Aluminum M-16/AR-15 Mags Bad?
Just looking for opinions here. Regarding whether M-16/Ar-15 Aluminum Magazines are really good enough for the way they are used by people like me. Meaning that when I buy one, I take care of it and plan on keeping and using it for life. Plus, I will leave several of the Aluminum mags almost fully loaded (15 rounds in a 20 round mag, 20 rounds in a 30 round mag) and laying around for quick and easy use.
Anyway, here is where I would appreciate opinions. I am no expert on guns and accessories but I do know what I have seen with my own eyes and I fully capable of reading other people opinion, at least the ones who make sense.
For years I have mentioned to my fellow shooters that the mil-spec aluminum M-16/AR-15 mags don't seem like the really belong with the rifle. The aluminum mags have always feel just too light, flimsy, ever "cheap" to me. The mags dent and deform easily. I have always known that even the best plain Aluminum is a weak, brittle metal. When a 30 round magazine is fully loaded, I hate to think about all the pressure that is constantly pushing on the mag feed lips as well as those four relatively tiny tabs on the bottom of the mag holding the floor plate against tremendous pressure.
So now I read a report about the original reason for the aluminum mags. They were designed to be used once and then discarded. Meaning that the troops would not even load their mags until they were ready to go on a mission (or otherwise had a need for a loaded firearm) and therefore the mags would not set around fully loaded because over time that would deform and weaken the feed lips. Plus, the mags were not in service long enough to collect a lot of dents or otherwise suffer from abuse.
So, I am thinking about stocking up on all steel mags and/or polymer mags.
Any thoughts, advice on what steel/polymer mags to buy/avoid?
Lots of good info. Thanks everybody
Anyway, here is where I would appreciate opinions. I am no expert on guns and accessories but I do know what I have seen with my own eyes and I fully capable of reading other people opinion, at least the ones who make sense.
For years I have mentioned to my fellow shooters that the mil-spec aluminum M-16/AR-15 mags don't seem like the really belong with the rifle. The aluminum mags have always feel just too light, flimsy, ever "cheap" to me. The mags dent and deform easily. I have always known that even the best plain Aluminum is a weak, brittle metal. When a 30 round magazine is fully loaded, I hate to think about all the pressure that is constantly pushing on the mag feed lips as well as those four relatively tiny tabs on the bottom of the mag holding the floor plate against tremendous pressure.
So now I read a report about the original reason for the aluminum mags. They were designed to be used once and then discarded. Meaning that the troops would not even load their mags until they were ready to go on a mission (or otherwise had a need for a loaded firearm) and therefore the mags would not set around fully loaded because over time that would deform and weaken the feed lips. Plus, the mags were not in service long enough to collect a lot of dents or otherwise suffer from abuse.
So, I am thinking about stocking up on all steel mags and/or polymer mags.
Any thoughts, advice on what steel/polymer mags to buy/avoid?
Lots of good info. Thanks everybody
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Even the GI mags that were meant to be disposable will take a lot of abuse. You should have seen the boxes of abused mags we used on the shooting range at basic training.
I think the quality of the mag is more important that the material it is made of.
I know lots of people love the HK steel mags but the Polymer Pmags is really where it is at. One of the funny things I caught on this was on TV (yeah I know, TV). There was an HK rep with a fully loaded HK 416 (HK piston M16) with every light/laser/optic you could think of showing off how good this gun was. He had a Redi Mag holder on the gun so he had 2 mags in the gun. Well he was using Pmags...........0 -
I've always had good luck with the aluminum ones but will probably buy some Pmags as they are the new craze. Fortier, of Shotgun News, recently did a test on a bunch of the various new mags. He posted some of the results over at AR15.com.
http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=959825
I read recently that Bushmaster brand mags have been splitting at the seems. I'd like to try some of the new Bronelle's contract aluminum mags. Heard good things about them.0 -
Mil-spec mags are probably the best. If they were one time use, there would be no such thing as loose ammo or stripper clips. They would be made from alot cheaper materials also. The crappiest magazines I've ever had were steel USA brand magazine. They were made of a soft steel and the feed lips bent out of spec after little use. I have surplus military m-16 magazines that have literally been reloaded hundreds of time and are as old as I am. Don't forget, you upper and lower reciever on your AR are aluminum also...
