30 Rd Hardback and Splitback SEY Magazines

[USGI]

I just bought an SEY hardback at a gun show today. I'll check to see if the drain holes are smoother than the ones on the SEY split backs I mentioned earlier. - Bob

[USGI]

I just bought an SEY hardback at a gun show today. I'll check to see if the drain holes are smoother than the ones on the SEY split backs I mentioned earlier. - Bob

I had time tonight to get out all of my 30 rounders and check them over. The hardback SEY doesn't appear to have the square edges on the holes (only has two holes total) like the last two SEY splitbacks that I bought. I do have one "well used" SEY splitback that has smoother holes, but I think that it's smoother from all the handling it's seen. Actually, the SEY splitbacks have some fairly sharp edges on the seams too. I have an unmarked 30 rounder with a dull finish that has the best deburring and smoothest edges of all my splitbacks. It also has the best looking spot welds and is very similar in appearance to my "J" marked splitback - but without the sharper edges on the holes. I've got one unused AYP and it seems very well made, much like the SEY's but also feels rough when handled. Just two of my 30's look like the floor plates have ever been off of them and I'd never had any of them apart until tonight. I found one of them had the spring in backwards. I'm pretty sure I've used that one before and it worked OK - seems like it would have been messing up, but didn't. - Bob

PS - The guy I bought the hardback from had two, but the other one wasn't marked. I just noticed today that the one toward the center in Jim's picture (earlier in this thread) doesn't seem to be marked either - at least I can't see it.

[thorin6]

Interesting to see how this thread progressed. I've picked up a couple more 30 rounders, a J marked one for $8 (a little surface rust), and an unmarked one (traded a couple of M1 canvas slings) that had all the correct characteristics, very solid, and felt like the J marked ones (much better that the M2 marked ones).
I"m still keeping an eye out for more, but I've sort of moved on to things with bigger bangs (grenades, anyone?).