Factory vs Aftermarket magazines - The Firearms Forum

cec · 06-10-2005, 07:17 PM

I am wondering what experiences you have had with aftermarket vs. factory magazines.

I want another magazine for my SW 4506. The factory magazine is $39.99, but I have seen aftermarket magazines for $19.95.

While I am firm believer in "you get what you pay for", I also am willing to save a buck if I can get the same quality for half the price.

Have you seen a higher rate of failure, incorrect fit, or any sort of issues?

If it helps, the main use of the gun is target practice and hopefully will not be used for defense.

Country101 · 06-11-2005, 03:46 PM

If you're gonna use it for defense at all, I'd say spend the extra money and get a Wilson Combat magazine.

If it's only for plinking, a little trouble out of a magazine won't hurt anything, so it's your call.

Ruger.44 · 06-11-2005, 04:09 PM

You've done the right thing. While I don't have a 4506, I've about 30 mag fed firearms. Some aftermarket mags I've bought have found their way into the city dump. Others have proven very reliable and some have actually outlived the factory mags 2 or 3 times. Forums like this are a good place to start asking about brands that you can count on.

All of that having been said, Cheaper Than Dirt has factory mags for the 4506 for like $32.00 That's a little savings if you really want to get the real thing.

Good Luck.

Jim

llama.45 · 06-12-2005, 12:42 AM

i would buy factory

pickenup · 06-12-2005, 10:18 AM

If you can find some Mec Gar mags, get them. They have been providing factory mags for years. Just don’t have the “name” on them.

I bought 10 mags for a handgun I have, knowing in advance, that I would only get about a 50% working ratio. Well, 6 out of the 10 work right, the other 4 are kept around for parts. The difference here is that the factory mag would have cost me $79.00, the after market ones cost me $9.95 each. BIG difference, I got 6 working ones that cost me less than ONE factory. These mags are NOT used for self defense, just for fun.

The difference in price is not quite so profound in your case.
If for self defense = factory.
If just for fun = aftermarket.

llama.45 · 06-12-2005, 10:01 PM

i would definetly get factory for self defense

cec · 06-13-2005, 05:30 PM

Thanks for all of the replies. I think since this is for plinking/target and not defense, I will try the aftermarket.

I already have a factory magazine and that will be the defense one (here's hoping I NEVER have to use it for that).

llama.45 · 06-13-2005, 06:36 PM

yeah, for plinking after market should be just fine

Marlin · 06-13-2005, 09:15 PM

Pick your magazines carefully, be they factory or aftermarket. If you do this, you will find it is six of one and a half dozen of the other.

With my Springfield 1911, the Wilson Combats are far superior than the factory ones. They are superb and I carry them as defensive mags.

Others may be somewhat like the Browning Hi-Power. I use it for defence also and have what most might term aftermarket 15 round magazines. However, these were manufactured for the South Africa military under direct contract with FN in Belgium. I consider them factory and have had no complaint. However, I have used some highly recommended aftermarket items that will jam, especially after the 10th round. The South African and Argentine contract FN magazines have never failed.

Laserlips · 06-14-2005, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cec

Thanks for all of the replies. I think since this is for plinking/target and not defense, I will try the aftermarket.

I already have a factory magazine and that will be the defense one (here's hoping I NEVER have to use it for that).

Just an old fart's opinion, but I ALWAYS buy factory mags. Over the years I've tried some of the aftermarket mags and it seems the majority of the time I wind up disappointed. ProMag/MecGar are 2 that come to mind, and I think that MecGar mag's come standard in my KelTec's (I'm not sure about that tho.) I know MecGar has a great reputation but the only way I would even buy those is if they came original to the pistol.

I don't mind saving money by buying aftermarket items on some things, but I just hate it when I save a little money, and then have a problem with the product I saved money on. Pistol magazines are one item I just prefer to bite the bullet and buy original replacements for.

In fact, I need another magazine or two for my recently acquired Bersa Thunder "9" and those suckers cost $60.00. Even so, that's what I'll be buying. I've heard too many nightmares about mag purchases on EBay, for "exact replacement" magazines that were cheap to buy, but didn't function properly.

Even buying a cheaper magazine for "practice" makes no sense to me. You never know when circumstances dictate you use your backup "practice" mag. for self defense. Murphy's Law is alive and well and the practice magazine could very well wind up being the very one you need to defend your life with one day.

Just my personal opinion, dissenting opinions always welcomed.

Best Wishes.
JP

JohnK3 · 06-15-2005, 01:40 AM

My take on it is this:

For non-1911 firearms, factory is the way to go.

