U-marked M1 Magazine

[tmark]

Who is the manufacturer of a M1 carbine magazine stamped U on the backside?

[W5USMC]

USGI mags marked with a U were made by Union Hardware.

KCI (a Korean Company) makes a commercial Mag which is also marked with a U on the back.

[tmark]

I appreciate the info. I tried googling the answer with no success.

[cali201]

https://www.eqth.net/mirror/carbinemags/

http://uscarbinecal30m1.com/Accessories/Magazines.aspx

[Matt_X]

Picture of a recent Korean made U in this thread.
http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/...topic3568.html

Looks like I can link the photo.

[tmark]

Thanks, Cali and Matt. I appreciate the links and photos.

Other than the newness of the Korean mags, the Korean and USGI mags look identical. Is there a color difference of the finish between the two? The photos seem to show a difference in finish.

[Matt_X]

That's a good observation. It isn't always so obvious as it is in that lighting.
From the ones I have here, I'd say yes the WW2 era US GI maagazines have a finish that looks more like bluing - although I'm not sure it is.

My collection isn't very large but does include ones made by three or four different companies.

I thought it would be useful to have some photos of known Korean made U so they could be compared with various older U marked magazines.

There may be other differences which the more experienced collectors may be able to guide on.

Note we discovered that particular packaging and bar code number most recently has a magazine with a 'hold open' type follower. So that's a big difference from USGI 15 rnd mags.

[tmark]

Note we discovered that particular packaging and bar code number most recently has a magazine with a 'hold open' type follower. So that's a big difference from USGI 15 rnd mags.[/QUOTE]

Excellent observation on your part, Matt. I completely missed the "hold open" follower!

[painter777]

@ Matt_X,

Donnie from The CCC Forum reported that his Magazine:
"....... DID NOT have hold open designed follower ....."
Bar Code Number on the packaging was: 8 809257 220030
Same Bar Code Number and Packaging that you pulled one from with the Bolt Hold Open Feature.

Matt_X- "I just bought magazines that came in the same package, with the same number on it, and at least the first one has a hold open follower. "

The link again, in case I've missed something or misread it / About 1/2 way down:

http://www.uscarbinecal30.com/forum/...c3568.html#top

Charlie-P777