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UrbanWolf
10-19-2013, 14:54
What's up with people who only want USGI mags for their AR?

A lot of USGI mags I've seem are pretty "cheaply" build, I've seen most Chinese steel AK mags are made to better quality.

beast556
10-19-2013, 17:13
In the last 25 years of shooting AR's USGI mags have served me just fine. You do know Pmags are pretty new to the market and USGI mags have been proven for around 40 plus years now. What problems have you had with USGI mags?????

JM Ver. 2.0
10-19-2013, 17:22
In the last 25 years of shooting AR's USGI mags have served me just fine. You do know Pmags are pretty new to the market and USGI mags have been proven for around 40 plus years now. What problems have you had with USGI mags?????

They're ugly... But they work well.

ray1970
10-19-2013, 17:29
I've pretty much always run the aluminum GI mags in my AR's. I do prefer the Magpul followers in them. Although, I've never really had a problem with the green or tan ones.

Search around a little. There was a good torture test on magazines done several years back. The GI mags were about the best you could get.

ray1970
10-19-2013, 17:30
Plus, thousands of soldiers world wide use them with great success every day.

Great-Kazoo
10-19-2013, 17:30
What's up with people who only want USGI mags for their AR?

A lot of USGI mags I've seem are pretty "cheaply" build, I've seen most Chinese steel AK mags are made to better quality.

You're comparing USGI for AR's to Chinese STEEL for an AK, try comparing the same mag for the same rifle. ? ? ? Compare the USGI to bulgarian steel AR mags, there's a difference.

Danimal
10-19-2013, 17:46
You know after doing all the research on anti-tilt followers and all the advancements other manufactures claim to be the latest and greatest, I have yet to have any of my USGI mags fail even once and I use them all the time. This is not a plug either way, but if something works why try and fix it? Personally I buy whatever is on sale and run it for a while. If I find a problem I try to iron it out and make them run reliably, but if it still does not want to work then I throw them in the trash. The only mags that I had to throw away were some cheepo steel mags I bought off of CDNN that had pressed steel followers. they would bind like crazy so I threw some magpul followers in there and they did not fit right due to the cheaply stampped guides and would bind just as bad as the steel pieces of crap. So I kept the springs and base plate because they seemed alright and threw away the rest. At $5 a mag I new it was a gamble.

Mags are the most over-hyped piece on a gun. Yes it is important that they are reliable, but they are super simple by design and if you cant figure out a way to file or tweak one to work perfectly then you might want to reconsider hobbies.

Danimal
10-19-2013, 18:03
i love usgi mags. more than plastic ones. i do like the magpul followers in my usgi mags though. we know the shelf life of usgi mags is 50 years plus. who knows how long before the plastic ones start breaking down? i dont mean from use, I mean from sitting. maybe forever, maybe not.

I would imagine that it would break down long before aluminum breaks down whatever the timeline.

BushMasterBoy
10-19-2013, 19:04
Yeah, but hey, what kind of mags did they use to kill Osama Bin Ladin?

HoneyBadger
10-19-2013, 21:18
I have honestly never used anything in an AR except PMags. I like the look and feel of them, and I've never had any problems, so I don't see a reason to buy anything else.

UrbanWolf
10-19-2013, 21:24
I have honestly never used anything in an AR except PMags. I like the look and feel of them, and I've never had any problems, so I don't see a reason to buy anything else.

I got lucky and scored a bunch of Gen 3 Pmags for $10 each the day before the pot curtain went down. I have one NHMTG GI mag for the gun porn effect.

UrbanWolf
10-19-2013, 21:26
In the last 25 years of shooting AR's USGI mags have served me just fine. You do know Pmags are pretty new to the market and USGI mags have been proven for around 40 plus years now. What problems have you had with USGI mags?????

Once an USGI amg gets dent deep enough, it's most likely done. A Pmag will most likely flex and return to its original shape.

Scanker19
10-19-2013, 21:33
Yeah, but hey, what kind of mags did they use to kill Osama Bin Ladin?

1,000 round drum mag.

UrbanWolf
10-19-2013, 21:34
You know after doing all the research on anti-tilt followers and all the advancements other manufactures claim to be the latest and greatest, I have yet to have any of my USGI mags fail even once and I use them all the time. This is not a plug either way, but if something works why try and fix it? Personally I buy whatever is on sale and run it for a while. If I find a problem I try to iron it out and make them run reliably, but if it still does not want to work then I throw them in the trash. The only mags that I had to throw away were some cheepo steel mags I bought off of CDNN that had pressed steel followers. they would bind like crazy so I threw some magpul followers in there and they did not fit right due to the cheaply stampped guides and would bind just as bad as the steel pieces of crap. So I kept the springs and base plate because they seemed alright and threw away the rest. At $5 a mag I new it was a gamble.

