SIGforum
P320 mags. American or Italian? Info needed.
May 07, 2017, 02:56 PM
SIGWALLYP320 mags. American or Italian? Info needed.
A friend's P320 came with 2 "Made in Italy" mags. My new P320 Carry has "Made in USA" stamped on them. Now I've been around a while so I clearly remember all the problems USA mags gave with our "P" series Sigs. And also what a sterling reputation Mec-Ger has so rightly earned. So my question is, has there been ANY problems at all with the USA mags? Does anyone see any differences in quality between them?
Any input or comments would be greatly appreciated. As always, thank you for your help, it is greatly appreciated...
May 07, 2017, 03:02 PM
jljonesIn our classes, and my time with TeamSIG, I have seen exactly one malfunction with the Checkmate magazines. It appeared to be from where the mag had been dropped.
SIG uses both manufacturers to provide magazines. When you walk down the assembly line, you see boxes of both.
May 07, 2017, 03:54 PM
az4783054I haven't heard of any issues with CHECKMATE in the P320. They must have improved upon their magazines from earlier SIG Classic offerings.
FWIW, even DAN WESSON uses CHECKMATE in their custom pistols.
I've enjoyed my time here, but tired of the whining and general management. Time to move on.
May 07, 2017, 03:57 PM
NipperI recall the P320 USA mag issue being discussed here last year. Many reacted the same as you did. However, none of the posters on those threads reported any problems with the P320 Checkmates. From the posts, it's apparently a random thing as to whether you get Italy or USA mags with a new P320. Or even ordered directly from a vendor. Consistent with what Jones posted.
IIRC, the original problem Checkmate experienced several years back was due to improper heat treatment. It's pretty much ancient history now, but the rap lives on.
I personally own about 17 P320 mags, all Italian Mec-Gars. The ones I bought from TGS a few months ago were made in Italy. Since I don't have any Checkmates, I can't give you a visual on them.
______________________
An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing. --Nicholas Murray Butler
May 07, 2017, 05:01 PM
Il CattivoI've gotta admit, I'd rather have MecGars. Checkmates have established good reputations with other pistols (weren't they the ones who ran into problems making M9 magazines?), but I've used the MecGars in Sigs for years and never had a problem with them. The 250 and 320 are recent enough additions that they're still kind of a new proposition for any magazine manufacturer, but the MecGar 40/357 mags I have cycled at least 3,000 rounds through the 250 and 320 Fs without a problem that wasn't clearly related to bullet profile.
May 07, 2017, 09:31 PM
SIGWALLYquote:
Originally posted by Nipper:
I recall the P320 USA mag issue being discussed here last year. Many reacted the same as you did. However, none of the posters on those threads reported any problems with the P320 Checkmates. From the posts, it's apparently a random thing as to whether you get Italy or USA mags with a new P320. Or even ordered directly from a vendor. Consistent with what Jones posted.
IIRC, the original problem Checkmate experienced several years back was due to improper heat treatment. It's pretty much ancient history now, but the rap lives on.
I personally own about 17 P320 mags, all Italian Mec-Gars. The ones I bought from TGS a few months ago were made in Italy. Since I don't have any Checkmates, I can't give you a visual on them.
Nipper do you have a link to those discussions?
May 08, 2017, 05:59 AM
jnichols2I haven't seen any problems with Checkmate mags, but the Mec-Gar branded mage are usually a good bit cheaper. (the Sig Sauer branded Mec-Gar mags are the same price as Checkmate)
May 08, 2017, 06:23 AM
bobandmikakoThe ones that came with my P320 full-size 9mm were made in USA. I picked up 3 Mec-Gars later. They all function just fine and all seem well made.
十人十色 May 08, 2017, 07:29 AM
Nipperquote:
Originally posted by SIGWALLY:
......Nipper do you have a link to those discussions?
No. Even if I did, they've probably all been deleted. It was a couple of years ago...maybe longer.
______________________
An expert is one who knows more and more about less and less until he knows absolutely everything about nothing. --Nicholas Murray Butler
May 08, 2017, 11:32 AM
copaupI have both. Only difference I see is the USA mags have slightly stiffer springs when new. Loading that last round in is extremely difficult. Italian mags were still stiff but took the final round without risking a sprained thumb.
Functionally, I've seen no difference. I did NOT like the Checkmate mags for my 226. Admittedly, that was as much a cosmetic issue (floorplate) as it was the rumors of potential reliability issues. I've got several that get used as range mags without problems.
May 08, 2017, 01:07 PM
hilequote:
Originally posted by copaup:
I have both. Only difference I see is the USA mags have slightly stiffer springs when new. Loading that last round in is extremely difficult. Italian mags were still stiff but took the final round without risking a sprained thumb.
Functionally, I've seen no difference. I did NOT like the Checkmate mags for my 226. Admittedly, that was as much a cosmetic issue (floorplate) as it was the rumors of potential reliability issues. I've got several that get used as range mags without problems.
My P229-1 mags are very stiff. I'm wondering if I have the USA mags.
May 08, 2017, 04:40 PM
jdmb03My two American made run just fine in my P320SC.