Mini-14 Magazines

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

From what i've found searching on here, this has been talked about in bits and pieces, but there was never a unified thread dedicated specifically to Mini-14 magazines (or my search kung-fu is weak). That being said, lets talk Mini-14 magazines. What works for you. What doesn't. This is a topic that has always frustrated the hell out of me.

In my experience:


Ruger 20 rnd: Never had a problem.

Precision Mag 20 rnd: Never had a problem.

ProMag 30 rnd: Consistent FTF issues, issues with positive engagement in magwell.

Tapco 30 rnd (old style): Works great until the plastic around the front retention stud hole wear out, then trash.

Tapco 30 rnd (new style with metal clip at front stud hole): Consistent FTF issues.



Whats your experience?

 

[Rapture]

How about the ProMag 20's?

 

[rj1974]

Factory mags only , the rest are crap .

 

[Uncle Duke]

Factory mags only , the rest are crap .

This has largely been my experience also. It's factory for me.

 

[ma_deuce]

Factory mags only , the rest are crap .

+1. BTW, Lou had a stack of 6 or 8 at Shooters Discount on Saturday for what struck me as a modest price.

 

[pbharvey]

I've heard guys complain about the factory 30's?

 

[Jasonshooter]

Factory mags = perfect ...
Promag , I haven't had any issues with these , they seem to work very well ..
Tapco , gen 1 & gen 2 work perfect for me as well ,,
If you have any tapco mags that aren't working for you , I'd be willing to take them off your hands , I've got a few bran new ruger factory 20rd mags .

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

How about the ProMag 20's?

Haven't tried them.

 

[Kman]

Ruger factory mags #1

John Masen 1420's #2

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

Seriously....why is it so difficult to make an aftermarket magazine that works?

 

[rj1974]

Seriously....why is it so difficult to make an aftermarket magazine that works?

I'm just hoping magpul realizes they are missing out on a part of the market and starts making them . I have one of the old clear ramline mags that works in a AR and Mini14 not reliably but it works .

 

[browning guy]

If it is not a ruger mag throw it away.

 

[rj1974]

If it is not a ruger mag throw it away.

Or display purposes

 

[Rapture]

If it is not a ruger mag throw it away.

I have a bunch of those ProMag 20's NIB and as far as I can tell (my eyesight isn't the best) they are exactly the same as the Ruger mags. No? Maybe I am missing something.

 

[rj1974]

I have a bunch of those ProMag 20's NIB and as far as I can tell (my eyesight isn't the best) they are exactly the same as the Ruger mags. No? Maybe I am missing something.

I have had issues with the feed lips going out of whack with those . And the old USA brand mags the bodies would swell then everything would hang up in the mag after 5-10 rounds fired . the best thing to do was dump the live rounds loads them into a factory mag and then use the aftermarket mags for a target .

Same goes with 10/22 mags

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

I'm not really concerned about multi-platform compatibility. AR mags are for AR's. Mini-14 mags are for Mini-14's. I don't expect more than that.

My three concerns are:

1. Multiple failure to feeds at the range is embarrassing at a minimum.
2. If I ever do need to use my Mini in an emergency, I need to know it will go bang every time I pull the trigger.
3. Price point.

I know the obvious solution is "only use Ruger mags".....but, like, really???

I feel that if I started a company making aftermarket mag's that actually are reliable in Ruger platforms (Mini's, 10/22's, etc), I could probably retire in a year, lol.

Not trying to knock Ruger....I own several and am overall happy with their quality.

 

[Capt Skup]

I only buy the Ruger mags. I order them from Ruger.com. Being in crappy Maryland I get the 20 rounders, delivered to my door. Never had one issue with them, certainly cannot say the same for the ProMags (does not seem the correct name for such a poor quality product). I cannot leave the Promags loaded or have more than 20 rounds in the 30 round capacity mags. I too, wish Magpul built Mini mags but wonder if the latch up required would work with their plastic mags. Save yourself a headache and just buy the Ruger brand.

 

[Lou45]

+1. BTW, Lou had a stack of 6 or 8 at Shooters Discount on Saturday for what struck me as a modest price.

We prolly have about 40 or so factory Ruger Mini-14 20 rounders left. These (each) are $30.00 cash only out the door.

 

[kenpo333]

14 mags

Factory mags only , the rest are crap .

My mini just like factory mags. Mine was built around 1983. I did buy a 90 rounder at the Chantilly gun show a few years ago. It was used, cheap and unbelievably it works like a charm.

 

[NY Transplant]

The only Mini-14 mags I have are the factory 5, 20 and 30 rounders. Tried a few of the aftermarket mags with poor results.