browning sponsored
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Don't have my AR yet,so i don't know much. Are all AR magazines the same and fit any AR? What is best Mags to get? Magpul?
AR Magazines
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ScottRiqui
New member
I'm sure there several good brands out there, but I just went with Magpul's PMAG and never gave it a second thought. One less thing to worry about.
I'll echo the others and say get Magpul PMags. I've tried a variety of other brands and types and decided nothing beats a PMag.
On that note though I HAVE found that if you wanted to retrofit other mags (such as the aluminum GI mags) to be more reliable all you need to do is purchase Magpul's PMag anti-tilt followers. They aren't expensive and come in 3 and 5 packs. Simply disassemble the GI (or other model) mag, toss the original follower and install the Magpul follower in its place. Increases reliability and functionality by tons! Still not as good as an actual Magpul PMag but its darned near close in function - just not as durable.
On that note though I HAVE found that if you wanted to retrofit other mags (such as the aluminum GI mags) to be more reliable all you need to do is purchase Magpul's PMag anti-tilt followers. They aren't expensive and come in 3 and 5 packs. Simply disassemble the GI (or other model) mag, toss the original follower and install the Magpul follower in its place. Increases reliability and functionality by tons! Still not as good as an actual Magpul PMag but its darned near close in function - just not as durable.
All AR15 mags are designed to fit any AR15. Not to say they are all the same quality. Many seem to like the Magpul Pmags. I have had good luck with OKay industries, C Products mags and I especially like the D&H industries mags from BCM (they have the magpul followers). I haven't used the Pmags so I can't compare but the ones I have listed are generally half the price and all of them will allow for longer seating depths if you are a reloader.
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Technosavant
New member
While any AR mag will work in any AR, keep in mind that some AR lowers have fairly tight magwells and some of the polymer mags (like Pmag) won't drop free from them when empty (Magpul has revised the Pmag to deal with this, but the Pmag 20 still suffers from it).
In my own gun closet I have Magpul Pmags, TangoDown ARC mags, and Brownells GI mags retrofitted with Magpul followers (they now offer them with the followers installed already).
IMO, they're all good mags, but right now I'm mostly buying the Brownells with Magpul followers- they drop free from ALL my ARs, they work great, and they're even a hair cheaper (not by enough to make that the deciding factor though).
In my own gun closet I have Magpul Pmags, TangoDown ARC mags, and Brownells GI mags retrofitted with Magpul followers (they now offer them with the followers installed already).
IMO, they're all good mags, but right now I'm mostly buying the Brownells with Magpul followers- they drop free from ALL my ARs, they work great, and they're even a hair cheaper (not by enough to make that the deciding factor though).
Achilles11B
New member
Jo6pak nailed it.
PMags are insanely reliable and have a snugger fit in the magazine well. I'm not one to follow trends, but there is a reason so many AR owners swear by them.
PMags are insanely reliable and have a snugger fit in the magazine well. I'm not one to follow trends, but there is a reason so many AR owners swear by them.
Two of my ARs have tight magwells and the PMags didn't want to drop free when empty. In fact on one of them the first time I tried a PMag in it I couldn't get the mag to come back out. I had to take the upper off the gun and using a mallet and a wooden block hammer the mag out of the gun.
I simply take some 800 grit sandpaper and give it a good sanding all around the mag's upper 1/3rd. You don't have to take much off just a hair of material and the mag fits tightly but drops loose when empty and you hit the mag eject button. I did that to all of my PMags (I have 35 of them) and they still fit and function fine in my other ARs but also work well in the ones with tight magwells.
Each one only took a few minutes by hand. My buddy said he did his with a couple passes of a dremel and a sanding bit and it went a lot faster. Mind you doing 35 of them by hand it took me a little more than an hour but ah well its a labor of love right?
For general use I like the PMags as well. I use 20-rds mostly at the range as they do not stick out so much and take less space in the range box.
However, some mag pouches are sized for the GI aluminum mag and not the Pmag so if you intend to wear a vest or have a bag with mag pouches you may want to either get GI mags or make sure the PMags are going to fit. If you get GI mags be sure to the upgraded version with Magpul followers.
Make sure to get a LULA mag loader/unloader, Fairly cheap and greatly speeds loading and unloading mags and saves wear and tear on your fingers.
Remember though, no mag is permanent equipment. Mags are essentially semi-disposable items.
Pluses for PMags: Plastic as used in firearms accessories does not deform in most cases. It either is the right shape or it is cracked and broken. They come with covers to help keep out grit and dust. The plastic feed lips and body make for very smooth loading of cartridges by hand. Good price point at around $14 each. Easier to get in various colors so you can code your ammo: FMJ, self defense, target, etc.
Cons for PMags or other plastic ones: Usually larger than GI mags in the base or body below the mag well so may not fit pouches. Can only use disk doubler devices specially designed to accommodate PMags. Cannot use just any follower for replacement (although very low probability). May be damaged by some solvents or chemicals. I have not seen any damage but being plastic it is liable to be more sensitive to chemicals than aluminum.
Pros for Aluminum GI (Okay/Colt/NHMTG, D&H, Brownells): This is what the AR was designed to use so all magwells and pouches should fit the GI mags. Most mag doubler devices are designed for the GI mag. GI mags are required for CMP competitions. Probably more resistant to chemicals and solvents. Prices range from $10 - $22.
Cons for GI mags: Can be dented or feed lips bent and difficult to repair correctly. Sharper edges can snag or chew up clothing, gloves, etc.
Personally I like them both and have several 20 and 30 rds mags, of which about half are PMags and the others are GI mags with Magpul followers (except the 20 rd GI which cannot use the Magpul follower which is designed for 30 rd mags, but the 20-rd Gi is very reliable as-is).
