question re: Beretta 9s hi-cap mags

[trakker45]

I recently purchased a LNIB Beretta 92FS, my first non-Glock pistol. It came with two factory ten-round mags. I would like to get some hi-caps for it, but I am a bit confused about the quality of the various mags on the market. I am seeing "asian military" mags, factory mags, and Mec-gar mags.

I would like to buy some reliable hi-caps, and would pay a bit more for them if I had to. I don't want to skimp and end up with some crappy mags that I am going to have problems with down the road.

I would assume the factory mags will fit the bill, but what about the asian military mags and the Mec-gars? Reliable? And what about price- I am seeing them generally around $26 each. Is there anywhere I can get a really good deal on quality hi-cap Beretta 92 mags? Thanks.

[Navy87Guy]

You're right...there are lots of mags of various quality out there. Personally, I have complete faith in MecGar magazines. They are the OEM for many quality pistols, including Sig and Walther. They were the original OEM for Beretta, too.

I have MecGar mags for my Sig, Ruger, Walther and CZ. When I get my Beretta, I'm going to get MecGar for it, too.

The best prices I've found on new MecGar mags (of all varieties) is Arizona Gun Runners (www.arizonagunrunners.net -- NOT .com) They carry the 17-rd MecGar mags for $19.95 each. Shipping for things like mags is $9. I've ordered at least 2 dozen mags and some holsters from them in the past 6 months...no problems at all. As a matter of fact, the mags for my new CZ should be here tomorrow!

If you want to pay more, then factory mags are probably the best bet. I don't have any personal experience with other manufactureres -- like ProMag. But I've heard/read enough first-hand accounts of problems that I'm not willing to take a chance. OEM or MecGar for me.

Hope this helps!

Jim

[ibfurloughed]

Another vote for the Mec-gar mags. Would be scared to try others. Mec-gar did/does make/makes the mags for Beretta.

[FatBoy]

MDS is the current manufacture of Beretta mags. I just picked up 5 from Cals for $16.75 each. I think he has gone up $1 since. Also, Botac has PB marked mags for $26. I know some guys don't like either of these companies, but both have served me well. I guess I'm just lucky.

FB

[Navy87Guy]

Originally posted by FatBoy
Also, Botac has PB marked mags for $26. I know some guys don't like either of these companies, but both have served me well. I guess I'm just lucky. FB
I've never dealt with Cal's....link?

I HAVE dealt with Botach. Their customer service was about as bad as I've ever experienced. I spent a couple of weeks trying to get an update on items that always said "Will ship in 2-3 days". Like a lot of places, Botach doesn't actually stock their merchandise, they rely on third party vendors. But they apparently don't check availability before they sell something.

The only way I finally got a response from Customer Service was to write a scathing review on the Yahoo! Storefront web page. One of the shipping managers sent me an email, apologizing (in very broken English) for the problem and promising to "make it right" if I would change my review. Oh -- I was only supposed to talk to her when I called...no body else. Sounds like she was trying to do some CYA!

Caveat emptor...I had read about their problems before I ordered but I took the chance. Fool me once....

Jim

[trakker45]

I too have dealt with Botach and incurred their poor service. However, they did fill my order, about two weeks after I placed it. I consider them a last resort.

Thanks for all the replies w/links and such. It saves some much time, effort, and money in the long run.

One last question: can I order a metal guide rod from anyone other than Beretta? Langdon Tactical is now out of business. I would like to replace my plastic one.

[FatBoy]

Originally posted by Navy87Guy
I've never dealt with Cal's....link?


Caveat emptor...I had read about their problems before I ordered but I took the chance. Fool me once....

Jim

Cal's (http://www.calssportingarmory.com/berettacx4storm.htm)

FB


ETA: Botac's $26 mags are now $30. You can find them @ that price all over the place.

[Glockdude1]

When it comes to beretta mags stick with the following:

USA Beretta Factory mags.

Italian Beretta Factory mags.

Mec Gar Beretta factory mags.

I have never used any "asian military" mags.

;N

[MrMurphy]

If it's not a US or Italian Beretta-factory magazine or Mec-Gar, avoid.

[Brian Dover]

Ended up buying two of those "Asian surplus" B-92 mags some time ago, just for range use. The springs seem a little weak, but they work okay.
As it turns out I now have a Beretta 96 Vertec in the collection, and these Hong Kong mags hold 12 rounds of .40 ammo, and run perfectly in the 96. Go figure.

[FatBoy]

Originally posted by MrMurphy
If it's not a US or Italian Beretta-factory magazine or Mec-Gar, avoid.

I am not sure why you would want to avoid MDS mags. You can buy them @ BerettaUSA ( https://www.berettausa.com/proshop/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=772 ) and are they are owned by Beretta Holding.

http://www.sarca.it/images/group1.gifhttp://www.sarca.it/images/group.gif

FB

[MrMurphy]

Then those would qualify as Beretta factory-made (or OEM alternate manufacturer) magazines.

I.e not USA Mags, Ramline, etc.

[Nowhere Man]

Mecgar mags for $17.69!

