M16/AR mags: Fully capacity or "down by two"?

[rbernie]

Coming from a crowd that wants the fastest possible tac reloads, I think this is a specious and disingenuous and flippant answer.

I don't think that it is - I think that you're reading it wrong. They're not arguing out of both sides of their mouth - they're saying that any situation that calls for using the majority of your magazine's contents is probably NOT going to reliably be resolved with just two or three more rounds.

If you've gotten to the point where you've expended 20+ rounds, it would seem to be prudent to presume that you'll likely need more than that extra 2-3 rounds that you got into your primary magazine. In that case, the tactical reload is more important than anything else. And if the only way to reliably, consistently accomplish a tactical reload is to use magazines that are downloaded by two - then that's what you should probably have on you.

 

[chopinbloc]

I can't imagine why people who appearently don't really care about making quick reloads are so concerned with having the rifle hold those two more rounds. It seems as if some people are willing to do anything in order to have those two rounds.

i don't think that's the case. i mentioned that we have exactly TWO ar mags in the house that won't easily lock under a closed bolt. those magazines get downloaded. i have a couple of mini-14 magazines that will severely dente the top couple rounds if they are loaded on a closed bolt. they get downloaded as well. the ar magazines are downloaded by ONE round because that is what's necessary to get them to easily seat. when i'm on the range, they still get a full load and they still work perfectly.

i guess the point here is that folks get attached to doing things a certain way and are reluctant to change. many of us have never experienced a problem with full thirty round magazines after many thousands of rounds in varied conditions. some folks have had problems.

 

[Foxtrot427]

Are you suppose to do that with all mags or can orlites or thermolds be filled all the way?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

So, during this lull in the gunfight, you quickly and efficently remove the partially depleted magazine and insert a fully loaded magazine. It is also highly desireable to retain the partially depleted magazine if you can but that is another subject.

I believe if you drop the mag it is called a speed reload. That's how I train (hit mag release and slap in fresh mag, let the empty one fall) but I can see where a tactical reload would be a good idea if you have a few rounds left in the mag that you may need later but want a fully charged gun.

I've never had any problems locking 29 rounds on a closed bolt, but you'd think they'd fix the problem of 30rd mags in the 40 years they've been around!
HK's are nice but I'd rather have 5 29 rounders than 1 30 rounder, and orolites aren't as reliable according to the people who know far more than me on arfcom.