Mags are the most over-hyped piece on a gun. Yes it is important that they are reliable, but they are super simple by design and if you cant figure out a way to file or tweak one to work perfectly then you might want to reconsider hobbies.

Most AR failures now days are mag related problems. I believe the probably is especially bad in the military since thy keep mags in use until they break or get lost, instead of dispose them when worn.

Great-Kazoo
10-19-2013, 21:42
i have been to dozens of countries with my usgi mags. and have not had any that became unserviceable. ever.

Or any of the ones i "stole" from you, 20 something years ago?

What ever you feel comfortable with use. I still have some israeli orlites that work fine.

sniper7
10-19-2013, 21:48
In the last 25 years of shooting AR's USGI mags have served me just fine. You do know Pmags are pretty new to the market and USGI mags have been proven for around 40 plus years now. What problems have you had with USGI mags?????

My opinion as well. I love the pmags dont get me wrong, they are pretty and cool and all that. but proof of service over 4 decades speaks volumes.

skullybones
10-19-2013, 22:21
Most AR failures now days are mag related problems. I believe the probably is especially bad in the military since thy keep mags in use until they break or get lost, instead of dispose them when worn.

What are your sources? How much have you run this platform?

Great-Kazoo
10-19-2013, 22:27
What are your sources? How much have you run this platform?

He's in college, probably mid - late 20's , so i'd venture light years of hands on.

gos
10-19-2013, 22:49
GI mags don't have date codes stamped into most of them

UrbanWolf
10-19-2013, 22:51
What are your sources? How much have you run this platform?

Plenty of demonstration and tests done by different folks on the internet, most agree GI mags don't perform as well against Pmags.

"PMag internal geometry uses an aggressive constant curve to improve reliability (the USGI has a curved then straight section to work with the M16 straight mag well)
PMag has a corrosive resistant stainless steel spring, USGI uses stock music wire
PMag has a 4 way anti tilt follower as standard (only very recent USGI mags have this)
PMag has a floorplate that is easier to remove and more robust than a USGI
PMag body has better crush strength than a USGI
PMag feedlips have better impact strength than a USGI
In combat deployment after-action reports, the PMag far out lasts USGI mags in theater.
PMag is functional after a 500 hour simulated salt spray test (the USGI fails)
PMag has a much much lower IR signature than a USGI
PMag body is easier to handle in both extreme hot and cold temperatures."

Great-Kazoo
10-19-2013, 22:55
Plenty of demonstration and tests done by different folks on the internet, most agree GI mags don't perform as well against Pmags.

"PMag internal geometry uses an aggressive constant curve to improve reliability (the USGI has a curved then straight section to work with the M16 straight mag well)
PMag has a corrosive resistant stainless steel spring, USGI uses stock music wire
PMag has a 4 way anti tilt follower as standard (only very recent USGI mags have this)
PMag has a floorplate that is easier to remove and more robust than a USGI
PMag body has better crush strength than a USGI
PMag feedlips have better impact strength than a USGI
In combat deployment after-action reports, the PMag far out lasts USGI mags in theater.
PMag is functional after a 500 hour simulated salt spray test (the USGI fails)
PMag has a much much lower IR signature than a USGI
PMag body is easier to handle in both extreme hot and cold temperatures."


Sounds like the magpul salesman.

Remember:
Cardboard's Maintenance Free

Till it RAIN'S .

ChunkyMonkey
10-19-2013, 23:23
Plenty of demonstration and tests done by different folks on the internet, most agree GI mags don't perform as well against Pmags.

"PMag internal geometry uses an aggressive constant curve to improve reliability (the USGI has a curved then straight section to work with the M16 straight mag well)
PMag has a corrosive resistant stainless steel spring, USGI uses stock music wire
PMag has a 4 way anti tilt follower as standard (only very recent USGI mags have this)
PMag has a floorplate that is easier to remove and more robust than a USGI
PMag body has better crush strength than a USGI
PMag feedlips have better impact strength than a USGI
In combat deployment after-action reports, the PMag far out lasts USGI mags in theater.
PMag is functional after a 500 hour simulated salt spray test (the USGI fails)
PMag has a much much lower IR signature than a USGI
PMag body is easier to handle in both extreme hot and cold temperatures."


Yes yes, if its on the internet then it is always true right?

Obviously you have not shot that many rounds through your AR.

