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Just got my 21 magazine springs (15 round ) from eSarco. Yep, they are USGI. They are in the cosmoline saturated kraft wrappers, in bundles of 10. Definitely USGI, and definitely new!
At $1.98 each, when 3 or more are ordered, that is a HECK of a deal!
Here's the link again:
Mag springs
Good info for all...
Here's a picture. Man they are full of cosmoline! I think I will just wipe them down and leave the slight residue, so for the most part the mags will be in the safe.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...iq2zoqsg-1.jpg
That would work fine, not like they're going out into the Sonora desert
to gather dust in use...
Hahaha! Yep, that's exactly what I thought, too. I used my 30s regularly. I replaced those springs with USGI ones when Chestnut Ridge Supply had lots of USGI carbine parts. Those mags and springs are lubed with Ballistol. It is fairly good about not attracting dust and dirt, and leaves a micro film on the parts. (I actually saw a scientific review of a bunch of lubes, including Frog Lube, Ballistol, Break Free, and Hoppees. Ballistol was actually no. 2 as far as protection and cleaning!). Anyway, the 15s will be stored in a box in the safe. Bodies and followers will be lubed/cleaned with Ballistol, and the springs will have a slight coating of Cosmoline.Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
UPDATE: I broke down all 21 fifteen round USGI magazines. I have had some of these since the 70s, and the rest since i was a LEO in the 80s & 90s. Some are virtually like new, some in between, and a few with NO finish. Some have some pitting that looks suspiciously like blood pitting. All of the followers were in great condition, even in the rusted mags.
Now for the springs I removed from the 15 rounders: Some springs were in good shape and were the same length as the new springs. Many springs, however, were compressed about 10% (or even a little more) less than new length ones, some had deformed in a twisted sort of way, and one was very rusted. Many, even if they were close to correct length, seemed "squishy" and not as strong as they should. It is very much as I expected. 70 year old springs, suffering from different levels of use or abuse, will not be up to snuff as new ones. I had several of the USGIs that didn't function 100%, and I found those were the ones with the most "compressed" or twisted springs. I expect all of my mags, even the ones with pitted exteriors, will function 100% now.
Like a quarter turn to one side...like a weird corkscrew...I've seen that too.Quote:
Originally Posted by imarangemaster
EXACTLY! I had an AK mag spring that was the same way. My theory is that it was exposed to high heat while under compression and took a weird "set." I was really surprised how many were not firm but squishy under compression, even if close to full length.
I have pistol mags now that have that quarter turn to them...