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AR-15 Mags
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AR-15 Mags
I feel like I've seen this discussed before, but I can't find it. It may have even been on the old forum or buried in the 13 pages of the MSR topic, so I figured split it out for easier info finding later...
What are the pros and cons to the different mags available such as metal GI mags vs pmags by magpul? I got a couple of each to see what I like better.
What are the pros and cons to the different mags available such as metal GI mags vs pmags by magpul? I got a couple of each to see what I like better.
Phillip Gross- Special Member
- Posts : 2557
Join date : 2013-05-14
Re: AR-15 Mags
Oy, we went over that in depth.
Obviously, Milspec mags have been the standard for 50 years. Putting the newest (gray?) anti-tilt nylon follower helps with reliability.
A problem of metal military magazines is that the feed lips can spread apart if they are fully loaded and left for a long time like that. We were always told to load our magazines 10% below capacity. I keep my spare magazines in my bedroom at 50%, because I figure that they may sit for years like that (other than an occasional trip to the range).
I do not know of any magazines that are rated better than Magpuls. The Magpul Magazines come with a special cap that clips into the magazine, pushes down the top round of ammunition, and takes the stress off of the feed lips.
Magpul magazines were what our soldiers were using in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Military issued a directive prohibiting them -- which they promptly rescinded, when they saw the stupidity of their order.
Promags, I have a couple, and I believe that some people have found the feed lips to be sharp, cut their fingers, and they must round them off using a file or sandpaper. I've heard mostly "Goods" about them, but some "Bads".
"USA Magazines" are JUNK. They're thin, not Milspec, and poorly stamped out. They make their money by people seeing magazines at a cheap price, they purchase a couple, and learn how bad they are. If you have any USA Magazines, mark the bottom with a piece of red tape, and use them for Malfunction Drills, because you will get some.
Obviously, Milspec mags have been the standard for 50 years. Putting the newest (gray?) anti-tilt nylon follower helps with reliability.
A problem of metal military magazines is that the feed lips can spread apart if they are fully loaded and left for a long time like that. We were always told to load our magazines 10% below capacity. I keep my spare magazines in my bedroom at 50%, because I figure that they may sit for years like that (other than an occasional trip to the range).
I do not know of any magazines that are rated better than Magpuls. The Magpul Magazines come with a special cap that clips into the magazine, pushes down the top round of ammunition, and takes the stress off of the feed lips.
Magpul magazines were what our soldiers were using in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the Military issued a directive prohibiting them -- which they promptly rescinded, when they saw the stupidity of their order.
Promags, I have a couple, and I believe that some people have found the feed lips to be sharp, cut their fingers, and they must round them off using a file or sandpaper. I've heard mostly "Goods" about them, but some "Bads".
"USA Magazines" are JUNK. They're thin, not Milspec, and poorly stamped out. They make their money by people seeing magazines at a cheap price, they purchase a couple, and learn how bad they are. If you have any USA Magazines, mark the bottom with a piece of red tape, and use them for Malfunction Drills, because you will get some.
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Claymore- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
Thank you sir! I do remember a good conversation about them, but couldn't find it. That's exactly what I was looking for.
Phillip Gross- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
Also, Tapco's are toy magazines. If you want to have a couple to play with, fine, but leave them in your Practice Box.
_________________
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Claymore- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
Is there anything that makes loading the mags easier? A speed loader came in the ammo can along with all the 10 rnd stripper clips, but it takes a good bit of force to push them down. I'm fine with it, but was curious if there is anything out there to help younger people and/or ladies with less hand strength to load mags.
Phillip Gross- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
_________________
"Rangers Lead the Way"
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"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
Perfect! Have you used them?
Phillip Gross- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
Only the single-round types for Uzi and Sten Submachineguns. They were hideously slow: put it on, push down the top round, load another round, come up, then push down the round that you just loaded.
5 minutes to load the magazine: 6 seconds to empty it.
Once you get used to it, the regular Milspec "spoon & stripper clip" loader for the M-16 worked well for me.
Put the spoon on the empty magazine, put the stripper clip of ammunition in the slot of the spoon, put the base of the magazine against your chest with the point of the bullets facing down, then lay both hands over the brass casings (as close to the stripper clip as possible) & rapidly "pull" toward your chest, & the stripper clip is empty.
With a bit of practice, you can load a 20-round magazine in about 6 or 7 seconds.
5 minutes to load the magazine: 6 seconds to empty it.
Once you get used to it, the regular Milspec "spoon & stripper clip" loader for the M-16 worked well for me.
