I still have a few of the Gen IIs and they work well, but load 29 instead of 30.

 

I just signed up for 4 of them,,,Well see.

 

You know these mags are no longer manufactured. When the were they sold around $12 and where pretty good mags for the price. I am surprised you can still buy them.

 

Oddly enough, it seems that the black Tapco mags sometimes sold for around $4 more than the FDE mags, even back in the day.

The Ruger Centerfire Rifle Forum on Arfcom is where the info about these black Tapco mags originated. No telling how long till they are "sold-out", now that the word is out.

 

All 3 mags that arrived today are Gen II Tapco 30-rd mags with the typical Gen II steel front reinforcement.

Springs needed a light film of oil, and the bodies some very light sprue trimming. 5 mins/mag.

Not yet tested, but appear identical to the FDE Tapco Gen II mags I bought a little while ago, and which worked well during limited testing.

I did not test any of these mags for ultimate capacity, nor ability of bolt to close over a 100% filled mag, nor ability of 100% filled mag to be able to be inserted with bolt closed. I was more concerned with function and bolt-hold-open feature at that point. Even if full capacity of the mag needs be slightly reduced from 30 rds to 28/29 rds for full functionality, I will still regard them as a good purchase. YMMV.

The single drawback to these mags (of which I'm aware) is that they will not accept either a Ruger or USGI mag "spoon"/loader (they are different). Thermolds will accept GI "Spoon" IIRC. LULA 5.56 loaders seem to require a GI-type AR mag configuration.

Whether a particular aftermarket mag will accept either a Ruger or USGI mag spoon (or none at all) depends on how the particular mag is constructed. Again, Ruger and USGI mag spoons are different.

Since I long-ago equipped my 186 Mini-14 with an accessory, rifle-mounted stripper clip guide (similar to currently-offered Cogburn Arsenal item), the issue is somewhat mooted--for me. Those of you with Minis which have unrestricted access to the top of the receiver might want to consider adding the Cogburn device.

Remains uncertain how the new Biden administration (and Dem-controlled Congress) will deal with such mag-loading devices. Hope for the Best; Plan for the Worst.

 

All 3 mags that arrived today are Gen II Tapco 30-rd mags with the typical Gen II steel front reinforcement.

Springs needed a light film of oil, and the bodies some very light sprue trimming. 5 mins/mag.

Not yet tested, but appear identical to the FDE Tapco Gen II mags I bought a little while ago, and which worked well during limited testing.

I did not test any of these mags for ultimate capacity, nor ability of bolt to close over a 100% filled mag, nor ability of 100% filled mag to be able to be inserted with bolt closed. I was more concerned with function and bolt-hold-open feature at that point. Even if full capacity of the mag needs be slightly reduced from 30 rds to 28/29 rds for full functionality, I will still regard them as a good purchase. YMMV.

The single drawback to these mags (of which I'm aware) is that they will not accept either a Ruger or USGI mag "spoon"/loader (they are different). Thermolds will accept GI "Spoon" IIRC. LULA 5.56 loaders seem to require a GI-type AR mag configuration.

Whether a particular aftermarket mag will accept either a Ruger or USGI mag spoon depends (or none at all) on how the particular mag is constructed. Again, Ruger and USGI mag spoons are different.

Since I long-ago equipped my 186 Mini-14 with an accessory, rifle-mounted stripper clip guide (similar to currently-offered Cogburn Arsenal item), the issue is somewhat mooted--for me. Those of you with Minis which have unrestricted access to the top of the receiver might want to consider adding the Cogburn device.

Remains uncertain how the new Biden administration (and Dem-controlled Congress) will deal with such mag-loading devices. Hope for the Best; Plan for the Worst.

I have a 184 Mini that I had ASI put a .625 barrel on. It's a good shooter and being a pre Ranch rifle it has no scope scallops to put a Cogburn stripper clip guide on. Who's stripper clip guide are you using ?

kwg

 

FWIW the Tapco gen IIs run fine with 125gr. supersonic .300bo as well, bought an FDE a few years ago just to try as a cheap range mag. Ran fine but really prefer 20s so wound up ordering a bunch of Original Equipment brand steel mags when CDNN got some in.
At today’s prices, $22 still isn’t bad.

 

I just received 4 ea. They was the gen 2’s. Locked up fine in my 187 and 580’s.

 

I recently contacted Cogburn Arsenal about making a "Slip-Over" mag loader, similar to that offered for Mini-30 mags, for use on Mini-14 mags which lack slots for either GI or Ruger "spoons" This would include the Tapco Gen II mags, and many other types.

