Springfield SA-35 Magazines

ArchAngelCD

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Does anyone here know who is manufacturing the OEM magazines for the Springfield Hi-Power? I want to start looking for the best price for a few before they might be banned since they are 15 round mags.

When the TV show Guns and Ammo reviewed the new Hi-Power they told us who makes the magazines but I can't remember who. They might be Mec-Gear or ProMags or something similar. I know they are available on the Springfield site stamped SA but I'm trying to save some money without compromising reliability. Any info will be appreciated...
 
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dsf said:
BOTACH carries MecGar "SA-35" 15 rounders for a good price - $25.00 ain't bad.
Click to expand...

I appreciate that info but what I'm looking for is the name of the company who makes the OEM mags for the Springfield SA-35.
 
dsf said:
BOTACH carries MecGar "SA-35" 15 rounders for a good price - $25.00 ain't bad.
Click to expand...

I've never bought a MecGar that didn't work or wasn't well made of quality materials .
If you can ... get MecGar ... it doesn't matter how cheap they are ... if they don't work half the time ... they aren't worth doodly-squat .
I still carry an AMT Hardballer and MecGar are the only aftermarket magazines that will 100% reliably function in the old AMT .
Gary
 
gwpercle said:
......
If you can ... get MecGar ... it doesn't matter how cheap they are ... if they don't work half the time ... they aren't worth doodly-squat .
.....
Click to expand...

I agree that's why I said in my OP, "but I'm trying to save some money without compromising reliability."

Thank you all for the help.
 
Yesterday I ran 200 rounds through my new Springfield SA-35 with one OEM (which is a MecGar as I understand it) and two after market MecGar magazines. Flawless on all. I got them for $25 each from Midway.
 
FWIW, I have three MecGar Hi Power magazines acquired in 1994 that still function reliably in my HI Powers. I have not even changed the springs. I'd say reliability is not compromised by using MecGar magazines....
 
Greg Cote LLC shows 15 rd. Mec-Gar Hi-Power magazines in stock $23.95. He also has 13 and 10 round magazines if you want for a bit less
Ir you check the magazine you have that came with your gun, it should have "made in italy" stamped on the front of it. That is a Mec-Gar magazine!
Greg Cote LLC
 
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Any BHP mag will fit the SA-35 but the Mec-Gars are the best by far. I;ve had lots of them for the BHP and all worked perfectly. Promags are a waste of time and money, and other after market mags are a **** shoot - some might work or might not.
 
The SA-35 mags are made by MecGar in Italy. They are the same mag with the same followers on the MecGar labelled mags. The only difference is the marking stamped on the mags. The only mags that are different are actual FN mags which have a 4 or 2 legged follower. MecGar removed the legs from the follower to stuff 2 more rounds in there. They did the same thing with the Sig P228 & P226 mags.

The only problem with the 15s is that the follower can tilt and cause feeding problems. You are compromising reliability using a SA 35 15 round mag. The most reliable mag made for the BHP is the FN 4 or 2 legged follower with 13 round capacity.

These are the FN followers.

image006.jpg


These are the followers in the MecGar 15s.

image010.jpg
 
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Wyo said:
Any BHP mag will fit the SA-35 but the Mec-Gars are the best by far. I;ve had lots of them for the BHP and all worked perfectly. Promags are a waste of time and money, and other after market mags are a **** shoot - some might work or might not.
Click to expand...

A huge thumbs up for Mec-Gar. They are OEM for some Walthers, and I use the 15 and 17rd in my 5906 & 5946.

As I say, better No Mag than Pro Mag :)
 
Save Ferrous! said:
All the modern extra capacity mags get away with it largely by being okay with cramming the springs down harder and shorter legs on the follower. It really isn't so much a mag body length or design issue.

Read the Mec-Gar link I posted.
Click to expand...

The MecGar 15 BHP followers do not have any legs. The spring fits into a groove under the skirt of the follower.

image010.jpg
 
gwpercle said:
I've never bought a MecGar that didn't work or wasn't well made of quality materials .
If you can ... get MecGar ... it doesn't matter how cheap they are ... if they don't work half the time ... they aren't worth doodly-squat .
I still carry an AMT Hardballer and MecGar are the only aftermarket magazines that will 100% reliably function in the old AMT .
Gary
Click to expand...

FWIW, just read of a fellow having issues with the MecGar 15s not working in his SA35. As noted the follower is different than the 13 rounders.

I have a 70's made BHP and the Argentine model. I figure for the price it's worth a shot.
 
Save Ferrous! said:
I would say that skirt is "the legs", but if you read my post I was making a general comment about how mag makers fit more rounds into established mag body sizes. I have never seen the BHP 15 follower, but it works exactly has I described.

This has less in the leg department than BHP 15 follower:

s-l500.jpg
Click to expand...

Apple to oranges comparison. I have never understood why people argue about things they have never seen as if they are speaking from a position of knowledge.

Why would anyone listen to someone give advice about a magazine design when they admit to having never seen it let alone used. How can you possibly know you are correct? How can you speak to its function as designed?

Maybe the discussion is better left to people who actually have hands on experience with the design vs someone who is speculating. I bet you don’t own a BHP of any kind yet here you are giving your expert level advice.

The reality is that the 15 round Megar mags have a follower which is known to tilt. Most people report 100% function but heavy BHP users and shooters like myself have had failure to feeds as a result of the follower tilting. I have never had a 13 rounder 4 or 2 legged follower tilt.

My advice is if you want 100% reliability stick with the 13 rounder with 4 or 2 legged followers for carry. 15s are great for the range, training and plinking. YMMV
 
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