USGI M14 mags vs. Marstar M-14 mags

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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Is there any advantage to the usgi mags over the ones marstar has? durability, feeding, etc? or is it just "cool factor"?

I have never seen a usgi mag before so have no idea the difference.

Thanks!!
 
I have a couple of each. I haven't noticed any difference in feeding or reliability. Externally, the Marstar ones have NO markings, and USGI ones have different markings, depending on maker, age, etc.
 
Lee Enfield said:
"Fulton Armoury" & "Smith Enterprises" consider Norinco mags to be USGI equivilent.

Coming from "Fulton's" thats really saying something.
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I have never seen that anywhere! Don't mix up Taiwanese Type 57 mags and norinco...they are different. Also the Norinco mags we currently have are not the same as those in the us...or might be but they have not been able to import for years. So it is hard to draw comparisions...

From a 5 round point of view, besides fit and finish...they both work....

Jeff
 
I don't know about the Marstar Norinco mags but I spoke to a US distributer about various "other" M14 mags they had in stock vs USGI mags.

He only said one thing, very quietly.........USGI.
 
From a 5 round point of view, besides fit and finish...they both work....
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I know a yank that said the Marstar mags hold only a tight 18 rounds when 're-built'...
Of no consequence to us Canucks at this stage of the game though. My Marstar 5/5 and 5/20 round mags work 100%, although 2 of the 20's are really tight to get the 5th round in - they could have drilled the hole an 1/8" lower.
 
Winters said:
I know a yank that said the Marstar mags hold only a tight 18 rounds when 're-built'...
Of no consequence to us Canucks at this stage of the game though. My Marstar 5/5 and 5/20 round mags work 100%, although 2 of the 20's are really tight to get the 5th round in - they could have drilled the hole an 1/8" lower.
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If you have drilled holes, they are not marstar....all that I have seen have modified followers rather than rivets....

Jeff
 
When you go to drill those holes 1/*"%^& eighth of an inch off where they should be, if it is a GI mag, it is probably because your drill bit caught one of the superhard weld spots the GI mags are infamous for. The GI mags are much harder than the norc mags. There is also a very slight difference in width, and sometimes in mag latch height. Most M-14 rifles , GI or Clone, won't know the difference, but every now and then you find one that does not like the norcs. GI mags fit more guns more consistently.
 
I've competed with both the USGI(all through the 80's and 90's) and Norinco M14 (2001 - 2005) magazines with great success.

Not a single hangup or hesitation from either maker. I was very happy with my Norinco M14 mags with the large fin welded on the bottom of the follower.

No need to rush out and spend all your hard earned money on USGI mags. Save your money. Well, then again, if you don't have a mortgage and kids to send to University, by all means go out and buy USGI magazines! Honestly, Norc mags from Marstar do it for me.

Nope, Johnone from Marstar ain't paying me for this plug. I just don't like watching all of you spend your money into this direction. Buy lots of practice ammo and enter my Service Rifle matches. THAT will increase your shooting skills.

Cheers,
Barney
 
Morpheus32 said:
Are these recent mags? All that I have seen have the extended follower not a rivet....

Jeff
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I got mine at least 2 years ago. How do they do them now if they don't use a rivet? How hard will it be to convert them back to 20/20 once they finally decide to throw out the stupid 5 rd law?
 
Hungry said:
I've competed with both the USGI(all through the 80's and 90's) and Norinco M14 (2001 - 2005) magazines with great success.

Not a single hangup or hesitation from either maker. I was very happy with my Norinco M14 mags with the large fin welded on the bottom of the follower.

No need to rush out and spend all your hard earned money on USGI mags. Save your money. Well, then again, if you don't have a mortgage and kids to send to University, by all means go out and buy USGI magazines! Honestly, Norc mags from Marstar do it for me.

Nope, Johnone from Marstar ain't paying me for this plug. I just don't like watching all of you spend your money into this direction. Buy lots of practice ammo and enter my Service Rifle matches. THAT will increase your shooting skills.

Cheers,
Barney
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I believe myself, signguy and jmasson plan on it :)
 
Morpheus32 said:
That is interesting as the last bunch that I have seen...basically over the last two years have been with the modified follower...

Jeff
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I got both types from MarStar.

1. ~riveted (some of which showed signs of repark over pitting)

2. ~"modified" follower.

As far as I'm concerned they compare to my USGI mags.

I believe that a lot of Norinco M-14 mags are being sold in the US as USGI.

Most of what are refered to as "chinese" mags in the US are "USA" brand type mags of thinner metal which have stamped rear latches (usually blued).
 
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Bought some last year and they had the modified follower.
I just recieved a few mags from Marstar today (August 15, 2006) and they are all riveted. (It seems as though the bottom plates are not parked but blued???)
 
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