Final Promag 10 round report

[Dave3006]

I put several hundred rounds through the 20 Promag 10 round mags this morning. Not one single failure. Looks like the Mini-14 mag issue is solved.

fourfourmag.com has these for $155 for 10.

Dave

[Wheelman]

Thanks Dave. I just bought a Mini-14 yesterday. I'll get some of those.

[Flak 2]

glad they worked out.:)

[DKRichards]

Originally posted by Dave3006
Looks like the Mini-14 mag issue is solved.

Dave

Roger that. I'm happy with mine also. Did you have to do modifying with the last ten you got from Mark?

Why do you want so many 10 round magazines, if you don't mind my asking? And please tell me again the 'solution' you mentioned for carrying several of the 10 round magazines. Do you have a link to it?

Oh, were your mags SS or blued? Mine are the former. I'm wondering if maybe there was a different production line or whatever and the blued ones had some sort of production error (that you since skillfully corrected :D)

I'd like to find some 20 or 15 round magazines. I have 2 30 round PMIs, and I believe that's all the 'high' capacity I need/want, but the shorter ones appeal to me. I keep one of the 10 round Promags loaded in my nighstand (of course, the rifle is secured in another room, but it's the thought that counts, eh? :D

[Dave3006]

The web belt is the standard belt for the M1 Garand. It holds the enbloc clips and the 10 round mags perfectly.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product...0M8UXLFW6386TT1 (http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1602&sku=ZRW%2D135&imgid=&mscssid=VNJG0KFF042B9M5AV0M8UXLFW6386TT1)

Yes. I did have to modify 4 of the second ten. No big deal though. They work 100% perfect. I did notice that you have to download them 1 or 2 rounds if you want to put them in the gun with a round already in the chamber.

I have two Mini-14s. I wanted 10 mags per gun. I am a prisoner in occupied Kali. I could go to Arizona and buy PMIs I guess. But, I actually liked the 10 rounders. You can get closer to the ground with them. The role of the Mini-14 for me is a gun I can give my wife when the SHTF. My hands down favorite is my Garand. It would be too heavy for her. The Mini-14 has also been a blast for me and my eight year old to take to the range. He shoots it well if I sandbag the front of the gun (It is too heavy for him).

Dave

[Tady45]

Hi Guys, I received my 10 round stainless today from FourFour.com.The stainless mag looks great, it is however, a chore, to actually get it seated in the rifle? Perhaps the dimensions are a tad to big, as it takes me 2 to 4 minutes to get this thing to seat correctly! Anyone else have a similiar problem?


Larry

[Dave3006]

Not good. Are you doing it with the bolt open or closed? Is the magazine loaded? If so, how many rounds are in it.

Dave

[Tady45]

Hey Dave,
Actually, all of the above!!I just can't figure this out as it will not seat in a correct fashion. Instead of a fluid movement with the sound of a "click," I fumble around thinking that it has locked up, only to find out that I can pull the mag from the bottom with little effort. It the mag is loaded or not, makes litttle difference. It just seems that the "clatch" for lack of a better word, on the back of the mag, is to long? Its so clumsy putting this in, I almost feel that I am doing unwanted things to the rifle!!


Larry

[Dave3006]

Strange. If the mag is loaded to capacity, it can be tough getting in on a closed bolt. But, since you tried it empty, you may want to call Promag. They have a lifetime guarrantee. Sorry to hear about that.

[DKRichards]

"I am a prisoner in occupied Kali. I could go to Arizona and buy PMIs I guess. But, I actually liked the 10 rounders. You can get closer to the ground with them. "

I see you have a sense of humor! :D You're right, though, I see the logic of what you're doing. I have been pleased with my 10 round ProMag mags. It's odd that you've had to modify some of yours. I have not had that problem, but I only have 3. I shot them again this weekend to verify my 100% results earlier; all passed muster again.

I have yet to insert one of the magazines with a round in the chamber. I've not tried that with the Mini. If one couldn't insert a fully loaded magazine with a round in the chamber of a handgun it'd be a no-go. That's a good point, and I need to try that in my Mini next time I shoot.

Thanks for the CTD link, Dave.

BTW, the Otis cleaning "system" is awesome. One of the best accessories I've ever purchased. Costly at about $40 with shipping, but it bests the heck out of trying to clean the Mini (et al) with the typical cleaning rod.

[DKRichards]

"as it takes me 2 to 4 minutes to get this thing to seat correctly! "

Are you sure you're inserting the magazine correctly? The front part in first, then rock the rear part upward? If you're trying to insert the magazine straight up I think you'll have problems.

