Why don't you let the rifle rest on the mag?

[Animal Mother]

I've heard from multiple sources that when shooting from a prone position you shouldn't use a 30 round mag to stabilize the rifle. Most people seem to recommend using a 20 round mag in an AR and using a bipod or rifle rest. Why is this?

 

[cleardiddion]

From what I've heard the upward pressure from the mag resting on the ground causes feeding problems which in turn cause your weapon to jam.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Mainly a Urban Legend ---- I have tested both a AR-15 and a SA M1A and at 100 yards --- the group is the same.

 

[taliv]

in prone, the only time i don't use the mag as a monopod is when i need to get lower, which usually involves shooting sideways. (or when NRA/CMP match rules prohibit it) otherwise, if you can get more stable, why wouldn't you?

it's definitely urban legend. if your rifle malfunctions when you try it, get rid of your mags and get good ones.

 

[benEzra]

If you're shooting an AK off a hard surface like a shooting bench or table, resting on the mag can impair accuracy (and dings the heck out of the bench). Shooting prone off dirt or grass, that probably wouldn't be an issue, but then you'd risk getting dirt in the bottom of your mag, which IMHO is a big no-no if you can avoid it.

 

[woodybrighton]

because its a magazine not a ****** rifle rest you lazy ****** see the horizon? start running with the rifle above your head you maggot

 

[Graymutt]

Quote"because its a magazine not a ****** rifle rest you lazy ****** see the horizon? start running with the rifle above your head you maggot " took the words out of my mind.

 

[possum]

From what I've heard the upward pressure from the mag resting on the ground causes feeding problems which in turn cause your weapon to jam.

common misconception, the mag being on the ground will not cause malfunctions. If a mag that you are using is causing malfunctions, and you are using it on the ground, it is a mag issue not an issue with the mag touching the ground.

 

[tacweapon]

I have used my XCR with the mags being used a rest and had no problems. It was even recommended to be done during one the carbine courses, why not make yourself more stable if you can.

 

[possum]

It was even recommended to be done during one the carbine courses, why not make yourself more stable if you can.

this is exactly how i was exposed to it too.

 

[gunmaker2872]

if its's recomended form the course that go for it, but it does seem like it would cause unwanted stress on the magwell

 

[tacweapon]

if its's recomended form the course that go for it, but it does seem like it would cause unwanted stress on the magwell

I can see where you are coming from with this, but I dont think the little bit of pressure that is put on the magazine would cause a problem unless there was a problem already there.

 

[heron]

It's only the weight of the rifle on there, if that. What's that, less than ten pounds? Go push on your bathroom scale with your hand until it reads 10 lbs -- if it can't stand that much pressure, how can it be trusted at all?

 

[Rshooter]

In most situations where the magazine can be used as a stand for your rifle the elevation provided by the magazine is higher than you would normally assume when obtaining your shooting position. If this change to your normal shooting position is not of concern than you are not assuming the same shooting position every time you use your firearm. Is there an issue there? Only you can decide that.

Practice leads to true performance and assuming the same correct shooting position every time you shoot is good practice.

 

[paintballdude902]

biggest problem with the 30 rounders and the prone is mag changes and clearence

a .30 round is darn near inpossible to change without shifting your natural poin of aim much easier to do with a 20 rounder

just easier but alot of people dont know how to use a sling to support the rifle a sling can be just as sturdy as any bipod or sturdier if you know how to use it
and the other is the 30 rounder may get in the way in the prone position when your resting on elbows

 

[HorseSoldier]

Magazine works fine as a rest in the prone with an AR, though generations of basic training recruits were told otherwise along the way -- probably by the same people who told recruits you had to aim for the bad guy's canteen if you were shooting at them with a .50 cal machinegun.