[Guest]

How is this for a disappointment. I keep two pistols loaded for home/barn defense. My Sig 220 and my Smith 4506. I bought both pistols about a year ago. The Sig is brand new the 4506 is slightly used. I have 4 mags for each pistol. All of the magazines are factory mags. The sig mags are brand new and cost about $50 a mag. The Smith mags are not new but cost about $25 to $30 per mag. I keep two magazines loaded for each weapon at a time, with only 7 rounds out of a possble 8 in each mag with the exact same brand and type ammo. Then every 3 -4 months, I rotate magazines for each pistol. The Smith sits in the draw of my work bench at my barn and the Sig rests in my house in a brief case as a back up home defense weapon (my primary home defense weapon is a Smith model 15 as my wife can use it effectively)

Yesterday, I switched out my mags for both pistols. When I loaded up the sig mag and tried to chamber a round, the bullet went nose down and would not load. The smith mags were fine. I repeated the attempt with all of the sig mags with similar results from 3 out of the four mags. I spoke to the local gun smith and he says, as I sure that you already know, the Sig mags may need the springs replaced.

How disappointing. The sig is an easier weapon to shoot, or carry and its ergonomics are outstanding. The Smith was my beater 45. I like it but it costs about half the price of the sig and its ergonomis are not nearly as nice. Both pistols are accurate. However, the brand new $50 sig mags are less durable than the $30 used smith mags.

 

[arminius]

Maybe bad luck. Usually SIG Sauer is excellent. Get Wolff replacement springs with +5% power and be happy.

I do similar as you do, but mostly for HD I have a Glock, and there is one mag always loaded - to 15 rounds of hot and good performance 9 mm ammo.

I rotate mags, but will get replacement springs anytime now.

H

 

[oberstlt]

As long as the magazine is sound, I would also go with simply replacing the spring with Wolffs. I always rotate my loaded mags and regularly replace magazine springs. Very cheap insurance. About the cost of mags, I am always shocked at how much SIG, Walther and other European makers want for their mags. I generally go with MecGars. I think they make the originals and I have always been pleased. I got a new Walther PPS and both mags are marked "Made in Italy". S&W/Walther want big bucks for them but MecGar tells me they will be supplying them in the near future. Try CDNN for some used police mags and replace the springs or followers with replacements from Brownells. Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys

 

[arminius]

I DO use MecGars.

But I have found differences between "Factory" Mags, even if made by MecGar and MecGar mags! Thinner metal, other base plate and retainer plate, ...

If I have ANY chance, I put out more money for the factory version. I can always sell them later.

But I use MecGar and I am quite happy with them.

H