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Magazine recommendations?

21K views 106 replies 43 participants last post by  Spike Bull 
#1 ·
Hello to everyone on this forum. I've lurked here for a couple years, fascinated by the RFB. Truly a remarkable concept to put 308 power in a BP. I finally have one, recent production in black. And I have a question or two for seasoned owners. First one is about magazines. I know the DSA mags are gtg, but has anyone tried the Thermolds or the Moses mags? Also, where can I find a 10 rounder? DSA has them but they seem expensive. And finally, has anyone here tried to Cerakote the plastics to duplicate the stock tan? Thanks!
 
#6 ·
If you want to cerakote them, use the air dry. I used the baked on cerakote on mine and they seem to have collapsed a little in the middle after baking and haven't worked right since.
Ruined three new Thermolds. Also don't paint the area that goes in the gun as
they won't drop out as easily once painted.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I'll provide my data points on magazines. This post is a bit wordy but wanted to provide complete data. I have both the 18" and 24" RFB's and multiple copies of several different brands and types of mags. Some mags work better than others, and I bought extras back when there was more concern of mags over 10 rounds being banned and no longer for sale.

Summary: Most RFB failure to feed issues are magazine related. DSA is a reasonable souce of steel mags ($25 on their website). I've heard they are Kel-Tec's supplier, but can't confirm. I did see at least one post where a Kel-Tec employee suggested trying them as a source, but saw a similar comment for Thermold (hope I don't get anyone at Kel-Tec in trouble). Thermolds work great, don't rust (except spring), are lighter, a great alternative to steel, and are less expensive ($17). Surplus, used, steel mags usually work smoother than new and don't damage brass as much, as long as they are not dented or rusty inside. However, buying used is hit or miss. Most used or surplus sellers will embellish the condition of their product. I've bought several supposed "new" surplus, and none were flawless. Some did work very well.

The factory mag from my 18" works fine in both rifles. The factory mag that came with the 24" needs extra care to ensure it is seated the 24", but works fine in the 18".

I purchased a couple "used" surplus, no-name mags when I only had the 18" rifle. Both work fine in either rifle.

I later bought a couple more from a different supplier. They looked fine upon receipt. Since I already had 3 functioning mags, I didn't get around to testing them for several months. When I did, neither would work. One was missing the tang that locked it in the rifle. The other just wouldn't feed, or would jam on every round. I suspect a follower issue on that one. I have new replacement follower and spring kits from DSA, but just haven't taken the time to tinker with it. I will keep the parts from both, for future use.

I subsequently purchased 4 DSA mags that work in the 18" , but only three work in the 24". One of those that did work needs extra attenion to ensure it is seated in the 24". I guess that rifle is a little pickier.

I noticed some of the new metal mags seriously scratched and gouged brass and bullets, especially in the 24". Sanding or filing the feedlips would probably help, or just using them for a hundred or so rounds, but I ordered a couple of the plastic Thermold mags to try. I initially was leary of the plastic/Kydex, but ended up pleasantly surprised. I liked them so well, I bought 3 more. They all work fine in both rifles. One does require a bit of care to ensure it is seated in the 24', but no damage to brass or bullets from any of the Thermolds.
 
#11 ·
I've found the DSA mags are crap. The parkerizing and sharp edges don't allow for smooth feeding at all. I got about 6 from them and they were all pretty terrible. While they worked if I didn't load up the full 20 rounds, they regularly jammed on the 19, 18th rounds. Failure to feed due to the drag. The thermolds I have work wonderfully, very smooth and no issues feeding even with multiple live rounds in the feed shoot and pointing the gun upwards. I'll never use the DSA mags again.
 
#12 ·
I've found the DSA mags are crap. The parkerizing and sharp edges don't allow for smooth feeding at all. I got about 6 from them and they were all pretty terrible. While they worked if I didn't load up the full 20 rounds, they regularly jammed on the 19, 18th rounds. Failure to feed due to the drag. The thermolds I have work wonderfully, very smooth and no issues feeding even with multiple live rounds in the feed shoot and pointing the gun upwards. I'll never use the DSA mags again.
I agree with all of the above. So far I've had zero issues with my thermolds. I can even cycle old beat up snap caps that almost never reliably fed with my DSA magazines.
 
#13 ·
During a phone call with Kel-Tek support a few weeks ago - while trying to fine tune one of my RFB's for suppressor use, they confirmed they had just switched to Thermolds as their magazine supplier. That is a decision I certainly support. I already had 5 Thermolds, due to inconsistent performance with several different steel mags. All Thermolds have work flawlessly in two different rifles. Very smooth operation, no misfeeds, and no damaging brass or bullets. They dont rust, and are about half the weight of a steel mag. I don't see any down side other than not knowing how durable they are over the long term.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Except for the 20 rounder that came with the rifle all my Mags are the beautiful curved L4A1 30 rounders I converted using a replacement DSA 30 round Spring.

Once they prove reliable (100 or so rounds) I get them Np3 Coated ($20.00). I now have 6 of those plus the 20 rounder and a 5 round for hunting (10 round size pinned for 5 rounds).

