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Posted: 2/16/2025 1:47:16 AM EDT
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I noticed the magazine springs below. Extreme Duty Red Spring by Specialized Armament. How much better are they than regular mag springs? How much longer do they last? The second link is the same company's regular mag springs. https://www.specializedarmament.com/%E2%80%94-magazines/spring-5.56mm-30-round-extreme-duty-red-spring/ https://www.specializedarmament.com/%E2%80%94-magazines/spring-5.56mm-30-round-colt/ |
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They may be awesome. My question is more around use case. Do you have AR mags that are failing to feed on a regular basis? If so replace the mag, can be done cheaply and you are not putting good money towards a magazine with questionable dimensions and feed lips. |
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Originally Posted By kymarkh: They may be awesome. My question is more around use case. Do you have AR mags that are failing to feed on a regular basis? If so replace the mag, can be done cheaply and you are not putting good money towards a magazine with questionable dimensions and feed lips. Originally Posted By WUPHF: Have you identified a problem with your current magazines that you think this $7 magazine spring will solve? No problems with current mags. I'm curious of these springs for the idea of putting them in D&H, the latest C-Products, or used in good condition Okay mags to create the best mags. |
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol: I'm not saying a spring can't go bad, but it has never happened to in 45 years of shooting AR's. I still own 1970 +/- surplus Colt 20 round mags that run 100%. Replacing perfectly good magazine springs seems like a solution searching for a problem. With the springs I listed above, the manufacturer claims they can be left loaded for a very long time, then work fine when used. Maybe the previous owner of the 20 round mags you have put new springs in them if you bought them used. |
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Originally Posted By peacematu: With the springs I listed above, the manufacturer claims they can be left loaded for a very long time, then work fine when used. Maybe the previous owner of the 20 round mags you have put new springs in them if you bought them used. I purchased them brand new around 1981, surplus Air Force magazines made by Colt. $4.00 per magazine back then. 
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Originally Posted By peacematu: With the springs I listed above, the manufacturer claims they can be left loaded for a very long time, then work fine when used. Maybe the previous owner of the 20 round mags you have put new springs in them if you bought them used. I had to replace a bunch in some refinished 20 round Colt mags that supposedly came back in from Israel. Springs were corroded pitted in some of them. I bought some of the John Masen ones from a vendor. They matched the originals wire size and design. |
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Originally Posted By j3_: I had to replace a bunch in some refinished 20 round Colt mags that supposedly came back in from Israel. Springs were corroded pitted in some of them. I bought some of the John Masen ones from a vendor. They matched the originals wire size and design. How do you like the Masen springs? One of my acquaintances raves about them. I haven't seen him have an issue with them during range visits. I've read a good amount of negative reviews and hate on them though. |
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
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Have only heard things about the followers. Springs looked like the factory spring. I never used the mags just bought them and put the new springs in the ones with bad ones. I have a twenty in my range box with a few thirtys and use the same mags every time. The used 20 round mags were kind of weird. The finish is the right color but looks more like it was powder coated or some kind of spray on finish. |
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Originally Posted By j3_: Have only heard things about the followers. Springs looked like the factory spring. I never used the mags just bought them and put the new springs in the ones with bad ones. I have a twenty in my range box with a few thirtys and use the same mags every time. The used 20 round mags were kind of weird. The finish is the right color but looks more like it was powder coated or some kind of spray on finish. Thanks. |
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol: I purchased them brand new around 1981, surplus Air Force magazines made by Colt. $4.00 per magazine back then. Originally Posted By borderpatrol: Originally Posted By peacematu: With the springs I listed above, the manufacturer claims they can be left loaded for a very long time, then work fine when used. Maybe the previous owner of the 20 round mags you have put new springs in them if you bought them used. I purchased them brand new around 1981, surplus Air Force magazines made by Colt. $4.00 per magazine back then. Any idea how many rounds may have gone through one or more that are still reliable? |
