Polymer vs steel magazines

[waldonbuddy]

I did a google search on this and came up with nothing. I also did a search here on this forum, but as you can guess I got a zillion pages with both words contained in all of them, just not an exact phrase.

Ive got to buy some magazines for an up comming rifle purchase, and I got to thinking, which is better?

I know that the polymer wont rust, or dent, but it can crack, and separate.

Steel will rust and dent, but not crack or shouldn't separate.

Anyway, sorry as I know this has to have been discussed before, but this forum doesn't seem as anal as "the Firing Line", so what do you guys/gals think?

 

[PT1911]

I dont mind typically one way or the other... both have their advantages and drawbacks... I suffice with what is available.

 

[mljdeckard]

What kind of rifle?

 

[Acera]

Check this video out, it should help your decision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCFXcOOb4jc

 

[Shung]

for ar-15 platform, pmags have no real opponents. They rule the world of mags !

 

[everallm]

At the end of the day it is about the quality of the manufacturer and the manufacturing processes

 

[shotgunjoel]

Pmags

 

[makarovnik]

I prefer steel mags with steel follower.

 

[waldonbuddy]

Well the rifle is an AK47 to which after reading all of your replies I did a search on p mags for ak47 and couldn't find any for sale online. Is there any other brand that works well, or to stay away from as far as the polymer mags are concerned?

 

[PandaBearBG]

+ 1 for the Pmags, solid great, reliable, can't go wrong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAUFHEJFf-E&feature=related

Pmag got one 7.62 shot thru and thru and STILL functions, NOW thats a test!

 

[Avenger29]

Well the rifle is an AK47 to which after reading all of your replies I did a search on p mags for ak47 and couldn't find any for sale online. Is there any other brand that works well, or to stay away from as far as the polymer mags are concerned?

Well, PMAGs aren't made for the AK series. They are only made for the AR-15 in 5.56 (although Magpul is supposedly going to make a 7.62x51 version sometime in the future). The AR-15 had a real need for a durable magazine, wheras AK mags are pretty much, well, covered in that department.

AK-47 mags? Either stick with the steel military mag or go with Bulgarian waffle mags. Just be aware that for the AK, there are many polymer magazines that aren't that great.

 

[mljdeckard]

That's why I asked which rifle.

I concur witht he above. Think steel, black, and worn. It means it works.

 

[mp510]

Any mag can fail- regardless of the material. The question is, how easily?

I have no problem trusting well made synthetic mags, like PMAGS. I wouldn't trust crappy steel mags (like National Magazine Corp products) unless I saw a given mag work.

In my AR, I have no problem using USGI (surplus and type) aluminum mags or PMAGS. One of these days I'm going to order some of the stainless South Korean Maritime mags.

 

[PandaBearBG]

Whoops! For an AK Steel...

 

[Avenger29]

(like National Magazine Corp products) unless I saw a given mag work.

National Magazine, Promags, USA mags, Triple K magazines...definitley stay away from. There is no reason to bother with these brands when good surplus military magazines are readily available.

 

[possum]

if you are buying all new, get the p mags, they are awesome, reliable, and they are durable as you could ask for. i get them for 12.25 each (without the window) and i couldn't ask for any better performance. they also have more and better features than standard ar mags. easier to dissasemble, go no go gauge for the feed lips, mag comer, anti tilt follower etc. and that is just the standard mag.

 

[Avenger29]

if you are buying all new, get the p mags, they are awesome, reliable, and they are durable as you could ask for. i get them for 12.25 each (without the window) and i couldn't ask for any better performance. they also have more and better features than standard ar mags. easier to dissasemble, go no go gauge for the feed lips, mag comer, anti tilt follower etc. and that is just the standard mag.

While I completely agree about the PMAGs, the OP has an AK. Unless you have a .223 cal AK with an adaptor, then you aren't using PMAGs for.

 

[hadmanysons]

Check this video out, it should help your decision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCFXcOOb4jc

+2 for P-Mags! Never had a problem. Not once.

 

[MarineOne]

I picked up some surplus East German steel mags for my SKS-D (same as AK-47 mags) and they worked like a charm.

Too bad I got them from Cheaper Than Mud .... most folks on here (myself included) won't shop there because of their price gouging.




Kris

 

[berettaprofessor]

Acera; What falls on the floor at about 3 minutes exactly in the video you posted...during charging the AR? Black piece, guessing 1.5 inches and 1/4 inch across?

 

[Zoogster]

or go with Bulgarian waffle mags

I picked up some surplus East German steel mags

Be aware that you must remain 922r compliant if the firearm is foreign made. Since many people take the easy route of relying on magazine components to meet 922r compliance, that means installing a foreign made magazine can be a felony without additional modifications to the firearm to remain 922r compliant.

If you purchased a firearm from a store that was only 922r compliant by counting the US made magazine parts, then you need to make up for those number of parts elsewhere on the rifle.

The magazine normally counts as 3 parts (body, floor plate and follower) in 922r compliance.
A foreign magazine just bumps up your foreign part count by 3, meaning you can now only have 7 foreign parts in the entire rifle.

 

[Acera]

berettaprofessor asked:

Acera; What falls on the floor at about 3 minutes exactly in the video you posted...during charging the AR? Black piece, guessing 1.5 inches and 1/4 inch across?

From what I see it is a cartridge. Probably one of the steel cased brands, since it looks dark colored. I base this on it hitting the ground at 2:56 when he is emptying the magazine. Also if you look at 3:08 you see a few of the same sized objects around his feet. Probably ended up with rounds like that all over the floor and workbench.

But in case you are curious, that is not me.

However if you liked that video, check out this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdesKUSUchA




Now I am wondering if anyone has experience with the TangoDown magazines??
http://tangodown.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=54&products_id=126

 

[waldonbuddy]

Has anyone ordered from "the Country Shed"
http://www.thecountryshed.com/ak_magazines.htm
It seems they have quite a selection of AK mags.
Oh, and for the record I do have an Armalite AR10 so Im not a commie......

 

[Avenger29]

Now I am wondering if anyone has experience with the TangoDown magazines??

They appear to be pretty good magazines, if a bit unorthodox in construction/design. They were very recently released, so they haven't gotten as much notice as the Magpul and Lancer offerings.

I look forward to picking up a few TangoDowns when I can.

 

[KBT1911]

Tried a plastic mag for AK one time and it broke with rough use. I only use steel ones now.