20 or 30 rounders for AR

For my "normal" usage I much prefer 20. I even have a few 10 round mags that get used often at the range. But I have quite a few 30 round mags if needed.

30s can be funky when you’re prone...

I prefer 20s, as my ARs are only semi-auto ... and they are handier than 30s when firing from a bench.

Are 12 enough for you? You are the only person who can answer that question. Quite frankly, I do not know how many I have, but it is probably somewhat over 100.

I like the look of 20 rounders (and ease of firing from the bench), but realistically for defensive situations have 30 rounders.

What no love for drums? I mean 75-120 rounds beats 30 rounders if they function correctly.

In 5.56, I have 1/0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 60 round mags. Horses for courses.

357smallbore said:

do you think 12 mags are enough?

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Enough for what?

how about 60's? LOL

I use 30's almost exclusively. I don't shoot much from prone.

I think 12 is a good start, but I don't know what you have in mind for uses.

I take 12 to 2/3 gun matches with me.

I like to have at least ten 30 rnd mags available, but I also have 10 and 20 rnd mags for hunting or target work. I also run mostly 20 rnd pmags in my 300 blackout pistols. When hunting I might run a 10 rnd and have a spare 30 in my backpack, for impromptu target practice...

I have so many AR-15 magazines I haven't counted. Most are 30 rnders as I bought them en bulk. But I do have some 20s because they are better in some instances, like sitting at bench or prone.
I also have some 60s, a big fat one, and a drum magazine, mainly just because I can.

I use 10 and 20 pretty much always but I have many many 30 rounders.

It seems that gun enthusiasts who shoot a lot gravitate towards 20 rnd and smaller. I even use a 10 rnd for higher volume hog hunting.

I just stocked up on two more 30s

357smallbore said:

What do you prefer. 20 or 30 round mags for the AR-15? I am one who leans to the 30's

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I have one 20 rd mag. I prefer 30's.

357smallbore said:

And do you think 12 mags are enough?

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Enough for what? Most people use their AR primarily to collect dust in a closet. 12 works fine for that. For my purposes, no, not even close.

While Active Duty Army and carrying an A2 or M4, I liked the 30s in the pouches and a 20 rounder in the gun for getting in and out of equipment, etc. We still had a few 20s available in the arms room even in the trans-9/11 era.

As a civilian, I generally like the 20s for all of my "military style" platforms, keeping the 30s for a rainy day.

Most of my mags are 20 rds. I have a couple of 30 rd mags, but rarely use them. Just find the 20 rounders to be handier.

Armored farmer said:

I just stocked up on two more 30s
View attachment 952054

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I see what you did there, and I like it.

Meeks36 said:

What no love for drums? I mean 75-120 rounds beats 30 rounders if they function correctly.

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This being the key.

I do like having 20 rounders since most single boxes are 20 rds, but most of mine are 30s, and two 10s

20s are the sweet spot of a lot of attributes. Easy to load, not too long when in the gun, slight edge in reliability. (Debatable, I know.)

That said, for a bump in the night gun, load a 30 in case you find yourself with just the one magazine.

I have a few 30 round magazines but I almost never use them.

For shooting off a bench, I have ten round magazines. The extra clearance under the magazine is helpful especially when shooting at prairie dogs.

I got used to shooting with 20 round magazines during service rifle matches. Except for shooting off a bench, they are my preferred magazine size.

lysanderxiii said:

This being the key.

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Haven't had to many chances to use one. The ones I did use where for ny AK and ran fine. It was a pita to load!

I prefer 20s. I do have a small, by most standards, collection of 30s, and I use them occasionally just to keep them limber. I have different plans for the end times than most. A 20 round magpul will suffice. Hard to shoot prone from defilade with a 30.

.455_Hunter said:

While Active Duty Army and carrying an A2 or M4, I liked the 30s in the pouches and a 20 rounder in the gun for getting in and out of equipment, etc. We still had a few 20s available in the arms room even in the trans-9/11 era.

As a civilian, I generally like the 20s for all of my "military style" platforms, keeping the 30s for a rainy day.

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That's exactly what I did... and do. The 20's don't get hung up on stuff as much as 30's do, and particularly in and out of vehicles. When we would draw mags, everyone would rush to get the 30's... and I would mosey up afterwards and have my pick of the 20's...

I wouldn't want more than 20 rounds in 7.62mm...