At night the RFB sleeps next to the bed with 2 30's clamped together. One pull of the handle and I have 60 rounds on tap.

I may love my RFB too much...is that Wrong?
 

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#18 ·
I've found the DSA mags are crap. The parkerizing and sharp edges don't allow for smooth feeding at all. I got about 6 from them and they were all pretty terrible. While they worked if I didn't load up the full 20 rounds, they regularly jammed on the 19, 18th rounds. Failure to feed due to the drag. The thermolds I have work wonderfully, very smooth and no issues feeding even with multiple live rounds in the feed shoot and pointing the gun upwards. I'll never use the DSA mags again.
My rifle started doing that with the dsa issue mag as well... chambers #20 when the carrier is released, but frequently stops short of battery on 19, 18, 17, then runs fine. Thorough cleaning and lube mitigated the problem somewhat, but the knife edge feed lips and rough follower coating seem to be a problem. I thought about polishing up the follower and whatnot, but decided to try the TMs first. Thinking that the Zytel will be very slick and solve the problem.
 
#19 ·
The DSA 30 round mags are total crap & caused my RFB to fail to feed regularly. The 30 round mag don't seat solidly in the rifle, which allows for a lot of movement of the mag while it's in the mag well. I haven't had any problems with the DSA 20 round mag, but I have purchased 6 Thermold Mag, which I haven't tested yet but I can tell by how solidly the Thermold Mags seat into the rifle that I've cure the problems of my rifle. This RFB is a beast, it's ashamed KelTec didn't test these magazines to find the best for the rifle.
Also has anyone noticed how little is written about the RFB in most gun magazines? It's almost as if the industry has something against this great weapon system.


Sent from my iPhone using Kel-Tec Forum
 
#20 ·
You may find the Thermolds working for you, Stacy. I'm a believer after tossing my DSA and running a test with a new TM on Monday. Zero malfunctions. I tested by repeatedly shooting three off the top of a full mag. It got routine after awhile. The last 20 rounds I had, I ripped off rapid with a smile. My rifle's new name is Thunder. I know that's stupid, but I caint hep it!!! This gun officially kicks ass, in my book. Incidentally, KT kits Thermolds now.
 
#21 ·
Sounds great, blaster1145!

It's good to hear that the Thermolds works for your KelTec RFB, I'm sure. I'll have the same results. To bad Keltec didn't use these magazines when they first introduced this rifle. If they had used them I'm sure this rifle would've gotten a better review & less complaints. Oh well problem is solved now. Enjoy the rapid fire, problem free RFB.
 
#23 · (Edited)
I've read that the Steyr mags work well. I'm kind of a noob, especially compared to some others that post here. What I have learned by reading and observing my own rifle is that the bolt carrier performs several mechanical actions as it slides forward, and each of these things reduce it's forward momentum as the carrier is accelerated forward by the springs. One thing it does is strip off a round from the mag, obviously. If the magazine is rough or whatever, the top few cartridges soak too much momentum from the bolt carrier, leaving it without enough energy to do everything else and it will stop short of battery. This was certainly the case with the DSA mag that came with my rife. The top 4 cartridges were too tight and the mag too rough for the gun to work. I'm beginning to wonder if that's what causes similar issues on other folk's guns. Please excuse me if this post is a rehash of old info. The point is that the DSA mags that came with the RFB for a time were hit and miss. Some guys got good ones and some didn't. I sure didn't.
 
#25 · (Edited)
I do not use either the plastic mags , nor the steel metric mags in my RFB ; I only use FN FAL Aluminum Metric 20 round mags . The Aluminum Metric 20 round mags are just as well made as the original steel metric mags , will hold up just as well if taken care of properly , and are only about one third the weight of the steel metric mags . They were originally made for the West German Paratrooper units back in the very brief period when West Germany was using the Metric FAL rifles . Approximately 900,000 FN FAL Aluminum Metric 20 round magazines were produced for FN by several different manufacturers , and only the West German Paratrooper units received them . Less weight in magazines means more magazines and more ammunition that can be carried by an individual rifleman . That is the same reason why the US Military uses aluminum magazines for their M4 rifle/carbine variants . Aluminum magazines will always be the way to go in battle rifles and carbines .
 
#26 · (Edited)
I notice some reports of heartburn with some of the DSA mags, but I've got 8 of the 20-rounders now and no feeding, lockback, or other problems at all. And they drop on an empty mag like they were spring loaded. I only notice one issue that doesn't seem to fit the directions in the manual on mag insertion. The manual says mag insertion is performed by pushing the mag straight up into the magwell...like an AR. Mine seems to require a slight angle, a little more AK'ish, but not as exaggerated. This hasn't been a problem as the mag inserts and locks in just fine, but the straight in method is tough as heck...so I don't do it. Now, when the bolt is open the mag does insert straight in with rounds in the mag. All eight of my DSA's do the same thing, so I don't think it's the mag. Same thing with the one Thermold mag that came with the rifle, so again, I don't think it's mag related. Only problem with the Thermold is that it doesn't like to drop easily when empty...almost like it seems too light. The DSA's shoot right out when released. So far I've enjoyed the DSA mags.
 
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