KCI mag question regarding bolt hold open

[lcgivz12]

I recently purchased an M1 ( in November of 2020) and in my excitement I also did some research and realized that other than GI mags most people say KCI is great mag. So I purchased 8 from a site I don’t even remember now. They came individually wrapped in a paper wrapper and a follower with no bolt hold open (which I prefer). So about a week ago I purchased another 5 KCI mags. These however to my surprise, came in a plastic ziploc type bag and have a bolt hold open. So I started reading and it looks like maybe KCI only makes there mags with bolt hold opens now. Sooo... my questions are. Is there maybe a KCI mag w and maybe 1 without? Or have they just went with 1 type now? And if so... is there any place I can get the KCI mags without the bolt hold open anymore? Any info would be appreciated gents. Thank you.

[browningautorifle]

is there any place I can get the KCI mags without the bolt hold open anymore? Any info would be appreciated gents.

Why not just get the followers, look for them as a replacement part. Then do a switch.

[lcgivz12]

Why not just get the followers, look for them as a replacement part. Then do a switch.

I thought about this.... but as I am not very experienced with the M1 and I hear a bunch of “the mag is the weak link in reliability with the M1”, I was a bit worried that replacement followers would cause more issues than it’s worth. But again. I’m in no way qualified to say that’s the case. It was just an assumption.

[Bruce McAskill]

Is there any difference with what is stamped on the back of the magazines. The standard type vs the ones with the hold open follower? I do know the company made them both about the same time frame.

[lcgivz12]

Stamping on the back of both magazines looks identical.

[painter777]

The standard type vs the ones with the hold open follower? I do know the company made them both about the same time frame.

Thx Bruce,

I have this link from the CCC forum, that shows the same bar code on 2 separate packages. Some came with the hold open feature.... Some didn't.
Number by the Bar code is: 8 809257 220030
Packaging picture can be seen in the link also.

See replies and examples from Donnie and Matt_X in the link about 1/2 way down:

Magazines ? - The Carbine Collector's Club

[PhilipSpanky]

Okay, someone help me out here. What is the supposed advantage to a "hold open" follower? As soon as you pull the magazine, the bolt closes, right? So what is the magic with the whole "hold open" mag issue? Am I missing something here? Since you have to cycle the bolt to fire the next round from either type of mag follower, I don't see an advantage to the "hold open" type.
Maybe I'm just ignorant...

[Singer B]

The "hold open" option alerts you to the need to reload.

[painter777]

Since you have to cycle the bolt to fire the next round from either type of mag follower

Both work the same until your Mag is empty.
When your empty on the first type your bolt will close.
When empty on the 2nd type.. the Mag follower will hold the bolt open. Letting you know your empty. Like Singer B added.
Just preference I guess.
I know Donnie and Matt_X ended up swapping followers..... Both are now Happy.

[USGI]

With the "hold open" follower, you can be more certain the chamber is actually empty and the carbine hasn't stopped due to a defective round.

With the "non-hold open" and if you haven't kept track of the number of shots fired, it's a good idea to wait a bit before opening the bolt - and to keep the barrel pointed down range until you're reasonably sure it isn't going to fire.

The original design for the mags called for the "hold open" follower. - Bob