Loading Carbine Magazines

[Brasidas]

Does it make any difference when loading a M1 carbine 15 round magazine if the top or first round ends up on the left or the right side of the magazine?

Sorry for the noobie question.

Thanks

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[Milsurp Collector]

No difference.

[browningautorifle]

Count your rounds and see if the mags are holding the same number of rounds. That could explain why you would have a difference in the first round...but like MC says, no difference.

[Tired Retired]

Ahhhh, if I am reading your question correctly, are you inserting exactly 15 rounds into two different mags and you are ending up with the top round of one mag to the right and the top round of the other mag to the left?

If that read is correct, you may have assembled your follower backwards in one mag.... Of course, I may be reading too much into your question.....

Hey, does anyone have any extra ranch dip? these potato chips need something....

[Brasidas]

Ahhhh, if I am reading your question correctly, are you inserting exactly 15 rounds into two different mags and you are ending up with the top round of one mag to the right and the top round of the other mag to the left?

If that read is correct, you may have assembled your follower backwards in one mag.... Of course, I may be reading too much into your question.....

Hey, does anyone have any extra ranch dip? these potato chips need something....

Not exactly. When loading 15 rounds into 15 round mags and the top round is on the left. When I load a 30 round mag, the top round is on the right. I have a 5 round mag that only works with 4 rounds in it. When I put 5 rounds into the mag, it jams. The top round is on the left with 5, right with 4.

I was told that American weapons usually have the top round on the right...but am now wondering if this is true.

[Tired Retired]

Ok, now I understand your question.

Answer is this.. no it does not matter if the top round of any mag is on the right or the left.

As far as loading a 15 rd mag vs a 30 rd mag, one holds an odd number of rounds (which would place the top round on the left) and the other holds an even number of rounds (which would place the top round on the right). You also do not have to use a completely topped off mag - any number of rounds in a mag (up to its max capacity) should properly function. For example, when I am working on a new reload combination, I usually only load 5 rounds in the mag I'm using just to see how it shoots and groups...

As far as the problem you are having with the 5 rd mag, its either an after market commercial mag or a USGO mag that was cut down to 5 rds. They are notorious for having problems.

[rondog]

If you think about it, as you fire off the rounds in a magazine, the "top" round is going to alternate, left, right, left, right, etc. The rifle doesn't care, the bolt's gonna strip 'em off until they're gone. Just like any double-stack mag in any gun.