I'm not implying you don't know how to load your own rifle, but figured we ought to cover all the possibilites, eh? :D

[Dave3006]

The OTIS system is great. I use it all the time.

Regarding loading magazines filled to capacity, when I used to have my AR15, I also had a problem inserting a 30 round mag filled with 30 rounds in my gun with the bolt closed. I think the problem relates to the fact that the spring in the magazine is fully depressed in this full condition and prevents it from seating properly.

In the 3 tactical rifle classes I have taken, I would say one of the most common mistakes causing a gun not to go bang was that people did not seat their mags properly when they were in a hurry. After I insert a magazine, it is now a habit to give it a tug to verify that it is in there.

Dave

- You need a sense of humor to live in Kali. If I didn't laugh, I would cry.

[boogeyman]

i have a real crappy no name that had similar problems i took an over sized drill bit and turned it by hand on the circle to taper it a bit just don't use a drill:D

[DKRichards]

Originally posted by Dave3006
... one of the most common mistakes causing a gun not to go bang was that people did not seat their mags properly when they were in a hurry. ..


- You need a sense of humor to live in Kali. If I didn't laugh, I would cry. [/i]

Roger that on the magazines. When I was shooting IDPA I saw that a lot. Even happened to me once or twice. Makes a believer out of you after it's happened, right?

I know what you mean about CA. Both my wife and I were born there. My dad, aunt and cousins still live there. We like to visit, but choose not to live there after I left active duty in 1976.

[GCWERK]

Hey, ya'll, been lurking around awhile, lots of good info on minis.
In response to TADY45:
I've had the same problem with the promag ss 10 rounders. If you measure the ss mags and compare the diminsions with a Ruger 5 round mag you can see the problem, although very slight it still is significant.
The length of the mag and the width at the rear of the mag are greater than factory.
I removed the stock and chamfered the bottom of the mag well at a 45 degree angle the full thickness of the material of the mag well. This seemed to remedy the problem a bit though it still hangs up a little bit.
Also squeezing the mag a little bit helps. This all does alleviate the mag insertion problem it is far from what i would consider perfect (like doing it in the dark, under pressure... inserting a mag I mean) Hope this helps some, btw every mag i have purchased I've had to modify the rear catch by grinding a small amount of the catch down. There muct be some variation in the model years of manufacture. (182)

Guy

[rezman]

Hi guys, Thought i'd chime in here. Its been my experience with rocknlock mags (M1A, FAL, mini) that you sometimes have to file a little off the bottom of the rear mag catch. I don't have any experience with the ten rounders your talking about, but if it were me, I'd make sure I was getting good engagement with the locating pin in front of the mag, then file a VERY little at a time off the bottom of the rear catch until I got good reliable lockup and insertion. Hope this helps.

[Tady45]

Hi Guy.... Well, welcome aboad and thanks for the info. I thought the stainless was a bit to large, and inserting any mag should be a rather easy process. I have several types from various manufactures, and never had this type of problem! Hell, forget "under pressure" I am having a time of it with all of the lights on and nobody shooting at me...:) In retrospect, I remember reading somewhere that stainless mags are a bit problematic. Do you have the blued PROMAG and if so, how are they? By the way, do you own any PMI (Precision Mag Industries) and if so, give us a report. High cap John Mason Co is next on my list, do you have any experience with these? I have a ten rounder that has been great!! These are made I believe in your neck of the woods, North Carolina.


Larry

[boogeyman]

sure it's not for a mini 30? not insulting your intelgence i hope but gotta ask.

[Tady45]

Negative Boogey....I do not own a 7.62X39 just yet!! It does fit, its just not a smooth process. When I am fooling around at the range etc, I have the time to mess with this thing. In an emergency, forget it. My "no name brand X" that I plucked from a fishbowl at my local gunshop, is a 10 round mag (blued) that is longer than my SS and it goes in easier etc. Whatever, an extra mag is not a bad thing to have...

Larry:usa:

[DKRichards]

"There muct be some variation in the model years of manufacture. (182)

"

I suppose that's possible. I've had zero problems with my ProMag 10 round SS magazines. I purchased my Mini 14 just after Christmas 2001. How old is yours? How about Dave 3006 I wonder?

[Dave3006]

My two Mini's are about 3 months old. The John Masen did not work for me. Jams every other round.

[DKRichards]

Hmmmmmmmmmm. Well, I've only used Ruger 5 rnd, PMI 30 rnd and ProMag 10 rnd magazines. And they have all worked 100%, though I want to check that I can insert a fully loaded magazine with a round already chambed.

It seems odd to me that a modern production machine such as the Mini 14 could have tolerance enough to cause problems. But, maybe it's the magazines. This is a mystery.

