30-rd AR magazines at full capacity?

[BerettaNut92]

I have some buddies that load 28 rounds into their ARs because they jam with the full 30 rounds.

Are they using cheapo magazines, or should they be downloaded as a rule?

Are Colt factory magazines with the green followers any good? Thermold?

 

[Chris Rhines]

I've found that loading 28 rounds in a 30-round AR magazine makes it much easier to seat the magazine during reloads. This was with USGI 30s in very good shape.

- Chris

 

[cheygriz]

I have always loaded my 30 round magazines to full capacity, and never had a problem with them. All of my AR-15 magazines, both 20 and 30 rounders are either Colt, Adventure Line (GI) or Sterling.

I think that practice got started in WWll, because some submachinegun magazines(most notably the Sten) would jam if loaded to full capacity.

 

[Robby from Long Island]

I use Thermold magazines for my AR-15. I always load 18 instead of 20 and 38 instead of 40.

Have heard in the past that you can accidently chamber a round if you load to the max on some magazines. As I've noticed strong resistance on occasion when seating magazines, feel it makes sense to leave a little room to properly seat them. JMHO.

Safe shooting.

 

[Jeff White]

There is no need to download AR15/M16 USGI Magazines

You can load them to capacity with no reliability problems. You can over load them (21, 31) and that WILL cause jams.

Many instructors advocate downloading the magazines because they are easier to insert on a closed bolt if the spring has more room to compress. If you slap them into the mag well you can insert them fully loaded with no problem.

I have been told by a reliable person that the 18 in a 20 started in the early days of Vietnam when 5.56mm ammunition wasn't issued on stripper clips. The NCOs had the soldiers download the magazines to prevent them from over loading the magazines.

Jeff

 

[PUMC_TomG]

Our AMOI always taught us to download the mags to 28 rounds...

I suppose it varies from person to person.

 

[Destructo6]

I've always loaded mine to the max and haven't had any problems.

 

[SIGarmed]

Some military people only load 25 in the 30 round mags because of reliability issues having to do with the spring tension. Its not uncommon just to be one the safe side when your life is at stake and you want your gun to go bang.

 

[Fed168]

What Jeff said.

 

[Ryder]

25/30 for me too

I don't want to over-compress the springs and I like that they seat easily. Hopefully I can forever avoid experiencing these double feeds I've heard about.

I just got some of the Colt factory mags you describe (30 round aluminum w/Green follower.. Haven't had many rounds through them yet, but I've ran them all without misfeeds. 3 of 4 are a tight enough fit in my Bushy that they won't drop free using only the release button and need yanking. A couple of these had to have the floor plate tweaked for it to stay in place. They seem dimensionally stiff and solid.

I like em well enough to not use as targets.

 

[BTM]

Load 18 in a 20 and 28 in a 30 to prevent bolt over base overide= Bad Stoppage. I have full without problems, but now I am convinced after seeing it. It can happen with any mag, I won't take the risk for two more rounds.

 

[Swamp Yankee]

I've experienced no problems with Colt or USGI 20 0r 30 round mags loaded to full capacity in any lower that I've owned.
I have had several Orlite 30 round mags that function fine but seem to swell when fully loaded making them a little tight going into the mag well on a couple of my Bushy lowers. They work fine, just tight going in. The Orlite 30 round mags work fine with no issues in my ASA and Colt lowers.
Take Care

 

[Gary G23]

I've never had a problem with USGI mags with green followers. Only reason I would download would be to make it easier to get mag seated.

 

[Nero Steptoe]

The green followers were designed specifically to cure the "must load 28 rds." problem. I've fired thousands of rounds through my Bushy, all mags having been fully loaded, with no stoppages of any kind.

I use Thermold, G.I. 30/20 rd. mags. All my 30-rd. G.I. mags have green followers and Wolff x-tra power springs.

 

[Soap]

I agree with Jeff. I just load to full capacity and give them a good slap when seating the mag with the bolt closed. I've never had any hiccups yet.

 

[Bottom Gun]

Fill them up all the way. That's what they were designed for.

 

[SodaPop]

Every gun I own gets loaded to full capacity. If it jams on 30rds something needs to be fixed. I have a feeling the feed lips are too tight. If the gun jams on the first couple rounds I know how to fix it. If the gun jams on thelast couple rounds is usually a bad follower.

 

[ajacobs]

I agree about loading to full capacity. The only time I don't is if they are going to be stored for an extended period. Then I download. Dowload= less spring tension= less likely to spreat the feed lips.

 

[Bainx]

28 rounds in a 30 round capacity magazine.
Yet, one more "glitch" with the celebrated Poodle Gun.

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

I'm with a feel others on this board who load to full capacity when out on the range. However, I load a few to 20-25rds to be gentle on the magazine spring.

In all honesty, the only malfunctions I have ever encountered with my AR15s were due to my own handloads. The USGI magazines, both 20 & 30rd have worked flawlessly.

Jim T.

 

[ether]

Bainx - great synopsis...you really know what you're talking about

I've never had a problem loading 20's or 30's to full capacity. However, I heard that 20's were often loaded to 18 rounds for reliability reasons...supposedly, since the 20 rounders are straight (versus curved like the 30's), 18 rounds was the safest maximum capacity that would help ensure reliablity. I really have no idea if that's true or not. I've never heard a logical reason for downloading the 30's. You'll have more trouble inserting any magazine if it's loaded to capacity.