AR 15 Magazines?

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I think they are great for actual fighting mags, but I dont trust the feed lips for long term-storage while loaded unless the cap/covers are also used. The Lancers or metal mags are better for this.

I also actually prefer the straight 20s under most situations. Easier to shoot while prone or from the bench, little lighter, less bulky and easier to maneuver, etc.

The Brownells are good, as are the new Korean steel-bodied magazines which are flooding the market recently (though a tad heavy).

Ive had problems with the C-products mags, and GI surplus aluminum are kinda delicate.

The best thing about the Magpuls is they are cheap enough to stock up large quantities of, and now MAY BE the last chance to do so. If you havent yet, get as many as you can afford- like right now.
 
Magpul is my fav for reliability and weight. We were issued HK mags in the mil that worked well but they were heavy, I still have some. I also have lots of GI mags, which can be sketchy depending on who made them and when.
 
GI aluminum magazines with Magpul followers are excellent.

Pmags are also excellent, though early Pmag generations may fit tight in some lowers. Current generation Pmags should be fine in just about any AR.

I dislike Lancer magazines. The plastic is weak enough that I can squeeze a loaded magazine and keep the round stack from lifting.

The HK mags are heavy, expensive, and the springs seem to wear out faster than even cheap GI magazines.
 
Most of my mags are still in the packaging but I have 14 mags open that get used at the range and are kept loaded the rest of the time. 7 gen 2 pmags, 1 gen 3 pmag, 1 Brownell's, and 5 D&H. Haven't had an issue with any of them, been using them for about 3-4 years with the Gen 2 magpuls being the oldest.
 
So far I really like the 20 rd Thermolds. Magazines are not too long that you can still use them shooting off the bench. Not good for shooting 300 Blk. The larger caliber hangs up on the front of the mag.
D&H metal mags have been good for 300 Blk.
 
I like the Surefeed mags by Okay the best. E2's ideally but their standard mags are good too. I also have pmags, and they're fine. I just like the GI type mags better and the Okay ones seem like really good ones.
 
Just echoing most of what everyone else says....

Love Magpuls.

Half of my mag inventory is 20rd mags... they really do work better 90% of the time, unless you just need max firepower. Yes, the 20's cost more... but they have greater utility.

USGI can be great, or junk. Most have been used and abused. I have a small stash of USGI Colt 20rd mags from The Old Days, which I covet, but I got rid of my 30rd USGI long ago.

As was mentioned, Magpul supply is out there... get 'em while you can, and that's no joke.
 
I will buck the trend I have PMAGs. I was an early adopter and bought some when they first came out (had to return them or parts of them twice due to recalls) I have a hand full of several versions since including some 300 BO specific magazines and they work but I am not a huge fan. I like my aluminum magazine a lot better. I have had too many PMag fail to lock into the gun during a fast reload at a 3-gun or carbine matches and then the first round fired after the reload the magazine falls on the ground. I never have this issue with good quality aluminum magazines. I am not a Magpul hater, all my AR are wearing Magpul MOE+ grips and several have other Magpul furniture. But for magazines I like my aluminum. Except for my Can Cannon, feeding those short blank cartridge the PMag goes seem to work better. I really liked the old NHMTG magazines, especially the straight 20rds, but any of the good government contractor AR magazine has served me well. Lancer magazines are another good magazine I would select before a PMag.
 
I’m always suprised by the volume of actual shooters who prefer the 20rd mags. It’s not the typical American mindset of bigger is better. I agree though, for 99% of the shooting that I have done I prefer the 20rd mags. In my 6.8 I only own 15 rd mags which are the same basic body size as a 223 20rd mag. I’m not certain if I even own a 30rd 223 mag anymore, and if I do it’s a GI mag that has been put in a box and forgotten. Interestingly enough, the metal GI 20rd mags are among my favorite mags and I only have 3 of those. All came to me for free from retired military guys who found them in their stuff and didn’t want them, and all of them have been loaded with blanks when I got them. I still have about 40 blanks, and that’s all I have shot through my new pistol just to test the gun.
 
If I am not playing gun games, I’m generally using old army/navy store Colt 20 round mags. For the calibers that feed from them like .223, 458, 450 and 300blk. I use a mix of stuff for other calibers.
 
I prefer the 20rnd mags over the 30s or more, I can't say I've ever had an issue with a 20rnd but I have with a 30rnd and 42rnd mag plus you can use a vise with a 20rnd but the 30s are too long. I probably have 2 or 3 to 1, 20s vs 30s both plastic and metal, some were issued some were purchased and there are multiple brands, I guess I've been lucky with them being good. Saying that I just purchased 20 30rnd OKay mags for $10ea and he threw in a handful of stripper clips and a couple of spoons. Look around and maybe you can find someone locally that wants to get rid of some
 
Put me in the straight aluminum 20s camp. Both the Brownells and the Okay Industries Surefeed get the job done for me.

I ought to lay in some 30 round mags, but the 20s have always done it for me and RIGHT NOW is the time to get them.
 
I only have PMags and a few Lancers. I too like the 20-round mags, I even run a few 10-rounders. For me it’s a size thing; I don’t ever really need 30 rounds at a time unless I’m at the range just goofing off. 20’s are a good size, easy to handle and still keep the rifle easy to take in and out of the back seat.
 
I prefer P-Mags. They have slightly larger dimensions than GI, makes packing them in the 3 mag GI pouches tough, and they barely squeeze into the GI 2qt. canteen cover. 7 fit, like GI, but you have to grab your first one out of the middle-getting an end one out first is not easy!
I have mostly P-Mags from 10 to 40 round, one each of those, 2 20's and the rest of them 30's and some GI mags also.
 
mcb said:
I will buck the trend I have PMAGs. I was an early adopter and bought some when they first came out (had to return them or parts of them twice due to recalls) I have a hand full of several versions since including some 300 BO specific magazines and they work but I am not a huge fan. I like my aluminum magazine a lot better. I have had too many PMag fail to lock into the gun during a fast reload at a 3-gun or carbine matches and then the first round fired after the reload the magazine falls on the ground. I never have this issue with good quality aluminum magazines. I am not a Magpul hater, all my AR are wearing Magpul MOE+ grips and several have other Magpul furniture. But for magazines I like my aluminum.
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Same here. The only jams I've had have been with Pmags. I guess I'm just unlucky. I use pretty much any STANAG type aluminum mag. Okay, Colt, C-products, D&H, Brownells, Bushmaster, etc. have been fine for me.
 
entropy said:
I prefer P-Mags. They have slightly larger dimensions than GI, makes packing them in the 3 mag GI pouches tough, and they barely squeeze into the GI 2qt. canteen cover. 7 fit, like GI, but you have to grab your first one out of the middle-getting an end one out first is not easy!
I have mostly P-Mags from 10 to 40 round, one each of those, 2 20's and the rest of them 30's and some GI mags also.
Click to expand...
May I suggest a... ahem... mag-pull? ;)
 
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