How do you rate AR Magazines & Followers?

[Lo-Profile]

I've have and used bunches of different magazines over the almost 50 years I've been shooting M16/AR platform guns. Yep, since 1977.
Have owned 2 M16A2 guns I bought before Reagan banned the new manufacturer in 1986. Bought both for less than $1500 each, sold them before my open heart surgery for way more. Wish I'd bought a bunch more back then as a retirement plan

My preference is the metal USGI style as they fit easier in 3 pouch bandoliers.

Only thing I really didn't like about P-mags is the baseplate sticking out the way it does.

 

[AK Hunter]

I have used mags from the top competitors down to heavily used military surplus.
The ones that work get placed in my gun bags or ammo boxes, the ones that don't work get tossed or some have been into gun mounts or displays mags.
The only brand I would tell everyone to stay away from is ProMags, I have yet to see one that works right out of the box. And even if you get one working it doesn't work very long.

 

[tark]

Compared to non-Ruger Mini 14 magazines...they are ALL good.!!

 

[Charlie98]

PASS

-or-

FAIL

That's my general rule of thumb as well. Either they work... or they do not. Same goes with 1911 mags, etc.

20-round GI magazines had pot metal followers.

I still have something like 10 original Colt 20rd USGI mags, I use them... a LOT. But, indeed, the followers are terrible. I tried adapting a USGI green follower to the 20rd mag some years ago... I think it's still stuck up inside the body. Oh, well....

Only thing I really didn't like about P-mags is the baseplate sticking out the way it does.

I would agree, although I understand the function of it. It does give fits when trying to use bandoliers and such, intended for USGI mags.



My AR mag stash consists of the aforementioned 20rd USGI mags, which have always worked well, and all Gens of PMags, in both 20rd and 30rd flavor. I don't generally like a mix-master bag of anything, especially magazines. I find what works, and I use that. There is a reason Magpul has the reputation they do.

 

[lysanderxiii]

The progression of followers, for GI 30-round magazines, was black, light green, and tan. The black ones were supposed to be replaced, and the green ones were relegated to training use.

The earliest 30-round GI followers were dark green, with embossed white lettering. These Vietnam-era mags are rare and valuable. They obviously don't function as well as the later ones. But don't throw them out!

20-round GI magazines had pot metal followers. Don't use these in 30-round magazines.

The progression of 30 round magazine followers is :

1) Dark (or emerald) green (1967)
2) Black (1970s)
3) Light green (officially release for production in 1993, but by 2000 it was still not common.)
4) Tan (officially approved 2008)
5) Blue (only fits the Tan-brown EPM)

The original USGI 20 round magazines had cast aluminum followers.

The feed lip design is slightly different between the 20 rounders and the 30 rounders as well.

 

[buttrap]

Best is the old GI 20 round mags with the alum followers that say COLT 5.56 from what I see and the 30 round black followers seem to do fine too. All in all do not get after market designer junk.