AR 15 Magazines. Questions.

[frkelly74]

I have several AR15 rifles and carbines. I also have a kind of hodgepodge of Magazines for them. On my last outing I had some problems with the 20 round magazines that came with the first AR I bought right after the Obama election. They are plastic and marked law enforcement/ govt use only. These magazines would feed the first three or four rounds and then stop feeding. When I removed the magazine the remaining rounds were all tipped down into the magazine box nose first or loose. other magazines I have also that are not reliable. If I needed them I believe I would be out of luck. I am wanting to get some reliable magazines or fix the ones I have . What are some good ones that would last a long time? Are there any suggestions for rebuilding the ones I have?

[jakharath]

Try Magpul followers. You may need to replace the springs as well.

[NuJudge]

Look at reviews on places like AR15.com, and on various seller websites, but maintain some skepticism on the latter.
Brownells has really good 20-round magazines, and if they ever give you any trouble, you can send them back.

The 20-shot magazines work very differently from a 30-round magazine, in that the follower must tilt, because of the decreasing diameter of the cartridge case. I have a bunch of Brownells 20s, plus a lot of 50 year old Colts with metal followers. .

[kerplode]

Toss the mags you have and replace them with Magpul PMAGs or Lancer AWMs.

Magpul is the gold standard. Lancers are also bulletproof in my experience.

Magpul M2 30rd (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319180134?pid=980347)
Magpul M3 20rd (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2319119898?pid=872027)
Lancer AWM (https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2695117827?pid=872231)

If you prefer aluminum mags for the AR, the version Brownells makes is really nice
Brownells 30rd Aluminum (https://www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazines/ar-15-magazine-5-56mm-prod127641.aspx?avs%7cManufacturer_1=brownells)

[Winger Ed.]

I'd shop Brownell's for new ones.
Either all new ones, or their spring & follower re-build kits.
I've never had a complaint about anything they sell, and they'll back it up if you do.

[Gtek]

I have replaced a bunch with the yellow Magpul anti-tilt, no problems.

[Electrod47]

ASC Ammo Storage Components www.ammosc.com Has been pretty good for me.

[Jack Stanley]

Pmags are good but new springs and followers would be a help also .

Jack

[Tazman1602]

One word - Magpul mags

Art

[Moleman-]

I like the magpull mags and have many of them, but for longevity prefer metal mags. I have pre STANAG mags that at the newest are 42 years old that still work just fine. Don't go with the cheapest ones or you'll end up with the same issue of flimsy bodies and reliability issues.

[imashooter2]

Is the ammo under 2.26 inches overall length? If not, the cartridge noses may be dragging on the magazine body. If so it’s probably the magazine spring. Frankly, if the ammo is good, magazines are so inexpensive they aren’t worth troubleshooting these days. Jut replace it.

[frkelly74]

Got it!! thank you all. Magpul it will be.

[rockrat]

My favorite mags are the old Vietnam era mags, 20 rounds, with the aluminum follower. Never had problems with them.

[Larry Gibson]

Before you toss the mags check, as mentioned, the OAL of your cartridges.

Also, have you ever cleaned the mags as in, taking them apart and cleaning the inside?

[Omega]

Got it!! thank you all. Magpul it will be.

Just an FYI:
PIF - 5.56 AR Magazine for the shell holder PIF from zarrinvz24 (https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?436668-PIF-5-56-AR-Magazine-for-the-shell-holder-PIF-from-zarrinvz24)