Let’s Dive into Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round
The Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round is a factory magazine designed specifically for Savage’s Mark II series rifles, chambered in .22LR and .17M2. Manufactured by Savage Arms, this magazine promises reliable feeding and durable construction in a compact, 5-round package. This magazine is constructed from stainless steel, offering corrosion resistance, and is intended as a replacement or spare magazine for compatible Savage rifles.
My need for this magazine stemmed from a frustrating experience with the factory magazine that came with my Mark II. I was constantly battling misfeeds and ejection issues, particularly when spending a day plinking at the range with friends. I needed a magazine that would feed reliably, allowing for an uninterrupted shooting experience, and stainless steel seemed like a good idea for longevity in the humid climate where I often shoot.
Upon unboxing the Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round, my initial impression was…underwhelmed. The stainless steel construction felt robust enough, but the overall design seemed simplistic, even crude, with visible stamp marks. Compared to magazines from Ruger or even some aftermarket options for other rifles, the Savage Arms magazine felt a bit like an afterthought.
I specifically chose this magazine hoping for a factory-level fit and reliability, something the aftermarket magazines for the Mark II didn’t always provide. My primary need was reliability over capacity, so the 5-round capacity wasn’t a concern. Others I considered were from ProMag, but past experiences with their products led me to stick with a Savage Arms product.
My first impression landed somewhere between hesitant and skeptical. While I hoped it would solve my feeding issues, the seemingly low-quality construction raised concerns about its actual performance and durability. My excitement was definitely tempered, but I was still eager to put it through its paces on the range.
Real-World Testing: Putting Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round primarily at my local outdoor shooting range. The weather conditions were sunny with a slight breeze. I ran approximately 200 rounds of various .22LR ammunition through the magazine, including CCI Mini-Mags, Federal bulk pack, and Aguila Super Extra.
The initial experience was… mixed. The first few magazines fed smoothly, but as I continued shooting, I started experiencing occasional failures to feed. These failures seemed more pronounced with the Federal bulk pack ammunition, which tends to be a bit dirtier. I also noticed that the magazine required a firm “slap” to ensure it was fully seated in the magazine well.
Despite the feeding issues, the magazine was relatively easy to load and unload, and the stainless steel construction felt reassuringly durable. However, I was disappointed that a brand new factory magazine exhibited feeding problems right out of the box. It required more attention than any magazine should right out of the packaging.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of use, the Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round has become slightly more reliable, but it still isn’t perfect. I’ve put approximately 500 rounds through it at this point, and the failure-to-feed rate has decreased somewhat. However, it still occasionally hiccups, especially with cheaper ammunition.
The stainless steel construction is holding up well, showing no signs of rust or corrosion despite exposure to humidity and occasional light rain. Cleaning is straightforward – a quick wipe-down with a lightly oiled cloth is usually sufficient. The magazine itself is easy to disassemble for more thorough cleaning, although the spring tension can be a bit tricky to manage.
Compared to my previous experiences with the factory magazine that came with my Mark II, the stainless steel version is a marginal improvement. It’s slightly more reliable, but not enough to fully justify the price. It underperforms compared to magazines from other manufacturers such as Ruger.
Breaking Down the Features of Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Savage Arms. This ensures factory-level compatibility, at least in theory, with Savage Mark II rifles.
- Caliber: .22 Long Rifle / .17 Mach 2. This makes it versatile for owners of Mark II rifles chambered in either of these rimfire calibers.
- Magazine Capacity: 5 Rounds. This limited capacity is compliant with hunting regulations in some areas and keeps the magazine compact.
- Color: Stainless Steel. The stainless steel construction enhances corrosion resistance, increasing the magazine’s lifespan.
- Gun Model: Savage Mark II. The magazine is designed specifically for the Savage Arms Mark II series, ensuring proper fit and function.
- Quantity: 1. This is a single magazine, meaning you need to purchase multiple if you want spares.
