allamericanbp Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 New to the platform. Just looking at GEN 1 vs GEN 2. Or scrapping and just going with the MBX setup. Any opinions or advice? Going to run them in my SPS Pantera in .40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 Gen 1 mags are crap. I only use mine for dry fire. I don't have any Gen 2s, but the word on these forums are they work fine right out of the box. However, by the time you add the extra capacity base pads, you are very close to the price of MBX mags. I've been using MBX mags the last two seasons without problems. They run perfectly in both my 2011s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz427 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 23 minutes ago, zzt said: Gen 1 mags are crap. I only use mine for dry fire. I don't have any Gen 2s, but the word on these forums are they work fine right out of the box. However, by the time you add the extra capacity base pads, you are very close to the price of MBX mags. I've been using MBX mags the last two seasons without problems. They run perfectly in both my 2011s. I bought two of the gen 2 mags last week. Went to the range twice with them now, 500 flawless rounds though then. Not a single problem. I hust bought some mbx 140mm mags. I’ve read a lot of good, and some bad. I hope I don’t regret it. I just figured 130 bucks for mags that already hold 20-21rds, vs 75 for the sti, 32 for base plates and another 20 for grams springs and followers. So it comes out to the exact same price, and I don’t have to mess with them. I hope they work. If not I’ll send them back and happily buy a few more sti mags. I just noticed you said they’re for a sps pantera. That’s what I’m shooting. And like I said the Sti gen 2s were just flawless. I’ll know what’s up with the mbx by this weekend and report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzt Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 J, you probably won't know by this weekend on the MBX mags. The springs are very tight when new and have to be allowed to take a set before using. MBX suggests you load them fully and let them sit for a week. You can use them after that, but leave them loaded for an additional week. I did that. My springs are still perfect after two full seasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverBolt Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 MBX and done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 All my Gen 1 STI tubes worked fine out of the box and have neved needed tuning ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz427 Posted October 3, 2018 Share Posted October 3, 2018 54 minutes ago, waktasz said: All my Gen 1 STI tubes worked fine out of the box and have neved needed tuning ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Hmm, I might pick some up. I can get them for about 15 bucks cheaper then the gen 2s. I debated on this for a while but so many people said they need tuning, while the gen 2s run right out of the box. Did you buy just tubes and put your own guts in? Or full msgs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waktasz Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 That's funny because I recall seeing a bunch of videos from Adam at Atlas talking about how to tweak the gen 2 mags to get them working Grams guts and Taran or Dawson pads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigger04 Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 I did not have good luck with my gen 2 STi mags. Kept having my rounds nose dive at full magazine capacity. Sticking with MBX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allamericanbp Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 20 hours ago, Jfitz427 said: I bought two of the gen 2 mags last week. Went to the range twice with them now, 500 flawless rounds though then. Not a single problem. I hust bought some mbx 140mm mags. I’ve read a lot of good, and some bad. I hope I don’t regret it. I just figured 130 bucks for mags that already hold 20-21rds, vs 75 for the sti, 32 for base plates and another 20 for grams springs and followers. So it comes out to the exact same price, and I don’t have to mess with them. I hope they work. If not I’ll send them back and happily buy a few more sti mags. I just noticed you said they’re for a sps pantera. That’s what I’m shooting. And like I said the Sti gen 2s were just flawless. I’ll know what’s up with the mbx by this weekend and report back. Thanks. Please keep me posted or send me a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt1911 Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 I have 6 gen 1 mags that have been great so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRPOperator Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 I have ran STI gen 1&2, SV Mags and MBX some for different guns, see for the same gun. All required see tuning and tweaking from time to time. I think it's hit or miss and none of them will ever be 100% in every gun. I currently run the STI Gen2. I did replace the spring/follower/basepads made sure they worked and started shooting them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcc7x7 Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 10-12 gen 1 mags never a problem if the springs are relatively good. Gen 2 just traded for 2 haven't used them yet MBX had problems with 170 and the folks at mbx didn't do anything about it expect tell me change the oal of my load that has run out of 4 pistols without problem with sti 170 gen 1 mags. S**t canned the mbx and went back to the sti gen 1's I know lots of folks like them , I wanted to!!! But after the email exchange I will pass on MBX Hope if you choose them it works out well for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tkane Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I've been using STI mags most of the year without a problem but I'm new to this and don't know if they are Gen 1 or 2. How do you tell the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveac1 Posted October 6, 2018 Share Posted October 6, 2018 I have 6 gen 2 STI mags. Not one issue with gramms follower and springs and either Dawson base pads or TTI. 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NamesNotMike Posted October 9, 2018 Share Posted October 9, 2018 I've had good luck my Gen 2 STI mags except for one 170 that I can't seem to keep from nose diving. I even had problems with that one when it had the original base plate and spring, I how have Grams followers and TTI base plates in all of them. I plan on just buying the Gen 2 tubes next time and go with Grams followers and TTI base plates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jfitz427 Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 So I ran my mbx mags this weekend and they worked great. I got them I think Wednesday, loaded them up and let them sit till Sunday when I went to the range and they ran flawlessly. So so now I’ve had great luck with both the gen 2 sti mags and the mbx mags right out of the box. I think the mbx have a slight advantage for competition because they come holding 20-21rds. For the sti you pay 75, then If you want to make them competitive you pay 32 for base plates and another 20 for spring and follower, so it comes out to the same 130 bucks that the mbx cost. And the mbx are ready out of the box. But if you weren’t planning on messing with them and are ok with 18rds, you can’t beat the sti for the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim vaughan Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 It depends on what cartridge you are using. I run 9x23 with gen1 STI magazines and it seems to be the only combination that is perfect for my IPSC use. I don't need baseplates as I am restricted to 170mm magazine length. Grams springs and followers resulted in nose dives on all of my magazines. The cheap standard STI follower which raises the bullet nose and has no gap to the second round is perfect for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posvar Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 The Gen1 bodies are crazy solid for all my guns. I had a couple Gen2 and had issues with them and sold them. Currently I am using all Gen1 tubes with Grams guts and TTI basepads for my open gun and MBX 140mm for my limited gun. Both are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGC Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 On 10/3/2018 at 6:29 PM, zzt said: J, you probably won't know by this weekend on the MBX mags. The springs are very tight when new and have to be allowed to take a set before using. MBX suggests you load them fully and let them sit for a week. You can use them after that, but leave them loaded for an additional week. I did that. My springs are still perfect after two full seasons. Mine have been sitting fully loaded for a couple weeks now...trying them out next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posvar Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 ^^^I am thinking of ordering a new full set for my open gun and keep my current ones as back ups. Please update us with how they run. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jnr88 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 I use MBX without mods and without problems in my 9 open gun. 140 and 170mm. Never tried the 155mm. I have had 2 pins fall out of the base pads. I keep a few spare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posvar Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 Thanks Jim! That makes me feel better. Some guys have told me they don’t run well in Open but lots of locals use them here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt1911 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 A buddy of mine who shoots 9 major uses a 170 MBX for his first mag exclusively. He has STI gen 1's on his belt for spares. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allamericanbp Posted November 20, 2018 Author Share Posted November 20, 2018 Just decided to go with 140 MM MBX mags and Grams internals for the SPS mags. Running flawless, minus the last round bolt hold open feature but I haven't messed with them yet. I just figure the 2 - 140's and the second 2 for spares will at least get me up and running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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