Need I be concerned with magazine selection?

Do I need to concern myself with after market magazines for my M4, or will it accept any and all mags and feed freely? Or, do I need USGI mags only? And if so, are they available?

Thanks!

I would stick with USGI, time proven.

I hear that the UK MOD mags are ok.

stay away from USA brand

I use mainly USGI in all my AR's I do have a few of those cheaps ones you can get for 10.00 at the Gun shows (Not USA Mags) they seem to work fine.

I also have one of those steel england mags. The guy threw it in when I bought my Bushy and either the follow isnt right or the spring is weak and it wont push up the bolt catch. But it could probably be fixed pretty easy.

Others here have used Thermolds and Orelites and like them.

I think its all personal preference, and what works. Not all cheap mags are going to work. And I have heard that I think it was the Thermolds wouldnt fit in some guns but I cant remember for sure.

HTH

I only feed my Bushy through English SA-80 magazines. They are brand new production, 30 round capacity, and less than USGI. Basically the same thing as USGI, except they're brand new, cost less to stock up on, and they use the same green or orange followers.

Cool. Now, how about prices for these mags? (sorry for newbie type questions, but I'd like to keep from falling prey to some eager seller and be taken).

You can find the British SA-80 mags for $15-$18 brand new. $18 being the highest I would pay.

I don't know about recently, but NIW USGI mag prices were around $25+ earlier this year.

You need to think of pre-ban magazines as an investment. Don't wate your time and money on junk. Stick with GI magazines and you won't go wrong.

Colt magazines are great but don't pay any extra for them unless you're a collector. Truth be told the magazines are the same except for the floorplates.

Avoid USA brand magazines like the plague. Also avoid anything in discount catalogs that aren't listed as GI magazines. They will fit, but the function will be a disappointment.

You'll want some 20 rounders for working prone or sighting in off a bench. You'll find the 20's are a little bit more expensice, but they are a really nice addition to the range box.

Magazines are not for ammunition storage.

They are the feeding device for your weapon

So the quality/relaibility of your Mags is at least as important as the quality/reliability of your weapon.

Don't cut corners...

Also...for prone shooting 30 rounders make a great monopod!

USGI

HK (if you can find them)

Singaporean steels have functioned flawlessly in my bushy.

I have been ordering new D&H (formerly LaBelle) aluminum USGI mags from CJCS Supply in Ft Campbell, Kentucky. Mags are teflon coated in gray w/ green followers. $15 ea, $2 total shipping for 1-4; no shipping chg for 5+. Their website is under construction but you can e-mail Scott Hyde at:
hyde7181@bellsouth.net

Great guy to work with; mags are sweeeeet and are also LEO stamped.

Tapco. $11.95 for new, formerly LEO magazines.

Out of stock, expecting a shipment in Feb of 2005 :(

USGI is definitely the way to go. External condition doesn't really matter; just make sure the feedlips are in decent condition.

An insanely good upgrade, though, is magpul followers. I wrote up a little review on my website, for anyone bored enough: http://top-quark.com/cgi-bin/blosxom...gpul.writeback

The HK mag is amazing. Every other mag feels like a toy compared to it.