Full auto magazine disassembly

[GunnyGene]

1911 plinking yesterday. Not about the pistol, about the Mec-Gar magazine supplied with it. When I fired the last round in the mag, the case ejected as normal. Followed instantly by the follower; and half of the spring popped up like a jack-in-the-box. First time I've ever had this happen and I've been shooting 1911's for several decades. Didn't even bother trying to find the follower, it's out in the weeds someplace. Pretty entertaining actually, but I won't be using the other Mec-Gars I have. I'll probably buy a few more Wilson Combat mags to replace them.

 

[blume357]

I've heard nothing but good things about Mec-Gars and so this was probably more of a one off .... if you have the time and energy I'd contact them and let them know of the problem...
then again... years ago when I was shooting my mini-14 and 30's I found out real quick that off brand mags are always a gamble and a poor one for those two rifles.
since then I stick with factory magazines on all my guns....

 

[GunnyGene]

Not worth the effort to tell the company about a $5 magazine. I can afford the WC's.

 

[nekvermont]

Gunny, that made me laugh out loud. I wish you had gotten that on video.

 

[GunnyGene]

Gunny, that made me laugh out loud. I wish you had gotten that on video.

Yeah, me to, but I only have 2 hands, and no Go-Pro camera. On the upside, it was a useful and unusual malfunction drill. I highly recommend it if you have a sacrificial magazine.

 

[gunzo]

LOL. I had a strange feeling this was going to be something like this.

I try to stay out of the; best mag or best gun lube threads, but some folks don't realize just how things can be so much be better with good mags. A bag full of iffy ones in a range bag might do when out playing in the dirt & rocks, but when it gets serious I want the good ones in my heater. Wilson or Tripp for me as well.

 

[GunnyGene]

LOL. I had a strange feeling this was going to be something like this.

I try to stay out of the; best mag or best gun lube threads, but some folks don't realize just how things can be so much be better with good mags. A bag full of iffy ones in a range bag might do when out playing in the dirt & rocks, but when it gets serious I want the good ones in my heater. Wilson or Tripp for me as well.

Exactly.

 

[KingSnake]

I have 20 Tripp 1911 mags I've been using in competition for 10+ years.
They get used a lot.
Never a problem.

 

[Dan in MI]

I found that Ed Brown has a trade in deal. I can't remember the price but it's better than retail for quality magazines. Send in you old, bad, junk magazines of any brand and you get one of theirs at the discount price.

edit - dug out the info

HOW IT WORKS

Send us your old 1911 magazine(s) from ANY maker, and for every one you send, you can upgrade to a brand new Ed Brown Stainless Mag with a Lifetime Warranty for only $10, or Ed Brown Black Nitride mag for $15!

Ed Brown Magazine Exchange Program

Send us your old 1911 magazine(s) from ANY maker, and for each one you send, you can upgrade to a brand new Ed Brown Performance Mag for as little as $10.

www.edbrown.com

 

[gunzo]

The Ed Brown deal was $10, but haven't checked lately. I keep putting it off to send in some beaters I have.

While I haven't used EB mags, I've used many of their other parts & all were among some of the best on the market, so I have some confidence their mags are quality as well.

 

[Dan in MI]

The Ed Brown deal was $10, but haven't checked lately. I keep putting it off to send in some beaters I have.

While I haven't used EB mags, I've used many of their other parts & all were among some of the best on the market, so I have some confidence their mags are quality as well.

I sent some real cheap junk and have been very happy with my return. I even turned some 45's into 9 and 10mm.

 

[pyth0n]

Not worth the effort to tell the company about a $5 magazine. I can afford the WC's.

You paid $5 for Mec-Gar magazines? Who sells them at $5?

 

[Kevin]

I thought Mec-Gar magazines are supposed to be good? More than a few years ago, I found a CZ75 that had 6 Mec-Gar magazines. I hadn't heard of them at that time, so I asked here, and everyone told me they are a good brand. Now this!!!

I did buy that CZ. The Mec-Gar magazines were made in Italy and I haven't had any problems with them.

@GunnyGene was this magazine old or had been used a lot? Did you buy it new or used?

 

[GunnyGene]

You paid $5 for Mec-Gar magazines? Who sells them at $5?

My LGS has a "nobody want's it box" that usually has bunch of bargain basement mags in it for various semi-autos. I've bought a couple out of it in the past, but the magazine in question was included in a 1911 pistol purchase last year. You probably want to know the pistol make - Tisas. They build good guns, but go cheap for included mags, like many other well known makers. As already mentioned, they're ok for fooling around in the backyard, but not something you can count on for your edc/house gun.

 

[pyth0n]

My LGS has a "nobody want's it box" that usually has bunch of bargain basement mags in it for various semi-autos. I've bought a couple out of it in the past, but the magazine in question was included in a 1911 pistol purchase last year. You probably want to know the pistol make - Tisas. They build good guns, but go cheap for included mags, like many other well known makers.

I was just curious. Can't say I've ever heard or had problems with those mags, but it's bound to happen. I've heard a lot of good reviews on the Tisas guns.

 

[GunnyGene]

I thought Mec-Gar magazines are supposed to be good? More than a few years ago, I found a CZ75 that had 6 Mec-Gar magazines. I hadn't heard of them at that time, so I asked here, and everyone told me they are a good brand. Now this!!!

I did buy that CZ. The Mec-Gar magazines were made in Italy and I haven't had any problems with them.

@GunnyGene was this magazine old or had been used a lot? Did you buy it new or used?

Explained that in my reply to python.

I guess some show and tell would help. The two Mec-Gar branded mags (7rnd with welded base plate) are on the right. The 4 on the left (no-name, just stamped with ".45acp") are 2 7rnd welded base plate, and 2 8rnd. Those 4 have the follower with the little bump on it. I've had feed problems of one sort or another occasionally with all of them. So no, I don't use them for anything other than messing around.

 

[gjgalligan]

I have lots of MecGars for my Sigs and my Ruger MKs.
Never a problem with them.
I can't speak to how they work in a 1911 as I have never owned a 1911.

 

[contender]

Shooting USPSA competition,, I've seen all kinds of malfunctions over the decades. Including magazines that have decided to do "stuff."

I use Wilson or McCormick magazines in my 1911's. Or the factory issued ones.

Yet,, after a lot of use, or getting dropped on the ground a lot,, even those can develop problems. Followers can & do occasionally break or chip. Feed lips get bent. Base pads break or pop off.

Over time,, any magazines that give me an issue,, get put into my "fun match" or general range time" batch. But I keep several set aside as "big match or life dependent" ones. Of course,, having well over 40 magazines for a 1911 allows for this.

 

[moparclan]

Never had a problem with Mec-Gar magazines no mater what I have bought them for, Ruger, Luger, Walther, Colt and even the new Springfield SA-35.
Some newer Ruger's even came with the Mec-Gar branded magazines.
Had one factory Colt magazine for my Officer model base break the spot welds and dropped ammo, spring, base and follower on the ground in front of me after the first round. Never touch Promags.

 

[Watchman]

Never had a problem with Mec-Gar magazines no mater what I have bought them for. Never touch Promags.

^^^This^^^