Okay, now that I have acquired an Inland, I have been getting some of the other accessories together: sling and oiler, repro carry case, and mags. I have about 15 of the GI 15 round mags, some refinished and some needing refinishing. All of them are common marked mags purchased for a couple bucks each, no collectors items. And I have been able to locate several sources of 30 rounders with a wide price range.
I know how to tell if a 15 round mag is GI, but I don't know about what to look for in the 30 rounders. I have seen 2 distinct types of 30 round mags; one had seams the length of the mag with spot welds and the other looked like the sheet metal had been folded and spot welded with gaps to allow for the curved side. I am sure there are others out there including real GI. Any help or links to reference pictures?
If not, I may have to contact abcleigh on eBay for some of his NIW GI issue mags. :lol:
Here's part of a recent conversation I had with Wayne. I don't think he'll mind my posting this here as it's good info to know:
wayneCP01 said:
By the way, there are only four USGI 30 rounders I know of, A.I., K.I. (either with M2 underneath sometimes) and SEY both splitback and hardback. All others are purported to be foreign military or after-market per Bill Ricca.
Another good test also noted By Bill Ricca, is checking the holes on thesides and back of the 30 round magazines. By contract, the USGI manufacturers had to deburr these areas, and they are very smooth, while after-market aren't.
Those marked AYP, M2, Made In USA, unmarked, etc. are from foreign militarys or after-market.
FWIW, I found this on the Fulton Armory website.....
The Lowdown on M1 Carbine Magazines
by James Wesley, Rawles
Balance snipped for brevity and to avoid possible copyright infringement. You can find the whole text at the Fulton Armory website in the M1 carbine section. Most informative.
A special thanks to Waynecp01 for the heads-up on posting etiquette.
DFB
Just a few thoughts. There are no 30 round magazines that are unmarked that were ever purchased by an ordnance contract. Where this comes from is the past. Back in the 1970's, when South American countries were still using carbines, there were constant requests for magazine quotes. Some of the SGN hump artists (I don't have to mention names) got those contracts, made the magazines in Italy, and send them into South America. The magazines were then fradulently advertised as US GI contract overruns.
The magazines being made today are closer and closer to GI characteristics. Years ago it was easy to tell. Whenever somebody prints what is wrong, those characteristics are changed with the next production.
Another thing to keep in mind. About 99% of the time you will not find one maker of a GI item in quantity. The government does not stock items by maker. All 30 round magazines are considered the same. When large lots were released you would find every maker and type. However since it has been over 30-35 years since the last 30 round contract, don't expect too many to be in the system.
So next time you see somebody advertise "US GI" 30 round magazines, just ask what the marks are. When they answer they have a large supply, all the same, you know they are humps.
Another thing to watch is the price. I can sell actually GI magazines from $30 to over $100.00 for a certain type. When you see an ad for $15.00-20.00, be suspicious. Actual GI 30 round magazines are quite scarce and nobody has unlimited supplies they can advertise.
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