Best Mags for AR 15s 5.56mm S&W or otherwise

mbliss57 · Dec 25, 2015

I am not familiar with buying after market 20 and 30 round mags for my new AR. I have had it for about a year but want to by some extra mags now. Unlike 3 years ago when mags with a capacity greater than 10 were impossible to buy it seems the opposite is true and there is every imaginable manufacturer available. I prefer all metal mags.
I have plenty of Ruger mini 14 mags but only the 3 mags that came with my new AR. I want dependable mags with a good track record. Thanks for you help in advance.

keninnavarre · Dec 25, 2015

Brownells has good house brand mags, I've never had any issues from the synthetic p-mags, really most mil-spec mags with the newer style no tilt follower work fine.

I can honestly say I've never had a magazine related failure from clean milspec mags with correct no tilt followers and no visual mag body damage. I have some early Colt 30 round mags from late 60s, early 70s that have zero finish left, actually look polished. They still work fine, new springs and updated followers though.

My point is, most mil spec mags will be 100% reliable if not damaged and you keep them clean. Synthetic mags, only ones I have found to be 100% for me are p-mags.

Edit to add link for brownells mags-AR-15/M16 30RD 223/5.56 USGI CS MAGAZINE | Brownells

Sailfish 40 · Dec 25, 2015

D&H 5.56 30rd Aluminum Magazine

these are good and if you watch for a couple of weeks will probably be priced at $6.99 again.

tbgunner88 · Dec 25, 2015

Give magpul p mags a try, not metal but they don't disappoint.

Grjfer · Dec 26, 2015

Magpul Pmags or Hexmags both good reliable mags.

GB · Dec 26, 2015

I also like Brownell mags. But the Stoner mags are excellent also. Stainless construction and excellent finish. Have also had good luck with milsurp mags of all types. On the other hand MagPul also makes a quality magazine even if it is not metal. I usually buy 20 rounders as I shoot prone a lot but have a few 30s. (I find I shoot better and waste less ammo with the 20s)

JaPes · Dec 26, 2015

As long as the magazine fits the magwell and feeds properly, it's a good mag. That being said, regardless of who makes the magazine body I tend to prefer Magpul followers.

KSDeputy · Dec 26, 2015

I only buy new Magpul 30 round magazines for my AR-15 rifles.

Arik · Dec 26, 2015

USGI followed by Lancer, Pmags and Troy then the rest.

If you want to spend $30 a mag HK mags are damn near bulletproof

BAM-BAM · Dec 26, 2015

Mike for the range ........ grab a couple of Magpul 10 rounders.... great for bench work......vs 20 or 30 rounders...

GatorFarmer · Dec 26, 2015

Arik said:
USGI followed by Lancer, Pmags and Troy then the rest.

If you want to spend $30 a mag HK mags are damn near bulletproof

The springs used to go bad in the HK mags much more quickly than other brands. Has that been corrected?

beerbelly · Dec 26, 2015

I still like (and use) the old GI 20 rounders. Always worked great in High Power matches. Can`t pass up the old Colt 20 rounders when I come across them at gun shows. Really like the .223 marked ones!

Muss Muggins · Dec 26, 2015

I've got plenty of milspec metal mags, but I've been buying Magpul PMAGS lately for my DPMS Oracle. Lighter weight, and a new farm and home store near me is selling the ones with the dust cover for $13.99 new. I try to buy one every week or so when I drive by. Like others have said, most any of the name brands are reliable and functional.

Arik · Dec 26, 2015

GatorFarmer said:
The springs used to go bad in the HK mags much more quickly than other brands. Has that been corrected?

I have never had that issue and aside from your experience I've never heard of their springs going bad. I have mags beat to death and they still work. I think you just had a bad batch or just bad luck

mbliss57 · Dec 26, 2015

Thanks guys. I ordered a couple of USGS mags and a couple of magpul P mags thus morning. That will hold me for awhile as I try them out.

ohioseabee · Dec 26, 2015

I heartily endorse Magpul's PMAGs. You can usually find them on sale for about $9 ea.

Culina · Dec 26, 2015

Well, unlike Mini 14 magazines, most AR15 mags appear to be made right. I haven't worn out any yet and they haven't caused any malfunctions accept one time was I was stuffing some P-mags with stripper clips and a spoon and two cartridges stacked up on top of each other. If you go to insert a P-mag and its too tight, something is probably wrong. That being said, I was skeptical of the P-mags so I bought a bunch and have been running them hard trying to wear them out, so far no luck. I also have dropped them a few times here and there and they do not dent like metal mags will.

Probably the worst AR mags I have are a couple of steel Pro Mags that I use for highpower matches. They allow for a slightly longer overall cartridge length thus the only reason why I use them. I have at least 5,000 rounds through the pair and no malfunctions and they don't even have the no tilt followers.

So in a nutshell, I would say just about any AR magazine you can find will work great but maybe avoid the Pro Mag, triple K or any other generic magazine manufacturer.

Best Mags for AR 15s 5.56mm S&W or otherwise

mbliss57

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keninnavarre

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Sailfish 40

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tbgunner88

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Grjfer

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GB

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JaPes

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KSDeputy

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Arik

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BAM-BAM

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GatorFarmer

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beerbelly

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Muss Muggins

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Arik

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mbliss57

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ohioseabee

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Culina

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