Posted: 4/15/2005 5:35:44 PM EDT
|
Is the Redi-Mag a worthy addition to an AR-15? It look like an intersting device to say the least, but is the added weight worth it when considering the alternative (taping two magazines together)? And most importantly, does it function as it is intended to (meaning without costly modifications) and do so reliably?  -Justin |
sWs2, Can you elaborate on the Larry Vickers model? |
you use them as a spacer for the mags so they are both oriented the same direction. this way when you go into the prone you dont get dirt into the second mag as you would when you "jungle" tape them. you can use cardboard or anything else, but 5.56 brass is easy to come by when deployed. |
|
Unless you expect to be involved in active ground combat, it'll just be added weight to your weapon. I've never used anything like that. I've always put 550 under the floorplates for mag pulls. It seems to be quick enough. But, as TheRedHorseMan stated, you can easily improvise and save your money if you really feel you need one. |
Oh, ok. Thank you. -Justin |
How reliably did it perform when exposed to adverse conditions? Thanks, -Justin |
|
I was issued one in Iraq, installed it and tried it out for a little over a week. As someone posted earlier, I just wasn't crazy about what it did to the balance of the weapon, not to mention the additional weight suspended from my singlepoint sling. I took it off and practiced my mag changes some more. |
That'll do it! I picked up that habit from an E6 in LRS. He used to make his patrol practice mag changes if they were just sitting around waiting. BTW, it was my pleasure to meet you last weekend.  |
the 100 mph tape leaves the open end of the mag exposed for crap to get into. AR's do not feed crap well. Redimag keeps the business end covered. While you are practicing mag changes, my Redi mag made me an instant expert, so I can practice my accuracy / follow up shot drills etc. |
Slow is smooth and smooth is fast, as I was once informed.
Same here, absolutely. |
|
It has it's purpose. If it's a camp gun, it's nice to have 60 cartridges on the weapon as it's leaning against the wall. It also keeps grit and sand out. It also makes for a fast mag change with practice. Depends on your intended use. Many see that if 30 rounds won't square your defensive position away, 60 won't help either. Mag changes can be fast provided you have access to mags and you're quick with your skills. It does have it's place though. I own one, it's not on any of my guns, but it's on the shelf. I'll eventually put it on an M4/A1 truck gun. H |
That is EXACTLY the type of situation that I had in mind. -Justin |
|
What happens when the 2nd mag is used, and then you dump it -or- tactical reload? Now in a way you basically have two open "mag wells". It just seems like it would be a possible "fumbling" spot during a high stress reload situation. For highly trained individuals it would probably not make any difference, but for the average Joe (me)  -I think I would prefer keeping the area around the mag well as simple as possible - and just practice reloads.  |
Who says you have to dump your empty mag?? ANy system requires familiarization. Let's put it this way - I'm faster with my redi mag, than alot of guys more experienced than me, without one. |
Nobody says you HAVE to dump the empty mag, but it would probably be a good idea to put a fresh one in if it is empty?  I am glad to hear it works well for you, I have never had a chance to try one out - so I am only basing my opinion on pictures and peoples posts. When you say you are faster, do you mean the first reload (assuming you emptied the first mag, dropped it, and moved the stored redi-mag over and into the mag well? To me this seems where time the advantage would kind of end, unless you constantly refill the empty redi-mag with fresh mags, so you always have one ready. This seems like it would kind of take more time to do (repeated motion - every mag would have to be inserted into a well "twice") and actually slow one down. Don’t get me wrong, not trying to slam you, your abilities or the redi-mag...just asking questions out of curiosity |
Once you've burned teh second mag, you reach to your mag puch, dump the mag in teh well, and put a fresh mag in teh well. The redimag remains empty till after teh firefight.
Burned one mag, holding the mad=g in the Redi, hit the mag release, mag in the well drops free, move mag from Redi to well. Takes about 1-2 seconds, and I'm back in the game.
At that point into the game, you are SIXTY rounds into something. If you gotta use more than sixty rounds, SOMEBODY better be callin' in arty. After 60 rounds of lovin', I'm just working from mag pouches to teh mag well. Redi mag is for the first 60 rounds. |
www.redi-mag.com/redi-man.php Clamps around the magazine well. |
I see where you are coming from now. Thanks for taking the time to explain
|
Thanks for clearing that up. -Justin |
Thanks for the offer! That is a heck of a deal!I would like to try one for the fun of it, but I think it would be best for me to keep practicing the reload / tactical reload techniques I learned in the Defensive Carbine weekend classes I have taken. I cant get the "KISS" acronym the Ret. Army Ranger instructor (a veteran of the US Army Rangers and Special Forces, and certified by the Army as a Close Quarters Combat Instructor and Anti-Terrorism Instructor) kept emphasizing over and over out of my head  Heck, he even suggested that I get rid of the Tac-latch I had on my charging handle “Just another thing that could break or snag on something…I would get rid of it” (I had just bought it for the class…..oh well ) |
I know you didn't say this about the Redi-Mag specifically, but I've seen some people suggest that it can snag. It's a realistic observation and concern. But, owning one, I have to contend that it's not very likely to. It's got smooth, rounded edges, desinged, somewhat, with that concern in mind. I will submit, though, that bolt catch extension (pretty much required accessory for the Redi-Mag to send the bolt home the easy way) is fairly snag-prone. |
The only problem with that setup is no where to store mags in that configuration. Atleast the Johnson ready mag allows normal storagedue to they are no modifications to the mags. They fit back into your mag pouch. |
Yep. I wish they were mfg in aluminum but other than that, I like mine. The downside is you can't use a Betamag. Not an issue on a semi but on a F/A gun, it is undesirable. If you are competing in matchs, best thing since sliced bread. |
Ive used mine for over 8 years on different assignment. I have never lost a accidentally lost a mag and it still performs the same today as when it was first installed. It is quiet, it protects the feed lips/ammo, what the use of another mag if it doesn't work due to the lips being deformed by accidentally banging your spare going through a door/bulkhead, while its hanging in a mag cinch or the like? Concerning throwing off the balance of my carbine, it did take a little to get used to in the beginning but, after used it for work that long,it feels natural now. I haven't found it to be a problem with "snag" and even much less snag prone than magazines being taped/cinched together. It is less likely to snag on anything than most other accessories that are hung on these rifles now. It fits my needs,maybe not others. For a working tool, it isn't the worst thing you could hang on it for sure. Not being able to use a Betta mag,thats not really and issue(again-for me) I would rather have 5- 20's than one with a hundred. Your Betta malfunction you loose 100%, One 20, you still have 80% ammo available. PERSONALLY, haven't found any "cons" to the Redi-Mag setup. The "pros" are : I have 2 mags on the gun anytime I pick it up. (Don't need 40-60 rounds all the time, DO need a back up mag in case of malfunction) Spare is protected from damage and the elements. Snag-resistant/ Fairly low-profile (to me compared to other methods) Ammo selection (color coded mags for different load, usually HP in the gun/ FMJ in the spare.) Most important , it works for me. Thats all that really mater's. |
Well said. -Justin |