Metric Mags

[Vegaslaith]

What exactly are "Metric Mags"? I saw some FN FAL mags labeled as metric and my first instinct was that they take 7.62 NATO. I just want to be clear on this before I buy. BTW 7.62 NATO is .308 Winchester and the two are interchangable right? (same with 5.56 x 45 and .223 right?) Thanks for the help.

 

[CBS220]

FN FAL mags, be they metric or inch, will take .308 or 7.62X51.

The question is, will your gun take the mags?

Is your gun metric or inch pattern?

 

[Vegaslaith]

I don't have a .308 rifle yet-just wanted to make sure I got the mags first. How can you tell apart mertric or inch pattern guns?

 

[TexasRifleman]

How can you tell apart mertric or inch pattern guns?

First question in the DSA FAQ.....

http://www.dsarms.com/faq.asp

 

[Vegaslaith]

Thanks. Great link

 

[Hoppy590]

donno if you found the answer yet. but it depends on which spec your rifle was made to.

British & its commonwealths unes Inch pattern rifles

where as many other nations used metric rifles

Telling "inch" from "metric":
Metric magazines have a small front locking lug (1/4 inch wide) that is merely punched out of the body of the magazine. Metric magazines also have a slim floorplate that is NOT wider than the body of the magazine. In contrast, inch pattern (British Commonwealth) magazines have a relatively large and beefy (1/2 inch wide) front locking lug that is brazed onto the front of the magazine. They can also be distinguished by their floorplates, which are wider than the magazine body, and have a "button" release on the bottom.

http://www.rawles.to/FAL_FAQ.html

also, i believe most British inch pattern rifles will accept metric mags, but metrics will not accept inch

ustrian Stg-58 rifles accept metric magazines, only
Belgian FN rifles accept metric magazines, only
Israeli FN rifles accept metric magazines, only
Brazilian FN (SAR-48/SAR-4800) rifles accept metric magazines, only
Argentine FN (FM-LSR) rifles take metric magazines, only

Australian L1A1 rifles will accept inch OR metric magazines
British L1A1 rifles will accept inch OR metric magazines
Canadian C1A1 rifles will accept inch OR metric magazines
Indian ("RFI -Ishapore") 1A1 rifles will accept inch OR metric magazines

http://www.rawles.to/FAL_FAQ.html