He replied that it was a good idea, and it is on his "To-Do" list, but he is running flat-out making existing items. Perhaps in the future.

 

One of my babies.

 

Just checked, and I was able to add 6 of these mags to my cart. Can hardly believe the vendor isn't sold out already.

 

That Strip Loader doodad is well thought out. I looked at building something like that a few years ago and figured out it was going to have to be made at an angle like his is to get around the bolt catch. You can't go strait down.
Look like a cool accessory if you are into strip loading the gun. Which is probably a good option to have.

I have two Maglula Stripper Clip Loaders that clip right onto the mags and they work very well just like all Maglula stuff does.

I really like Israeli made stuff. It all works well because in their neck of the woods,,,

Failure in NOT an Option.

Randy

 

Stripper-clip loading, as long as everything works properly, works well. My very old aluminum Mini-14 stripper clip guide works fine, loading straight down, on my 186 series Mini-14. Can't speak to other rifles. I have not yet tried the Cogburn item.

Some 10-rd M-16 stripper clips are problematic, on account of their being mis-made/stepped-on, and too narrow, thus gripping the ctg base too tightly. Impossible to detect visually. I have a special set of pliers on order which might fix the problem. I have a fairly large box of too-tight USGI 10-rd stripper clips which I would very much like to make into useful items. We'll see, and I'll report if successful.

ETA: This is the pliers I am using to widen too-narrow stripper clips. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00209ETSS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1. Does not take much force at all, so have a means at hand to bend the "rails" back inwards. Given a little practice, it goes pretty smoothly This will work for most any stripper clip that is too tight. Perfect tool for the job, and it has other uses.

Some USGI 10-rd stripper clips are so badly made that they have visible ripples on the edges of the ctg guide "rails". Don't know how to fix that more serious issue.

The brass portion of the 10-rd stripper clip is always worth saving, as long as its' small tabs, which serve to retain the ctgs, are in decent condition. Such tabs only survive a few bendings, so practice stripper clip loading with units whose tabs are broken-off, and save the "good" ones for hard times.

 

Actually wanted 2 more of those mags but they won't ship to CA even though our Mag Restriction Law is not currently in place due to Pending Litigation.

I also wanted several Mag Followers because I have several Ruger Mags made by Promag that have followers that don't hit the bolt catch on the last round.

I guess I'll wait until after the revolution.

Randy

 

I have a whole bag of Plastic Stripper Clips someone gave me. The Maglula Stripper Clip Loader will load loose rounds but works much better with Stripper Clips.

The clips hold the rounds in correct orientation fore and aft so they go in the magazines without hanging up on the rear edge of the mag.

I can't use that stripper clip attachment on my Mini because I have a Warne Rail over the top of the receiver with my red dot mounted on it. So I'll just have to load the magazines off of the gun.

Randy

 

I have a whole bag of Plastic Stripper Clips someone gave me. The Maglula Stripper Clip Loader will load loose rounds but works much better with Stripper Clips.

The clips hold the rounds in correct orientation fore and aft so they go in the magazines without hanging up on the rear edge of the mag.

I can't use that stripper clip attachment on my Mini because I have a Warne Rail over the top of the receiver with my red dot mounted on it. So I'll just have to load the magazines off of the gun.

Randy

Can't access LULA site just now, but IIRC, (not positive) some LULA devices were made to use USGI metal stripper clips, and some were intended to use plastic (Thermold?) stripper clips. Again, IIRC, the LULA provided the option for either type of 5.56 stripper clip, prior to purchase of same device. Not sure if Thermold plastic stripper clips are still being made.

Once site returns, perhaps investigate.

ETA: site with 5.56/.223 thermold stripper clips: https://uniquetek.com/product/T1313

 

The LULA I have is made for the bigger plastic Thermolds.
GI strippers work just fine, but have a bit of wiggle compared to the Thermolds.

 

Just checked the post site and the text says, "Gen 1". Is this what you ordered, and got the Gen II?
Thanks

 

Yes; Myself and one other person that I know of both received Gen II mags.

 

Black Thermold Mini-14 30-rd mags for $11.25. Not steel reinforced as are Tapcos, but obtainable.

Mine have worked fine in my 186 Mini-14 for years as range mags. Have slots for mag-loading "spoon"

Disclaimer: No financial interest.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product...roduct_info.php/products_id/57875/thermold+30+round+black+mag+for+ruger+mini+14

 

I didn’t know the Tapco Gen 2, 30 rounders had been discontinued. I bought 5 yrs back based on positive reviews. They do indeed work well. I use them as range mags, and run 100%.