AR-15 High Cap. Mag Question

[ph0to]

I don't know if this is a stupid question - but how would they know if a mag was pre-ban? They are not serialized, and some don't have any date stamp or anything on them....is there a way to prove it? I'm not looking for a way around the law, I was just curious and can't quite figure it out!

Edit: I still go with my common sense approach and stick with buying pre-ban things. Just wanted to be clear

 

[OfficerObie59]

If they can't prove it, they can't prove it.

 

[ph0to]

If they can't prove it, they can't prove it.

Simple enough. Thanks! That's what I figured..

 

[Gammon]

Military mags are made by various manufacturers. It might be possible to date a mag by the manufacturer. Also, some civilian mags are rather distinct and easy to identify. An example is the Magpul "P" mag. This model was introduced recently and is obviously post ban.

 

[mac1911]

some times there are date codes inside the mag ? In the end you usually have some other issues if you are caught with a post ban mag. which are easily identified by dates... Theres tons of new in the wrap preban mags out there. There was a gent on a forum who would only sell pre ban mags to the restricted states at a great price....

 

[Mustang5L5]

What are some good sources?

My local inquires at gun shops have found prices near $40 for a single Pre-ban.

 

[Alex9661]

What are some good sources?

My local inquires at gun shops have found prices near $40 for a single Pre-ban.

Register at ar15dotcom and buy from their equipment exchange. $40/mag is ridiculous.

 

[wacky_doug]

What are some good sources?

My local inquires at gun shops have found prices near $40 for a single Pre-ban.

Keep an eye on the classifieds here, too. Pre-ban AR-15 mags go on sale on the time. $15-$20 each. Those things are like candy they're so plentiful. Best to hold out for a good deal.

 

[drgrant]

What are some good sources?

My local inquires at gun shops have found prices near $40 for a single Pre-ban.

Any gun show worth its salt will have either unmarked or obviously preban mags, for $25 a pop or less. Just watch out for date codes. Sometimes they are very small. Also be aware that some vendors like to sell post-ban stuff as preban so they can get the extra 10 bucks.

Almost every gun store in MA save for a few will charge too much for their AK/AR mags. About the only thing you can do to get them to budge on the price is offer to buy several of them at once and ask if they will give you a discount.

-Mike

 

[M1911]

Some have date stamps inside the bodies.

 

[widnerkj]

Over at AR15.com in the equipment exchange there is usually a thread about "support our brothers behind enemy lines" where they do deals on preban mags for people in our situation. I scored a great deal on some very nice old school 25 rounders

 

[Dream to Dream]

What are some good sources?

My local inquires at gun shops have found prices near $40 for a single Pre-ban.

Another good option is gun shows. I was surprised to find that most dealers at the recent West Springfield show were charging between $15 and $20 for pre-ban AR 30-rounders. Once place had some great-looking Colt mags for $25 each. I came home with three GI mags and a smile on my face. Those prices really can't be beat even by classified ads on these forums, assuming shipping charges.

 

[Len-2A Training]

Just be careful, especially at the shows. Some dealers tell you that they are pre-ban but INTENTIONALLY are selling post-ban (felonies) to the unsuspecting customers.

 

[drgrant]

Just be careful, especially at the shows. Some dealers tell you that they are pre-ban but INTENTIONALLY are selling post-ban (felonies) to the unsuspecting customers.

...And to add insult to injury, a lot of these magazines are WAY overpriced. At least if you're going to sell someone a felony, you should give them a good deal on it!!!!

-Mike

 

[Dream to Dream]

Just be careful, especially at the shows. Some dealers tell you that they are pre-ban but INTENTIONALLY are selling post-ban (felonies) to the unsuspecting customers.

Very true.

However, in the box of mags that I picked through at the show was a date-marked magazine (1990). The gentleman behind the counter was ten feet away and busy with a customer, but he spotted the date-stamp like a hawk and swooped over to me to check if the date was post-ban. Some dealers do care, apparently. A big part of the reason why I bought my mags from that particular store.

 

[Colt Delta Elite]

There where only thirteen or fourteen companies the every made mags per 94 they all had their names on the base plate, a blank base plate is a dead giveaway to a post ban mag. I bought a ton of pre ban colt mags new in the box never issued from the seventys they were $16 each. There are good deals out there it they require some leg work.

 

[jasons]

If you pay more than $15 each for real Colt pre-bans you're paying too much. Be careful and stick to known manufacturers - I've seen people selling "pre-ban" C-Products magazines when that company didn't even exist then.

Here's a good reference:
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/magazines/rawlesfaq.html

 

[Twigg]

AR-15 mag FAQ.

 

[drgrant]

There where only thirteen or fourteen companies the every made mags per 94 they all had their names on the base plate, a blank base plate is a dead giveaway to a post ban mag.

Sorry, but this is bad info. There are a lot of foreign M16/AR/STANAG type mags, eg "Taiwanese Military" etc that were made before the ban without any markings.

The rule on the ground is some of the mags are easily identifiable because of markings, cage codes, floorplates, etc.... and there are many mags that are not easily identifiable because they have little to no markings. That being said, this notional of a "blank" floorplate being "obviously post ban" is patently false, as a generality.

-Mike

 

[60 buckscash]

Here's a good reference:
http://www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/magazines/rawlesfaq.html

I use this as a reference for what I buy.

 

[Colt Delta Elite]

Sorry, but this is bad info. There are a lot of foreign M16/AR/STANAG type mags, eg "Taiwanese Military" etc that were made before the ban without any markings.

The rule on the ground is some of the mags are easily identifiable because of markings, cage codes, floorplates, etc.... and there are many mags that are not easily identifiable because they have little to no markings. That being said, this notional of a "blank" floorplate being "obviously post ban" is patently false, as a generality.

-Mike

My bad Mike I was talking US company's that manufactured them not thinking about foreign stuff.