Braided AR-15 Magazine Spring Report...

[Rubber_Duck]

Hello guys,

I ordered some of these: http://www.midwayusa.com/Eproductpage.Exe/showproduct?saleitemid=239309 .

Has anybody else tried these? I've never seen these mentioned here at THR so I bought a few to try out, and though I'd give a small report on them.


I felt these springs might actually be better than the springs I use now (copper-colored USGI springs, are they chrome-silicon?) and the price was right so I bought a few to upgrade some USGI mags I have along with some Gen. III yellow MagPul followers.

Comparing the springs side by side with standard USGI mag springs, they are the same length, but a bit thicker since the CMMG springs are comprised of three wires braided/twisted together. They also have some kind of ceramic coating to keep rust away, as well as providing 40% more pressure than standard springs, although they don't feel much stronger than the USGI springs when pushing the followers down. After getting the mags back together it was noted that they would not fit 30 rounds. and With 29 rounds they will NOT lock in on a closed bolt. So Down they go to 28 rounds. Bummer.

I was disappointed in this as I would like to keep my ability to fill the mag with 30 rounds AND insert it on a closed bolt.

I noticed CMMG is selling their mags with these springs installed and advertises them as 28-round mags.

As far as function, they were flawless but that may have more to do with the MagPul followers than the springs themselves (and the stock USGI followers/springs were working just fine so the upgrade is more for peace of mind than anything else).

I will either switch back to the USGI springs (and keep the new MagPul followers) or maybe cut a couple of coils off the CMMG braided springs.

 

[jpwilly]

An answer to a question nobody asked.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

People make a big deal about the followers so why not the springs that push them?

 

[MrCleanOK]

Because the springs aren't what stick, and "push it harder" isn't always the answer. If feed lip creep is a problem in USGI mags, I don't want a magazine spring to push any harder than it has to for reliable function. 40% more than USGI seems like maybe a bit much to me, if that number is even accurate.

 

[Onmilo]

I tried the braided wire springs.
Same thing, 28 rounds maximum.
This doesn't concern me because I only load 28 rounds anyway if the magazine may be stored loaded for a while.
If I know SHF then I will top them off.


After about six months I replaced the braided springs with Brownells chrome silicone springs.

I also tried the CMMG stainless steel followers, these are quite good, as good as Magpul followers I dare say of which I also use.
If you use the braided wire springs on the stainless steel followers, you will have to install the spring upside down on the follower or it will not fit right.

 

[rcmodel]

to fill the mag with 30 rounds AND insert it on a closed bolt.

A good number of full GI mags won't lock on a closed bolt without a lot of cussing.
And a good number of them will hold 31 rounds if you try hard enough.

And if you think 30 is bad, try 31 some time.
That makes it totally impossible.

That's why it has been SOP to download by two rounds ever since the M-16 came to be in Vietnam.

rc

 

[bfoosh006]

Rubber Duck, Thank you for the report. I was not aware the said springs were round stealers. I'll stick with the OEM ones.

Again thanks for the info.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

IIRC magpul followers do cost you a round or two. I had to start downloading the mags I installed them on by 1 or 2. I also installed ranger plates on a few though so it might have been the combination.

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Rubber Duck, Thank you for the report. I was not aware the said springs were round stealers. I'll stick with the OEM ones.

Again thanks for the info.

Glad to see you were able to benefit from this thread. I have also switched back to the OEM springs, the braided CMMG springs are not worth the money IMO.

IIRC magpul followers do cost you a round or two. I had to start downloading the mags I installed them on by 1 or 2. I also installed ranger plates on a few though so it might have been the combination.

Strange. I ended up going back to the USGI springs, and I'm using the MagPul followers in conjunction with the MagPul "L" floor plates (they install the same way as the Ranger plates), and I can now load a full 30 rounds and insert the mag on a closed bolt. I think your problem may lie elsewhere (mag body, spring?).

 

[MarineOne]

Thanks for the range report on these springs.

I've thought about spending the cash on them for at least two or three of my magazines just to try it out, but since you're not happy with them I'm pretty sure I won't be either.



Kris

 

[Rubber_Duck]

IMO your money is better spent on some quality chrome-silicon springs.

rubber duck rubber duck in a tub

 

[Onmilo]

Rubber Duck, did you ever try the CMMG stainless steel followers?
These aren't too bad.

 

[Maverick223]

did you ever try the CMMG stainless steel followers?

I think they are great, better than Magpul, and as good as HK followers.

 

[rcmodel]

I haven't tried either product, but I assume the full 30-round mag capacity would still be there if you used the thinner CMMG steel follower with the CMMG springs like they intended.

rc

 

[Rubber_Duck]

Rubber Duck, did you ever try the CMMG stainless steel followers?

I've been meaning to try them but I've been using the MagPul followers for over year with great success and why mess with perfection?

 

[Maverick223]

why mess with perfection

The Magpul followers are great...but...they are not as slick and take up more space than the CMMG followers. I haven't used the CMMG springs, but in theory the twisted spring is superior in design. It offers redundancy, and better compression with less "memory".

 

[Onmilo]

Unfortunately, as I stated earlier,
you will only get 28 rounds in the magazine using the CMMG Follower and braided spring combo.

I now use Brownells chrome silicone springs with the CMMG followers and this combination will load a full 30 rounds.
The follwers are great, the braided springs, not so much.

 

[Albert A Rasch]

Fellows,

I did a review on the CMMG magazine, follower, and springs in February. Review

I found all the components to be well made. As to the braided springs, that they are better made or the same is moot. They're coated for protection, have better pressure characteristics, and they are relatively inexpensive. If the springs you have are fine no worries, if you need new ones, then here is an alternative to look into.

Personally, I liked them. Comparing them side by side to stock springs, you get the "intuitive feeling" that they will work well.

BTW ever since the late 70s I never loaded more than 28rds in my 30rd mags, or 18 in the 20s. Just a habit I guess. Has anyone studied it or is it a carry-over from the Viet-Nam experience? Now I am curious...

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
The Range Reviews: Tactical

 

[Maverick223]

IIRC CMMG states that you can remove a couple of loops from the spring to hold 30/31 rounds if you like. I'm not real big on 30s but I do like to max out my 20 rounders. Personally I don't really understand the need to insert on a closed bolt...I always lock it open anyway.