Put the spoon on the empty magazine, put the stripper clip of ammunition in the slot of the spoon, put the base of the magazine against your chest with the point of the bullets facing down, then lay both hands over the brass casings (as close to the stripper clip as possible) & rapidly "pull" toward your chest, & the stripper clip is empty.
With a bit of practice, you can load a 20-round magazine in about 6 or 7 seconds.
_________________
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"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
By the way, if you want Mil-Spec metal magazines, here is a pretty inclusive list of companies that manufactured them. So you would look for one of these names on the floorplate. They may not be the Absolute Best thet money can buy, but they are the Military Standard:
Adventureline
Bushmaster (BFI)
Center Industries
Colt
D&H
DPMS
FN
HK
NHMTG
Okay Industries
Parsons
Simmonds (Universal)
Sterling
Adventureline
Bushmaster (BFI)
Center Industries
Colt
D&H
DPMS
FN
HK
NHMTG
Okay Industries
Parsons
Simmonds (Universal)
Sterling
_________________
"Rangers Lead the Way"
18Z, 11B4X
"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
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Join date : 2013-05-17
Location : Northern Mississippi
Re: AR-15 Mags
Oops on my first post in this thread.
I said that the feed lips on ProMags can be sharp. Those were AR-Stoner Magazines.
ProMags/PMags ARE Magpul magazines and are Top Shelf.
As Obama would say, "I'm sorry, if you mis-understood what I said".
I said that the feed lips on ProMags can be sharp. Those were AR-Stoner Magazines.
ProMags/PMags ARE Magpul magazines and are Top Shelf.
As Obama would say, "I'm sorry, if you mis-understood what I said".
_________________
"Rangers Lead the Way"
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"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
That's right!! It's the listeners fault....
Did you ever think we'd see anything like this in America?? Reminds me of all the doublespeak found in books like "1984" and in nonfiction in "Mig Pilot".
Did you ever think we'd see anything like this in America?? Reminds me of all the doublespeak found in books like "1984" and in nonfiction in "Mig Pilot".
Phillip Gross- Special Member
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Join date : 2013-05-14
Re: AR-15 Mags
Phillip, you & Dan are pretty good at connecting the dots.
_________________
"Rangers Lead the Way"
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"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
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Re: AR-15 Mags
And what is most maddening to me is that it seems to be incomprehensible to so many sheeple! Of course, I do talk with a lot of people who are either starting to, or already have woken up.
Phillip Gross- Special Member
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Join date : 2013-05-14
Re: AR-15 Mags
I thought you had read reviews that said promags kind of work and were junk?
My brother inlaw was over Christmas day and I showed him my two metal mags. He said he and others would duck tape them together upside down for quick reloading in Iraq. Claymore, would you recommend duck taping mags together? I am thinking of super gluing the two metal mags together upside down. Is that a good idea?
My brother inlaw was over Christmas day and I showed him my two metal mags. He said he and others would duck tape them together upside down for quick reloading in Iraq. Claymore, would you recommend duck taping mags together? I am thinking of super gluing the two metal mags together upside down. Is that a good idea?
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
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Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Re: AR-15 Mags
I would worry super glue might pop apart at just the wrong time after being jarred around. Duct tape is the ticket (IMO) if you're going to do it at all.
If you don't like the look of tape and want it to really stay for good, use JB Weld.
If you don't like the look of tape and want it to really stay for good, use JB Weld.
Phillip Gross- Special Member
- Posts : 2557
Join date : 2013-05-14
Re: AR-15 Mags
I don't have welding gear.
This would be for cosmetic purposes but is it ok to paint the mags black?
This would be for cosmetic purposes but is it ok to paint the mags black?
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
GMA #83 Potomac Dist-#2366 Nat'l
"Be Ready, It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
FCF Frontiersman 9/91
Free Trapper 2016
Training Seminars/Camps:
LTC LMA 5/94, Ranger Basics 1/05, LTA LMA 5/05, NTC IL 5/09, WCO 10/09, ICS 4/10, RKTC 7/10, Ranger Essentials 8/10, NRMC 10/11,
Outpost Leader Advancement Levels:
LMA-Advanced 10/11, MoE 2012-092
RR v1.0
Lima
Golf
Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Re: AR-15 Mags
JB Weld is a two part epoxy!
Yankees.....
Yankees.....
Phillip Gross- Special Member
- Posts : 2557
Join date : 2013-05-14
Re: AR-15 Mags
RRCmdrBennett wrote:I thought you had read reviews that said promags kind of work and were junk?
