View Full Version : Metalform magazine range report, some bad news
I bought 3 8 round elite mags. Took them to the range today to shoot through my full size Springfield.
Noticed a problem right at the start. 2 of the magazines loaded all 8 rounds no problem, the 3rd one only loaded 7.
Into the gun they went. The two mags that loaded 8 rounds functioned perfectly.
Now to the mag that only loaded 7. Not only that, it would not lock the slide back on the last round. I would pull the trigger and hear a click, then drop the mag to notice it was empty. Happened 3 times then I stopped using the mag. Will disassemble it and see if I can find something wrong.
Any ideas??
Jim Watson
03-06-2006, 23:20
The follower is probably burred, bent, or boogered up. Or they used the wrong one, which I had happen in one of their less expensive X-tended magazines.
Look for anything minor you could fix yourself or send it back.
Hopefully you kept the ticket, they were pretty stern with me on one I sent back, demanding proof of purchase. I told them that if their trademark on the bottom wasn't good enough proof of purchase to return the dud and I would try another brand. They replaced it.
Actually one of my elite mags would only hold seven to start - I ran it as such and after the spring cycled a few times, it worked fine. I did have a couple failures to lock back in my caspian, but that is something that I find with all 8 rounders occasionally in that gun. They hold the slide back perfectly in a Colt, Kimber (series I) and another custom caspian that doesn't have a reltively tight slide stop pin.
I'd second the take it apart and visually inspect suggestion. I'd also take apart one of the ones that is working properly for comparison.
If you don't see anything obvious, or something obvious you can't easily correct, you shouldn't have any problem exchanging it. I don't doubt Jim's experience, but I've been pretty pleased with metalforms CS and have heard good reports in general.
Well, here is an update.
I took the magazine apart, put it back together and it still only held 7. If I put it in the gun empty, it won't hold the slide back at all.
So I took apart another one and compared them, they are the same.
Next step, I took the follower from a working mag and swapped it with the non working mag. The problem magazine now works, and the one that works is no good.
So, the follower is bad.
I called Metalform(which by the way is only 45 minutes from me), and they are sending me a new follower.
Hopefully that fixes the problem.
On a side note, if you decide to do this again, if you want any help I can go pick up the magazines from Metalform instead of them having to ship them to you.
molonlabe28
03-07-2006, 16:56
Good luck with your follower issues.
I range - tested most of mine new 9mm mags last weekend, and they performed flawlessly in 3 distinctly different STIs - a longslide, a 3.9" compensated Wasp, and my 5" RangeMaster.
Glad to hear they are taking care of you - also glad to hear a positive range report :)
I have faith Metalform will step up if people have problems, and I suspect problems will be few and far between.
BTW,
The girl that answered asked who was the group buy, and she knew you by name.
Guess you have them on speed dial.
Just dealt with another issue that was related to my screw up, had to ask a favor of her ;g
That, and an average $2500 annual order, with a $4500 order this year... I guess they start to remember, for better or worse.
Paul
Mail Clerk
03-07-2006, 19:02
Originally posted by harlenm
I bought 3 8 round elite mags. Took them to the range today to shoot through my full size Springfield.
Noticed a problem right at the start. 2 of the magazines loaded all 8 rounds no problem, the 3rd one only loaded 7.
Into the gun they went. The two mags that loaded 8 rounds functioned perfectly.
Now to the mag that only loaded 7. Not only that, it would not lock the slide back on the last round. I would pull the trigger and hear a click, then drop the mag to notice it was empty. Happened 3 times then I stopped using the mag. Will disassemble it and see if I can find something wrong.
Any ideas??
harlenm,
That's easy. If you remove the magazine follower you should notice the spine might be longer than the ones thatakes 8 rounds. All you have to do is gring down the spine til it'll fit 8 rounds! Easy. Check the followers left finger to see if it'll trip the slide stop. If it touches then it's possible that during the firing sequence the finger strays away enough to NOT touch/trip the slide stop. Also possible the spring is too weak and not enough pressure to engage the stop. if it sontinues I'd just get another replacement magazine.
Mail Clerk
Just like harlenm, I bought three 8 round Elites on the group buy. I had not tried them until I read this thread. 2 of mine will take 8 rounds, the 3rd one does not want to. I was able to force an 8th round into it but then the spring jammed and had to remove the loose rounds by pulling them out of the mag nose first. None of the mags want to feed right. I dry cycled live ammo with them through my normally 100% reliable Kimber and had several failures to feed. The 3rd mag was won't feed at all!!! I then took the same ammo and loaded it into a Metalform 7 round mag with rounded metal follower and it fed them all slick as a whistle through the same gun. There is no way I would carry these new Elite mags in a self defense gun. I can't believe Metalform sold these to us!
