Aluminum vs. Steel?

[Troublco]

Just curious; has anyone noticed any differences between them? The only thing I've noticed is that the Black polymer finish scratches off fairly easily. Other than that they seem to work well. I just don't have enough experience with them (yet) to have found anything else.

[cowboykjohnson]

I've dropped a few aluminum ones before, and they get less reliable each time they hit the ground. I'm a fan of steel.

[sabot_round]

I have used both. I really like the steel HK's because they perform flawless. On the other hand, I have been to combat a time or two with the same set of USGI mags. As long as you maintain them, they will take care of you. My $0.02

[Hannu]

I have used both. I really like the steel HK's because they perform flawless.

+1

H&K is the only one that has not caused any malfunctions with me.

Milspec alu mags are ok, if you replace them before they will start malfunction

[Hoser]

+1

H&K is the only one that has not caused any malfunctions with me.

Just dont drop them unless you want them to self-dissassemble... Thats the main reason Uncle Sam dropped them.

[SA Friday]

Metals bend and retain the new form. Polymers don't. I was issed and carried magpul mags in Iraq. They are light and reliable.

Aluminum's work until the feed lips are jacked and then they are light paper weights. Steel mags just suck to carry and use.

[Troublco]

Thanks for all the input. I have some of each, but the last year or so I've been getting some of the Magpuls. I have some steel for my 6.5 Grendel which are heavy, but I'll only carry the 5 rounders for hunting so no worries on the weight.

[Hannu]

Pmags last sometimes ~1000 rounds, sometimes less. I remember, few ones I tested in winter lasted around 500-600 rounds before feeding lips started to broke.
Worst thing is, when they break, you gonna have 2-3 rounds going to chamber at the same time I do not use them in matches, so have only experienced it while testing/training

If you have fast cycling rifle, you can not use pmags or other plastic ones - they just do not lift rounds up fast enough. Too much friction between rounds and plastic ? I do not know...

Have dropped H&K mags perhaps ~1000 times, never seen them disassemble or break just because you dropped it, like Pmags and alu mags. That problem Hoser described may be with some very early H&K mag type ?

One very good thing with H&K is, you can load your ammo about .05" longer, which makes huge difference with some bullets.

These experiences are from a guy who has been done some shooting with AR-15, but never carried it long times on foot patrol. I have had issued AR-15 (Colt Commando) only once. It was more than 10 years ago, can not remember what mags we had then Carried more commonly Sako M62, Sako M95, Galil SAR, Uzi, ak-74su, Sig 551 Swat, Sig 552.... Never even thought magazine weight, but we then moved about 98% of time in different kinds of vehicles.

If you carry 10 mags + other gear on foot patrol daily basis, you might have different point of view

[Irving]

Subscribed for inevitable e-fight.

[SA Friday]

Hannu, interesting stuff. I have ran p-mags in full auto's and SAWS and haven't ever had a problem. I have not ran them in an ar with a LMOS in it thought. I could see a p-mag having issues feeding with a LMOS, but I would suspect it's because the spring is too strong and the LMOS can't fully overcome the friction vs the round not coming up fast enough. I can't see the cyclic rate of a semi being over the SAW's rate.

The SAW does like to eat followers though...