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Originally Posted By TGWLDR: How do you like the Masen springs? One of my acquaintances raves about them. I haven't seen him have an issue with them during range visits. I've read a good amount of negative reviews and hate on them though. Originally Posted By TGWLDR: Originally Posted By j3_: I had to replace a bunch in some refinished 20 round Colt mags that supposedly came back in from Israel. Springs were corroded pitted in some of them. I bought some of the John Masen ones from a vendor. They matched the originals wire size and design. How do you like the Masen springs? One of my acquaintances raves about them. I haven't seen him have an issue with them during range visits. I've read a good amount of negative reviews and hate on them though. Interesting. It sounds like John Masen is the manufacturer. Or maybe they are made by someone else and they slap their label on them like Brownells does with their mags. |
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Originally Posted By j3_: Have only heard things about the followers. Springs looked like the factory spring. I never used the mags just bought them and put the new springs in the ones with bad ones. I have a twenty in my range box with a few thirtys and use the same mags every time. The used 20 round mags were kind of weird. The finish is the right color but looks more like it was powder coated or some kind of spray on finish. @j3_ Which of their followers have you heard about? I know they have aluminum or metal followers for straight mags but don't recall if they sell plastic followers. Anyone else hear anything about John Masen aluminum or steel followers? |
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I read the reviews on these a while back and seems like there are some post about the aluminum ones over the years in this magazine section. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006070469?pid=184724#reviews Here is an old thread that the aluminum ones are mentioned part way down the thread https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Swapping-aluminum-followers-in-Okay-straight-20-mags-/17-735508/ |
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Originally Posted By j3_: I read the reviews on these a while back and seems like there are some post about the aluminum ones over the years in this magazine section. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006070469?pid=184724#reviews Here is an old thread that the aluminum ones are mentioned part way down the thread https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/Swapping-aluminum-followers-in-Okay-straight-20-mags-/17-735508/ I wonder if there are any aluminum/steel followers other than John Masen ones a person can buy. |
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Originally Posted By peacematu: I wonder if there are any aluminum/steel followers other than John Masen ones a person can buy. I never said anything negative about them just links to other comments. In truth I don't believe original 20 mag followers were aluminum. They don't have that look because they are to slick and shiny mostly. I think they were some corrosion resistant material the print called out for die casting. Maybe a zinc or magnesium alloy. The originals just don't look like they are all aluminum to me. |
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Originally Posted By j3_: I never said anything negative about them just links to other comments. In truth I don't believe original 20 mag followers were aluminum. They don't have that look because they are to slick and shiny mostly. I think they were some corrosion resistant material the print called out for die casting. Maybe a zinc or magnesium alloy. The originals just don't look like they are all aluminum to me. Originally Posted By j3_: Originally Posted By peacematu: I wonder if there are any aluminum/steel followers other than John Masen ones a person can buy. I never said anything negative about them just links to other comments. In truth I don't believe original 20 mag followers were aluminum. They don't have that look because they are to slick and shiny mostly. I think they were some corrosion resistant material the print called out for die casting. Maybe a zinc or magnesium alloy. The originals just don't look like they are all aluminum to me. @j3_ I know but still I was wondering if there are non plastic/polymer followers other than John Masen. I saw the comments about the John Masen ones. Unfortunate as its not rocket science by manufacturing standards to make these things. |
