Question on replacement magazines for handgun

Me | 12/7/2015 | Me

[MarkL]

Hi all,

I've got a question regarding buying magazines for a couple of handguns, and due to age, factory magazines (what I prefer, except for my AR and 1911,) are simply not available.

I've got a late 80s Taurus PT99 in 9mm & a Star FireStar in .40S&W. The mags in both are getting a bit long in the tooth.

Factory magazines are simply no longer an option for either. The most commonly available magazines for both are Meg-Gar or Promag. In the case of the Firestar, it appears that the only choice IS Promag, though I've seen references to "Tripple-K" but haven't actually seen any for sale.

I've checked gun-broker, but I'd rather not get used magazines.

Any words, pro or con, or other suppliers, would be very much appreciated!

Mark

[MarkL]

I really like the PT99, it's a fun gun to shoot. The FireStar, not so much. It's quite literally a pain to shoot - Not comfortable at all. For those who haven't seen one, it's about the size of a .380 semi-auto, similar to a Colt Mustang, and like the Mustang, it's a single action semi-auto. It's made out of steel, so it's heavy, and while that does help a bit with the recoil, it's so narrow, it bites into the base knuckle of my thumb, and after about 20 rounds practicing, it's just too painful to continue shooting that handgun.

Thanks again!

Mark

[JMS]

Not advertising for them but you might try MidwayUSA.

[papertyger]

Would a spring change fix your problems? Seem they would be much easier to replace.

[CurlyDave]

If at all possible, buy magazines from a store near you rather than over the internet or at a gun show.

Less than 50% of the magazines I have purchased have worked properly. Reputable, brand-name magazines from gun shows and internet sources (Ruger factory mag, and a Browning from Cabelas), as well as no-name and off-brand mags from gun shows.

So, buy locally, and then test them promptly.

I went out shooting with a friend yesterday who had a new 9mm carbine. The factory magazine worked perfectly, but one of the spares he purchased had 2 failures to feed out of 10 rounds, and the other had 3.

[lapsus calami]

 

 

A spring replacement would be first order of business to pursue - if needing replacement or extra mags Mec-Gar is OEM manufacturer for a number of brands of boomsticks, so you would be good to go with them - have never had any probs with the Mec-Gars.

 

 

[Cobra64]

Here is a typical example of the magazine assortment for my 9mm Sig Sauer X5 Allround in stainless Steel:

.

MecGar is an EOM for a substantial number of well known pistol manufacturers. Pro Mags are iffy in terms of reliability.

.

. You can never have enough mags, and you should always carry at least one spare mag. Not necessarily for capacity, but due to a possible feeding malfunction where you have to dump a mag and replace it with the spare to get back in self defense situation.

[Cobra64]

The biggest mistake rookies make is lubing the mag well. The slightest bit of sand will cling to the lube and prevent the rounds from feeding. This is especially true with double stack mags since the rounds may actually rotate as they are fed up the mag tube by the follower. There is no reason to lube a mag.

[Cobra64]

All of my 1911s including this S&W in .45 AUTO and Performance Center in .38 Super, are fed with Cobra mags from Tripp Research.

.

.

https://www.trippresearch.com/store/store_1911.html

[Cobra64]

The down side of MecGar mags is that you cannot buy replacement springs for their mags. They last forever, but when they’re shot, you have to shit-can ‘em.

[Skybird]

Check out Brownell’s for replacement parts.

[midway1]

http://www.gun-parts.com/magazines2/

[taxcontrol]

Piggybacking on this thread.

I have recently inherited a Ruger LC9, but no magazine was found. Rather than collecting dust, I’d like to get a mag and get it working.

Thoughts?

[FreedomForce]

The LC9 is a good pistol. That small and light of a 9mm handgun is going to have some pretty snappy recoil. It wouldn’t be at the top of my list for someone learning to shoot. Definitely worth giving it a try though.

[FreedomForce]

I just looked at your bio. Thanks for your service. The LC9 will be a handful, but you’re no newcomer to firearms. I considered getting an LC9 a few years ago when I was looking for a pocket pistol. It was just a little to big for me for that role, but some people manage it. Hard to go wrong with a Ruger though. Ruger is one of my favorite companies.

[Vaquero]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/TAURUS-PT92-PT99-9mm-10-ROUND-MAGAZINE-/201477830719?nav=SEARCH

http://thehandgunmagazinestore.com/pgroup_descrip/24_Taurus+Magazines/353_Taurus+PT92PT99+9mm+Magazines/?return=%3ftpl%3Dindex%26category_id%3D24%26_Taurus%2BMagazines%2F

http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/1429340.htm

[taxcontrol]

Yeah, I hear you. I have fired the LC9 before and it would not be my first choice but as an inherited firearm, I would rather have it than not. The only think is that without a magazine, it is pretty useless. I just need a recommendation as to the best place to go for an after market replacement. I also need to find a good .22 or .25 semi auto to train my wife / grandmother with / on.

[Gaffer]

I try to stay away from non-factory mags if possible, especially for the Berettas and Glocks that I have. That said, there are some mags that are superior to factory magazines. For the 1911s I have, I’ll use the factory mags that come with them, or I’ll have Wilson Combat 1911 magazines, and there are also some lines of AR mags that are as good or better than original (e.g., PMag).

To me it’s a long process of getting magazines for spares. I usually cruise several sites weekly - BerettaUSA, Midway, Brownells, even CTD looking for great deals on specific magazines. And when one pops up, I bite the bullet and buy in bulk.

[mabarker1]

Bass Pro local as well as Wally World, Gander & Dicks all have them in stock. Also check Pawn Shops- many carry New Mags.

You should have no problem finding them.

[niteowl77]

As others have pointed out, Mec-Gar actually makes the "original equipment manufacturer" mags for a number of big-name gunmakers, and they are good to go.

Mr. niteowl77

[piroque]

http://www.cdnnsports.com/