Uzi magazine question from a noob

[GWally]

Why does the 25-round mag in front have this extra metal strip/fold in the back that isn't present on the 32-round magazine in the background? Notice the 25-round mag has a star stamped at the bottom.

What's the difference? Which one works in an Uzi SMG, or will both work?

 

[slimshady]

They both work, just different construction methods. The 25s are folded so the seam is in the rear and overlaps making the raised strip. the 32s are folded so the seam is in the front and is a butt joint. The 25s are usually a bit more reliable and should be more durable but other than the feed lips cracking at the rear I have never seen a really "bad" magazine in either capacity.

https://www.uzitalk.com/reference/pages/imimags.htm

 

[GWally]

They both work, just different construction methods. The 25s are folded so the seam is in the rear and overlaps making the raised strip. the 32s are folded so the seam is in the front and is a butt joint. The 25s are usually a bit more reliable and should be more durable but other than the feed lips cracking at the rear I have never seen a really "bad" magazine in either capacity.

https://www.uzitalk.com/reference/pages/imimags.htm

Ah, thanks! I hadn't found that page yet.

 

[Samuel_Hoggson]

Seam takes up some space. I think Dave mentioned the 32s accept cartridges of slightly longer OAL. Never found a factory round that didn't work in my 25s tho.

Like Slim, never encountered a bad one (not counting weak springs) except some really beat IMI 25s with cracked feed lips. My Lula seems to work better with 32s.

 

[chipster]

The 32's do accept a slightly longer cartridge. The 25's are good up to about 1.160, the 32's will go to SAAMI max spec for 9mm 1.169 plus a few thousandths. Useful when loading the xtreme 165gr 9mm.