tire iron blog

AR15 Magazine Buying Strategy

• By tire iron
• 27 October, 2013
• 1 Comment

We live in the “golden age” of AR15 magazines.  There has never been a time where there has been so many great magazines for the AR15 rifle.  The old USGI magazine has gotten a face lift in the form of superior follower design (thanks to Magpul) that all but eliminates magazine related malfunctions.  Magpul is on its 3rd generation of magazines.  Lancer is on its 2nd Gen, the L5 AWM, and is my personal pick-of-the-litter for a “go to” magazine.  There are others too – but these are definitely the “Big 3”.  In fact, I would be reluctant to come out with a new AR15 magazine, as there is really nothing left to overcome.  I guess if someone came up with a true Hollywood magazine – that would be the best.  You know, the kind that looks like a 30 rounder but allows to shoot hundred and hundreds of rounds without having to reload? 😀

Which is, BY FAR, the best AR15 magazine?

Let’s clear this up right now – there is no BY FAR, best AR15 magazine.  They each have their own downside.  They each have their own “pro’s” and “con’s”.  Granted, some have a lot more “con’s” than “pro’s” and vice versa, but none of them are perfect. However the three mags we are going to discuss here are the “state of the art” for their respective categories.

Which AR15 magazine should I buy?

I have been asked over the years, and particularly in the last couple of years (and those questions have become more earnest since all the panic buying started), “which AR15 magazine should I purchase”?  In order to answer that question we need to briefly look at the current crop of AR15 magazines and discuss their “pro’s” and “con’s”.  Also we must consider the future.  Will our children’s children, or thier grandchildren be able to buy magazines for these rifles that we will hand down?  I hope so, but I wouldn’t count it.  And since my M4 without a magazine is as slow to load as a muzzle loader, I want to hand down magazines with the rifle.  In other words, longevity should be brought into the conversation.

There are basically three major categories of AR15 magazines.  They are USGI type aluminum magazines, all plastic magazines, and hybrid magazines (both metal and plastic).

The TOP THREE – left to right, Lancer L5 AWM, Magpul PMag and USGI aluminum magazines.

USGI type aluminum AR15 magazines

For our purposes (which should I buy?) there are two types of USGI magazines.  New and used (surplus).

• New USGI are typified by Brownells USGI magazines.  These are the apex, the top of the heap for USGI magazines.
• Used (surplus) USGI mags are made by many manufacturers as they have been made since the 1960’s. Some are good, some not so good.  Here is the biggest, and in my opinion fatal flaw when considering used USGI magazines.  You have to function test every one of them.  They may have been dropped on concrete, rocks, etc. when it was “active duty” and bent the feedlips.  Not enough to see, but enough to negatively affect function.  So…you have to load it up with a full 30 rounds and see if it works or not.  With ammo being more than .25 per round, it will cost you at least $7.50 to test your magazine.  This makes no sense when you can buy a brand new Brownells USGI magazine with the upgraded spring and new follow for only $9.99 (they are on sale right now).  For STRICTLY TRAINING magazines, USGI surplus are just fine, as you don’t care if some of them malfuction, it will just help you train to overcome magazine malfunctions (typically double feeds).

USGI Magazine – PRO’s

• Since it is aluminum and if stored properly they will last as long as your rifle.
• As long as the feedlips are not damaged new USGI magazine will run 100%.
• Thinner than any plastic magazine, they are typically easier to get in and out of tight magazine pouches.

USGI Magazine – CON’s

• The feedlips and/or body can be deformed or dented.  If (or when) the feedlips get damaged, the magazine is no longer fit for service and must be relegated to training status or discarded.
• Must be downloaded to 28 rounds in order to be easily inserted into an AR15 rifle with the bolt forward.

Plastic AR15 Magazines

This category is dominated by Magpul PMags, although there are others that both predate and postdate PMags.  PMags have been around since 2007 and have an excellent track record.  They will, like everything else made by man, wear out eventually.  In my opinion Magpul PMags are the apex of the plastic magazines.  They can be had for around $12.00 per magazine.

PMag – PRO’s

• Extremely durable, virtually unbreakable, can be dropped repeatedly on the feedlips with no loss of reliability.  Bodies can not be dented.
• 100% reliable
• Light weight
• Corrosion proof (except for spring)
• Can be loaded with 30 rounds and still be inserted into AR15 with the bolt closed.

PMag – CON’s

• Slightly thicker than USGI and may be harder to insert/extract for some magazine pouches.
• Plastic breaks down at a greater rate than does aluminum or steel. In other words, will a PMag be around in 100 years like my rife?  I do not know.

Hybrid Magazines

Hybrid magazines are those that have both metal and plastic as part of the magazine body itself.   There is one company that owns this category – and it is Lancer.  They produce the L5 AWM.  It is on the right in the picture.  In my opinion this is the very best of both worlds.

Lancer – PRO’s

• Extremely durable, virtually unbreakable, can be dropped repeatedly on the feedlips with no loss of reliability.  Bodies can not be dented.
• 100% reliable
• Light weight
• Corrosion proof (except for spring)
• Can be loaded with 30 rounds and still be inserted into AR15 with the bolt closed.
• Has spring steel reinforced feedlips

Lancer – CON’s

• Slightly thicker than USGI and may be harder to insert/extract for some magazine pouches.
• Plastic breaks down at a greater rate than does aluminum or steel. In other words, will a Lancer be around in 100 years like my rife?  I do not know.
• Slightly more expensive than USGI.  They run about $20 or so a piece.

Bottom Line

Bottom line is all three of the above are good to go.  All three companies (Brownells, Magpul and Lancer) have stellar customer service.  However you can buy all three from Brownells and they have a no B.S. customer satisfaction guarantee.   I look at it this way – since none of the three are vastly superior to the others, and none of them are what I would consider to be “expensive” – I own all three.  I think diversification in this area is a good thing.  I have some new USGI’s, some new Magpuls and some new Lancers.  I have more than I personally need, but I am not thinking of just me, I am thinking about future generations too.  And, if nothing else, they have proven to be fantastic investments too.  During the height of the ban and the craziness of the past year or so mags were selling for over $50 a piece.  My advice – get some of all three.

Check out the companion video for this blog article here.