AR-15 Thermold Mags

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Buck Kramer

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Hey guys I just ordered 3 stripped lowers from Palmetto that I got for dirt cheap. I'm not going to build all 3 at once but I would like to have a pile of mags laying around when they are all done. Sportsmansguide.com has 10-30 round Thermold mags on sale for 69.95. This is the best sale I have found anywhere so far. Is this as good as deals get? Where do you buy your mags? And what kind do you use? Thanks guys.
 
I bought one Thermold 20 round magazine at the local outdoors store because they had them for like $6. It didn't feed very well and I gave it away. I don't know if that's common with those mags, but I'll stick with aluminum GI mags and P-mags for my money. I'd rather have three or four magazines that work than ten that don't.

Aaron
 
I found the lips on Thermolds to be quite weak. PSA has D&H manufactured USGI aluminum mags w/ MagPul followers for $10 each. If you just want to stock up and not buy Pmags at $14-$15 each the D&H mags from PSA are one of the best values out there. Bravo Company sells the same mags for the same price, but they're currently out of stock.
 
The Thermolds I've used caused constant misfeeds.

PMAGs are 14.20 each on Midway. Spend the extra for something that works.
 
bought 20 thermold 20 rounders for $1.99 (CDNN special) and havent had a problem with over 600 rounds...have 5 30 rounders and they have worked fine with 150 rounds.

agreed on the feedlips - I would not keep 'em loaded for storage...but I dont
 
I bought some of the 20rd. thermolds for $3 or so recently from CDNN because they were so cheap. Do I like them? No! Its hard to close the bolt on them and the feed lips are not consistent from mag to mag. A pmag looks, feels and functions like gold next to them.

Am I glad to keep them around just because? Yes. I am sure the CA folks wish they could have them. IMHO I would only consider getting the 20rd. ones and at a bargain price with the understanding they are inferior and something you are less likely to use much. I have taken them to range, but have not and will not run them through a course or anything. I also have not filled them to capacity to test for function and am a little skeptical about feeding as it gets full.

The problem I see is most folks are unlikely to test their batch of them adequately compared to their preferred mags be they GI, pmag whatever.
 
Thermolds seem to be decent for poly mags but considering you can get the current USGI aluminum mags with green followers for <$10 each from companies like 44mag.com I've been using those instead of gambling on Thermolds. I do have a few pmags and they are nice but cost a bit more. Haven't had any problems with the GI mags yet. Here's a link http://www.44mag.com/product/d_h_ar15_magazine_black_teflon/223_ar15_magazines
 
CDNNinvestments.com often has 20 round Thermold mags on sale for 2.99, or 9.99 for two mags and a coupler. I believe the 30 rounders are about7 bucks. I have no experience with thermold 30 rounders, but the 20's have been gtg for me. Regardless, keep CDNN in mind, as they routinely have AR mags cheaper than I can find elsewhere
 
not been to impressed with the thermold mags cdnn does have them and many others to choose from think I will probably stick to metal mags from now on.
 
I like the fusil mags from cdnn. I would get a couple of mags and test them on one of your lowers before i buy a pile. I used the thermold and zip ties as a pedal riser on my nephew's gocart.

I have an ar-stoner 20 rounder. Fits great in my keltec, and no name lower. Can't get them to sit properly in a c3 defense or cmmg lower.

They may all be stanag compatible magazines, but they don't all function in my stanag rifles.
 
All mags are hard to close the bolt over. Mil procedure is to use the bolt hold open when loading - which automatically engages when empty, just one of those little pieces of genius Stoner made standard for combat weapons. It even allows mags to fully seat and not fall out.

If you need cheap mags, that's what you get, for range use or practice, it's nice to have them ready to go, and used enough to see which might have problems. Then the great fundamental ethics issue of AR's will present itself: are you concerned enough about your fellow human to crush bad mags, or do you sell the POS to some unsuspecting or uncaring newb?

If you're buying used mags at a gun show, you likely are the recipient of someone else's complete lack of regard. New Thermolds are likely more reliable than used GI.

Although anecdotal, someone ought to report on that. How many of which would be defective out of a dozen?
 
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