My pmags cracked - it does not flex back. I broke the lip of one pmag m2 last year. Meanwhile my pre ban colt usgi 20 rounders work all the time.

PMAG is an upgrade for sure.. but to say that USGI metal mags are shitty... is extremely armchair general like.

IMHO HK sa80 is the best... but folks in the field hated their hk416 mags. I shoot few thousand rounds through mine every summer... they work wonders for me.

buffalobo
10-19-2013, 23:39
USGI mags are my go to mags and pmags are my backups. Never owned a plastic mag of any kind until a few years ago. Just always preferred metallic mags.

strm_trpr
10-19-2013, 23:49
I run both. I don't have any 20 rd pmags so i run 20 rd colt straight mags when on the bench. I usually use and abuse my pmags and keep my gi mags in like new condition at home.

Citizen_Soldier
10-20-2013, 01:52
I'll chime in. During the 6 years I've been in the Army, I have only had my service rifle jam when using the shitty unit-issued GI mags. Three years ago it was so bad that I vowed to never again forget my pmags at home when going to a shooting clinic/competition/qualification range with the Army. Have had 0 issues since.

Yes my rifle was always cleaned and lubed properly, I haven't changed that since I joined. Could just be dumb luck, but I blame the magazines.

Bailey Guns
10-20-2013, 04:15
I like 'em both. There are pros/cons to both.

PMags don't fit in all guns designed for the GI-style mags. Also, I have several Colt USGI 20-round mags from the 60s that are still going strong, original springs/followers, etc. None of my PMags from the 60s work.

ray1970
10-20-2013, 05:47
Here is a link to David Fortier's article where he tested a variety of magazines. I'll find another link with the photos.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Feeding+your+AR%3A+AR+mags%3A+is+there+a+best%3F+T he+magazine+has+been...-a0212762057

Colorado Osprey
10-20-2013, 06:16
Yeah, but hey, what kind of mags did they use to kill Osama Bin Ladin?

Wasn't that an MP5 with and HK 9mm mag?

Great-Kazoo
10-20-2013, 07:47
I like 'em both. There are pros/cons to both.

PMags don't fit in all guns designed for the GI-style mags. Also, I have several Colt USGI 20-round mags from the 60s that are still going strong, original springs/followers, etc. None of my PMags from the 60s work.


[ROFL1]

wctriumph
10-20-2013, 09:28
I've not shot as much as I would have liked but over two Bushmaster AR's I have never had a issue with a GI mag.

hatidua
10-20-2013, 10:22
What's up with people who only want USGI mags for their AR?

Legally speaking, it's a bit of a moot point isn't it?

Bailey Guns
10-20-2013, 17:39
[ROFL1]

Thanks, Jim. At least someone was paying attention.

Gman
10-20-2013, 18:20
I have made my past purchases looking for USGI teflon coated mags made on Labelle Industries tooling. I've never had a single failure with any of them. I picked up some PMags before the new laws went into effect, but I've yet to use any of them.

RonMexico
10-20-2013, 22:39
My mags of choice. PMag, HK mag than GI Mag. If it's a GI I put Magpul followers like Ray and a few others have said. GI mags will not run in SAW but HK mags will run in a SAW and IAR but are heavy and the feed lips bent easy if dropped.
You life is not worth $10 so throw the shit away or trade it for junk but bang for the buck I tend to go with PMAGs.

Great-Kazoo
10-20-2013, 22:40
My mags of choice. PMag, HK mag than GI Mag. If it's a GI I put Magpul followers like Ray and a few others have said. GI mags will not run in SAW but HK mags will run in a SAW and IAR but are heavy and the feed lips bent easy if dropped.
You life is not worth $10 so throw the shit away or trade it for junk but bang for the buck I tend to go with PMAGs.

get anything this weekend?

hghclsswhitetrsh
10-20-2013, 22:42
I just replaced most of my opened usgi mags with the new yellow follower from magpul. I like em both.

RonMexico
10-21-2013, 07:46
get anything this weekend?
Going back up with another buddy tomorrow . Truck problem and the gf had a limited schedule, so no

Kraven251
10-21-2013, 08:16
Personally I like pmags, but to that point I add the following caveats:

1. I have never served in the military or used a GI mag in any combat scenario
2. I like the feel of the PMag in my hand over the GI mag
3. I have put less than 500 rounds through a rifle using GI mags
4. I like the Barbie dreamhouse color selection with PMags

None of these things have anything to do with their functionality, durability, or useability; it is just my preference based largely on personal aesthetics, and what was available when I was having my rifles built out.