My favorite Mil-Spec mags are the OKay and Center Industries. Also the Hartford, CT ones, because they are the same ones made for Colt, just missing the pony stamp.0 -
Think about this from the standpoint of use in combat by a GI- You are running, and drop down, and unintentionally slam your mag against a rock. The mag is made of Titanium Unobtainium Carbide- tougher than a cheerleader's heart. Will not bend, break, crack, deform, or even change it's mind. So..... what broke when you slammed into the rock? Um- that would be your RIFLE- remember all dat aluminum rifle? Bad ju-ju. GI mags have been reloaded and reloaded to infinity and beyond. Whole purpose of stripper clips and adapters. 0 -
I think the GI mags are excellent as well, the only thing I've noticed is that if left loaded too long they can get a little wide at the lips, usually not a feeding issue, but will no longer fall freely from rifle.
Don't overlook the Pmags, issues to many troops in Iran and Afghanistan. Load very easy and have that top clip that keeps pressure off the lips. I always have at least 2 loaded at all times next to my rifle. (I guess I am a right wing extremest)
I have never had a feed issue with Pmags or GI mags. Okay/colt or Brownells manufactured. I do also have 2 C-products 20 rounders for target work that have worked excellent as well.0 -
quote:Originally posted by tr fox
Just looking for opinions here. Regarding whether M-16/Ar-15 Aluminum Magazines are really good enough for the way they are used by people like me.
Look, no magazine is going to last forever. With enough stress, ANY of them can fail.
For casual or even "serious" use, ordinary aluminum mags are fine. The boys in the sandbox don't seem to have problems with GI mags, and they're getting the "real world" high stress treatment in sandy environments.
Yeah, there probably are high-tech polymer mags that MIGHT be more impact resistant than aluminum ones, and maybe keep out dirt better, but I can say that so long as they aren't abused ordinary aluminum body mags are reliable and will last a LONG time.
A few tips on using them that may help:
a. Mags with anti-tilt followers are a good idea. (I think most have these now).
b. If you underload standard 30-round mags to 28 or 29 rounds they'll be more reliable. Stuffing them up to 30 stresses the spring and also causes a slight bulge in the mag body. The "tightness" of the 30th round can also cause feeding problems on charging. SOP in many places is to load up 28 rounds.
c. When inserting the magazine, INSERT it then pull down on it gently to make sure its locked into place. . .don't "slam" it in. "Slamming" it can stress the mag lips, and more important, can also knock loose rounds from the top, causing jams.
d. MOST IMPORTANT: Realize that mags CAN and MAY wear out with use. Check the integrity of your mags every so often, and discard any that don't function or are suspect.0 -
Not a thing wrong with aluminum mags if you take care of them.
I have a couple of P-mags and like them. It looks like the H-K mags that fit AR are very good also. I use my 20rd. GI mags the most.0 -
It may have simply been SOP to use new mags on combat missions due to the very high cost of a jam. That wouldn't necessarily mean they were designed for only one use.
I think those steel mags bent because they were made from thinner stuff. Thinner things bend easier. The design was for an aluminum or magnesium mag. They should have put little reinforcing ridges in the feed lips like the ejection cover has.
many grades of aluminum are stronger than mild steel, btw.
I've seen a few 30 rounders which were gold colored under the finish which was starting to rub off. I think that means they were magnesium.0 -
Get as many as you can. They will be in service long after you are. 0 -
I feel MAGPUL's P-MAG is the best because they never seem to fail. Some appear to have stainless alloy springs. The rounds flow up & down with very little drag. Never been able to ding/dent one yet and come with a lock on dust cover at no extra cost. One thing I feel is bad is that metal mags sometimes can cut a finger during loading. This p-mag is easily cleaned and only the spring may corrode, that's if it will. If it's dropped in water it drains out the bottom quickly enough to still be used immediately, so what's it going to hurt?. Also polymer is much quieter than metal. Realistically it's a no brainer. The only thing that may happen, if any, is that it may be possible they might shrink with heat and dry out over time but they're getting way better at making the stuff last and I've not seen this ever happen yet to a p-mag. Any sheet metal that's bent weakens the integrity of the metal at the point of the bent. Some times sheet metal is contoured for structural integrity like a auto body fender. I'd go for the p-mag seriously. 0
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