User Panel
Posted: 6/20/2003 11:21:38 AM EDT
Some very common questions in this forum are:
"What brands of magazines should I buy?" "Is [insert brand here] brand of magazine any good?" "Are [insert brand here] mags as good as [insert brand here] mags?" So, I'm posting my rankings for mags. I've listed them in order from best to worst, and grouped them into reliability tiers. No doubt there will be people who disagree, and that's okay. You can feel free to reply and give your opinion. I'm just tired of answering these questions over and over... [:)] [b]1st Tier[/b] 1. HK SA-80 mags (new, expensive, and currently restricted to LEOs) 2. Factory teflon-finished USGI-type mags made by La Belle for a number of OEMs 3. USGI aluminum mags (includes Colt mags) 4. FN FNC mags (steel) 5. Sterling AR180 mags 6. British steel SA-80 mags 7. FedOrd/PMI steel aftermarket mags ------------------------------------- [b]2nd Tier[/b] 8. Thermolds (USA made) 9. Thermolds (Canadian-made) 10. Orlites ------------------------------------- [b]Don't Waste Your Money[/b] 99. All of the other aftermarket crap mags, including USA, Triple K, Western Metal, Victor, Millet, ProMag, RamLine, and Eagle. -Troy |
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Troy, just curious, why do you put the USA thermolds as second Tier? Just curious, thanks, for any info. Kyle
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Thermolds run pretty well in good weather and when clean, but in cold weather, they split and crack easily, and if they get dirt or sand inside, they will bind up and fail to feed. This is true of Orlites as well (they have some additional issues).
These problems were important enough for the Canadian military to drop them in favor of USGI aluminum mags, and have been experienced by a number of board members. The bottom line is that they just aren't reliable enough to be 1st Tier. Certainly people seem to like them at the range, and for that use, they're fine, but duty use is MUCH harder and more demanding on equipment, and Thermolds just aren't up to it. -Troy |
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Thanks Troy for those of us new to the Ar system your info is very helpful. I appreciate the quick response. Kyle
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Thanks for the info. I just bought my first AR-15 and I was wondering what would be the best mags for it. I know western metal suck. I had some of them for my mini-14.
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Greetings and Salutations Troy!
Like to ask ... what do you think of the Bushmaster 40 rd's? Didn't see you mention 'em. [o:)] Luvvvv them dern Carbines, I really really do! R_J [50] |
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The 40's that Bushmaster is selling are made by Western Metal Products.
-Troy |
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Why are Orlites listed behind Thermelts? They are both inferior to USGI, but what sets them apart from each other?
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i'm guessing the master molder 20's would go in the second tier?
I have two, and have never had a problem, ever. |
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Orlites are made out of nylon, and aren't as strong as the Zytel plastic used for (US-made) Thermolds. The feedlips swell a lot when loaded, even despite the stainless steel reinforcing mesh at the top, and they crack at the rear.
Master Molder 20s are Thermolds, so yes, they're 2nd Tier. -Troy |
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What are all the Steel mags that have a England sticker that i keep seeing at gunshows for $20? Thanks
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Quoted: What are all the Steel mags that have a England sticker that i keep seeing at gunshows for $20? Thanks View Quote Those would be the British steel SA-80 mags. Looks like Troy puts them in the first tier. I've never used them. |
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if you want some of the eng mags get them from the board for 15-17 a piece new. ronin45 sells 5 packs for 75 plus shipping
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Hiya Troy ... most exalted one! [>]:)]
Saw some mags marked "K" Industries - the "K" logo has a circle around the K, and below in very small type is stamped I beileve: New Briton, Conn. They also made some for LEO and the same are date stamped. Some are not date stamped with no markings suggesting no LEO - export - military at all, therefore making it legit for civillian ownership. They also have green followers, and are in a regular finish, nothing special. Can you give me the scoop on these mags? Thanking you in advance. [:)] ReCoiL_JuNKiE [50] Luvvv them freaki'n dern Carbines, I tell ya! |
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Those are Okay Industries mags, a current USGI contractor and also the contractor who makes Colt-branded AR mags.
-Troy |
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I need to identify the following mags. Are they all OEM?
Adventure Line Mfg Co Parsons, KS. U.S.A. Center Industries Corp. Wichita, KS, U.S.A. Sanchez, ENT Mansfield, OH USA Parsons Precison Products Parsons, KS U.S.A. Cooper Industries Upland CA FN MFG INC Columbia, SC 20-round: Universal Industries Division M16/M16A1 CAL 5.56mm Simmonds Prec. Prod. West Haven, Conn. USA Plastic magazine with canadian maple, patent number on the bottom plate. Is that Thermold? |
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I've replaced all my USA mags with USGI mags. Are the USA mags good for anything, i.e., springs, followers, base plates? Or are these parts too inferior to even be used as replacement parts? I'm not about to sell them to anyone else because I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.[shock]
Figure at the very least I can use them for target practice.[:D] |
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USA mags are good for malfunction-clearing practice, or for filling with cement/epoxy and using them as a lower receiver vice block. Otherwise, they make fine targets.
