I have two. A 40 with a 357 barrel that I carry. I also bought a 9mm. My 40 had problems with two brands of ammo so I stayed away from those. I have not had any problems with the 357. The problems were with 40 caliber ones made around June 2013. Mine was made before that. I would not pay over $500 for a new old stock. You can use 226 mags but they will be loose. The 229 mags are better, they will have a gap but fit tighter than the 226. The extended mags are 229 mags with a sleeve. If you get one, check the movement in the extractor as this was a problem in the ones in question.