For 1911 firearms, Wilson Combat is the way to go.

Laserlips echoes my experience with the exception of the 1911. My factory magazine for my Kimber is a fine magazine, but it is not anywhere near as reliable as my Wilson Combat mags. I've never had a FTFeed with the Wilsons, but I've had a few with the factory mag.

06-10-2005, 07:17 PM	#1
cec Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 501	Factory vs Aftermarket magazines I am wondering what experiences you have had with aftermarket vs. factory magazines. I want another magazine for my SW 4506. The factory magazine is $39.99, but I have seen aftermarket magazines for $19.95. While I am firm believer in "you get what you pay for", I also am willing to save a buck if I can get the same quality for half the price. Have you seen a higher rate of failure, incorrect fit, or any sort of issues? If it helps, the main use of the gun is target practice and hopefully will not be used for defense. -->

06-11-2005, 03:46 PM	#2
Country101 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dardanelle, AR Contributor Posts: 2,028	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines If you're gonna use it for defense at all, I'd say spend the extra money and get a Wilson Combat magazine. If it's only for plinking, a little trouble out of a magazine won't hurt anything, so it's your call. __________________ Gainfully employed= shooting somebody elses bullets and getting paid for it Country101

06-11-2005, 04:09 PM	#3
Ruger.44 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 55	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines You've done the right thing. While I don't have a 4506, I've about 30 mag fed firearms. Some aftermarket mags I've bought have found their way into the city dump. Others have proven very reliable and some have actually outlived the factory mags 2 or 3 times. Forums like this are a good place to start asking about brands that you can count on. All of that having been said, Cheaper Than Dirt has factory mags for the 4506 for like $32.00 That's a little savings if you really want to get the real thing. Good Luck. Jim Last edited by Ruger.44; 06-13-2005 at 03:42 PM.. Reason: spelling

06-12-2005, 12:42 AM	#4
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines i would buy factory __________________ chris

06-12-2005, 10:18 AM	#5
pickenup Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains Posts: 6,838	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines If you can find some Mec Gar mags, get them. They have been providing factory mags for years. Just don’t have the “name” on them. I bought 10 mags for a handgun I have, knowing in advance, that I would only get about a 50% working ratio. Well, 6 out of the 10 work right, the other 4 are kept around for parts. The difference here is that the factory mag would have cost me $79.00, the after market ones cost me $9.95 each. BIG difference, I got 6 working ones that cost me less than ONE factory. These mags are NOT used for self defense, just for fun. The difference in price is not quite so profound in your case. If for self defense = factory. If just for fun = aftermarket. __________________ The gene pool needs chlorine

06-12-2005, 10:01 PM	#6
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines i would definetly get factory for self defense __________________ chris

06-13-2005, 05:30 PM	#7
cec Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 501	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines Thanks for all of the replies. I think since this is for plinking/target and not defense, I will try the aftermarket. I already have a factory magazine and that will be the defense one (here's hoping I NEVER have to use it for that).

06-13-2005, 06:36 PM	#8
llama.45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: sewanee,tennessee Posts: 406	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines yeah, for plinking after market should be just fine __________________ chris

06-13-2005, 09:15 PM	#9
Marlin TFF Admin Staff Chief Counselor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: At SouthernMoss' side forever! Contributor Posts: 13,853	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines Pick your magazines carefully, be they factory or aftermarket. If you do this, you will find it is six of one and a half dozen of the other. With my Springfield 1911, the Wilson Combats are far superior than the factory ones. They are superb and I carry them as defensive mags. Others may be somewhat like the Browning Hi-Power. I use it for defence also and have what most might term aftermarket 15 round magazines. However, these were manufactured for the South Africa military under direct contract with FN in Belgium. I consider them factory and have had no complaint. However, I have used some highly recommended aftermarket items that will jam, especially after the 10th round. The South African and Argentine contract FN magazines have never failed. __________________ *The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.* *The only criminal class native to the United States is Congress.*

06-15-2005, 01:40 AM	#11
JohnK3 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,636	Re: Factory vs Aftermarket magazines My take on it is this: For non-1911 firearms, factory is the way to go. For 1911 firearms, Wilson Combat is the way to go. Laserlips echoes my experience with the exception of the 1911. My factory magazine for my Kimber is a fine magazine, but it is not anywhere near as reliable as my Wilson Combat mags. I've never had a FTFeed with the Wilsons, but I've had a few with the factory mag.