Beta C-Mags: The Beta C-Mag system includes a twin-drum, 100-round magazine along with a loader, a pouch and a graphite tube for easy loading. The low-profile twin drums of the magazine are located on either side of the weapon so a user can shoot easily from prone. Made of thermoplastic material and non-corrosive metal alloys, the 5.56mm AR-15 magazine weighs 2.3 pounds. The rear cover is available in black or clear, and the latter allows operators to see how much ammo is left. C-Mags are currently available for a number of weapon systems.
Brownells .308 AR Mags: The 20-round .308 AR magazines from Brownells were specifically designed for DPMS and Knight’s Armament rifles. The magazine body is constructed of heat-treated aluminum and wears an anti- corrosion hardcoat anodized finish. The stainless steel spring follower keeps even pressure on the ammunition stack through the entire feed path. Brownells also incorporates a dry-film lubricant for smooth insertions in the magazine well.
Brownells AR-15/M16 USGI CS Mags: The AR-15/M16 USGI CS magazine is made of mil-spec materials and manufactured under strict ISO quality-control standards. This 30-rounder uses a heat-treated, welded aluminum body that is hardcoat anodized for superior corrosion resistance and given a dry-lube coating to aid in magazine well insertions. Another noteworthy feature is the magazine’s chrome silicon (CS) spring.
E-Lander 40-Round Mags: E-Lander magazines are now available from The Mako Group, and the 40-round 5.56mm M16/AR-15 magazine features a high-performance steel body as well as a white, anti-tilt, self-leveling follower and a reinforced floorplate. Israeli special military forces and anti-terror units have tested these strong, heavy-gauge steel magazines.
FAB Defense Ultimag Smart Load: The polymer Ultimag Smart Load magazine combines an AR magazine with a ripcord charger. Just pull the ripcord to compress the magazine’s spring, drop in cartridges and push the cord release button in the floorplate. In other words, these magazines take only a few seconds to load.
Magpul PMAG 40 GEN M3: Magpul’s PMAG 40 AR/M4 GEN M3 is a 40-round 5.56mm magazine for AR-style rifles. Made of impact- and crush-resistant polymer, this mag uses constant-curve internal geometry for smooth feeding plus an anti-tilt, self-lubricating follower and a long-lasting stainless steel spring. The ribbed gripping surfaces and aggressive front and rear texturing ensure positive handling.
Okay SureFeed Mags: Okay Industries knows a thing or two about mil-spec magazines. In fact, the company has been supplying the United States military with reliable M4/M16 magazines since 1973, and now the company is offering civilians reliable 10-, 20- and 30-round magazines as part of its SureFeed line. Each magazine is carefully inspected and features an anti-tilt follower to eliminate feeding issues. The mag body and baseplate are made of heat-treated, hardcoat anodized aluminum.
Mission First Tactical SCPM556: The 30-round Standard Capacity Polymer Magazines (SCPMs) from Mission First Tactical feature stipple texturing, low-profile front ribs and flared floorplates that all aid in handling. The magazine body is made of military-grade reinforced polyamide. It also features a long-lasting stainless steel spring and a four-way anti-tilt follower for reliable feeding. The floorplate provides drop protection and has a dot matrix area that can be marked for easy identification. Two drain holes ensure water and small particles exit the magazine. SCPM556 mags are available in black, grey, foliage green and Scorched Dark Earth.
Magpul PMAG 25 M118 LR/SR GEN M3 Window: For hungry big-bore AR-platform rifles, the PMAG 25 M118 LR/SR GEN M3 Window holds 25 rounds of 7.62x51mm NATO ammo with constant-curve geometry and transparent windows to allow instant visual identification of remaining rounds. This Magpul magazine is compatible with SR-25/M110-style rifles using longer-than-SAAMI-spec match ammunition up to 2.83 inches in overall length.
Hexmag HX Series Mags: Constructed of fiber-reinforced polymer, Hexmag’s HX Series magazines are compatible with virtually all ARs. Built for 5.56mm and 300 BLK ammo, the magazines feature stripper clip guides for easier loading. The HexID system allows you to mark the follower and floorplate with various colors. Hexmag Grip Tape is also available to enhance the gripping surface on the exterior.
TangoDown ARC Mags: TangoDown’s ARC magazines have a simple design that utilizes polymer materials for reliability and strength. With no floorplates, ARC magazines are strong and snag-free. You also don’t have to disassemble them for cleaning. The internal shape of the ARC provides enhanced reliability. It also drops free from the magazine well while the exterior shape, with ribs and rectangular recesses, allows easy manipulations and positive seating. Both 20- and 30-round capacities are available.
Troy Battlemags: Troy’s polymer Battlemags are designed to function flawlessly with all AR-15-style weapons. Constructed from a proprietary, military-grade polymer that is chemical, biological and impact resistant, each Troy Battlemag has reinforced feed lips and an anti-tilt follower. The aggressive scale pattern provides a sure grip in dirty or wet conditions. Included with each magazine is a flush and shock-absorbing extended floorplate lock. Battlemags are available in black, Flat Dark Earth, coyote tan and OD green.
TAPCO Intrafuse Gen II Mags: TAPCO’s 30-round Intrafuse Gen II AR magazines are made with military-grade glass-filled nylon bodies and use premium 17-7 stainless steel springs. Each Intrafuse magazine also features a redesigned follower that allows more dirt and grime to pass through it. TAPCO has also dialed down the spring tension to cut back on the stress put on the magazine body when fully loaded while still keeping it reliable.
X Products X-25: The 50-round X-25 drum magazine from X Products is designed for large-caliber ARs and offers serious .30-caliber firepower in a compact package. Made of steel and aluminum with polymer parts, the X-25 has a profile that is shorter than a typical 30-round AR-15 magazine. X Products’ innovative tension-relief device allows the X-25 to operate in weapons with cyclic rates of 850 rounds per minute, and it is designed to work in most .308/7.62mm ARs.
SureFire MAG5-60 & MAG5-100: The MAG5-60 and MAG5-100 (shown) from SureFire offer 60 and 100 rounds of firepower, respectively, for 5.56mm NATO carbines and rifles. Made from mil-spec, hardcoat anodized aluminum with polymer followers and cadmium-coated springs to prevent binding, these magazines measure only 1.66 inches thick, making them thinner than two standard magazines coupled together.
Mission First Tactical 10/30PM556: Mission First Tactical is now offering a 10-round magazine with a polymer body as long as a typical 30-rounder for customers in states and cities with the 10-round magazine capacity limits, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, New York and more. These mags designed to meet the exacting demands of military, law enforcement and professionals across the globe, fit AR-15/M4 platforms and are compatible with a variety of non-AR-15/M4 systems. MFT also offers 10-, 15- and 30-round mags.
Magazines are some of the most important — and abused — pieces of equipment we shooters use with our ARs. We dump them on cement, in mud. They fall freely from our magazine wells into sand. Sometimes we slam them into magazine wells cleanly, or jam feed lips against metal. This is just normal use. We treat AR magazines like they’re disposable, and yet we expect them to be reliable 100 percent of the time.
Luckily, manufacturers have stepped up to the plate to offer extremely durable, reliable AR magazines that will work every time you need them to, and we’ve rounded up some of the best available to keep your AR running in tip-top shape.
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For more information about the AR magazines featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.