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Originally Posted By peacematu: Fine is less good than optimum. @18B30 Originally Posted By peacematu: Originally Posted By 18B30: Factory OEM GI Mag springs are fine Fine is less good than optimum. @18B30 I can only offer my opinion based on 25 years in SF. I had the exotic mags, the HK’s, Plastics, ect. End of the day, a new GI aluminum mag never failed me. Wolfe makes some really good +10 mags if you want over match. HK mags are great until they aren’t. P mags are GTG FNC steel mags were great in the 90’s AR-18 40rounders were the cats ass in the 80’s your mileage may vary, good luck in your life’s journey. |
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Originally Posted By 18B30: I can only offer my opinion based on 25 years in SF. I had the exotic mags, the HK’s, Plastics, ect. End of the day, a new GI aluminum mag never failed me. Wolfe makes some really good +10 mags if you want over match. HK mags are great until they aren’t. P mags are GTG FNC steel mags were great in the 90’s AR-18 40rounders were the cats ass in the 80’s your mileage may vary, good luck in your life’s journey. Originally Posted By 18B30: Originally Posted By peacematu: Originally Posted By 18B30: Factory OEM GI Mag springs are fine Fine is less good than optimum. @18B30 I can only offer my opinion based on 25 years in SF. I had the exotic mags, the HK’s, Plastics, ect. End of the day, a new GI aluminum mag never failed me. Wolfe makes some really good +10 mags if you want over match. HK mags are great until they aren’t. P mags are GTG FNC steel mags were great in the 90’s AR-18 40rounders were the cats ass in the 80’s your mileage may vary, good luck in your life’s journey. @18B30 That's really cool to be SF. I was considering trying out for it when I was an old kid/young man but never took the plunge. You sound cool and mature. I wish I could buy you a beer. |
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Originally Posted By peacematu: @18B30 That's really cool to be SF. I was considering trying out for it when I was an old kid/young man but never took the plunge. You sound cool and mature. I wish I could buy you a beer. Originally Posted By peacematu: Originally Posted By 18B30: Originally Posted By peacematu: Originally Posted By 18B30: Factory OEM GI Mag springs are fine Fine is less good than optimum. @18B30 I can only offer my opinion based on 25 years in SF. I had the exotic mags, the HK’s, Plastics, ect. End of the day, a new GI aluminum mag never failed me. Wolfe makes some really good +10 mags if you want over match. HK mags are great until they aren’t. P mags are GTG FNC steel mags were great in the 90’s AR-18 40rounders were the cats ass in the 80’s your mileage may vary, good luck in your life’s journey. @18B30 That's really cool to be SF. I was considering trying out for it when I was an old kid/young man but never took the plunge. You sound cool and mature. I wish I could buy you a beer. I was never that cool, but my Team was and my wife still is! Next time you're in Ohio, drop me a line and you can buy me a beer, after I take you to Midwest Shooting Center and have you test drive the HK product line. 18Z50 |
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Originally Posted By borderpatrol: I'm not saying a spring can't go bad, but it has never happened to in 45 years of shooting AR's. I still own 1970 +/- surplus Colt 20 round mags that run 100%. Replacing perfectly good magazine springs seems like a solution searching for a problem. Any of that FA? I found that a few of my old GI 20s won't keep up with my select-fire AR. That said, haven't felt the need to replace the springs. I have plenty of mags. |
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| I am trying to find OEM GI springs for 30 round mags, I bought a bunch of shells with no spring or follower. I have a bunch of magpul green followers, but having a hard time locating springs. Seems like its Chrome Silicone or Flatwire 17-7. Is the flatwire OEM? |
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I have seen USGI magazines with OEM braided springs, but never OEM flat wire springs. Brownell's is currently out of stock. MagPul PMAG M2 and M3 springs are interchangeable with USGI aluminum mags. I have never ordered from Specialized Armament, but they appear to be legit. Spring, 5.56mm, 30 Round, Colt, (10 Pack) $30 https://www.specializedarmament.com/%E2%80%94-magazines/spring-5.56mm-30-round-colt-10-pack/ Spring, 5.56mm, 30 Round, Extreme Duty, (10 Pack) $55 https://www.specializedarmament.com/%E2%80%94-magazines/spring-5.56mm-30-round-extreme-duty-10-pack/ |
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Originally Posted By n2snapper: I am trying to find OEM GI springs for 30 round mags, I bought a bunch of shells with no spring or follower. I have a bunch of magpul green followers, but having a hard time locating springs. Seems like its Chrome Silicone or Flatwire 17-7. Is the flatwire OEM? USGI spec is 17-7 SS. Never seen OEM braided or flatwire. |
"All welchers should be removed from the EE".-Aimless
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