Whats the story on Thermold Mags?

I was just window shopping at CDNN looking at magazines. I am sure there are cheaper places to order mags from but anyhow I saw Thermold Mags (supposedly the magazine used by the Canadian Military) 30rds for 6.99 and 20 for 3.99. I know that Magpul mags are overpriced, I use my milsurp mags and have only used my one magpul one time and yeah it worked but so do my milsurps. But the prices on these were a little unbelievable. Are they junk or what?
Since buying my Sport I have learned that price is not really a gauge of what is good and what is not.

[3-2-2] Thermold
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Thermold magazines were developed by Master Molder in Wilson, South Carolina, and were "pitched" to the US military as a replacement to aluminum "USGI" mags, but the US military was unable to come to an agreement with the owner. Master Molder then licensed the design to the Canadian military, who manufactured a version of the Thermold 30-rounder as the standard-issue magazine for their military.
Thermold magazines are made from a dark gray polymer and have anti-tilt followers. They have several reinforcement ribs across the lower half of the mag body.

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[3-2-2-1] USA Thermold 30s
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The most common of the Thermold mags, these were made using DuPont Zytel, a fiberglass-impregnated plastic that is very strong and has a high melt temperature. Mold markings:v
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[3-2-2-2] Canadian Thermold 30s
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The Canadian military licensed the Thermold design, but did not use Zytel as the polymer, using a less expensive plastic as a substitute.
This was not a wise decision, and the Canadian military had problems as a result. The most famous problem was the feed lips melting when their ARs were fired for extended periods on full auto (especially with blanks), leading the Canadians to dub the magazines "Thermelts". The other common problem was the mags splitting or cracking in cold temperatures or when dropped. After Desert Storm, the Canadian military changed to USGI aluminum mags, which are now standard issue.

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[3-2-2-2-1] Canadian Thermold "Blank" 30s
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The Canadian military made some Thermolds with bright orange plastic as "blank only" mags. These are relatively rare, and are made with the same plastic as the standard Canadian mags.

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[3-2-2-3] Thermold/Master Molder 20s
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Master Molder made straight-bodied 20 round mags. These are US-made from Zytel and are the best aftermarket 20s. Mold markings:

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[3-2-2-4] Thermold 30/45
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Among the most unique magazine designs, the 30/45 magazines were designed with an extendable bottom section that would allow the magazine to be fully loaded to 30 rounds and stored (with the base extended) with the spring under minimal pressure. This allowed long-term storage of fully-loaded mags with no wear to the spring or the feed lips. They can also be loaded with 45 rounds when the base extended, though they shouldn't be stored in this configuration.

Review with more info.
Thermold AR Magazines review. Providing info, no arguments please. - THR

Breechloader;
I dont shoot full auto or hang out in Canada in the winter. CDNN has brand new 30's for 6.99 and the 20's for 3.99 they both are Master Molder which your reply just explained it all. The way I look at it to me that is a heck of a price especially if the Master Molder magazines are better built than the licensed product. Think I will order a couple of each and try them. For that price it would be hard to beat.

I ordered them. I ordered 2 30's and 3 20's. I actually use my 20 round magazine alot more than I use my 30's, but in an acronym situation I can see having 30's being really handy. thanks for the info. If they work like the review I can buy a lot of these for the price of a couple of "P"Mags. I can buy 2 20's for the cost of one USGI 20. I am all in for saving money. I ordered a Mako Magwell grip today for $14 today, its coming from quite a ways away and will take a couple of weeks to get here but like I say I am all for saving money on my "black hole" LOL

Hope they work well for you. Sounds like they are good mags
I might pick up a couple 20's myself.

Cheap Mags are like Cheap Parachutes.

Anyone who has ever used or fielded a MAC-10/9 has a strong opinion on Zytel mags.

Use once and throw away.

Total junk guys. I got a bunch of them, and at first one or 2 gave us issues. After shooting them a good bit- EVERY single one fails to regularly feed rounds #6,7,8. It will feed just fine number 1-5. Then, after you manipulate the darn thing, it will eventually load and feed #9 and 10.

STANAG mags or Magpuls.
Hamlund Tactical, 30 rnd Magpuls for like $13 ea if you buy 10 of them. I am in Ca, so they send out the repair kits and we can install blocks to limit them to 10 rounds.
Magpuls are stupid-good. Just about flawless. To hell with the Thermold mags.

On a side note; my friend has a RRA 308 FAL. He likes the Thermold mags for that rifle pretty well, said they are more reliable than his FAL mags.
I dunno. What I DO know is, they are not good for ar15's.

Well I will try them...hopefully the master mold made ones are good. It is worth giving a try, if not I can always sell them. Plus the reviews that I saw and read only talked about the 20's and 30's (and they were iffy on the 30's) but thought I would try them, my life doesnt depend on them functioning. Maybe if I hit them with a little tri-flow and keep them clean it wont be a problem. Not saying you didnt keep yours clean. But 5 mags for 20 bucks aint a bad deal if they work, if they dont I am only out 20 bucks

If you like the metal mags and like to save money, I see them all the time at gun shows for 6 bucks a piece.


