kennedy
Member
going to pick up an armilite AR-15 in a couple of days, has only 1 10 rd mag with it. Going to a gun show in a couple of weeks and want to buy some hi cap mags, what should I look for? stay away from?
mags for AR-15
- Thread starter kennedy
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Stick to anything USGI, or the new Brownells mags and you should do fine. Make sure you look at the rear of the feedlips to make sure they're not cracked. Most people prefer the green followers over the black ones (newer "anti-tilt" design). Also look at the spot welds on the front of the magazine and make sure they're all still good.
I generally don't pay more than $10 for a used 30 rounder, and $15 for a new in wrap one.
I generally don't pay more than $10 for a used 30 rounder, and $15 for a new in wrap one.
Dave Markowitz
Member
Check out the mag FAQ on AR15.com:
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=17&t=163158
The executive summary is that USGI mags tend to be the best. The most reliable are the old 20 rounders with aluminum followers, next best are GI 30s.
Avoid commericial market steel mags, notably those by USA, which are junk.
Since the AWB sunset some 20 round mags made by NHTMG with black plastic followers have become available. These are made by the same company that makes Okay mags. Okays are one of the USGI makers and is the OEM for Colt. Colt mags = NHTMG with a Colt floorplate and a higher price. I picked up a few NHTMG 20s last Fall for $16 each.
The steel British and Singapore mags are good.
Some people make a big deal about the 30s having the green anti-tilt followers. Unless you're shooting full auto, you probably won't know the difference between them and the older black followers. E.g., I have a couple of Okay 30s that I picked up used during the AWB and which have black followers. I've experience no malfs of any kind with them.
One good thing about M-16/AR-15s is that the price of good reliable mags is low enough so that it shouldn't be tempting to buy crappy magazines in order to save a few bucks.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=17&t=163158
The executive summary is that USGI mags tend to be the best. The most reliable are the old 20 rounders with aluminum followers, next best are GI 30s.
Avoid commericial market steel mags, notably those by USA, which are junk.
Since the AWB sunset some 20 round mags made by NHTMG with black plastic followers have become available. These are made by the same company that makes Okay mags. Okays are one of the USGI makers and is the OEM for Colt. Colt mags = NHTMG with a Colt floorplate and a higher price. I picked up a few NHTMG 20s last Fall for $16 each.
The steel British and Singapore mags are good.
Some people make a big deal about the 30s having the green anti-tilt followers. Unless you're shooting full auto, you probably won't know the difference between them and the older black followers. E.g., I have a couple of Okay 30s that I picked up used during the AWB and which have black followers. I've experience no malfs of any kind with them.
One good thing about M-16/AR-15s is that the price of good reliable mags is low enough so that it shouldn't be tempting to buy crappy magazines in order to save a few bucks.
Bang
Member
The 100 round Beta C is a nice choice. 
Bang
Bang
Matt Sutton
Member
- Joined
- Dec 24, 2002
- Messages
- 154
I recently ordered a few of Brownells 30 round magazines and was very impressed. I paid $12.50/mag. They look and behave just like USGI.
RRTX
Member
The Brownells mags are USGI (OKAY industries IIRC) they just have a Brownells baseplate
P-32
Member
Does Brownells have new 20 round mags? 30's are great for most people but I'm going to be shooting High Power with a WOP upper.
Zach S
Member
I dont know if Triple K magazines have have marks IDing them as triple K mags, but USA mags normally have two holes in the side of the body, one towards the top, and the other towards the bottom, with no markings at all. I've seen sme vendors selling these as USGI magazines, and they should be avoided at all costs.
Most of mine are the orlite 30s, they have to go in a little harder to lock in, but in my experiance theyre pretty reliable. CDNN has been selling them for less than $10 each, last time I looked they were about eight bucks each.
Most of mine are the orlite 30s, they have to go in a little harder to lock in, but in my experiance theyre pretty reliable. CDNN has been selling them for less than $10 each, last time I looked they were about eight bucks each.
HankB
Member
In recent months there have been NIW GI mags with "LaBelle" floorplates coming on the market. These are Teflon-coated, and have green followers. They're reputedly the best (or at least among the best) on the market. Prices should be in the teens.
20-round mags can be a problem . . . many have been refinished so they look new, but they work like cr@p. I've found that new USGI 20-rounders are rather uncommon.
The steel Brit mags are apparently pretty good, but a few (emphasis, a few) people have reported problems. Prices vary widely from the low teens to $30.
20-round mags can be a problem . . . many have been refinished so they look new, but they work like cr@p. I've found that new USGI 20-rounders are rather uncommon.
The steel Brit mags are apparently pretty good, but a few (emphasis, a few) people have reported problems. Prices vary widely from the low teens to $30.
Zach S
Member
I have some of those brit steel mags, they've never failed me, but I havent used them near as much as the colt 20s or the orlites.
Flatfender
Member
I bought 10 of these the other day. Very nice
http://dsgarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=175
http://dsgarms.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=175
yesterdaysyouth
Member
everyone will disagree with me but i have 4 of the 20 rnd USA mags, and they have never given me a problem....
Parruthead
Member
Yesterday while surfing the pawn shop i found myself 4 Okay industry mags for 5 bucks a piece I kinda felt guilty but owell there loss my gain.
Mannlicher
Member
D&H is making most of the decent AR mags these days. Labelle, Bushmaster, DPMS and other brands are all from D&H. Shop around, and you can pick these up for about $12 each. Some are still marked LEO only.
Zach S
Member
Those are collector's items. Hold on to them, they may be worth something someday, lol.
Generally, USA mags arent worth their weight in scrap metal. But they have turned out some real gems. A buddy of mine (who I havent seen in a while) had some for his Mini14 that ran flawlessly.
Sistema1927
Member
20 round aluminum follower GI.
Bushmaster 30 rounders (kind of neat to have them with the "LEO only" markings).
30 round GI surplus with green followers.
Bushmaster 30 rounders (kind of neat to have them with the "LEO only" markings).
30 round GI surplus with green followers.
surfinUSA
Member
The US GIs are supposed to be the best and I've had good luck with them but I've also had excellent service out of used Orlites I bought during the ban. They've always been perfect for me.
VaughnT
Member
Man, am I glad to hear that the Bushmaster mags are good stuff, relatively. I just bought two of the 30rnd'ers to go with my completed lower.
They ran me about $23 per, but they have that "LEO only" inscription which makes them worth it to me. Just love poking that bear in the eye!!
They ran me about $23 per, but they have that "LEO only" inscription which makes them worth it to me. Just love poking that bear in the eye!!
P-32
Member
Vaughnt, You ain't poking no bear....I'm glad the ban is over too.
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