30 round M1 carbine magazines

[rufrdr]

USGI 30 round M1 carbine magazines have move into the collectible category, but if a carbine owner wants functioning 30 round magazines at a great price, Brownells has Korean-made magazines that actually work!

I bought two to test and can report that they functioned just fine in my Quality Hardware M1 carbine. The one caveat is that the magazine body is just a skosh smaller from front to back so that a few of my low QC reloads would not go into the magazine because a bullet was seated out just a bit too far. The same rounds fit fine into a USGI 15 round magazine. Testing some 1970s LC .30 carbine ball in the Korean magazines showed that GI spec rounds will fit fine.

I liked them so much I ordered another two. That gives me 10 magazines and I think I have enough on hand now.

https://www.brownells.com/aspx/search/productdetail.aspx?sid=222502&pid=119036

 

[MacEntyre]

I have some of those Korean 30 round mags... like 'em a lot!

The three handiest short rifles I own are a M1 Carbine, Marlin Camp 9, and a Marlin 1894P 44 mag Guide Gun.

 

[Timfoilhat]

I've never had good luck with the 30 round magazines. I've got some 15s that are Korean and have the 30 round M2 follower that work great and have LRBHO.

 

[matttahoe53]

Anyone retro fit with a Wolff magazine spring to increase 30 round reliability?

 

[rufrdr]

Anyone retro fit with a Wolff magazine spring to increase 30 round reliability?

The magazines I bought don't need any assistance, they worked just fine.

 

[nbkky71]

Don't the KCI mags have the bolt hold-open follower? I've got a bunch of USGI 15 round mags, but never messed with the KCI 30 round mags

 

[rufrdr]

Don't the KCI mags have the bolt hold-open follower? I've got a bunch of USGI 15 round mags, but never messed with the KCI 30 round mags

Yes, it has the hold open follower. It takes a good yank to pull it out when the bolt locks back or of course you can just hold the slide back slightly to pull the empty magazine. Brownells has them in stock now, I ordered two on Saturday and they are shipping today.

 

[rufrdr]

I can remember when you could buy 4 new GI magazines in a new GI pouch for about $20 or less through the mail pre-internet. Ruvel in Chicago was my favorite mail order surplus store. Most likely long gone now.

 

[NCFubar]

The only 30 round M1 carbine mags I’ve had good success with have been GI mags, both are “AYP” which I’m fairly sure we’re from an FN contract.

 

[Toprudder]

I tried various 30 round mags a while back, and the KCI mags were the only ones that worked reliably. Great, too, since they were also $10 each at the time.

 

[wvsig]

OOS now but good to know.

 

[Timfoilhat]

JGsales.com has 30 rd KCI and 15 round GI.

 

[wvsig]

JGsales.com has 30 rd KCI and 15 round GI.

Almost double the price I can get them from Brownells when they are in stock. Greg Cote has them for $14.99 https://gregcotellc.com/cart/ar15-m...-rd-magazine-blued-steel-kcimz026-p-2160.html

 

[Timfoilhat]

Almost double the price I can get them from Brownells when they are in stock. Greg Cote has them for $14.99 https://gregcotellc.com/cart/ar15-m...-rd-magazine-blued-steel-kcimz026-p-2160.html

When they are in stock...
Figured I'd give the option if there was pressing need to buy now despite costs. Numrich seems to have some GI too. Also expensive.

 

[wvsig]

When they are in stock...
Figured I'd give the option if there was pressing need to buy now despite costs. Numrich seems to have some GI too. Also expensive.

Back in stock. https://www.brownells.com/aspx/search/productdetail.aspx?sid=222502&pid=119036