However, some mag pouches are sized for the GI aluminum mag and not the Pmag so if you intend to wear a vest or have a bag with mag pouches you may want to either get GI mags or make sure the PMags are going to fit. If you get GI mags be sure to the upgraded version with Magpul followers.
Make sure to get a LULA mag loader/unloader, Fairly cheap and greatly speeds loading and unloading mags and saves wear and tear on your fingers.
Remember though, no mag is permanent equipment. Mags are essentially semi-disposable items.
Pluses for PMags: Plastic as used in firearms accessories does not deform in most cases. It either is the right shape or it is cracked and broken. They come with covers to help keep out grit and dust. The plastic feed lips and body make for very smooth loading of cartridges by hand. Good price point at around $14 each. Easier to get in various colors so you can code your ammo: FMJ, self defense, target, etc.
Cons for PMags or other plastic ones: Usually larger than GI mags in the base or body below the mag well so may not fit pouches. Can only use disk doubler devices specially designed to accommodate PMags. Cannot use just any follower for replacement (although very low probability). May be damaged by some solvents or chemicals. I have not seen any damage but being plastic it is liable to be more sensitive to chemicals than aluminum.
Pros for Aluminum GI (Okay/Colt/NHMTG, D&H, Brownells): This is what the AR was designed to use so all magwells and pouches should fit the GI mags. Most mag doubler devices are designed for the GI mag. GI mags are required for CMP competitions. Probably more resistant to chemicals and solvents. Prices range from $10 - $22.
Cons for GI mags: Can be dented or feed lips bent and difficult to repair correctly. Sharper edges can snag or chew up clothing, gloves, etc.
Personally I like them both and have several 20 and 30 rds mags, of which about half are PMags and the others are GI mags with Magpul followers (except the 20 rd GI which cannot use the Magpul follower which is designed for 30 rd mags, but the 20-rd Gi is very reliable as-is).
Mrgunsngear
New member
The two types of AR mags I've never had any issues with are P-mags and Troy mags. I only use those at work and feel very confident with them.
The worst are GI mags. Cracked/bent feed lips are a constant issue...
The worst are GI mags. Cracked/bent feed lips are a constant issue...
madcratebuilder
New member
The most reliable AR mags I have are the D&H 30rd mags with Teflon dryfilm finish and the green anti tilt followers. These are USGI spec and fit any AR with no mag well problems that you sometimes have with Pmags. Half the price of Pmags, I picked up a 20 pack just for ammo storage. Pmags are great IF they fit your AR.
Crow Hunter
New member
I tried PMags. I didn't like them. More cons than pros in my opinion. I still have one of them.
One thing to watch out for on PMags is using them in something other than the AR. Some people have reported problems in other guns.
Another thing is color. If you are going to use PMags. Go black. The other colors have had lots of reports of cracking due to dye used to make the colors (particularly the FDE ones). It makes the polymer weaker than the carbon black used to make the black ones. Magpul will make it right, but I would rather not risk it on something that my life "might" depend on. If you want a different color, paint the black ones.
Personally, I only buy NHMTG/Okay mags. They are the suppliers who make the mags for Colt & the military. If you order them from 44Mag.com they already come with the Magpul followers. Center Industries are supposed to be good too, but I have never had a single issue with a NHMTG/Okay mag, so I just stick with them.
Make sure you get at least 20 of them. Magazines are an expendable item. They wear out/get damaged. If you have a problem with one, stomp it and throw it away or mark it and use it for malfunction clearance drills. They only cost $12.99 a mag, and at $0.35 a round a magazine only costs 37 rounds for a new one.
I think the quote is: "Don't get married to your magazines."
One thing to watch out for on PMags is using them in something other than the AR. Some people have reported problems in other guns.
Another thing is color. If you are going to use PMags. Go black. The other colors have had lots of reports of cracking due to dye used to make the colors (particularly the FDE ones). It makes the polymer weaker than the carbon black used to make the black ones. Magpul will make it right, but I would rather not risk it on something that my life "might" depend on. If you want a different color, paint the black ones.
Personally, I only buy NHMTG/Okay mags. They are the suppliers who make the mags for Colt & the military. If you order them from 44Mag.com they already come with the Magpul followers. Center Industries are supposed to be good too, but I have never had a single issue with a NHMTG/Okay mag, so I just stick with them.
Make sure you get at least 20 of them. Magazines are an expendable item. They wear out/get damaged. If you have a problem with one, stomp it and throw it away or mark it and use it for malfunction clearance drills. They only cost $12.99 a mag, and at $0.35 a round a magazine only costs 37 rounds for a new one.
I think the quote is: "Don't get married to your magazines."BPowderkeg
Moderator
oooh no !! 
now i gotta ask another Q.
now i gotta ask another Q.Mrgunsngear
New member
Promags? I've only used the AR and AK promags and both functioned poorly. I would never, never buy another.
I've only used the AR and AK promags and both functioned poorly. I would never, never buy another.Technosavant
New member
Generally, no.
Promag is notorious for making absolute junk magazines. I won't buy them, and with AR mags, there's way too many good options out there at the same or lower prices.
A quick check of Brownell's site shows the following prices (I have dealer status with them, so I get slightly better pricing... a good reason to have a C&R FFL):
Magpul Pmag: $14.99
Troy Battlemag: $14.50
Brownells USGI (green follower): $9.99
Brownells USGI (Magpul Follower): $11.99
TangoDown ARC: $14.99
They don't even sell the Promag stuff, so I can't quote you a price on that. But I can't imagine a price on anything labeled Promag that would tempt me away from any of the above magazines.
semi_problomatic
New member
I got a handful of free magpul followers from a dealer at a gunshow today so I upgraded some usgi mags I had.