Rifle Magazines

[Coronach]

I know that all magazines are mechanical devices, and therefor subject to wearing out. However, I'm curious about which types of magazines of the following list are more prone to failures of the magazine body (basically, the part we'll be unlikely to be able to replace if we have another AWB) over extended use. Assume that they would not be stored loaded.

AR magazines- I'm aware that these wear out, and have stockpiled accordingly.

AK mags (7.62x39)

AK mags (5.45x39)

FAL mags (7.62 NATO, metric pattern)

M14 mags (7.62 NATO, milspec)

Basically, I'm just seeing what I should stock up on first (I know the real answer is "all of them"). I already have a dozen of each (or more), but it makes sense to lay in a stash of a few more.

Mike

 

[General Geoff]

If all of the above mags are made of stamped steel, I really can't imagine any of the bodies failing, unless they're subjected to extreme external stress (being driven over by a dump truck, for instance, or being dropped from the Eiffel tower)...

 

[TexasRifleman]

Don't have experience with all of those, but I do have years and years of experience owning and abusing M14 magazines.

Those I don't think will be a problem from the body side of things, they seem to all be hell for stout.

The FAL magazines I own are about the same, they seem pretty heavy duty too, maybe a bit weaker but not much.

So of your list there I'd rank the M14 and FAL pretty close in the "least likely to get caved in" category.

On the other hand FAL mags are so danged cheap that you might as well get more than you need just 'cause you can. I just got a few steel ones for 6 bucks each.....

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I'd figure plastic to fail first followed by aluminum followed by good steel. John Farnam among others has been very specific.

I suspect that high firing rates are as hard on magazine feed lips as high round counts FWIW - but maybe I'm wrong.

It may well be true that more inferior but cheaper individually magazines is the wiser path.

 

[squirrel sniper]

The second the AWB takes effect, your current stockpile of mags will fall apart, so you need to have at least 50 mags for each rifle (Notice I didnt say caliber). And since you'll already be in the store, you might as well get a rifle or two for each mag, which of course means you'll need more mags, then more guns.... It's a beautiful cycle isn't it?






OH NO, I forgot ammo