AR magazine question

[sappyg]

Though i have plenty of magazines I only use 5 or 6 for the range. They've all done well until recently. Seems like some of the older aluminum GI mags are getting finicky during loading. The rounds don't like to seat well. Needless to say I've have feeding issues.

It's easy enough and cheap enough to just replace the magazine but is there something I can do to keep them running? I'm guessing to start with the followers but is there a preference? The current followers are green and are rocking front to back in the mag body. I think the springs should be fine but how can i know for sure?

 

[X-Rap]

Brownells has upgrade spring and followers kits available, if the feed lips are still in spec (visually undamaged) it's probably worth the trouble to do it.

 

[M1key]

If springs are still good, replace green followers with Magpul no-tilt ones.

M

 

[Mike C2]

Find a feed lip gauge and see if they are still in spec. Or compare to a newer or well functioning mag and tweak to match and try again. And if that doesn't work, then add a new spring at minimum, and the mag-pul follower if they aren't equipped.

 

[rcmodel]

Replace with these kits.

http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...magpul-follower-cs-spring-kits-prod80187.aspx

While the mags are apart, clean and lube with dry lube spray.
http://www.amazon.com/Remington-Rem-DriLube-aerosol-4-Ounce/dp/B0000C50JZ

rc

 

[briansmithwins]

Mags (particularly aluminum mags) are a consumable item, like ammunition.

If you're having feed problems, junk the bad mags and buy new ones. By the time you screw around with new followers and springs you're most of the way to the cost of a new magazine anyway.

BSW

 

[SSN Vet]

I bought my replacement springs directly from Wolffe back when they had the high cap ban debate.

 

[herrwalther]

Replace the follower at minimum. Magpul enhanced followers are the only thing I use in my personal or issued magazines. Follower and spring kits wouldn't hurt either. And if that doesn't fix the feeding issues, chuck them and get fresh magazines.

 

[moxie]

If you haven't done it before, try disassembling the mags and clean out any crud, especially around and under the follower.

If that doesn't help, upgrade to tilt-free as noted above.

 

[Ankeny]

I have several 20 round GI mags from back in the 1960's. I recently replaced the springs with the heavy duty Wolff springs and they are as good as new. Still using the original followers.

 

[1911 guy]

I second the opinion of post #6. For rifles and handguns, magazines are a consumable item. Usually very long service life, sure, but still a service life. Buy some mags for 20 bucks or less (very good ones can be had for that price) and use the old ones for doorstops, target practice or whatever else you can think of. Just keep it away from your rifle.

 

[sappyg]

All this time I thought the green follower mags were the best way to go. They have done well up until now and never really had a tilt issue. The magpul follower looks like it will fix all that.

Even though mags are cheap these days I gotta give the magpul a try. Should make them good as new (almost) for cheap.

 

[strambo]

I disagree about tossing them. Mark them somehow and keep using them as training mags. Ideally, in training you will get malfunctions once in a while, otherwise when will you train malfunctions?

 

[ID-shooting]

I also disagree about tossing them unless they are damaged. I have that are 50 years old the run fine. I have some 30-rd mags that are at least 30 years old. Clean and lube. If that doesn't work, new springs and followers. Stash apres away. Remember, we are never very far away from an attemped magazine ban. There may be a time where "buying a new one" isnt an option.

 

[moxie]

I don't lube mags.

For metal mags, dissassemble, clean inside and out, including springs and metal followers and baseplates with Hoppes #9. Wipe well with soft cloth. Clean plastic followers with warm soap and water. Rinse. Dry. Reassemble.

For plastic mags, disassemble, clean mag and follower and baseplate with warm soap and water. Rinse. Dry. Clean spring with Hoppes as above. Reassemble.

 

[Averageman]

I don't lube mags.

For metal mags, dissassemble, clean inside and out, including springs and metal followers and baseplates with Hoppes #9. Wipe well with soft cloth. Clean plastic followers with warm soap and water. Rinse. Dry. Reassemble.

For plastic mags, disassemble, clean mag and follower and baseplate with warm soap and water. Rinse. Dry. Clean spring with Hoppes as above. Reassemble.

This for the Win!

 

[herrwalther]

I also disagree about tossing them unless they are damaged. I have that are 50 years old the run fine. I have some 30-rd mags that are at least 30 years old. Clean and lube. If that doesn't work, new springs and followers. Stash apres away. Remember, we are never very far away from an attemped magazine ban. There may be a time where "buying a new one" isnt an option.

Most magazine issues with ARs can be fixed by replacing the follower, floorplate, or spring. I would say 99%. The only times I have ever tossed a magazine away was when no replacement would have fixed the issue. Such as a magazine getting run over by a 7ton truck, no replacement part will fix that issue. When I was issued magazines in the military, I would sometimes invest my own money for follower and/or spring replacements to ensure reliability. These magazines were never returned though and always found a home back in my safe.

 

[MIL-DOT]

As has been said already, don't toss the mags unless they're damaged beyond repair. They might sell for big money in the next future hi-cap ban, and a handful of extra mags can be a real deal sweetener when selling a rifle.
I've been given a load of dusty old GI mags twice in the last couple months, and I happily took them (one benefit of living near a major Army base).
Also as has been stated, why bother spending the money and going to the trouble of replacing the springs and followers, when for a little more money, and less trouble, you can just buy new mags. I've seen quality aluminum 30 rounders recently for something like $6.99, and Mag-puls for under $10.

 

[NWcityguy2]

In clean conditions and with a properly gassed AR, green followers aren't a problem. While magazines can be restored for $4-5, when they can be replaced for $6.50, my vote is to replace them.

 

[jmr40]

Make foot rests for your motorcycle out of them. Buy new magazines for your rifle.



The rest of the bike, notice the hand grenades below the handle bars and 50 cal on the gas tank.

 

[sappyg]

Is that one of those new belt fed motorcycles? It definitely solves the magazine issue.

 

[herrwalther]

NWcityguy2[/B]] In clean conditions and with a properly gassed AR, green followers aren't a problem. While magazines can be restored for $4-5, when they can be replaced for $6.50, my vote is to replace them.

I have watched brand new magazines with green followers have feed issues. The follower is a bigger culprit in most feeding issues I have seen compared to magazine damage or spring issue.

 

[dogmush]

Mags are consumable items.

From today on Midway's site, a Magpul follower is $5.65, and a Wolff mag spring is $7.69. A new Pmag is on sale for $10.49.

Brownells has new GI mags for $9.99.

Trash them and get new ones.

 

[bfoosh006]

Moxie is right, try cleaning them first. Even just a good wipe down inside and the follower will help...I f you decide to get them squeaky clean inside...use a drifilm lube and lube inside and the spring and follower.