-Troy |
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Quoted: Hey Troy, Do you know wher the place is that I have seen pic's of all the AR magazine's? View Quote I'm not Troy but this might be what you were looking for :) [url]www.biggerhammer.net/ar15/magazines/makerinfo.html[/url] |
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Just a thank you for Troy and Tatjana. The ammo and mag FAQ is a valuable reasoures
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What about the Royal Ordinance mags that www.thegunsource.com is ofering under $20.
e-mail receives below: "TheGunSource.com" wrote: AR15 30 round magazines new by Royal Ordnance These are NEW magazines that just became available.We are sure that you’ll see these floating around later, but probably not at these prices…we’ll be posting them on our website later for HIGHER prices. As a member of our email group, we are offering the following deal to retail customers and dealers alike. You may forward this email to anyone and everyone no restrictions. QUANTITY PRICE One $17.99 Three $49.95 Six $94.95 Twenty $299.95 One hundred $1399.95 Please use part number MGAR15PW |
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A comment on the mags with the little "England" sticker on them. I bought one at a gun show and it's an absolute piece of crap. Lots of malfunctions and somehow the bolt(?) was leaving huge gouges on the follower. I also noticed that it's a bit heavier than the aluminium ones so the "England" marked ones may be steel (and may rust). I have a number of USGI mags that I "Forgot" to turn in when I left the Army and I haven't had any problems with any of them. I have also had an Orlite mag crack on the front end at the feed lips after only limited use. Anyone else had any bad luck with the "England" mags?
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Can anyone tell me the cutoff date for 30 round USGI mags being allowed to be owned by the public and not LEO ? I have some Okay mags stamped 6-91 .
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Unmarked & mags dated 09/94 and earlier are unrestricted.
Mags dated 10/94 and later are restricted. -Troy |
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I have 20's and 30's with the following markings: NHMTG S/42
HARTFORD, CT MFG. 3-02 & on the side: RESTRICTED MILITARY/ GOV'T/LAW ENFORCEMENT /EXPORT USE ONLY Can anyone tell me anything about quality/ history,etc.? |
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They are OEMing Okay Industries mags for LEO sales. Okay contractually sell Okay Industries-marked mags to anyone but the government, so they OEM them to Colt and now to this company.
-Troy |
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Troy,
Do the Imperial Defense mags fall into the British steel SA-80 category? I picked up two from the EE but these have a smooth black finish instead of the rough gray finish my other "English" mags have. The certainly look nice but I have yet to give them a go. The floor plate is stamped "Imperial Defense" and they have the "English" sticker on the side. Thanks in advance Marc |
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Yes. All of the following do: - Royal Ordnance - Imperial Defense - Radway Green (these are rare in the US) Technically, the new HK mags are also SA80 mags, but they're totally different, and since they're all post-ban/restricted, I put them in their own category. -Troy |
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i have a 5 round promag,guy at club has a 5 round armalite mag-the 2 sitting on the table together you cannot tell the difference-either he got fuckt or i got a good deal
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What about the ones that just say:
CAL 5.56MM MADE IN U.S.A #serialnumber# Who actually made those? |
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Quoted: What about the ones that just say: CAL 5.56MM MADE IN U.S.A #serialnumber# Who actually made those? View Quote Can you post a picture? Are they 20 or 30 rounders? |
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vandal,
Those were made by La Belle for resale by Tapco and Shomer-Tec (depending on the item number). I'm not sure about Tapco, but Shomer-Tec originally sold standard moly-finished La Belle mags, and later got the teflon-finished ones, so that floorplate would be correct on either. I've never seen or heard of the Tapco version as anything other then teflon-finished. -Troy |
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Quoted: Are Okay Industries mags 1st tier or 2nd? Thanks. View Quote They're 1st tier mags and one of the manufactures of USGI mags. [b]3. USGI aluminum mags (includes Colt mags)[/b] |
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Thank you for the info. I have not bought any mags in years.I had heard stories that the brits did not like the quality of the USGI mags, so they went to steel, but never heard anything else more about it.Now i know which brand,and who to buy from . Thanks
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Quoted: A comment on the mags with the little "England" sticker on them. I bought one at a gun show and it's an absolute piece of crap. Lots of malfunctions and somehow the bolt(?) was leaving huge gouges on the follower. I also noticed that it's a bit heavier than the aluminium ones so the "England" marked ones may be steel (and may rust). I have a number of USGI mags that I "Forgot" to turn in when I left the Army and I haven't had any problems with any of them. I have also had an Orlite mag crack on the front end at the feed lips after only limited use. Anyone else had any bad luck with the "England" mags? View Quote I am curious if anyone else has had bad luck with British steel mags. I know (from this thread) that there are at least 3 manufacturers. Special-K, 1) do your mags have any identification other than the England sticker? 2) What rifle are you using them in? I am considering trying some steel mags as range mags and would like some more info before I buy. I generally stay away from any equipment that is not USGI (except nato surplus ammo). Thanks! p.s. Did you happen to forget to return any AN/PEQ-2A or PVS-17 units... [;)] |
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Quoted: i have a 5 round promag,guy at club has a 5 round armalite mag-the 2 sitting on the table together you cannot tell the difference-either he got fuckt or i got a good deal View Quote Armalite is now selling Promags as OEM for them. They send a 10 rounder out with their rifles. Also, I was at a gun store and saw oodles of Promag 20s in Armalite bags- 40 bux a pop. [rolleyes] As for the promags, I ordered one 20 rounder from Sportsman's Guide some time ago and haven't had any problems with it. Just lucky, I guess. I still wouldn't recommend them. |
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