[Logistar]

Are 4 10-round mags good or is 1 40-rounder better?

I am guessing most people are fond of 20 or 30 rounders. I love to know what you think (and why).

Thanks!

Logistar

[Preacherman]

For the AR, the 20-rounders permit firing from prone without too much difficulty. The 30-rounders make this iffy... With the AK, it was originally designed for 30-rounders, and in my limited experience, they still are the most efficient/least prone to malfunction in this type of weapon.

[Ian]

My 40-round AR mag is a commercial piece of junk that won't funtion if it's loaded with more than abour 20 or 25 rounds. The surplus 30s work fine, though.

[CTgunteacher]

I used to prefer the 20-round AR mag, due partially to the "get low in prone" theory. However, reading a Pat Rogers article convinced me to try using a 30-rounder as a crude monopod when firing from prone. It worked great, increasing my score on a reactive target range, and didn't induce the malfunctions I'd feared. With the mag jammed into the ground, you can actually get pretty low, especially if the ground is at all soft or sandy, and it improves steadiness (at least in my hands).

The 20-rounders remain handier, though, and faster to manipulate for mag changes. Of course, you'll have to change mags more often with a 20 versus a 30-rounder.

Mike

[Sarge]

The 20-round mags are my favorite; I shoot almost 100% deliberate, aimed fire with my SAR-1, and find little need for more ammo than one of these will hold. I particularly like the fact that I can get the gun lower for benched or prone shooting, and they don't interfere with "getting into" the sling in a hurry like the 30+ rounders can.

[Hkmp5sd]

I use 30-rounders almost exclusively in both my AR/M16s and AKs. I do have some 20-round AR magazines, but none for the AK. Although, I like the 20-round magazines in my Mini-14 over the 30-rounders.

[444]

The 30 round mag in the AR/M16 rifle has been the standard for years. When I was in the military in the early 80s the 20 rounders were long gone. I believe the military quit using 20 rounders during the Vietnam conflict. Point being, an argument can be made for "getting low" and I am sure it can be justifed, but the vast majority of guys that use the rifle in harms way are using 30 rounders. Those of us who talk about it are another matter.
I own some 20s and they are very nice for off-hand shooting, but the most practical size is 30 rounds.

[Mannlicher]

For my AK, I have always used thirty round mags. For my AR rifles, I really prefer the twenty round, but I think most of my stock is thirty rounders.

[Logistar]

Thanks guys! I think I will get a few more 30-rounders for the AK. I always have a 10-round mag if I need to sight it in or use a small mag for whatever reason.

Logistar

[Warner]

AK

I totally agree with Sarge above.

Until you've tried a mag like the "tankers" 20-rounder from Hungary, you just can't realize how much more friendly and useable it makes an AK. On a lesser note, it still allows the rifle to retain it's infamous profile 1000% better than the 10 rounders do.

If considering a full-auto fire, I would include more 30 rounders for sure.

What's an AR?

:p

[telewinz]

I plan to get one of those 75 rd drums for my SAR-1 but I think its way too heavy when loaded. Up till recently I've been using 30 round mags for my AK but since getting a 40 rounder, thats all I use. Its only slightly heavier and longer than the 30 rounder but gives 25% more firepower. Good trade-off IMHO. I've used 10 round mags in my SAR1 and Norinco Sporter and they are just fine for "target shooting".

[Sir Galahad]

I looked at it this way. I can get two 30 round AK mags for the price of one 40. For me, the balance on my AK is optimum with the 30.

[CWL]

I only use magazines of a type issued by the military that issued them.

Kalashnikov designed his with a 30-rd.

The AR first had a 20-rd but then issued the 30-rd to keep up with the Russkies.

Anything else falls into 'gadget' category and wouldn't be used for social work.