Mine is a ss ranch model. Do the folks having difficulty with magazines, especially ProMags, own the standard or ranch model?

[Dave3006]

Mine are both standard stainless models.

Dave

[Flak 2]

They do vary in the magazine well area. I have a few mini's the oldest being 182. The newest a 195 ranch model. The ranch has a larger magwell opening, PMI and Masen 30rnd mags wobble around fitting very loose. Yet a 186 regular mini (smallest mag opening)I have is a extremely tight where the PMI's and masen's are a real snug fit and most USA mags won't latch in at all. Also the way the trigger housing fits in a mini does'nt help matters either. The way the trigger housing fits the reciever can make a difference in how close the top round in the magazine is to the bolt when it engages the case rim to push it into the chamber. A couple years back a gunsmith on another board that worked on quite a few mini's explained the problems with mini 14's and magazines also accuracy problems.

[DKRichards]

Thanks for the info, Flak. That's interesting stuff. Where does one find the 'model' number, the 185, etc?

[goodorbit]

It's a reference to the first three digits in the serial number stamped on the side of the reciever. This also coresponds to the year of manufacture in some way (I think):rolleyes:

[Tady45]

Hey Guys......I have a 196 meaning that it ranks where in the evolution of these models?


Larry

[Flak 2]

Dk like goodorbit says most people just refer to the first 3 digets of the serial number. The only postban mini I have is a 195 stainless ranch. This is the one with the sloppy magwell. I have 2 early 186 model standard Mini's one stainless and 1 blue, the blued model has a much tighter mag fit than the stainless. I still have the 1st Mini I bought it's a blued 182. I also own a blue 183 that I just bought used. These early mini's magwells are about like my 186 stainless. I miss being able to buy Federal Ordnances extended mag latches. I have 2 of them on rifles and they came a little long on the top where it holds the mag thus moves the magazine up in the reciever more so the bolt can engage more of the cartridge rim when it strips it out of the magazine. They also easier to use. I've been puzzled why another company has'nt came out with a extended latch since. There was also a company years ago that made a stripper clip guide that mounted on a standard Mini allowing you to charge a magazine in the rifle(like a M14) with 223 GI stripper clips. Well maybe in the future someone will bring these accessories back on the market.

[goodorbit]

The magazine charger can be had from gun parts corp. and I believe I've seen them at Bushmaster. Just beware that some Auctioneers are selling M16 chargers that have been hammered out to fit around a Mini mag. Those don't work for ****:mad: .

[bushwack]

Goodorbit
Flak2 was referring to the stripper clip guide that is fixed to the rear of the receiver itself allowing you to reload a magazine or part of it while the mag is still positioned in the mag well. What you're refering to is the mag adapter to allow filling the mag external of the weapon. This was one issue with the M-16 I thought was simply wrong. In a firefight the Grunt with the M-16 has to remove his magazine & find the adapter so he can reload. The M-14 equipped Grunt simply grabbed up a stripper clip & shoved it or as many as time would allow back down into his weapon without having to remove the magazine. Firefights are quick & stressful, normal loadout in NAM was six magazines, 120 rounds.

Good shooting
Bushwack

[goodorbit]

Bushwack-
So this guide would fit down into the mag well in fron of the open bolt? Is this a seperate peice of metal like the charger I mentioned? Or a perminatly mounted piece? Are they still available for the M-14? I'd like to see one I'll keep an eye open at the next show.
Thanks for clarifying I didn't know shch a thing existed. Makes alot af sense though - the mags can be finicy to remove without any pressure. Can't imagine trying to reload while being shot at:eek:
While we're on the subject, why were 20 rounders used were the 30's not reliable / available or what?

[bushwack]

On the M-14 the stripper clip guide is in the same relative location as the rear scope mount is on the Mini-14 Ranch model. If I'm not mistaken it was pinned onto the receiver. The stripper clip fit into the guide then you simply pressed down on the rounds & they fed themselves into the magazine. Yes doing anything while being shot at is very stressful as is the alternative. I've never seen a 30 round magazine for an M-14, at least we didn't have any.

Good shooting
Bushwack

[DKRichards]

Getting back to the report on the ProMag 10 round magazines....

Went to the range last weekend and while I can insert one of the above into my Mini 14 with a round in the chamber, the rifle will not pick up the first round in the mag upon firing. This happened each time I tried it with a full 10 rounds inserted.

