15 round magazines, are Korean surplus mags ok?

[ewall]

I really would love to secure 10 or 12 15 round magazines for range trips. It would be unrealistic to think that I'm going to find USGI mags except peacemeal at shows. I've seen Korean mags offered frequently, but I've been reluctant to buy. What are your thoughts for range mags?

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[browningautorifle]

USGI mags

The amount of US mags still available is staggering. It's just when you want them they may not be around. The Korean mags are fine, but keep watching, you'll find Gov't surplus...

[cipherk98]

The Korean mags are not worth the money, imo. I have two 30 round mags from Sarco that worked great every time, and those are the mags everyone said are awful. I have two 15 round mags from KeepShooting that are some of the best and I've never gotten through 15 rounds on them. With new springs my USGI mags have never let me down no matter how battered they are. Korean AK mags also have similar issues, not sure if they all come out of the same factory but no one seems to have high opinions on magazines from there.

USGI mags will run around $20, sometimes you can get them a little better like $15. There are articles floating around on how to spot fakes, but it's more of an issue with 30 round mags than 15 round mags, I think with 15 round mags it tends to be more confusion over commercial markings than outright fakery. If you go to local shows like Oaks, York, or Harrisburg you'll find at least one or two guys with some USGI. If you really want to be sure of what you are getting a bunch that are New in Wrap recently got out there via Century on the internet, in addition I think Bill Ricca tends to have a some NIW with him when he does shows, not sure of the price but you can be confident they are legit.

[ewall]

Ok, good to know. Bill was at the show in LEBANON last fall, but at the time I was just getting sucked into this bottomless pit. I was out of town for the recent Harrisburg show. I'll get to work....

[browningautorifle]

but at the time I was just getting sucked into this bottomless pit

Well, at least you recognize our situation...and accept it...

[ewall]

Well, at least you recognize our situation...and accept it...

LOL, and it sure is fun!

[Bruce McAskill]

Be sure the magazines your talking about are really Korean and not those from Taiwan. The Korean magazines will be marked with a U or with UU on them I have not heard anyone till now having problems with the Korean magazines. They are not surplus but brand new made by the same company that made the magazines for the Korean military. The only company that I know who has been selling real Korean magazines has been AIM Surplus.

[Brian Dick]

I've got plenty of GI 15 round carbine magazines here new in the wrappers. bdlltd@bellsouth.net

[browningautorifle]

I've got plenty of GI 15 round carbine magazines

There you go, not scarce at all.

[TDH]

no problem with the Korean 15 rounders the 30's are a different story. It's kinda like Mini 14 or M1A (M14) after market mags you rolls the dice and takes your chances