Eagle new production Mini-14 magazine

[bwraven]

I took several of my students out for a shoot today, and got a chance to test-out some of my new magazines. They put about 1500 rounds down range with my Mini's, 300 of which were through my new Eagle polymer 30 round magazine.
It fit, fed and functioned perfectly. Not a single misfeed or jam.

The new production Eagle polymers are a bit different than their older pre-ban versions. They have the standard design magazine spring in them, instead of the two springs mounted at the top of the mag that are wound-up like a snail like they used to use.

I purchased this magazine from an auction site, new, in wrap, for $12.


I also tested my new production ProMag steel 30 this last week, but had some serious problems loading the magazine. It loaded fine up to the 10th round, then every other round locked-up the follower. I smoothed-out the edges of the follower, and even tried using a Ruger factory follower, but had the same problem. I called ProMag, and the magazine is being replaced. I will post a range report on the new one after it arrives and I get an opportunity to test it.

[guncats]

are they making any hi-caps for the mini-30 yet? :blink:

[kentucky windage]

Oh man! Good news then some bad news. Glad to hear that the new Eagles function properly but I was really hoping the new ProMag steel 30's were going to be the berries!

I'll be looking out for your next report on the replacement ProMag.

Thanks for the info.

Kentucky :usa:

[Hayseed_40]

Would you feel commfy enough to use these polymer mags in a defensive situation (i.e. when your life counted on the mag being 110% reliable and not crushing when stepped on, etc.)?

[Dennis]

Originally posted by Hayseed_40@Aug 7 2005, 06:07 AM
Would you feel commfy enough to use these polymer mags in a defensive situation (i.e. when your life counted on the mag being 110% reliable and not crushing when stepped on, etc.)?
My old eagles worked ok if you were careful. The floorplates fall off and get lost easily though.

Dennis Jenkins

[bwraven]

I wouldn't feel comfortable using the Eagle's in a defensive situation.
But at $12 each, they are great "range mags" that allow me to leave my factory mags at home for a rainy day.

The floorplate looks identical to the older Eagle's, but it is held in place with 4 screws. I had the same problem with the pre-ban Eagle's (floor plate falling off), but this won't be a problem with the new ones.

I too was looking so forward to the new steel ProMag 30's!
I'll bet you can imagine my disappointment at the range.
ProMag does stand behind their product 100%, though, and maybe I just got a lemon. I really wanted to get them fully tested this weekend.

[Dennis]

Originally posted by bwraven@Aug 7 2005, 05:29 PM
I wouldn't feel comfortable using the Eagle's in a defensive situation.
But at $12 each, they are great "range mags" that allow me to leave my factory mags at home for a rainy day.

The floorplate looks identical to the older Eagle's, but it is held in place with 4 screws. I had the same problem with the pre-ban Eagle's (floor plate falling off), but this won't be a problem with the new ones.

I too was looking so forward to the new steel ProMag 30's!
I'll bet you can imagine my disappointment at the range.
ProMag does stand behind their product 100%, though, and maybe I just got a lemon. I really wanted to get them fully tested this weekend.
The old Eagle floorplates just fell off unless you taped them on. Screws should be just fine.

Dennis Jenkins

[slaughterhouse]

BWRaven -

You seem to have the most experience with the "new" mini mags, so I would appreciate your input.

You've said positive things about the Eagle mags here, and you've said positive things about the Promag polymer mags both here and especially on MidwayUSA.

I am putting together a dedicated truck rifle (hidden, cabled and locked tight to the vehicle) for the sole purpose of "level two" self defense (immediately accessible Glock 23 is "level one") and thought I'd get some of the currently available mags. I want 4 mags, carried with 25 rounds each in a Galati mag bag.

Which is the better mag, the Promag polymer or the new Eagle?

I know that steel would be better, especially for a truely "self defense" weapon, but I can get the polymer mags right now, and if they are 100% reliable in the short term, I can replace them with the quality steel mags as I can find/afford them..

Your input is most appreciated!

