40 rd AR-15 mags

[zpo]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but the search doesn't let you use 2 letter long "words" (40). So, are they any good? This will be for range use, or if a dragon attacks me. Mostly range use.

 

[mondocomputerman]

I had the same question. I was looking at some AR's in the gun store earlier in the week and wondered what was normal for an AR. Are the 40's that much bigger than the 30's, and are they reliable?

 

[cruffler]

There are four types of reliable, high capacity M16 magazines (other than the Beta C-Mag):

The 30 round USGI

The 20 round USGI

Thermolds

Orlites

. . . with the last two being somewhat less desirable from a reliabilty perspective.

The 40's are cheap, imprecise stamped steel copies that are jam magnets. I've sold tens of thousands of the USGI mags. I've never sold a single aftermarket steel mag, nor have I ever had a customer ask for one.

Do yourself a favor - get GI mags.

 

[Victor Romen]

There has never been a forty round U.S.G.I. mag. All of them are after market and as such are suspect. I would avoid them. Just better to stick with the tried and true U.S.G.I. mags or some of the military surplus mags that are known to work.

If you want to search for a word or number that is less then three letters add a “*†to the front or rear of it. It might give you more then you want, but will at least allow you to include the word or number in your search.

 

[Phil in Seattle]

The only 40rd magazine for an AR that would be worth owning was made for the AR180 by Sterling.

This is the baseplate from one


Price? $100 is common.

 

[Ian]

Yeah, I've got one of the 40-round USA mags for an AR. It's a piece of junk - malfs on the last 10 or 12 rounds every time I use it.

 

[TimH]

Waht about these

straight from the Bushmaster website

http://www.bushmaster.com/shopping/magazines/mg-0007.asp

 

[Pheonix]

I bought 2 of those a few months ago. After I ordered them I found on AR-15.com that is was not recommended that they be bought. I was sweatin' it until they came in and I tried them out. 40 rounds is real fun for a bump-fire show but I find that even the 5 and 10 rdrs are usually all I need. Dont get me wrong I still need standard caps for SHTF and just to have!!

 

[50 Freak]

Wait a minute, I've got a pair of "special" collapasile 40 rounders.

Meaning you can load them up to 40 rounds and shoot them as is. Or you can load them up to 30 rounds and store them indefinetly and when you do need them, you collapse the magazine making the spring tension stronger and hence a reliable.

Only problem I've had with these was initially the feed leeps were too narrow but a few swipes of the file and they function flawlessly.

 

[Navy joe]

I have one USA 40rd mag. I bought it back in 1994 and when I put it in the rifle the bolt carrier ran into the feed lips. I threw it in a drawer. Last year I pulled it out and took a look. Unlike some aftermarket mags it had a solid steel body, not flimsy in the least. Follower was pretty nice. So, I took out a new Sanchez mag and started measuring. I took metal off the joint seam to make it fit the magwell easier. I took at least 1/8" off each feed lip. It took about an hour. I now have a mag that runs flawlessly with 41 rounds loaded, kinda irritates folks at three gun who have to reload for a 33rd CoF. So, you can make these things work. Keep in mind I am a metalworker by trade and an amateur gun-plumber. You can make these things work, you just need a new mag to measure off of, some common sense, and some patience.

 

[cruffler]

I applaud your efforts and your ability.

But isn't that a little like "The M1911 is a great gun, as soon as you polish and throat the feed ramp, replace the trigger, hone the sear, and fit a new grip safety?"

 

[six 4 sure]

I'll have to agree with Phil. The only 40 rd mags I've heard good things about are the Sterlings. Some searching at www.ar15.com will back that up. Prices usually start at $100 and go north from there.

six