Are their any good after market mags for the M-1 carbine ? Or are we de pendant on old surplus I just picked up an Underwood carbine from my local pusher (pawnshop) and like to get some mags 10 , 15 ,20 or 30 which will work best. I have always wanted one of these.
Mags for M -1 carbine
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I have used the KCI Korean made 15 round mags with complete success. Haven't had a single one that didn't work properly. Most of the bigger places that sell magazines carry them.
I was looking for some M1 carbine parts earlier today. I noticed Sarco.Inc has 4, 30rnd and pouch for $70
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Check at militaria shows as there are many military 30 Carbine magazines and assorted accessories for sale. Have seen original WWII ones still in the wrapper. Careful buying the 30 round ones.
elkhunter77
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The 30 round mags generally don't work very well. Have an M1A1 and I play heck finding 30 rounders that work. For general use, the KCI 15 rounds mags work well. Collectors want the mag that matches the carbine manufacturer.
elkhunter77
Member
I feel your pain looking for carbine parts. Marco is one of my favorite places but they have lots of repro stuff. What parts you looking for? I might be able to help.
I've had more success with the 15 rounders functioning properly vs. the 30 rounders. JMHO & YMMV
Trooper224
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Go with either original GI mags or those made by KCI. Nothing else is worth the trouble. With either one, the 15 round mags are going to be more reliable than the 30s. Regardless, treat them all gently. M1 carbine mags are made from pretty thin guage steel and are easily damaged. They're the Achilles heel of the design.
Bayou52
Member
KCI mags work well as stated in earlier posts. For good measure, and to experiment, I took a KCI mag and bought a new Wolff mag spring for it. I also changed out the follower with one of those orange plastic anti-tilt followers advertised on flea bay.
My experimentation has worked very well as that mag performs without issues so far. Now, I'll have to see what kind of life span the mag has. Just FYI…
My experimentation has worked very well as that mag performs without issues so far. Now, I'll have to see what kind of life span the mag has. Just FYI…
In addition to the KCI magazines, I have heard good thing about the ones sold by Keep Shooting though I have no personal experience with them.
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Check out..... https://www.keepshooting.com/mil-spec-m1-carbine-15rd-magazine.html I've got a load of both the 15's & 30's. Never had any problems......
I have never found any magazines, original G.I. surplus or cheap knock offs that were reliable. As a matter of fact during WWII the Soldiers used to throw the magazines away after they were empty and for two reasons, 1. They were so thin the fed lips were easily deformed and the mags they got were already loaded with ammo.
I like others, even famous others like Ian McCollum, could never get any M1 Carbine to work reliably. Nothing helped, including replacing recoil springs, using original G.I.Ammo, Commercial ammo, handloads etc. The M1 Carbine design was never really perfected. As a matter of fact I once watched a very respectful video by an M1 Carbine expert that gave all the advice he had on trying to make an M1 Carbine work, none of which was worth a tinker's dam.
Trooper224
Member
The M1 Carbine was considered successful in its day because it was new technology. Semi-auto longarms were still somewhat experimental.
Thus, their standards for reliability were different than todays. Then it was felt the pros outweighed the cons and they considered the trade-off worthwhile. Today, if the M1 Carbine was introduced, with all of its inherent issues, it would be a massive failure.
It's a cool piece of history and I enjoy mine for that reason. But, as a practical weapon in the here and now? Absolutely not.
Have several SEY Hardback 30 round magazines that function perfectly in my Underwoods and even an Iver Johnson m1. Nothing but factory Kahr/Auto Ordnance magazines work in my in my Auto Ordnance m1, just a slight measurement difference between the OEM and military mag latches. Thinking about trying one of my spare military trigger groups in it and see if it makes a difference or if it will even fit.
Most original military mags function fine in the Underwoods, a lot were bought still in the wrapper.
Most original military mags function fine in the Underwoods, a lot were bought still in the wrapper.
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I've never had a problem with original military 15 round magazines and I used to shoot my carbines a lot. They are relatively thin steel but if you're not dropping them on the ground and stepping on them or throwing them against hard objects they seem to hold up pretty well. As to issues in service I suspect they got a lot rougher use than a shooter would give them today. The 30 round mags are more of an issue, original military ones are certainly better made than a lot of the aftermarket ones. I've owned examples of both and the only ones that gave me issues were the aftermarket mags.
