Nelson Conversion Kit Magazines

I have a Nelson conversion kit arriving within the next month, and I want to start getting spare mags lined up for test & eval. Bolt hold open is a requirement for me. What mag are you having luck with? I've seen the GSG and Colt steel mags given honorable mention, but can't seem to find new Colt's. Appreciate any help.

Blazin wrote:I have a Nelson conversion kit arriving within the next month, and I want to start getting spare mags lined up for test & eval. Bolt hold open is a requirement for me. What mag are you having luck with? I've seen the GSG and Colt steel mags given honorable mention, but can't seem to find new Colt's. Appreciate any help.

Colts mags are Pricey but are the best of the best

The best options are Colt and Kart, but good luck finding either as they are no longer made. My experience with a Marvel conversion was, in order of least headaches:
Colt or Kart
GSG
Marvel poly/Jageman
Triple K (don't bother)

I would love to have steel mags, but the plastics from the Marvel supplier are ok
if you have the right frame-my Springfield does not like them, my LB does.  I think the Springfield can be made to accept them if I sand the mags a bit so they release cleanly

I have tried all the above mentioned magazines, I believe, and most are fine. However, I have gone back to using the Nelson factory ones. When loading it, you just have to be careful to orient the rounds with about 1/3 of the bullet showing, or you will have feeding problems. I learned that the hard way.

The last shot hold open works fine with them... I use 4 of them and have had zero problems.

Good luck with the Nelson... I have a few of them, and all are great!

Ric

ric1911a1 wrote:I have tried all the above mentioned magazines, I believe, and most are fine. However, I have gone back to using the Nelson factory ones. When loading it, you just have to be careful to orient the rounds with about 1/3 of the bullet showing, or you will have feeding problems. I learned that the hard way.

The last shot hold open works fine with them... I use 4 of them and have had zero problems.

Good luck with the Nelson... I have a few of them, and all are great!

Ric

Thanks Ric. When you say 1/3 of the bullet showing, are you saying you are not pushing the round all the way to the back of the mag?

I good results  with the Nelson mag .

It's hard to describe. It is the orientation of the round in the magazine, front to back. If I look at the loaded mag from the side, a bit of the bullet has to be above the lip or there will be feeding problems. At least with my gun and magazines......

Running the loaded rounds up and down with the loading tool a few times seems to settle them properly.

Kind of odd to think of a magazine being loaded delicately..........

Ric

I have used GSG mags for years in two different  conversion units  - probably 100k+ rounds  through 4 mags. Never an issue that was related to the mag. I do replace the springs every once and awhile. Nothing wrong with Plastic Nelson just prefer the GSG

I have been using Nelson mags for five years (around 15,000 rounds through 8 mags) and have had no problems with them. They lock back every time and I have no mis-feeds. A good investment is the metal base plates that they offer from time to time. Adds enough weight to help drop free.

Appreciate all the insightful comments. I have 5 Nelson mags coming with my order, but am not a big truster of plastic, so am going to also pick up some GSG mags for testing. I like that the GSG mags have a large more traditional spring. I am unsure where to purchase new mag springs for the Nelson mags; don't see them listed on their website.

The colt mags show up on Ebay quite often and normally go for shade over 100.

+1 for Nelson mags….never had a problem with them on two conversions. I have  GSG’s as well, but prefer the plastic Nelson’s.