These specifications are important because they dictate the magazine’s compatibility, capacity, and durability. The Savage Arms designation should imply a certain level of quality control and reliable feeding, but as my testing revealed, this isn’t always the case. The stainless steel construction is a definite plus for longevity, but the 5-round capacity may be a drawback for some shooters.
Performance & Functionality
The Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round performs adequately, but it’s far from flawless. Its reliability is inconsistent, with occasional failures to feed, especially with cheaper or dirtier ammunition. Its usability is acceptable, being easy to load and unload, but requires excessive force to properly seat.
Its strength lies in its durable stainless steel construction and its generally smooth feeding with high-quality ammunition. Its weaknesses are its inconsistent reliability and the need for a firm “slap” to ensure proper seating. It does not meet my initial expectations for a factory magazine and really highlights how Savage falls short in this product category.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality of the Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round is decent, with a robust stainless steel body and a lightweight plastic follower. However, the overall design feels somewhat basic and utilitarian. The magazine is easy to grip and insert into the magazine well, but the need for a firm “slap” to seat it properly detracts from the ergonomic experience.
The magazine is reasonably user-friendly, with no significant learning curve. Loading and unloading are straightforward, and disassembly for cleaning is relatively easy. However, the magazine’s inconsistent reliability and the need for forceful seating detract from the overall user experience.
Durability & Maintenance
Given its stainless steel construction, the Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round should last for many years with proper care. The stainless steel resists corrosion, and the simple design minimizes potential failure points.
Maintaining the magazine is easy – a quick wipe-down with a lightly oiled cloth after each use is usually sufficient. Disassembly for more thorough cleaning is straightforward, allowing you to remove any accumulated dirt or debris. It is a very low maintenance magazine, which is a plus.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round comes with no accessories. There are no customization options available for the magazine itself.
The magazine is designed to work with standard Savage Arms Mark II rifles chambered in .22LR or .17M2, and it’s compatible with most aftermarket accessories designed for those rifles, such as scope mounts and bipods. There is no need for accessories when the magazine does what it is supposed to do.
Pros and Cons of Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round
Pros
- Stainless steel construction offers excellent corrosion resistance.
- Relatively easy to load and unload ammunition.
- Straightforward to disassemble for cleaning and maintenance.
- Compatible with Savage Arms Mark II rifles chambered in .22LR and .17M2.
- Durable design should provide long-term reliability (in theory).
Cons
- Inconsistent reliability, with occasional failures to feed, especially with cheaper ammunition.
- Requires a firm “slap” to ensure proper seating in the magazine well.
- 5-round capacity may be limiting for some shooters.
- Overpriced considering its basic design and performance.
Who Should Buy Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round?
The Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round is perfect for Savage Arms Mark II rifle owners who need a replacement or spare magazine and prioritize durability over high capacity. It might also appeal to hunters in areas with magazine capacity restrictions.
Someone should skip this product if they prioritize reliability and consistent feeding above all else. If that is the case, they may want to look at aftermarket options. Also, people who demand high capacity should look elsewhere.
A must-have modification for this magazine would be some serious tuning and polishing of the feed lips. This might improve its reliability. Also, be sure to use high-quality ammunition.
Conclusion on Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round
The Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round offers decent durability thanks to its stainless steel construction, but its inconsistent reliability and somewhat crude design leave much to be desired. It is a testament to the fact that not all factory magazines are created equal.
At $35.99, the price is difficult to justify given the magazine’s performance. There are likely better aftermarket options available for a similar price.
Personally, I would not wholeheartedly recommend this magazine unless you are specifically looking for a stainless steel, 5-round option for your Savage Arms Mark II rifle and are willing to accept potential feeding issues. Try another magazine first.
If you decide to purchase the Savage Arms Magazine MK II 22LR/17M2 SS 5 Round, be prepared to test it thoroughly with different types of ammunition and possibly perform some minor tuning to improve its reliability. Buyer beware.