My brother inlaw was over Christmas day and I showed him my two metal mags. He said he and others would duck tape them together upside down for quick reloading in Iraq. Claymore, would you recommend duck taping mags together? I am thinking of super gluing the two metal mags together upside down. Is that a good idea?
I said that USA Magazines are Junk.
I then said that there were mixed reviews about ProMags, and that the feed lips could be sharp.
I then corrected myself, saying that I was thinking of AR-Stoner Magazines with the mostly positive reviews and sharp feed lips, and I said that "Promags are Top Shelf".
Reson being, I always think of "Magpuls" as "Magpuls", and not "Promags".
Insofar as taping magazines together....they thought of that during the Viet Nam War. There are a couple of problems. With the 20-rounders, if you had the magazines overlapping too much, they wouldn't go into the magazine well. Also, I learned that when you are hand-carrying a rifle all day, it is a lot more comfortable to have that extra weight on your equipment harness than carrying it for 12 hours.
Think about it. I carried the M-16E1 - empty weight 6.5 pounds. Weight with a loaded 20-round magazine = about 7.4 pounds. If you tape 2 magazines together, you have about 8.3 pounds. So you have increased the weight of what you are carrying by 12%: for what?
I would opt to keep a 20-round magazine in my rifle, and not have to carry the extra .4 pounds of a 30-rounder all day. If you think that you're coming into a danger area, it only takes a couple of seconds to switch that for a 30-rounder. Also, it is much easier to navigate through jungle vegitation with a 20-rounder than with a 30-rounder.
_________________
"Rangers Lead the Way"
18Z, 11B4X
"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
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Join date : 2013-05-17
Location : Northern Mississippi
Re: AR-15 Mags
Good point Claymore.
Philip,
Philip,
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
GMA #83 Potomac Dist-#2366 Nat'l
"Be Ready, It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
FCF Frontiersman 9/91
Free Trapper 2016
Training Seminars/Camps:
LTC LMA 5/94, Ranger Basics 1/05, LTA LMA 5/05, NTC IL 5/09, WCO 10/09, ICS 4/10, RKTC 7/10, Ranger Essentials 8/10, NRMC 10/11,
Outpost Leader Advancement Levels:
LMA-Advanced 10/11, MoE 2012-092
RR v1.0
Lima
Golf
Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Stipping art or function
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
GMA #83 Potomac Dist-#2366 Nat'l
"Be Ready, It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
FCF Frontiersman 9/91
Free Trapper 2016
Training Seminars/Camps:
LTC LMA 5/94, Ranger Basics 1/05, LTA LMA 5/05, NTC IL 5/09, WCO 10/09, ICS 4/10, RKTC 7/10, Ranger Essentials 8/10, NRMC 10/11,
Outpost Leader Advancement Levels:
LMA-Advanced 10/11, MoE 2012-092
RR v1.0
Lima
Golf
Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Join date : 2013-05-15
Age : 47
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Re: AR-15 Mags
I was at Dunham's the other day looking for a dry box and car pistol safe. I browsed the AR-15 magazines. I saw some pro-mags and Tapco Intrafuse. Has anyone heard of Tapco and are they good?
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
GMA #83 Potomac Dist-#2366 Nat'l
"Be Ready, It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
FCF Frontiersman 9/91
Free Trapper 2016
Training Seminars/Camps:
LTC LMA 5/94, Ranger Basics 1/05, LTA LMA 5/05, NTC IL 5/09, WCO 10/09, ICS 4/10, RKTC 7/10, Ranger Essentials 8/10, NRMC 10/11,
Outpost Leader Advancement Levels:
LMA-Advanced 10/11, MoE 2012-092
RR v1.0
Lima
Golf
Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Join date : 2013-05-15
Age : 47
Location : Ohio
Re: AR-15 Mags
Reviews from Midway USA, Ref. Tapco AR-15 Magazines:
12/22/2013
1.0
Dont buy
By Will
from Pettis Co, MO
About Me Law Enforcement
Site Member
Not good and embarrassing at the same time. Went to a two day patrol rifle course, and took 3 of these mags for the course to see how they would perform. For rapid fire all the mags demonstrated they could not handle it resulting in double feeds, EVERY TIME! Switched to steel mil-spec mags for the remainder of the course no issues. It was commented by the instructor, "Oh TAPCO mags, not so good, they have a tendency not to feed correctly". Enough heard I gave him my TAPCO mags on what not to buy for future LE students. If your LE don't buy this mag, especially if use your AR for LE duty, where literally your life is on the line. So for me, it was lesson learned, Steel Mil-Spec, or Magpul for me.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
11/7/2013
3.0
these are 20 round mags, not 30
By Tim the Patriot
from Allentown, Pa
About Me Collector, Enthusiast, Homeowner, Hunter
Site Member
The feed spring being a simple spring increases resistance with each round loaded (and that tends to be around 20 rounds) until it just stops. If you try to continue loading, the "anti-tilt" follower will just freeze and jam up the whole mag so it will not feed. I have tried polishing and lubing the follower, reducing friction on the rounds and the spring, but the design is simply limited. Use 20 and under and you're fine.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
10/20/2013
3.0
Great looking product
By Ed
from Ohio
Site Member
Very solid mag. Very stiff spring that should provide long life.