[Dennis]

Originally posted by slaughterhouse@Sep 2 2005, 02:44 AM
BWRaven -

You seem to have the most experience with the "new" mini mags, so I would appreciate your input.

You've said positive things about the Eagle mags here, and you've said positive things about the Promag polymer mags both here and especially on MidwayUSA.

I am putting together a dedicated truck rifle (hidden, cabled and locked tight to the vehicle) for the sole purpose of "level two" self defense (immediately accessible Glock 23 is "level one") and thought I'd get some of the currently available mags. I want 4 mags, carried with 25 rounds each in a Galati mag bag.

Which is the better mag, the Promag polymer or the new Eagle?

I know that steel would be better, especially for a truely "self defense" weapon, but I can get the polymer mags right now, and if they are 100% reliable in the short term, I can replace them with the quality steel mags as I can find/afford them..

Your input is most appreciated!
I'd get a Ruger factory 20 instead of any of those el cheapo plastic mags. They are definitely worth $30 bucks.

Dennis Jenkins

[treedawg]

Dennis Posted: Sep 1 2005, 10:08 PM I'd get a Ruger factory 20 instead of any of those el cheapo plastic mags. They are definitely worth $30 bucks.

+1

TD

[bwraven]

If I had to choose between the polymer mags, it would be a close call, but I would go with the ProMags. The polymer material they use seems to me to be a bit more giving and able to take abuse.

As Dennis and TD suggest though, for a magazine that you absolutely must rely on at any given time, I would go with Ruger factory 20's, or even the ProMag steel 20's.

I have, in the past, seen one polymer mag's feed lips fail when it was left loaded for an extended period of time. It was an Israeli Orlite ARF magazine. But that one failure prompts me to leave my polymer mags unloaded after returning from the range. I use my polymer mags for high-use range mags, and save my steel mags for a more defensive purpose.

I also managed to crack an old stock (pre-ban) ARF Eagle magazine years ago. It still functioned fine, but it did have a crack in it. I ended-up giving it to another board member for use as a spare parts kit holder.



As a side note to my original post on this thread:
ProMag still has not sent me a replacement steel 30 magazine. It has been three weeks since they received the defective magazine.

[guncats]

Bwraven, which one of the poly mags (pro, eagle) have more rigid feeding lips? I have never seen a pro poly before, the only poly mags I have are eagle 10rd and Thermold 30/45rd, both for my mini-30.

My eagle 10rd (constant-force spring type) works surprisingly well and is actually more reliable than my 10rd pro steel mag....I did have to rebuild the eagle's locking tab though

[slaughterhouse]

Thanks for the advice guys...

I had originally written off the 20's because everything I have for my AR is set up for 30's and the commonality would have been nice. (Galati pouches are for 30 rounds too). I also wasn't aware that they were so readily available and affordable, I just knew steel 30's weren't.

You guys are right though that dead-reliable 20 rounders would be better for my use than something that "fits" in a pouch...

If the ProMag 20's are "stone cold reliable" and every bit as good as factory, then I'll keep my eye out for both, and just buy 'em one at a time as I find 'em.

The range I frequent has 2 PMI 20's, but they want $59 a piece for them and won't come down. "Graham" (in charge of the place) says he ordered them during "the ban" and so even though they're cheaper elsewhere now, he won't lose money... :blink: I guess he's waiting for a sucker :)

Thanks again

[bwraven]

Slaughterhouse:
I block the bottom of my 30 round mag pouches with a piece of wood so that the 20's fit just right. You can also go with the Bainchi M1025 (http://www.copquest.com/14-5200.htm#Bianchi_M1025_Military_Magazine_Pouch_-_2_Mags) double stack 9mm pistol pouches (the ones designed for the Beretta 92). The ones that hold two pistol magazines fit a Mini-14 20 rounder just perfectly.
They are kinda spendy, but they are very high quality.

Guncats:
The Eagle feedlips are more rigid.
The new production Eagles' have the more traditional springs, they no longer use the snail springs.