The magazine requirements for an AR weapon can change depending on the scenario to be encountered. Prone, long-range situations call for short magazines that allow an operator to hug the ground. A close-quarter combat scenario may require lots of ammo.
Here’s a look at specialty AR magazines to feed your machine.
The 100-round Beta C-Mag dual-drum magazine has a reputation of reliability with the U.S. military. The AR magazine can unload 1,500 rounds per minute, and it adjusts to the weapon’s rate of fire. Constructed of thermoplastic material and non-corrosive metal alloys, the magazine weighs 2.2 pound in 5.56mm NATO and 9mm versions or 2.3 pounds for 7.62mm NATO models. The compact, twin-drum housing loads like a standard magazine, or you can use the Beta Personal Loader included with each magazine. The C-Mag meets or exceeds all applicable U.S. and NATO military specifications.
Brownells’ five- and 10-round AR magazines use a metal body and feed lips but have an extended polymer base. The extended base allows for more ergonomic shooting and magazine seating. They replicate the length of a high-capacity magazine yet limit the round capacity to five or 10. Brownells’ magazines are available in .204 Ruger, .223 Remington, 5.56mm NATO and 300 AAC Blackout.
Dependable stainless steel magazines are the backbone of C Products Defense. The company’s .223/5.56mm 30-round magazines are extremely durable and dependable, and they generally outperform mil-spec aluminum magazines. Utilizing 0.020-gauge 400 series stainless steel that is heat-treated, plus a bright orange “snap-on” anti-tilt follower, these magazines have increased interior dimensions to promote the proper stacking of cartridges and reduce the chance of a failure due to a jam. The magazines are Type III hardcoat anodized and come in colors or a matte black finish.
In the heat of the moment, the Command Arms Accessories (CAA) CountDown magazine (CDMAG) helps you keep tracking of your remaining rounds. The 30-round 5.56mm/.223 magazines have a color-coded visual indicator that shows how many rounds are left inside. The color code goes from green to yellow to red, giving the user a heads up that it’s almost time to reload. The AR magazines are made of high-impact polymer with corrosion-resistant stainless steel springs and non-tilting followers. They are lightweight and rustproof, and they come in the following finishes: black, green and khaki.
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Lancer’s L7 Adanced Warfighter Magazine (L7AWM) is designed for 7.62mm/.308 Winchester ARs and is available in five-, 10- and 20-round capacities. These hybrid magazines combine the reliability of a steel magazine with the weight savings of a polymer magazine. Lancer magazines have a one-piece-wraparound steel feed lip assembly permanently bonded to an impact-resistant polymer magazine body. The body is textured for a sure grip with or without gloved hands. The polymer is translucent so a shooter can easily see the remaining round count. The spring is stainless steel. Lancer’s L5AWM mags are designed for the 5.56mm and come in 10- and 30-round capacities.
The new, 30-round PMAG GEN M3 from Magpul has a clear polymer window built into the AR magazine body that allows the operator to rapidly determine its remaining rounds. It employs a long-life stainless steel spring, a four-way anti-tilt follower and constant curve internal geometry to ensure reliable feeding. It also can be disassembled without tools. A redesigned bolt catch notch provides increased bolt catch clearance, and an oversized travel stops ensure the magazine can’t be over-inserted into a weapon.
Whether you feed your AR-platform rifle 5.56mm, .223 Remington or 300 AAC Blackout ammo, the 30-round Mission First Tactical (MFT) SCPM556 magazine will keep it running. The SCPM556 is made of polymer for light weight yet is design for tough usage. Its stipple texturing and low-profile front rib help when loading the magazine, providing a sure grip. It has a flared floorplate to aid in extraction and handling, plus it protects against damage when the magazine fall to ground after the mag release is hit. It uses a stainless steel spring and a four-way, anti-tilt follower. No tools are required for disassembly.
The aptly named 90-Rounder from MWG offers you just that, 90 rounds of hellfire. This high-capacity magazine uses a snail-drum design and high-impact polymers for a lightweight, low-maintenance, reliable feeder for an AR platform. The 90-Rounder’s loaded weight is 3.6 pounds, and it’s length is 7.75 inches—only 0.75 inches longer than a mil-spec 30-round magazine. The back of the magazine is made of clear polymer so an operator can easily and quickly view the remaining rounds. The snail drum tucks to the left side of the weapon. MWG also offers similar magazines with smaller capacities.
SureFire’s MAG5-60 and MAG5-100 are sticks of firepower in 60- and 100-round capacities, respectively. Both magazines are designed for 5.56mm/.223 cartridges and are constructed from mil-spec hardcoat anodized aluminum using non-binding coil springs and a polymer follower. The springs are cadmium-coated for corrosion resistance and less friction. They can also be disassembled without tools. The 60-round magazine is the same length as a mil-spec 30-round magazine, and it is slightly thinner than two 30-round magazines, so it will fit in most dual magazine pouches. The weight of a loaded 60-round magazine is slightly more than 2 pounds; 100-round AR magazines weigh 3.3 pounds.
TangoDown’s polymer ARC (Advanced Reliability Combat) magazines are simple. They are constructed with no floorplates, which can snag on gear and fail. Cleaning ARC magazines is fast, easy and requires no disassembly. They are designed for 100-percent reliability and drop free from the magazine well. Molded into the front edge of the magazine body are serrations for a sure grip. The bottom section has a big grid texture for a sure grip with or without gloves. ARC magazines are available in 20- and 30-round capacities with either matte black or Flat Dark Earth finishes. TangoDown’s ARC Reduced Capacity magazines have integral internal blocks limiting ammunition capacity, so the 30-round magazine body only holds five or 10 rounds. The 20-round body holds 10 rounds.
The 30-round Battlemag magazines from Troy Industries are made with a polymer body and floorplate. The polymer resists impacts, chemicals and biological substances. Two floorplates are provided: a flush version that won’t snag when pulled from a magazine pouch, and a shock-absorbing extended floorplate. The extension helps prevent damage when the mag release is pressed and the mag falls free. The outside of the magazine has an aggressive scale texture that provides a good grip in wet or dry conditions. Four color options are available: black, Flat Dark Earth, olive drab and tan.
Make it rain with X Products’ 50-round X-15 drum magazines for ARs chambered in 5.56mm/.223 and 300 AAC Blackout. These magazine are constructed primarily from metal (steel and aluminum) with some polymer parts. Their tension relief device allows the X-15 to operate in weapons with cyclic rates of 1,100 rounds per minute. X-15C series magazines come with Cerakote finishes in burnt bronze, Flat Dark Earth, olive drab, desert tan and zombie green. X Products also offers “Skeletonized” versions of its magazines that have triangular relief cuts around the drum to reduce weight.
