The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - So You Have a Flawless Running Semi-Auto? IISHOT1000 2009

**JohnKSa** · May 5, 2009, 01:07 AM

The Browning shooter (Double Naught Spy) has done some subsequent testing and it seems that the failures the BHP experienced during the match were due to the use of aftermarket (MecGar) 20 round magazines. While the shooter had used these magazines prior to the match, it took a good deal of shooting to turn up the issue and also to localize it to the specific magazines causing the issues.

The Springfield .45ACP also had a magazine issue. One particular magazine experienced feeding problem on every stage, usually with the 4th round out of the magazine, but also occasionally with the first round. The shooter (Jerry/littlemac) had used that magazine in the past--it seems likely that it was somehow damaged just before the match or during its last use.

The Beretta 92FS INOX shooter (Mike) experienced numerous failures to lock back which are likely either related to the magazines (that was his opinion) or possibly to some issue with the slide release.

So what's the "takeaway"?

1. If you use aftermarket or extended magazines be sure to test them thoroughly. Don't rely solely on recommendations from others or on the company's reputation. The BHP extended magazines were made by MecGar, a company with an excellent reputation, and one that is OEM for more than one gun manufacturer, but the mags still didn't work well in the gun in question.

2. If you subject your magazines to hard wear then test them thoroughly before relying on them for self-defense. Better yet, it might be wise to keep two sets of magazines. One set for gaming/practice and one set that is tested thoroughly and then babied. You don't want to be in the middle of an SD/HD situation and find out that you damaged your magazine during your last match/practice session and now it's failing to feed properly. The Springfield .45 mags had been thoroughly tested, but at some point between the last time they were used and the match, one was damaged enough to cause it to consistently fail to feed.

May 5, 2009, 01:07 AM	#10
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	Magazines The Browning shooter (Double Naught Spy) has done some subsequent testing and it seems that the failures the BHP experienced during the match were due to the use of aftermarket (MecGar) 20 round magazines. While the shooter had used these magazines prior to the match, it took a good deal of shooting to turn up the issue and also to localize it to the specific magazines causing the issues. The Springfield .45ACP also had a magazine issue. One particular magazine experienced feeding problem on every stage, usually with the 4th round out of the magazine, but also occasionally with the first round. The shooter (Jerry/littlemac) had used that magazine in the past--it seems likely that it was somehow damaged just before the match or during its last use. The Beretta 92FS INOX shooter (Mike) experienced numerous failures to lock back which are likely either related to the magazines (that was his opinion) or possibly to some issue with the slide release. So what's the "takeaway"? 1. If you use aftermarket or extended magazines be sure to test them thoroughly. Don't rely solely on recommendations from others or on the company's reputation. The BHP extended magazines were made by MecGar, a company with an excellent reputation, and one that is OEM for more than one gun manufacturer, but the mags still didn't work well in the gun in question. 2. If you subject your magazines to hard wear then test them thoroughly before relying on them for self-defense. Better yet, it might be wise to keep two sets of magazines. One set for gaming/practice and one set that is tested thoroughly and then babied. You don't want to be in the middle of an SD/HD situation and find out that you damaged your magazine during your last match/practice session and now it's failing to feed properly. The Springfield .45 mags had been thoroughly tested, but at some point between the last time they were used and the match, one was damaged enough to cause it to consistently fail to feed. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?