A bit of a newb question (sorry).
I would like to purchase about 10 30 round mags for my M&P15 Sport II I just purchased.
The price and shipping are nearly the same for:

D&H 5.56 30rd Aluminum Magazine

vs.

Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4 Gen M2 MOE (Black) - MAG571-BLK - Primary Arms


So what are the pros and cons of aluminum vs. polymer?
Apparently the polymer is considered an upgrade. If that is true, why is that?

That's a pretty good deal for PMags. I'd jump all over that (thinking about ordering some right now).

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

So PMAGs are the way to go??

I have no idea why

The pros and cons on polymer vs aluminum isn't that big. Both are usually good. The difference comes in quality of build. Cheap quality with poor materials will make bad mags.

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Only 10?

I have had good luck with PMags.

lol "only 10".

Earlier I was thinking why do I need more than one? Then I went to load it and wow it sure takes some time and effort. Now I see why one guy said he wants to have multiple mags because he doesn't want to spend half the day at the range loading mags.

Oh, and the limit is "10 per household".

No real advantage to either other that Pmags will make less noise bumping against each other. CDNN is selling steel mags for the same price: CDNN SPORTS - AR15 30RD 223 STEEL EXTREME DUTY MILITARY MAG

Like Muggins said, that is a heck of a price on the pmags.

P mags seem to be the way to go. The Ruger SR762 comes with P mags

Thanks. So now I have more choices!
I would like to store my ammo in the mags. Potentially long term. From what I understand in an hour of research, the PMAGs could crack over time with ammo stored in them.
So now I am down to aluminum vs steel. Which to pick?

Never heard much in a way of problems with pmags overall.

Steel would tend to be more hardy but the standard issue for the military is aluminum. So aluminum is plenty tough enough.


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$8.99 each is a great price.
I remember a year or so ago, they had Troy Battle Mags for that price.

You are over thinking this... quality mags can be left loaded for long amounts of time. Quality mags being either PMags or USGI mags with anti-tilt followers... and several others like Lancers.

It is hard for me not to jump on that deal with the PMags as they are $15 at my local gun shop. However, by the time I add taxes and shipping, I come out just as good, if not better, by running up the road and buying one.

I am not complaining about anything, as that is a great deal on PMags, just sorting it out out loud...

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S&W M&P 15 Sport II

I buy Magpul Gen 3 magazines. I have had no problems with them in any of my Colt's.

Buying one, yes... buy 10 and the shipping cost is the same as it is for 1. If I buy 10, with shipping included, they are still less than $10 per mag.

It's kinda like potato chips... nobody orders just one.

Many people seem to like the polymer PMAGs, but I am reading alot about cracking:

Lancer L5 magazine long term review

Cracked Pmag [Archive] - Calguns.net

argh... cracked pmag - AR15.COM



Is there any merit to these claims?

Sorry for over-thinking

I have a few Pmags, some USGI steel mags and Lancers. My favorite of the three are the Lancers but I don't have any problems running any of the three types. Of the two choices listed by the OP, for the price, I'd be all over the Pmags.

Magazines are consumable items. The cracks on the PMags in your first two links are not from them sitting loaded for a long period of time, they are from use... specifically loading on a closed bolt.

Watch competitors, LEO, and military when they load a mag. They insert into the mag well and then give a firm, upward slap on the bottom of the magazine to insure proper insertion. Do this enough times with the bolt closed, and you eventually going to bend feed lips or crack a polymer magazine.

Try taking a printout of the price to Gander Mountain if you have one and ask if they will match the price. I've got local GM crew trained well and they know when I walk up, I've got a price match to be made. It all depends on how flexible the store management is but for example, I got my Sport II for $479 after price matching TWICE in 30 days and $60 in Gander Mountain CC rewards after the purchase.

I bought my Pmags from them for $13.50 each, even got the extra cost window versions for the same price. Hell I walked out yesterday with a brand new Springfield XD Mod 2 9mm for $369 and tax. All by price matching.

I like the Magpul polymer mags

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OP here.
Tortured by the decision and wanting to check this off my list of to-dos, I went with the Magpuls
Thanks everyone.

Brownell's has their own high quality aluminum 30 round magazines for less than 9 dollars before shipping.

The Pmag was the standard issue M4 mag while I instructed, and what we used in our duty weapons. Never seen one crack, though anything is possible. Have seen an aluminum mag or two rendered nonfunctional by being stepped on and distorted. I personally like and use Pmags.

Larry

One thing we are missing boat on here, including myself. IIRC, it was touched on but not really bluntly talked about. As much as we hate to admit it, magazines are a wear and tear item. Regardless of the brand, they will eventually wear out. Springs can be replaced. Floor plates can be replaced. Followers can be replaced but eventually, the housing wears out one way or another.

Pick the magazine that operates best for you and that you like. I like how the Pmags work. I like them a lot but for some reason, I have to force them into my 5.56 bolt rifle for them to lock but they work just fine in my 7.62 bolt rifle. Like wise, they work just fine in my ARs. So, for my 5.56 rifles, I will be getting steel or aluminum magazines since I don't want increased wear and tear on them from having to bang them in. That being said, I haven't tried hex mags or thermold mags yet. If I can find them for a decent price, I might pick up one of each to try them out and go from there.

Everyone's situation might be different but that is the one I'm looking at in mine.


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Thanks for the heads up on the Mag sale by P.A.
Just got 5 more.

Anyone else having trouble with 'SECOND' promo code? It shows it is still valid at the top of page header but when I enter it it states,"The keycode entered does not exist. Please try again."

I encountered the same thing.

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High Caliber History

I had a cart full of other stuff as well to purchase. None of it qualifies for the promo other than the mags. Still a bummer though. I sent them an email. Hopefully will get a response before the business day is up.

I chose aluminum mags from Brownells. They're reliable, and I like the way they look. I went with 20 rnd mags, because they're lighter, and handle better at the range.

I have a mix of magazines acquired over the past 20 years.....

P-mags, Brownells, Colt,D&H .......................

A suggestion........ grab a couple short 10 round mags for the range/bench and a couple of 20 rounders........I like the shorter mags for 98% of my shooting/defense needs......

I don't do "mag dumps" so I save my 30s for TEOTWAWKI.......

Joey @ Primary Arms helped me out and got the discount for the mags corrected. I had to order online and then call for the price correction but no big deal. I believe it was just in the middle of switching their promo codes. I do not believe it is available now, but YMMV! Great customer service.

Faster go...go....obo.... Before the price goes up

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A Snider squibbed n the Jungle

10 PMAGs on sale for $104.95 at Brownells at the moment.

30-Round PMAG, 10-Pack, Black : AR-15/M16 223/5.56 PMAG GEN M2 MOE MAGAZINES | Brownells

Has anyone tried the Amend2 30 round mags? My local dealer has them for $8 ea. out the door.

I just found out about them too. Know almost nothing about them.

3rd. gen. Pmags have a seating issue in some AR's due to the over insertion tab on the spine.....ez fix with a dremel ...but I still have 6 still in wrapper that I'm trading for Gen.2's

This is my new "go to" online magazine dealer. They have some great prices and shipping is about the cheapest I have come across.

Magazines for Rifles, Handguns and Shotguns | GunMag Warehouse