Colt 9mm Mag Problems

[smith m4]

I just bought a 9mm RRA and it runs fine with the RRA mag but runs like crap with the $60 apiece Colt mags I bought? Anyone got any idea why?

Is there a break in period on new Colt mags?
The Colt mags are 35 rounders. Should I try only loading 30?

This situation has throughly pi$$ed me off since the Clot mags are $60 each and are not working like the $30 RRA mag.


The reason I bought the Colt mags is that the RRA mags do not lock the bolt open after the last round and RRA is out about 10 to 12 weeks on their mags.
Right now the only way you get a mag from RRA is buy a rifle and they send you ONE with your order. I ordered 5 total when my local gun shop placed my order with RRA in March. I did not get my rifle until July and they said it would be 10-12 more weeks before thay finnished filling my order for mags. So I canceled my mag order and bought Colts. I am starting to think it was a mistake.

[chrismartin]

I posted this in the other 9mm thread where you posted:

Depending on the position of the mag block, the magazine can sit a little high or low causing feeding issues. CProducts 9mm (I have 4 CProducts 9mm mags and they have worked well in my AR.) mag discussions on arfcom go into this a little bit. Some one else will have to pipe in on the RRA block, but I think you can loosen the set screw a little, move it a little and tighten it back down.

That's just what I've read though, I have a hahn block.

Also, if you are looking for other mags, CProducts makes some sweet 9mm steel mags patterned after the colt (10, 20, and 32 rounders). They also are willing to help out if they don't work in your AR. Options from walking you through adjusting the mag catch hole on the mag, adjusting the mag block, etc.

ETA: It would also help if you posted the nature of the problem you are having. I'm assuming that you have feeding issues.

[LukeMacGillie]

Ive never seen 35 round Colt Mags. Were they experimental? My Agency uses the Colt SMG and we only have 20 and 32 round mags, and have had very little luck with getting any new mags out of Colt. Perhaps your problem is rounds number 33, 34, and 35.

[Jinete_Palido]

As Chris Martin posted, the RRA block is somewhat adjustable, and I have found that the Colt mags run best with the block sitting as low as possible in the mag well (i.e. closest to the mag well opening). You should be able to loosen the allen screw in the bottom of the block, hold the rifle right side up, and re-tighten the allen screw as gravity pulls the block down in the mag well. Hope this helps.

Edited to add: Saw Grant's post in the other thread, looks like he has had the same experience as me with lowering the gas block for the Colt mags. Hope it works for you.

[SuicideHz]

I have a 20 round Colt mag that jams a lot.

My slotted Uzi mags work flawlessly.

[LukeMacGillie]

Ive been working on a few early Colt SMG's where the block is one piece, and held in by only 2 roll pins and a ball detent that excerts force on the front of the magwell to hold it in place. What I and other armorers are finding is that this system over time is cracking the mag well.

We have removed the ball detent and have no issues with only 2 roll pins, but will eventually switch the entire fleet over to the multiple piece, 3 roll pin model of block.

Only with time will we know if all of these drop in blocks will cause the same issue. Ive decided not to get the conversion parts to make my SBR a SMG just for this reason. Putting the parts in a non SBR is just not worth it in my opinion.

As to Colt mags not feeding, yes it happens, but not very often. Most of the mags that have issues are ones with AWB markings and are in the 5-7 years of service mark. Not to pull an "H&K" answer, but mags are cheap, and expendible, and not designed to function forever.

You have to look at more than just the cost of a gun, but at repair parts, and mags and ammo to see if a weapon is worth putting your hard earned dollars into.

[khc3]

Ive been working on a few early Colt SMG's where the block is one piece, and held in by only 2 roll pins and a ball detent that excerts force on the front of the magwell to hold it in place. What I and other armorers are finding is that this system over time is cracking the mag well.

We have removed the ball detent and have no issues with only 2 roll pins, but will eventually switch the entire fleet over to the multiple piece, 3 roll pin model of block.

Are these blocks different from the ones that are tightened in the mag well by a hex screw on the bottom?

[LukeMacGillie]

Are these blocks different from the ones that are tightened in the mag well by a hex screw on the bottom?

