school me please on AICS mags

[rdnktrkr]

I ordered a Howa 1500 with a MDT chassis and it uses AICS mags and I know nothing about them, I'm looking for another 10rnd and a spare 5rnd, what I've found is it comes with a polymer 10rnd and there could be a problem with some metal aftermarket mags (that can be repaired easily) also it looks like the polymer mags run about 60% of metal but in the AR platform I prefer the metal ones, if it matters I have a 6.5 Creedmoor, this rifle will be used as a target toy only not for competitions but I wouldn't mind going to a competition range and spending a day. I have a couple of questions.

Are the metal ones worth the difference? Where is a good place to look for extra mags? Are there any brands I need to avoid? Magpul appears to be competitively priced and I've heard good things about them in the AR platform, Are they good quality in the AICS platform? Does the metal mags allow more OAL to reloaders allowing more options with bullet jump? Does it matter about the followers, (anti tilt), or do they come ready to go?

 

[jmr40]

My only experience is with my Ruger Predator. I have Ruger 3, 5, and 10 round AI style mags made by Ruger. They have been 100% reliable for me. Of the three, the 5 round mag gets used the most. Even when hunting. To me the 10-round single stack mag is just too long.

I also have one Magpul sold as a 5-round mag, and I actually like it a little better. It has been just as reliable. But the follower has several small "legs" on the bottom side that limit capacity for those areas where hunting rifles are limited to 5 rounds. They are designed to break off increasing mag capacity to 6 rounds where legal. It is only marginally longer than the 5 round mag and I find 6+1 to be enough.

 

[sparkyv]

My experience with AICS magazines is in my RGSR. The 10 round metal OEM mag is bullet proof, but ridiculously large for field carry. The polymer 3 and 5 rounders are excellent and more practical, but I wonder about their long term use reliability. I just don't use my RGSR frequently enough and for long shooting sessions to cause an issue with them.

 

[Jonny2guns]

I have the Magpul AIC mags that I use in my Tikka in 308. They are very reliable. I also use only Magpul in my ARs, never had an issue. I dislike the aluminum AR mags.

 

[Varminterror]

I think you’ve been given bad info if someone claimed metal AI pattern mags would have more issues than Magpul AI pattern mags. The opposite is true - polymer AI mags tend to spit the bit REGULARLY, with very little fouling, while most metal mags will run through dirt, dust, ice, and rain with a smile on their face.

I ended up throwing one of my Magpul 10 round mags into the bushes at a PRS match in Texas 4 years ago, because the follower hung, then sprung half of the rounds out of the mag like a fountain as I pulled the mag to correct the malfunction.

AR pattern polymer mags from Magpul, Hex, and 2A are fantastic, but polymer AI pattern mags, I wouldn’t touch again, no matter what cost savings could be had.

I’ve heard of relatively consistent issues with MDT 10 round mags, but all of my 12rnd MDT mags are the smoothest feeding mags of any I have. ARC mags are a wider stagger stack, so they’re shorter, but they tend to hang in dust, so no go for me there either. The only Accurate mags I have are 5rnd mags, and they’re fine. AICS are the gold standard. I don’t think your Howa is cut for AW mags, but I absolutely love the short profile of AIAW mags - the 10rnd AW mags are barely taller than a 5 round AICS mag.

Here’s a shot I have from another discussion a while back: L to R - blocked 10rnd AIAW, blocked 12rnd MDT, American Rifle Co 10rnd, and standard AICS 10 round, all with Dasher brass pictured for reference. Not pictured are the Accurate Mags and Pmags I have around - haven’t tried to feed Dasher from them, so they weren’t relevant for that topic.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Ive only run metal AI branded mags in my AICS rem 700. They are robust as heck! Been curious about the magpuls but ive got a 5 and 10 rounder already so havent pulled the trigger on a magpul yet

 

[Walkalong]

My single stack metal AICS mags have been great, including the ones with back spacers for 6 Dasher.

My MDT 12 Rd Dasher mags have been great.

I gave away my Magpul plastic AICS style mag.