Just picked up a new to me 3914 in outstanding condition. But I see I have to spend nearly a quarter of the purchase price of the gun on one OME mag or buy ProMags. Are the ProMags okay? Have not always heard good things about them. Let me know, Thank you!!
ProMags for my 3914?
- Thread starter WolvesFan
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KurtC
Member
Never buy ProMag. Garbage. Save your money and buy the latest OEM revision.
That is what I was afraid guys would say. Thanks!
I ran a box through a Pro mag and it fed fine
Not for carry.
Check the archives and the Web.
Check the archives and the Web.
If I had to go aftermarket, I would try Triple K before Promag - but that's not an endorsement by any means.
There is no aftermarket magazine manufacturer that is better than ProMag if your ultimate goal is to train for failure drills.
If you have just one chance to buy a new magazine that is most likely to suck, ProMag has no peer across the industry.
If you have just one chance to buy a new magazine that is most likely to suck, ProMag has no peer across the industry.
Reputation is that they are at best inconsistent quality.
Can potentially be improved by changing spring and possibly follower - but be aware the spring and follower are only half of the equation. The metal lip geometry at the top of the metal shell is also significant, potentially critical. In the old 4516/4506 mags it took 3 iterations to top of mag (along with some changes to pistol innerds) to eliminate inconsistent feed problems observed in first "no-dash" pistols.
Personally I would use any non-SW mag (except MecGar which are good but MecGar does not make single stack 3913/14 mags) for range but not self defense.
Can potentially be improved by changing spring and possibly follower - but be aware the spring and follower are only half of the equation. The metal lip geometry at the top of the metal shell is also significant, potentially critical. In the old 4516/4506 mags it took 3 iterations to top of mag (along with some changes to pistol innerds) to eliminate inconsistent feed problems observed in first "no-dash" pistols.
Personally I would use any non-SW mag (except MecGar which are good but MecGar does not make single stack 3913/14 mags) for range but not self defense.
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Friends don't let friends buy ProMags.
I have two promags for my 3913nl.
They are fine.
I did have some trouble with a promag that I had for a 4506.
After 15 years the spring was a little weaker so I replaced it with new from Wolff. Before it would just feed the rounds into the chamber, but now it will feed the rounds into the chamber!
It is very rare to hear any specifics on this complaint. We are expected to accept that the name ProMag conveys all the information we need.
I did see a YouTube video where a man had some failures to feed using hi-capacity ProMags in his carbine. He did not examine or investigate why. Feed lips bent? Weak spring? Evil spirits? Perhaps it is just that this model of pistol is so reliable that even ProMags work. BTW mine do not say they are ProMag anywhere. There are no identifiers on them at all.
They are fine.
I did have some trouble with a promag that I had for a 4506.
After 15 years the spring was a little weaker so I replaced it with new from Wolff. Before it would just feed the rounds into the chamber, but now it will feed the rounds into the chamber!
It is very rare to hear any specifics on this complaint. We are expected to accept that the name ProMag conveys all the information we need.
I did see a YouTube video where a man had some failures to feed using hi-capacity ProMags in his carbine. He did not examine or investigate why. Feed lips bent? Weak spring? Evil spirits? Perhaps it is just that this model of pistol is so reliable that even ProMags work. BTW mine do not say they are ProMag anywhere. There are no identifiers on them at all.
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I have use ProMags for 25 years in my Sigs. I changed the followers and springs. Over the years, I found it only necessary to change the springs. Just my experience with my Sig 228 and 229
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Here's a another perspective on ProMag.
Have a S&W 645 that came with (1) original S&W factory mag. I'm always on the hunt for options for additional original mags. As you mention. Buying NOS factory mags or used factory mags can be prohibitive.
As a test, because they're less expensive, I bought one Promag for the gun and over a few months ran 750 rounds thru it with no issues. Over time I've acquired a few more Promags and did the same testing on the each one of the Promags. I have had no feed or performance issues at all. I'll purchase NOS or preowned S&W mags when I find a deal on them. For daily carry of the 645, I'll go with the S&W mags. Primarly this is only because the shoulder rig I use is designed to work with the thin plate of the S&W factory mags. I would carry the Promags if they fit in the rig.
All that said, I've had no issues with Promags I've purchased for any firearm. They are, from my experience, inexpensive and work well in the firearms I use them in. Promag seems to be an emotional topic for some. I mention this because at gun shows when sifting thru inventory looking for a mag, many sellers comment and are adamant that Promag is junk. This is even after I share the results of the testing above. They double down and hang on the "junk" comment.
There are other sellers that say they're just fine and have not had problems.
The spring and follower swaps as mentioned in the thread are a good idea too if needed.
Buy one, run some rounds thru it, see how it works and go from there.
Have a S&W 645 that came with (1) original S&W factory mag. I'm always on the hunt for options for additional original mags. As you mention. Buying NOS factory mags or used factory mags can be prohibitive.
As a test, because they're less expensive, I bought one Promag for the gun and over a few months ran 750 rounds thru it with no issues. Over time I've acquired a few more Promags and did the same testing on the each one of the Promags. I have had no feed or performance issues at all. I'll purchase NOS or preowned S&W mags when I find a deal on them. For daily carry of the 645, I'll go with the S&W mags. Primarly this is only because the shoulder rig I use is designed to work with the thin plate of the S&W factory mags. I would carry the Promags if they fit in the rig.
All that said, I've had no issues with Promags I've purchased for any firearm. They are, from my experience, inexpensive and work well in the firearms I use them in. Promag seems to be an emotional topic for some. I mention this because at gun shows when sifting thru inventory looking for a mag, many sellers comment and are adamant that Promag is junk. This is even after I share the results of the testing above. They double down and hang on the "junk" comment.
There are other sellers that say they're just fine and have not had problems.
The spring and follower swaps as mentioned in the thread are a good idea too if needed.
Buy one, run some rounds thru it, see how it works and go from there.
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M E Morrison
Member
My experience was different. I only used them in a Ruger MK 2 and a Walther P38. About a dozen mags for the Ruger and half a dozen for the P38. They all worked just fine.
Apparently it is a crap shoot, or maybe they work better in a single stack???
javbike
Member
I have two tripe K mags had for years for my 1911 it’s rans flawless never one jam
PROMAG:
Please
Remember
Our
Mags
Are
Garbage
Please
Remember
Our
Mags
Are
Garbage
Where are you shopping? You can get name brand S&W magazines from a lot of online vendors. Prices depend upon availability, but you should check out the major retailers on line.