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?dept%5Fid=122008&sku=48100&imgid=&mscssid=R9VMHKQT4V1L9J2VH7PCC4KWKNX939L8

[BBush]

I just received an order from Cheaper Than Dirt with a couple of "new" Beretta PB marked factory magazines in it. I am not very impressed with what they actually sent me. Since the magazines were "new", I thought that they would come in the original Beretta packaging. Instead, they came in a generic zip-loc bag that simply said Beretta 15 shot magazine on it. After opening the bags up, the magazines I guess must be new, but the finish on the sides of the magazines looks rubbed off in a few places like they have been inserted into a gun a couple of times. I'm trying to decide if I should send them back or not. Being that I paid $32.95 a piece for them, I was expecting them to be 100% perfect, which they are not. Does anyone know if this is how the "new" magazines look when they come from Beretta, especially the ones that come sealed in the original packaging? Like I said, they are probably "new" because there is no scratches near the top of the magazines from loading and unloading bullets, but the sides have a few places where the bluing has been rubbed a little bit. I am just wandering if this is normal or not?
Thanks for any feedback...

[cactusman]

Originally posted by BBush
I just received an order from Cheaper Than Dirt with a couple of "new" Beretta PB marked factory magazines in it. I am not very impressed with what they actually sent me. Since the magazines were "new", I thought that they would come in the original Beretta packaging. Instead, they came in a generic zip-loc bag that simply said Beretta 15 shot magazine on it. After opening the bags up, the magazines I guess must be new, but the finish on the sides of the magazines looks rubbed off in a few places like they have been inserted into a gun a couple of times. I'm trying to decide if I should send them back or not. Being that I paid $32.95 a piece for them, I was expecting them to be 100% perfect, which they are not. Does anyone know if this is how the "new" magazines look when they come from Beretta, especially the ones that come sealed in the original packaging? Like I said, they are probably "new" because there is no scratches near the top of the magazines from loading and unloading bullets, but the sides have a few places where the bluing has been rubbed a little bit. I am just wandering if this is normal or not?
Thanks for any feedback...

I know that Cheaper Than Dirt doesn't sell guns, but I still have a conspiracy theory that the reason many new guns still are coming with ten-round mags is because the distributors are probably pulling out the standard capacity mags and putting in ten-round mags, as it's hard for them to move ten-round mags now, and they aren't making money when they do.

Not a bad deal for them if it's true -- they get the gun from the factory, pull out the good mags, pop in the ten-rounders, sell the gun for the regular price instead of discounting it, and sell the standard-capacity mags to dealers for yet another profit, all while getting rid of the ten-round mags without loosing money.

[F.Dillinger]

Not a bad deal for them if it's true -- they get the gun from the factory, pull out the good mags, pop in the ten-rounders, sell the gun for the regular price instead of discounting it, and sell the standard-capacity mags to dealers for yet another profit, all while getting rid of the ten-round mags without loosing money.

That's what I'd do. It makes perfect business sense, and it's really the only way to recover from a requirement foisted on them by the government a decade ago. It's either that or eat the loss on thousands and thousands of magazines that never should've been made in the first place. Sucks for the consumer, but it certainly isn't the fault of the distributors. Blame stupid legislation for putting businesses in that awkward position.

On topic: For the money you can't beat the Mec-Gar magazines. I purchased two of the 17 rounders and they function perfectly. I got mine from CDNN, who is now selling them for $21.99 apiece. I'm perfectly satisfied with them, and absolutely would buy more. They've been 100% reliable.

[isuzu]

Mec-Gars are really good mags. What I've experienced in them is that the 17 rounder mags for the Taurus PT-92 had weakened springs after about two years' use. Never had problems with 15 rounder mags. I rotate my magazines - use two for three months and use the other for the next three months. I put 13 rounds on my 15 rounders; and 15 rounds on my 17 rounders.

I replaced the 17 rounder magazines' springs with Wolff and they never had any problems.

Also, stay clear of nickel plated magazines. I had two Mec-Gars crack by the lips on my 1911. I asked my gunsmith why this happened to the nickel plated magazines and not on the blued ones. He said that just like nickel plated shells, the annealing process somehow weakens the metal.

[spober]

for my beretta 92FS.FACTORY WERE 50 BUCKS SO I HAVE mABY 1 OF THOSE BUT I HAVE ALL SORTS OF BRANDS.paycmar,ram unnamed. and they all work.i wish i could have collected hi caps,opps standard capacity for my other semis durring those dark years...;z in not so many words,the 92fs seems to be tolerant of many different manufactured mags.thats good.;z

[ShaneS]

I just bought and thoroughly tested 2 MDS 15 round magazines. They are made in Italy, "distributed by Beretta" and look identical to the factory magazines. Both functioned flawlessly. I wish I had bought another one at $19.99 each. The mag bodies, springs and followers look just like the factory mags. The baseplates are also aluminum. They are virtually indistinguishable.

Interestingly, the packaging is exactly the same as Mec-Gar mags.

I was at Cheaper than Dirt the other day. They sell guns at their showroom. They are far from "cheaper than dirt" on their prices.