P229 Check-mate Mags Hard to Load

[Father Goose]

I recently picked up a new P229R and it came with two 15-round mags manufactured by MecGar (Made in Italy). I bought two more from Ammunition Depot that are Made in the USA (Check-mate Industries). The MecGar mags are very easily to load, but I have a very hard time loading the 15th round into the Check-mate mags (even rounds 10-14 are not very nice). I know some will say to use an UpLULA loader, but that's really only practical for range trips. Anyone know shops that tend to carry the MecGar mags, such as Top Gun Supply?

Edited October 20, 2016 by Father Goose

[deafdogdief]

Break the mag down and clean it. Even when they are new, they can still be cleaned and it will help some. 

[Father Goose]

I tore the buggers down today, but they are still a pain to deal with. Ordered a few more of the nicer ones from TGS, since they were in stock.

[Father Goose]

<double post - stupid internet>

Edited October 20, 2016 by Father Goose

[southernasylum]

I got a few stainless Mec Gar 15rd mags from Midsouth Shooter Supply a few years back and they are great. The two factory mags that came with my gun were only 13 rounds. Are you sure the checkmate mags are 15rounders?

[Father Goose]

Yup, the two that came with the gun are 15-rounders and the two bought after are 15-rounders. The P229-1 / E2 uses 15 round mags; the old 13 round mags don't function in the latest version.

[southernasylum]

I figured you checked but just had to ask. Mine is an old German gun I got from a member here. I love it. 

[Father Goose]

Nice! Any pics?

[southernasylum]

Sorry for the slow reply. I've been distracted lately. Here is an old post I made right after I got it.

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/45771-my-latest-diy-holster-and-new-to-me-sig229/

 

Cheers,

southernasylum

[Father Goose]

Alright, a little update. The new mags came in from TGO, but were also USA made Check-mate mags. After doing some more research, I came across the suggestion that the followers might be a little too tall. So, I took one to test and ground down the front and back tabs a little bit. It seemed to help very little. Also, the coil count on the Check-mate mags is 12 while the coil count on the MecGar mags is 11. I proceeded to cut off the extra coil to see what it would do, which seemed to make a noticeable difference when loading (I could get all 15 rounds in without too much trouble). I loaded the modified mag into the pistol to check on the ease of racking the slide. Sadly, it was very hard to do so. Taking off yet another coil and trying again yielded the same result. It looks like I'm back down to 14 rounds in the rest of the Check-mate mags until I can source more of the MecGars. In my opinion, SIG really ought to recall the Check-mate mags.

[Spiffy]

Have you tried loading them full and letting them sit for a week or so? I do this to my glock mags and they are easier to load afterwards. 

[chances R]

Many 'pros' recommend downloading mags by one to two rounds anyway.  If they function well simply use them routinely or make them your carry mag or your training mags.  Sometimes high cap mags may not function as well or for as long.  But, if yours work and reliable, no biggy.

[2.ooohhh]

57 minutes ago, chances R said:

Many 'pros' recommend downloading mags by one to two rounds anyway.  If they function well simply use them routinely or make them your carry mag or your training mags.  Sometimes high cap mags may not function as well or for as long.  But, if yours work and reliable, no biggy.

The problem is that these aren't high cap mags or even aftermarket high cap mags. 15 rounds is the factory mag spec for the late frame p229 9mm. At issue is Sig switching suppliers seemingly at random for OE mags between Mec-Gar and Checkmate. I have a half dozen Mec-Gar 15 round p229 mags for my m11A1 and all work flawlessly. I haven't experience the checkmate issues but I have been lucky and only have a single checkmate mag for my sigs.