KeepShooting.com’s in-house FN FAL mags, produced under the United Defense LLC label, are an exceptional offering for metric FAL rifle owners seeking high-quality, reliable, and authentic magazines for less than $35. These 20-round steel mags are not only functional and robust, but visually faithful to the original Austrian design. Making them ideal for both practical use and, maybe some day, collection purposes.
FAL Mags First impressions
Out of the box, the magazines provide a precise fit with my metric FAL (DSA) receiver. The magazines seat solidly, and display zero wiggle or play. The quality of manufacturing and adherence to NATO-standard specs is evident. They lock up firmly and reliably activate the bolt hold-open on the last round.
The feed lips are consistent and cleanly machined, ensuring reliable feeding with various types of .308/7.62x51mm ammunition. The steel follower moves smoothly under spring (also steel) pressure, allowing rounds to feed without binding. In testing, I experienced zero issues with double feeds, nosedives, or jams.
Function Check
Loading the full 20 rounds is straightforward, with spring tension firm but not excessive. It strikes a good balance between reliability and ease of use. When unloading, either manually or by cycling the bolt, the rounds eject cleanly, and the follower consistently resets without sticking or tilting. For those who have any experience with aftermarket magazines that aren’t made by Mec-Gar, this is a significant win.
FAL Mags Fit Check
Visually, the magazines are a near match for original FN-manufactured mags. The exterior is finished in a durable black coating that offers a deeper black than my original Belgian military surplus mags, and a much smoother, more pleasant texture than the grey phosphate on my Austrian ones. Details like witness holes along the spine and spot-welded construction reinforce the accuracy in construction. They are difficult to distinguish from period-correct Austrian mags, unless you’re looking at an example of each.
The primary difference between these and genuine Austrian magazines, is that the notch in the rear locking lug is not as deep or wide (and usually gives less of an audible click when seated). Additionally, the recess under the rear lug is abbreviated in length, and more U-shaped than the original’s V-shape. This doesn’t seem to change performance, but I have a feeling someone at a gun show is going to (wittingly or otherwise) offer these as original, unissued Austrian mags for a lot more than $35, and it’s good to know what to look for.
Additionally, the floorplates are slightly different. While the Austrian version sports a protruding hole-in-a-loop of metal at the back, these are flat, with a much smaller hole in the same position. Interestingly, this is much closer to my Belgian floorplates, intentional or otherwise, this serves as the easiest way to distinguish these from original milsurp.
Build Quality & Materials
Constructed from steel, the magazine bodies are rigid and substantial without being overly heavy, just like the originals. The seams are professionally welded, and the feed lips show no signs of distortion even after repeated loading and firing, though they do feel somewhat sharper, and thus perhaps a bit thinner, than my originals.
The finish is applied uniformly, though it does seem to be less durable than I would have expected. This is mostly a cosmetic issue, and doesn’t affect performance or structural integrity, though attention (and a bit of oil) should be paid to the bare steel underneath if you live in a more humid area, as the risk of rust increases without the protective coating.
There are no visible logos or manufacturer markings on the magazine body or floorplate. Internal components are also well-made, and the spring tension has shown to be reliable even after extended use.
FAL Mags — Are They Good?
Overall, KeepShooting’s FN FAL steel magazines represent one of the best modern-production metric mags available on the market today. They offer near-military-spec authenticity, functional reliability, and impressive build quality for $35, which is a competitive price point these days. For shooters who value performance and historical fidelity, but want to save a bit of money and don’t mind the finish being less durable than more expensive offerings, these magazines are exactly what you’re looking for.