Sold off all but two of my Carbine collection after closing the gun shop. Still shoot the two I have left now and then. Only use the 15 round ones when I do. Two of the mags I use regularly have a couple small body dents that were there when i got them. They work just as well as the others.
Sold off all but two of my Carbine collection after closing the gun shop. Still shoot the two I have left now and then. Only use the 15 round ones when I do. Two of the mags I use regularly have a couple small body dents that were there when i got them. They work just as well as the others.
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Back in 80s- late 90s had every 30 Carbine in excellent condition except an IBM as could never find a near Mint one. Had all the accessories including original " holsters",cases and carry cases. Still have some to go with my last one. 30 Carbines are a real blast to shoot and remember shooting several 100 rounds a day. Killed a few E. Va. deer with one, one shot to the neck/ spine and it was done.
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I sold my carbines and magazines a number of years ago. I think all my 15 round magazines were used GIs. I don't know about the 30 round magazines; they may have been new but functioned fine. After using them, I wondered why anyone would want one for a standard semi-auto carbine, but I guess they would be a necessity for the M2 carbine. Long and heavy when loaded with 30 rounds. 15 round magazines seem ideal for the standard carbine.
DWalt
Member
I have over a dozen 15 round GI magazines, never an issue with any. Over the years I have found several 5-rounders and they are OK. I have three 30 rounders, don't know if they are GI. I never use them, too ungainly. Might be OK if you had an M2. One of them won't stay fastened in the magazine well, maybe the two little pips on it are worn down.
Cartwright Jones
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Yes there are. It's called "tuning" your mags and it works. Once tuned, modern M1 mags work excellently.
I have a fair number of Checkmate Industries 20rd that I've had zero issues with. Never had the desire for 30rd, or even 25 which they also make.
Cheers,
Tom
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The 30 round magazines I have are "somewhat reliable" ( I know - an oxymoron ) with 28 rounds loaded into them. That said, the the best reliability is from the GI 15 round mags. Swapping out a spent mag in an M1 carbine is easy and quick. It also makes for a much more compact package to tote around. I would never use a 30 round magazine for anything but fun at the range. It's 15 rounder's for anything else!
M E Morrison
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The Carbine is ammo sensitive more than mag sensitive. An untrimmed case that exceeds specs will cause guns to blow up. It was enough to have the ammo manufacturers check 100% of case length as the rounds were made, If you treat the mags nicely no slamming, pounding or abuse, they work fine and last. 30 rd mags work in all carbines but to work well they need the late style mag catch which has an adjunct arm at the side that stops side to side slop. If ammo is slightly too long it drags the rounds at the front in the mags and causes poor function. Generally a new GI operating spring cures all function problems. Also lubing and grease helps a lot. Inside the op rod slot and rails and on the bolt lugs like a Garand. Wolf springs are just a bag of industrial springs that happen to fit. In my opinion not needed or used. I bought the whole bag and used exactly one. The original springs still operate fine.
They made 6M carbines and probably 20 times that many mags. People condemn the carbine because almost everyone doesn't lube them like a Garand. That's because the manual says only use light oil (Korea....Cold...) and they are shot bone dry with questionable reloads.
All US Carbine ammo is non corrosive, most French and Chinese IS corrosive.
They made 6M carbines and probably 20 times that many mags. People condemn the carbine because almost everyone doesn't lube them like a Garand. That's because the manual says only use light oil (Korea....Cold...) and they are shot bone dry with questionable reloads.
All US Carbine ammo is non corrosive, most French and Chinese IS corrosive.
Thanks for the offer.
I was in search of an R marked front sight, but found one on ebay. My buddy has an excellent matching numbers Rockola. It was passed down to him recently. I explained to him what a rare M1 carbine he actually had. I pionted out the barrel band bayonet lug and front sight. Are the only parts not properly marked.
DWalt
Member
At one time, Dominican Republic carbine ammo was fairly common, and it was also corrosive primed. There was an interesting story about the Dominican ammo and the Christobal carbine, but that was too long ago for me to remember. I still have a box of the ammo somewhere.
Puller
Member
Seems you and Ian could probably use some help from someone who actually has some experience with M1 carbines. Your experience is not typical.
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