Extremely Pro Gun
Member
I was just wondering why some people like 20 rounders vs 30 rounders.
Should everyone have some?
Should everyone have some?
20 Round AR mags?
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dispatch55126
Member
I personally like 20rd. over 30rd. mags.
To me, the primary advantage of 30rd. mags is the possibility that they may be banned in the future. For 20rd. mags, one box of ammo fills one mag completely. You can also use them easily off of a bench and sandbags. A 20rd. mag bandoleer also holds 140 rounds vs. the 120 rounds in a 30rd. bandoleer. They are also more compact.
I do own 30rd. mags but they were only used once to ensure their function and haven't been used since.
To me, the primary advantage of 30rd. mags is the possibility that they may be banned in the future. For 20rd. mags, one box of ammo fills one mag completely. You can also use them easily off of a bench and sandbags. A 20rd. mag bandoleer also holds 140 rounds vs. the 120 rounds in a 30rd. bandoleer. They are also more compact.
I do own 30rd. mags but they were only used once to ensure their function and haven't been used since.
rossiscratch
Member
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I like my 20 rd mags for shooting off of a bench. They're also lighter so if you are using a fairly heavy varmint model for hunting and carrying it around a lot you are most likely going to appreciate the difference (and you probably aren't going to need the extra 10 rounds for hunting). I suppose if you are in thick brush or something like that the shorter 20 round mag sticking out may also be a benefit.
That's my opinion anyway.....
That's my opinion anyway.....
bernie
Member
I can get a lower prone with a 20. When actually young and in the field, I always had a GI pouch with 4 20-round mags in it on my web gear. I did get some strange looks from some, but my officers never gave me any flak.
Runningman
Member
I like the 20 rounders because those 30 rounders act like a ridiculous mono pod when shooting off a bench rest or shooting from a prone position.
Schleprok62
Member
I also prefer the 20 rounders... I have 4 of the 30's that I would happily trade for 20's... Aside form the previously mentioned, better for pprone or bench shooting... I just don't care for the look of that much magazine sticking out the bottom... ( shrug ) Just me I guess...
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
Twenty-round magazines are pretty much ubiquitous in High Power competition. None of the courses of fire require more than twenty rounds be fired, and even those are generally loaded singly.
In the world of 3Gun, it can be a good idea to have a twenty rounder or two stashed in your range bag for those times when you have to shoot prone through a port that is low to the ground. (This would be analogous to shooting underneath a car or other obstacle with low ground clearance.)
I've also noticed a rare situation where if you are shooting an AR from an inclined position that forces you to monopod off of the front edge of the magazine that in some instances this will cause 30 rounders to jam. In such a situation, it's useful to be able to toss a 20 round magazine in to avoid that problem.
In the world of 3Gun, it can be a good idea to have a twenty rounder or two stashed in your range bag for those times when you have to shoot prone through a port that is low to the ground. (This would be analogous to shooting underneath a car or other obstacle with low ground clearance.)
I've also noticed a rare situation where if you are shooting an AR from an inclined position that forces you to monopod off of the front edge of the magazine that in some instances this will cause 30 rounders to jam. In such a situation, it's useful to be able to toss a 20 round magazine in to avoid that problem.
Zach S
Member
30 sticks out too far, wont fit in the case or safe as well.
I can get a lower prone with a 20.
This also has it's applications in combat. You have to get that much further off the ground with a 30 rd. magazine.
The main reason they came out with the 30 rd magazine was because of complaints they had 30 rd mags for AKs and we had 20s in Vietnam.
This also has it's applications in combat. You have to get that much further off the ground with a 30 rd. magazine.
The main reason they came out with the 30 rd magazine was because of complaints they had 30 rd mags for AKs and we had 20s in Vietnam.
RockyMtnTactical
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I like having them for shooting prone, but for the most part, I prefer 30 rounders.
Extremely Pro Gun
Member
I guess i will add a few to the stash. 
Maverick223
Member
What dispatch said...FWIW I use 20rnd mags almost exclusively, but keep a couple 30s loaded with SD type ammunition (TAP and HPs).
PandaBearBG
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- Aug 3, 2009
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20 for bench or prone.
kyle1974
Member
30 rounders get in the way and hang down to far for prone shooting, which is how I do about 80% of my shooting... plus... if I can't get it done with 15x 20 round mags, I"m screwed...
Maverick223
Member
Yep, see sig. line...
Winston_Smith
Member
I like 20 round mags for the same reason others have mentioned, prone shooting. They also help pace myself with ammo
Rundownfid
Member
Am I the only on that likes to use the 30 rounders with the magpul as a monopod? I don't have any 20 rounders and will have to pick up a few.
I prefer 30s, but 20s have their uses.
They're useful for applications where you know you'll need <20 rounds (some types of competition, hunting, plinking) and/or you want to get the gun low over a surface (prone w/o magazine monopod, benchng the gun, etc).
Prone with a 30 is only hard if you want to keep the magazine off of the deck, or your forced to prone out on a surface that is elevated right beneath the gun. Magazine monopod works fine, though, and has some real advantages over the traditional prone position. The modern position of getting up onto the stock of the gun (usually combined with mag monopod) is ideal for the 30, especially is you're wearing armor.
Mike
They're useful for applications where you know you'll need <20 rounds (some types of competition, hunting, plinking) and/or you want to get the gun low over a surface (prone w/o magazine monopod, benchng the gun, etc).
Prone with a 30 is only hard if you want to keep the magazine off of the deck, or your forced to prone out on a surface that is elevated right beneath the gun. Magazine monopod works fine, though, and has some real advantages over the traditional prone position. The modern position of getting up onto the stock of the gun (usually combined with mag monopod) is ideal for the 30, especially is you're wearing armor.
Mike
gga357
Member
20s are better for comp. I just like not having a curved mag, they stack better.
Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Guess I'm plebeian - I like a 20 for wandering around with. Seems easier to carry with a few 30s for back-up.
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