's rimfire.

How much are the Norinco mags?
Click to expand...

SFRC = $29.95
Frontier = $39.95 (but they do have free shipping deals)
Marstar = $35.00
 
valmet762 said:
how's thick is the metal on the front, compared to a norinco or springfield mag?
Click to expand...

The thickness of the back side is:
Black no-name: 0.75mm
Old Springfield 5 round: 0.81mm
New Springfield 5/10: 0.83mm

On the new no-name ones, the front of the floor-plate is missing some paint. Looks like old and rusty steel sheet.
 
Fenix.NZ said:
i guess you guys arent allowed to modify your magazines are you ?

in NZ we can have 7 rounds in the mag for a semi auto, and can modify a magazine legally ( from 5 to 7 rounds )

recently discovered that the 5 round standard mags from norinco can hold 7 with a very minor ammount of cutting


de-rail over :D
Click to expand...

Please tell me how. I would love to have the extra two shots.
 
Just to confirm I live in NZ where 7 is the magic number for mag limits for semi autos.

Still love to know how to perform the mod. I may just take one apart and have a look.
 
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