Had two failure to feed stoppages with a new mag that were only loaded w four rounds. I was able to duplicate the malfunction w another ar. I think the follower may have bound in the mag tube. Full mags cycled fine.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
12/22/2013
1.0
Dont buy
By Will
from Pettis Co, MO
About Me Law Enforcement
Site Member
Not good and embarrassing at the same time. Went to a two day patrol rifle course, and took 3 of these mags for the course to see how they would perform. For rapid fire all the mags demonstrated they could not handle it resulting in double feeds, EVERY TIME! Switched to steel mil-spec mags for the remainder of the course no issues. It was commented by the instructor, "Oh TAPCO mags, not so good, they have a tendency not to feed correctly". Enough heard I gave him my TAPCO mags on what not to buy for future LE students. If your LE don't buy this mag, especially if use your AR for LE duty, where literally your life is on the line. So for me, it was lesson learned, Steel Mil-Spec, or Magpul for me.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
11/7/2013
3.0
these are 20 round mags, not 30
By Tim the Patriot
from Allentown, Pa
About Me Collector, Enthusiast, Homeowner, Hunter
Site Member
The feed spring being a simple spring increases resistance with each round loaded (and that tends to be around 20 rounds) until it just stops. If you try to continue loading, the "anti-tilt" follower will just freeze and jam up the whole mag so it will not feed. I have tried polishing and lubing the follower, reducing friction on the rounds and the spring, but the design is simply limited. Use 20 and under and you're fine.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
10/20/2013
3.0
Great looking product
By Ed
from Ohio
Site Member
Very solid mag. Very stiff spring that should provide long life.
Had two failure to feed stoppages with a new mag that were only loaded w four rounds. I was able to duplicate the malfunction w another ar. I think the follower may have bound in the mag tube. Full mags cycled fine.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
_________________
"Rangers Lead the Way"
18Z, 11B4X
"The last thing that I want to do is to hurt you,...................... but it's still on the list."
Claymore- Special Member
- Posts : 2765
Join date : 2013-05-17
Location : Northern Mississippi
Re: AR-15 Mags
I'll stick with Pmags, Promags, or GI mags.
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
GMA #83 Potomac Dist-#2366 Nat'l
"Be Ready, It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
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Training Seminars/Camps:
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Outpost Leader Advancement Levels:
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Lima
Golf
Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Re: AR-15 Mags
I will say this COMMAND ARMS MAGS SUX!!!! One shot and jam. Used other mag from same company one shot and jam!!! For me its either Pmag or GI mags they cycled perfectly no errors. Two strikes for alleged AR-geek from Gander Mtn! When I see him he's going to hear it! I'm thinking of taking the mags back and dropping them on the counter and letting them know and anyone in earshot that they are junk!!!!!!!
_________________
Dan Bennett
Sr Commander (2007-2016)
N Central Area Communications Coord, CI (2016)
Outpost #215, Ohio District :flag:
GMA #83 Potomac Dist-#2366 Nat'l
"Be Ready, It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark."
FCF Frontiersman 9/91
Free Trapper 2016
Training Seminars/Camps:
LTC LMA 5/94, Ranger Basics 1/05, LTA LMA 5/05, NTC IL 5/09, WCO 10/09, ICS 4/10, RKTC 7/10, Ranger Essentials 8/10, NRMC 10/11,
Outpost Leader Advancement Levels:
LMA-Advanced 10/11, MoE 2012-092
RR v1.0
Lima
Golf
Bravo
RRCmdrBennett- Moderator
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Join date : 2013-05-15
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Re: AR-15 Mags
ya don't but civilian mags only get Military magazines rest are junk, not as much durability built in them
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