I never considered the Pmags to be over priced, considering the cost of mags for my other funs. 24 bucks for the BX-25 for the 10-22, 31 bucks for a 10 round mag for my sig 1911-22, 25-30 bucks for 6 to 10 round mags for my other various semi auto pistols...

I just like the way the Pmags load and unload like butter.

I'd often wonder about the Troy Polymer mags, but after seeing the price, I stopped wondering. Seems they were near 30 bucks.

I'd be more interested in your 20 round mags you are buying(Super cheap!). I have one in the pmag, just for using on my lead sled, but it was as much as the 30 rounders. It's money I ended up not needing to spend cuz my 300 whisper came with a 10 round mag (metal). Haven't even loaded that mag to compare to the pmag yet.

I have only used a 30 round mag one time. that was for some offhand shooting, not even a mag dump. I use my one 20 most of the time. PDog hunting you usually dont get more than three shots and if you do it right you rarely need more than 1. One box of shells fits in a 20 rounder so I dont have half empty boxes. And when I am Pdog hunting I use a rest and as you said the 30's limit your ability with a rest.

I was thinking you were going to do a mag dump today?

crracer_712 said:

I was thinking you were going to do a mag dump today?

Click to expand...

I am...actually I am going to blow through all of my remaining steel cased ammo today, Plus I am going to do a mag dump or two. will put up new targets for the dump but being as its a beautiful day in SW Kansas I thought I might go shoot some Pdogs before I go down to our range. I also picked up two boxes of the Federal XM193 5.56x45 Ball that I am going to try on targets so I am sighted in for my 27.5 lb box of ammo that comes Monday.

It seems that most heavy users agree that the best mags are P mags and GI mags with upgraded, magpul internals.

I have lots of both and never had a problem with either.

If it ain't broke......................................

MPDC said:

It seems that most heavy users agree that the best mags are P mags and GI mags with upgraded, magpul internals.

I have lots of both and never had a problem with either.

If it ain't broke......................................

Click to expand...

Thanks...as I think back on my postings there are a few of you guys whom I respect that have told me the same thing!! But it always puts a smile on my face. I tend to overthink things and try to scrimp on money. I will learn. I was at the gunsmiths yesterday, I have a couple of Mauser Customs that he is redoing for me, my first change alot guns. Almost finished putting the Lyman Aperture Target sights on one and putting a Palma Match .308 barrel on another. If you wonder thats where all my major dollars for Rifle Parts are going right now. They were done at one time and I have about a grand in each one of them. but then I decided to change them and that was before I got my Sport. so as soon as they are done then I will have more money for my Sport. Boys and their Toys.

OK I happened upon Thermolds home page;
Thermold Magazines — Welcome
This may be weird but watch Shotgun Sherri Jiggle!! LOL

And here is the history according to thermold;

Thermold Magazines started in the 1960’s as a molded plastics injection manufacturer that served the automotive industry. It's founder, William Howard, was well known in his hometown of Wilson, N.C. as an innovative thinker who held many patents. Mr. Howard was also a big game hunter for whom making firearms more reliable was both a passion and a necessity.

Using a nylon resin called Zytel, developed by DuPont after World War II to replace metal in large-scale manufacturing, Thermold began producing weapons magazines that resisted heat and corrosion, and functioned with extreme reliability. Thermold magazines rapidly became the product of choice among military personnel, law enforcement officers and sport shooters around the world.

All of our products are proudly made in the United States in North carolina. Today, many of the firearm industry’s largest and most prestigious distributors are once again able to sell the trusted line of Thermold magazines and weapons products.

"Time-tested quality and reliability. That's Thermold."

Now the funny part, you can buy them cheaper from CDNN than Thermold!!

I saw that logo on some packaging at the gun show, didn't pay attention to the price they had them at though.

I just sent them an email asking about their warranty and life expectancy and replacement parts. This way I can give an informed review!!

So I went to the CDNN website to check on the progress of my order and it doesnt look like it shipped yet. I had seen the expandable magazine on the Thermold web page and because CDNN was cheaper than buying straight from Thermold I went to look to see what the price would be for one of those just mostly to have one. Well guess what the 30 and 20 round, no tilt follower Military and Law Enforcement magazines went on Sale today $5.99 for the 30's and $2.99 for the 20's. I sent them an email to see if they would make it right. They havent shipped my order yet and I paid $1 more a magazine being the cheapskate that I am I felt it necessary to see if they would make it right. Hoping for either another Mag or money back on my CC. We will see.

I have been considering giving the Thermold 20 Rounders a try. I see CDNN also has the Ruger BX-25 for the 10/22 on sale for $19.99. Man timing sure sucks. Just spent $425.00 ammo this week. Oh well, can't take it with me, may as well enjoy it now.