Magazine rattle

[davemil9mm]

When I load up my M&P40 FS mag I can make it rattle. This seems pretty cheap to me. Three out of four of my mags do this to varying degrees. This seems real cheap coming from S&W. Even my S&W 9VE did not do this on the three mags I had for it. Is this just the springs being cheap?

 

[Tyree1867]

I had the same problem with mags for my Kahr PM9. Never did figure out what caused it. One of several reasons I moved it on down the road.

 

[Bob O]

Two of my mags have the same rattle when fully loaded, same pistol even. I have no idea what the cause is. Everything functions fine though.

Sent via phone

 

[Ranger17]

ok, probably a dumb question, but does it seem loose with different types/brands of ammo? Or just one?

I haven't noticed it in my 6 FS mags for my MP 9's, but i only use a couple brands of the same ammo type so may not be enough variety for me to see that potential issue.

 

[Pisgah]

Double-column mags -- all of them, not just S&W -- have a t least the circumstances built in that often creates a rattle. A mag is built to certain dimensional specs, plus or minus, and so is the ammo. What this means is that inevitably one or more loads -- maybe all of them -- will cause the rattle. It's more or less a matter of a maximum-spec mag meeting up with minimum-spec ammo. Sometimes changing ammo helps; sometimes not. Sort of a nature-of-the-beast thing, and in no way reflective of poor quality.

 

[RobzGuns]

As Pisgah wrote, any Double-Stack mag has the potential to do this... Glock, XD, S&W, Kahr and more.
When loading the mags, if one of the rounds don't slide all the way to the sidewall, the rims of the case riding atop each other can cause 1 or more rounds to swivel side-to side, causing the rattle.

Sometimes, simply smacking the bottom of the mag can cause the rounds to seat properly. Sometimes, you may need unload 1 round at a time until you locate the problem round and reload from there.

The thing is, this normally won't cause a feeding problem. It also won't make enough noise to cause someone to look at you (if it's a carry mag). To me, it's basically a non-issue.

 

[MSG Glenn]

All of my FS .40 cal mags rattle, especially when fully loaded. I have 4 for my M&P40 & 2 dedicated for my 40C equipped with X Grips. That's common. There are no problems with the mags. I can usually stop the rattle by slapping the back of the mags to set the rounds & then slapping the bottom of the mags sharply usually by slamming them on the heel of my hand. My buddy also has a FS 40 with 5 mags & each one rattles. If I weren't an honest person I could have had all of them but I assured him there was no problem & showed him how to get rid of the rattle, LOL.

I believe that the spring is making the noise by touching the inside of the mag when fully compressed. Could be wrong as I never thought about it or bothered finding the reason. All I know is every mag I have shoots flawlessly after thousands of rounds down range.

 

[WGSNewnan19]

mine rattle also in my fs 40. i tried swpping to xtra power wolf springs and they still rattle.
I did notice the other day at the range that they didnt rattle using umc ammo as opposed to wwb for practice.
They also did not rattle with my reloads which were fully resized.
that tells me that it very well be the maximum minimum issue stated by others.

 

[davemil9mm]

Thanks, guys. I am keeping things the way they are. I posted on another site as well and this issue has been apparent for years (since 2006). All answers were good and Pisgah's seems the most plausible. But for the sake of argument I bet if you paid $79.99 for an HK magazine there would be no rattle.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Thanks, guys. I am keeping things the way they are. I posted on another site as well and this issue has been apparent for years (since 2006). All answers were good and Pisgah's seems the most plausible. But for the sake of argument I bet if you paid $79.99 for an HK magazine there would be no rattle.

They will all rattle at some point or another. Depends on friction between rounds, the angle of the follower, and the tilt of the moon. It happens. It's not a perfect system. Like others have suggested, unload and reload a couple rounds, smack the back of the magazine against your palm, and get over it.

 

[Dennis]

If it feeds properly...

 

[McE]

Best way to stop mag rattle is to stop shaking them.

 

[Hotshot9]

As Pisgah wrote, any Double-Stack mag has the potential to do this... Glock, XD, S&W, Kahr and more.
When loading the mags, if one of the rounds don't slide all the way to the sidewall, the rims of the case riding atop each other can cause 1 or more rounds to swivel side-to side, causing the rattle.

Sometimes, simply smacking the bottom of the mag can cause the rounds to seat properly. Sometimes, you may need unload 1 round at a time until you locate the problem round and reload from there.

The thing is, this normally won't cause a feeding problem. It also won't make enough noise to cause someone to look at you (if it's a carry mag). To me, it's basically a non-issue.

I think this is the reason makes a lot of sense.