Difference between these metric FAL mags?

[RichardW]

I've been keeping track of which mags work best in my metric FAL (late model Century receiver) and I've noticed the ones with visible spring (circled in photo) work much better, no FTFeed.
Notice the different size humps, also. The ones that don't work as well have longer humps and are stamped 1005-13-100-0225.
Anyone know the difference?
[IMG][/IMG]

[AndyC]

Richard, check the reference-section dealing with FAL magazines here - that might point you in the right direction

[fal_762x51]

All 10 of mine have that follower that is circled. I was told they were German or Belgium, but don't quote me on that.

Edit: I got it mixed up, the one that is not circled. Sorry.

[Rivaltm]

1005-13-100-0225 is indicative of Belgian manufacture (13 or 013 being the NATO country code assigned to Belgium).

With used magazines that may or may not mean that your entire mag is Belgian - I've had some steyr witness hole mags with Belgian floorplates, etc. But when I get a chance to dig through a box of mags, I do look for the Belgians (no good reason, though - my imbel, steyr, argy, etc mags all work fine as well)

[NZ L1A1 Collector]

You might want to check out This Thread

[RichardW]

Thanks for the help. The links to posts by Kevin show the uncircled one to be either Belgian c1954/5 (every feature is identical, but the floorplate in Kevin's picture has no numbers) or Steel, German Type 1 (based on drawing of floorplate showing numbers).
The circled one looks like what was identified as 'Standard' or as Israeli by Strike Penguin (although there are no markings).

[Mad Dog 7.62]

It's really hard to find a "bad" magazine for the FN FAL. Or the L1A1 either, for that matter. These aren't like the Mini-14 or something, where there are lots of cheapo aftermarket mags out there. Every mag you can find is military issue, and unless there is something obviously wrong with it like bent lips or stuck followers, it should work. If your rifle is that picky about the mags, I think there is something wrong in the rifle part of the equation. I don't mean to bash on your rifle, but I have used many different mags in many different FN rifles over quite a few years, and just haven't found any problems with specific lots of mags in certain rifles. Makes me think that in your case, something else is going on.
MD

[EMDII]

Mad Dog has it right. The one process FN maintained absolute control of was magazines. They periodically checked licensee mags and were very particular that they should work. A bad magazine is either damaged, weak, or in a less-than-optimum after-market gun.

[RichardW]

That makes sense. I'm having a problem with 5 out of ten. Must be the rifle. It's a 2004 Century receiver (which I read somewhere, probably here, are supposed to be much better than in the past) and what I also heard was a new "Green Mountain" barrel. Bought new from SOG.
Bolt gets round about halfway up into chamber then jams. Maybe sliding up over it?
Other problem failure to eject, either case gets stuck halfway out ejection port or doesn't eject at all. I think when it doesn't eject at all it may be that I just didn't have the gas setting right? After getting hot (not too hot) the bolt handle would not pull back manually (sticking) to eject the spent cartridge, had to pound on it.
I had a Tapco (I believe) scope mount on and I thought maybe the inside rails of the mount were contacting the bolt. When I took it apart I didn't see any evidence of this.

[alphadog58]

Your mag catch may be a bit low. Check for up and down movement of the mag when its latched into your rifle. Mag catches can be lengthened with a bead of weld on the end. File to fit.
Larry

[RichardW]

Good idea Larry. I'll check that. Thanks.