Its a combo block, one piece, with 2 roll pins and a hex screw with a ball detent exerting the force on the front of the magwell block.

Urban ledgend around the shop is that the multiple piece block with 3 roll pins is the result of our compaining.

[williejc]

I lack the qualifications to be as knowledgeable on this topic as you guys, but I
can't resist adding my meager suggestions. If you haven't already, you can disassemble the Colt mags and inspect for burrs and structural or dimensional
defects.

Can you detect binding of the mag spring? Might the higher capacity ones exert such a strong upward pressure that feeding is unreliable? When the mag sits even slightly on the high side, the extracted empty case can catch on the lip of the top round.

You may benefit by using a spray graphite lube on the mag's interior.

Call Colt on their dime and sweet talk'em. You may get new springs and mag followers along with some technical specs on the mags.

Sometimes, Brownell's techs can help.

Williejc

[The Archangel]

I lack the qualifications to be as knowledgeable on this topic as you guys, but I
can't resist adding my meager suggestions. If you haven't already, you can disassemble the Colt mags and inspect for burrs and structural or dimensional
defects.

Can you detect binding of the mag spring? Might the higher capacity ones exert such a strong upward pressure that feeding is unreliable? When the mag sits even slightly on the high side, the extracted empty case can catch on the lip of the top round.

You may benefit by using a spray graphite lube on the mag's interior.

Call Colt on their dime and sweet talk'em. You may get new springs and mag followers along with some technical specs on the mags.

Sometimes, Brownell's techs can help.

Williejc
Good recommendations Williejc.

[SHIVAN]

...but mags are cheap...

I make a pretty good salary, but $50-$65/mag for the 32rd COLT mags gets my knickers in a twist real quick...:p :p :p

[LukeMacGillie]

I make a pretty good salary, but $50-$65/mag for the 32rd COLT mags gets my knickers in a twist real quick...:p :p :p

Hey Now, dont be making me an employee of H&K!:D

But the Govt price for those mags is not anywhere near that price:cool:

[SHIVAN]

But the Govt price for those mags is not anywhere near that price:cool:

I thought COLT stopped making 9mm mags. Or did they just stop making them for we mere mortals. :(

[glock281]

Colt never made 35rd 9mm mags, only 20/32rd mags.

Are you sure you don't have a after market mag (like one from south america?)

[Tim_FL]

Hello,

New member here with a lot of experience with Colt 9mm and SMG variants (Retired Class 3 02 Manufacture)- I currently shoot and sell colt 20 and 32 round mags. (Pic of my gun below).

Firstly your mag is 32 rds or 20 rounds.
It is either the preban style\era metal follower with parkerized finished or it has a blued finish with a plastic follower (many of these are stamped LEO) these mags are sometimes prone to problems due to the plastic follower and plastic hold open device being subject to wear.

As several members have said 1) you need to lower your mag block and 2) disassemble and clean the inside of the well 3) Load no more than 32 rds.

Because these mags are inexpensive and plentiful for agencies they are seldom serviced and even the best mags accumulate debris from PD training and duty use. I have literally sold 100's of these (metal follower with parkerized finished) mags with minimal problems. I have had some issues with the blued mags (mainly due to problems associated with the plastic follower-bolt hold open getting or being damaged). The Colt mags work very well (they are all that I use in sub gun matches).

Sincerely,
Tim

http://i31.tinypic.com/11tpr7p.jpg

[eringobragh]

I had a RRA 9mm carbine that would not run with Colt mags either...or CP's for that matter. It went back to RRA three times and still would not run 100%. Finally out of frustration I sold the thing!

Move to the present...I just purchased a brand new Colt 6450 two weeks ago and it's been tits! 100% reliable with multiple ammo types/brands and with my Colt and CP mags! I don't know if my Colt mag block is the newest version or not...it is a one piece with two roll pins, but no allen screw w/detent ball.

My old Colt mags that gave me problems had plastic followers. My five new Colt 32 rounders have really nice metal followers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v347/eringobragh/Wedding003.jpg

Yes I know...the 6450 does not come flat-topped! I bought a factory Colt A3 upper receiver from Brownell's and switched it out first thing!