Originally posted by Neal
Just like harlenm, I bought three 8 round Elites on the group buy. I had not tried them until I read this thread. 2 of mine will take 8 rounds, the 3rd one does not want to. I was able to force an 8th round into it but then the spring jammed and had to remove the loose rounds by pulling them out of the mag nose first. None of the mags want to feed right. I dry cycled live ammo with them through my normally 100% reliable Kimber and had several failures to feed. The 3rd mag was won't feed at all!!! I then took the same ammo and loaded it into a Metalform 7 round mag with rounded metal follower and it fed them all slick as a whistle through the same gun. There is no way I would carry these new Elite mags in a self defense gun. I can't believe Metalform sold these to us!
I ran over 75 rounds through 2 8 rounders without a single failure.
The only one that wouldn't work was the one that only held 7 rounds.
Originally posted by Neal
Just like harlenm, I bought three 8 round Elites on the group buy. I had not tried them until I read this thread. 2 of mine will take 8 rounds, the 3rd one does not want to. I was able to force an 8th round into it but then the spring jammed and had to remove the loose rounds by pulling them out of the mag nose first. None of the mags want to feed right. I dry cycled live ammo with them through my normally 100% reliable Kimber and had several failures to feed. The 3rd mag was won't feed at all!!! I then took the same ammo and loaded it into a Metalform 7 round mag with rounded metal follower and it fed them all slick as a whistle through the same gun. There is no way I would carry these new Elite mags in a self defense gun. I can't believe Metalform sold these to us!
The mag with the presuambly bad follower can be dealt with.
Dry cycle and live fire are WORLDS apart. Please try the mags that hold 8 as intended at the range before condemning them.
Anyone else having problems with the Elite mags?
Originally posted by pangris
The mag with the presuambly bad follower can be dealt with.
Dry cycle and live fire are WORLDS apart. Please try the mags that hold 8 as intended at the range before condemning them.
Anyone else having problems with the Elite mags?
Paul, I respectfully disagree. If the rounds won't dry feed in a reliable gun, there is something wrong with the magazine. I will fire some rounds through it tomorrow after work, but right now I am pretty steamed. Of course my disappointment is not with you. You did a great job on the group buy and I hope to participate in more group buys in the future. A year or so ago, I hosted a group buy on another forum and found out how much work was involved. Your time and work are much appreciated. But this Elite magazine was touted as being the ultimate great single stack mag on another forum. And the suggested retail price reflects the hype. I have never had ANY problem with the Metalform 7 round mags that I own. (that's at least 8 of them) Even my Metalform 7 round Officers ACP mags work great. I'll be back on here tomorrow night.
The girl from Metalform was very nice. If you still have problems give them a call, I'm sure they'll help you out.
Originally posted by Neal
Paul, I respectfully disagree.
Neal, certainly nothing but civil stuff here, no worries about that. I'm not at all saying MF is perfect, there have been a few comments about the Elite mags. I'd hope that MF can't make it right fast enough since if they don't they will get thrased on this forum and another... internet gun boards have no mercy!
I was specifically thinking about the SIG 220 factory mags - they are a bear to unload and will often cause fits hand cycled, but work perfectly under operation.
No doubt if they don't work, the issue needs to be addressed. I agree that they should be up to spec.
Give them a try and we'll see where it goes.
BilltheCat
03-08-2006, 16:02
I did note the the metal was a bit rougher than the Wilson's I have. maybe it means nothing and the inside will smooth out after a couple mag reloads.
Mine are the FBI 7 rounders.
on a side note I didnt know they would have rubber bumpers that I could leave on or take off easily! 2 small screws! Cool!
Loading is a bit stiff but I imagine and hope they will ease up soon. I hope to get some time on Monday to test them out.
Just a quick note that I noticed today.
My Springfield came with 2 metalform mags, and I believe they are the FBI mags.
Guess I should have ordered those as well.
Haven't received my follower yet, but it's only been 1 day.
And it did feed all 8 rounds with no failures. Loaded it again and it fed them all fine again. The other mag which easily accepted 8 rounds, when inserted into the gun with the slide closed, jammed the top round down into the mag a little bit and would not come up for the slide to catch it. So I have 1 out of 3 "Elite" mags that works. :soap:
Neal - Elite - ;1... You've got mail.
Bill - no doubt in my mind FBI spec will be perfect. IIRC they use Wolff +10% springs so once they get some compression cycles and set in, they will be easier to load.
I spoke with Metalform this morning. Everything is cool. If you bought Elite mags, look for an e-mail from me today.
Paul
BilltheCat
03-09-2006, 15:21
I have the mags loaded and am just letting them sit a while. I unloaded and loaded one mag and it is already seeming to be smoother.
I did run a rag with Miltec-1 lightly across the mags to 'polish' them a bit. makes me feel better.
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