If I loaded less than 10 rounds, everything functioned fine. This is a problem, but one I can live with now that I know it exists. :cool:

[MW740]

Did the Pro Mags feed all ten rounds if you had an empty chamber? I'm thinking of buying a few of these but I don't need any more fussy mags.:usa:

[MW740]

Is this what you carry around those ten rounders in? http://www.sportsmansguide.com/showad.html...lseq=1083614323 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/showad.html?promo_code=WX0&item_id=18763&ticket=10603288&urlseq=1083614323)

[DKRichards]

"Did the Pro Mags feed all ten rounds if you had an empty chamber? I'm thinking of buying a few of these but I don't need any more fussy mags.
"

Yep, no problem with the 3 ProMag 10 rounders I have, except for the problem I outlined earlier RE: full mag and a round in the chamber. Several folks have bought these magazines lately, so there is plenty of feedback on them. Some have had some minor problems, but I've had zero.......and the mags are guaranteed.

[Dave3006]

MW740, that is the exact same belt. I use it for my Garands too. It works good for me.

For reliability sake, I would load all my magazines with 8 rounds so that there is no problem picking up the first round. To me, this is no big deal. I had to do this on my AR15 mags too when I used to have an AR.

Dave

[MW740]

I should have my Pro Mag blued ten round mags from FourFourMag by wednesday of next week. I will put some rounds through them next weekend and report back.:ar15:

[Fourfourmag.com]

Howdy everyone, this is Mark from Fourfourmag.com Thanks to everyone who is spreading the word regarding these magazines.

For the fellow who is having trouble inserting the magazine here is what you can do. Due to variences in manufacturing and production years, a few mini 14s will have this problem. There is a simple solution. File a small amount off of the bottom of the locking lug on the rear of the magazine. Start with about .010" and go from there. Stop filing when it fits perfectly. It will fit better than the factory magazine because there will be no slop. Again if anyone has any problems with any promag magazine do not hesitate to contact either me or promag directly and we will get the problem worked out. They are unconditionally guaranteed for life.

For a limited time we will be offering PerfectUnion members a special price of 10 for $150 including priority mail shipping. The price from promagindustries.com is $26ea so you are saving a lot. Just mention you are a perfect union member when you order.

If you would like to talk to me more about these magazines please email fourfourmag@charter.net or visit my website www.fourfourmag.com (http://www.fourfourmag.com)

[Fourfourmag.com]

Howdy everyone, this is Mark from Fourfourmag.com Thanks to everyone who is spreading the word regarding these magazines.

For the fellow who is having trouble inserting the magazine here is what you can do. Due to variences in manufacturing and production years, a few mini 14s will have this problem. There is a simple solution. File a small amount off of the bottom of the locking lug on the rear of the magazine. Start with about .010" and go from there. Stop filing when it fits perfectly. It will fit better than the factory magazine because there will be no slop. Again if anyone has any problems with any promag magazine do not hesitate to contact either me or promag directly and we will get the problem worked out. They are unconditionally guaranteed for life.

For a limited time we will be offering PerfectUnion members a special price of 10 for $150 including priority mail shipping. The price from promagindustries.com is $26ea so you are saving a lot. Just mention you are a perfect union member when you order.

If you would like to talk to me more about these magazines please email fourfourmag@charter.net or visit my website www.fourfourmag.com (http://www.fourfourmag.com)

http://www.harborside.com/~gleason/mags/rug09n.jpg http://www.harborside.com/~gleason/mags/rug09.jpg

[DKRichards]

"It will fit better than the factory magazine because there will be no slop. Again if anyone has any problems with any promag magazine do not hesitate to contact either me or promag directly and we will get the problem worked out. "

This post is mainly for Mark G at 44Mag and Dave3006, plus any others who have purchased several ProMag 10 round Mini 14 magazines.

Dave3006 and I have experienced some problems when inserting a fully charged 10 round magazine into the Mini 14 when there is an existing round in the chamber. The magazine inserts fine, but upon firing that existing round, a new round is NOT stripped from the magazine. I don't know if the factory magazine does any better, but this is a problem with the Promags for sure, and also I recall, with the two PMI 30 rounders I have.

Most of my shooting is police/IDPA /SD type shooting with pistols, and this would be a NO-GO for the pistol-magazine combination.
Just curious. I don't plan to return the Promags because of this limitation, it's not that big a deal to me. If I felt I needed to be able to insert a loaded magazine with a round in the chamber, I'd just do like many do and NOT top off the mag, but maybe load 1 or 2 rounds less than full.

[Fourfourmag.com]

Doug, the owner of ProMag is named Chris and he is very knowledgable and helpful. You can call their number and ask for him anytime. I will talk to him and see if he has a solution for this problem.

[DKRichards]

Roger than, Mark. I may end up doing that sometime. Right now it's not too near the top of my list.

Thanks.