Hello,

I tried to break or at least beat the crap out of my L5 Lancer mag today.  It sure is made well.  I was reading that some folks were worried that the feed lips may separate with rough use.

By the way I am no Steven Spielberg by any means, and did the videos all by my lonesome, so some of them have a Blair witch quality with the camera going all over the place.  These aren't too scientific either, I kinda just did this for fun so take from my work what you will.

*** I did drop the f word and said shit a couple of times, so if you have kids or something***

First I ran it over with my super uber cool guy Dodge Neon

Running over Lancer L5 with a Neon

A bunch of superficial damage but nothing serious








Then I tied it to my totally functional wing and threw it out of the window (a desolate road, no traffic at all) at 40mph.  I dragged (drug?) it for a bit, once I hit 60-70 area it started to fly all over the place which was pretty neat.

Lancer L5 High Speed Test

I then wanted to see how it did when it got hot. So I put it on my valve cover, and the contact points started to disfigure and melt, nothing too bad. So the valve cover, intake manifold and turbo heat shield were out of the question.  I just snuggled it up to my battery, which is right next to the oil and water lines for my turbo, so there is some decent heat there.  

Place magazine under my hood

I first drove for only 2 miles to make sure I didn't permanently attach a translucent magazine to my battery tray.

Checking mag under hood for 1st time

Then I drove home for like 13 miles or something, the math eludes me at the moment.

Long drive with it under the hood

When I smack it on the ground I do put some force on it.  I also downloaded the magazine for the above tests for safety reasons.

Aftermath pics








I won't get the chance to shoot it (put a round through the mag), neither would I want to so I enlisted the help of a Devil Dog, that is himself a weapon. More lethal than any rifle round

MIL-SPEC vertical foot stomp test

pics of mag







It started to stick a little bit when loading, I believe due to the powa of the foot stomp, but more likely the sand that got in there. Nothing too bad.  I used finger and a LULA to load it up, both worked fine.






I have a firing pin that I Dremeled to prevent it from ever getting near a primer, don't want an ND.  I initially used it to function check my PMags that I modified for my Beowulf .50, but it came in handy here also. I thought that the bolt would function fine without a firing pin at first, but that was until my bolt carrier group got stuck in my upper. I had failed to realize that without a firing pin that the cam will just spin around get stuck in someones upper (Doh!)...so that is why I ground one down.  Live and learn.



I also know that a IIIA vest will not stop .223/5.56, but I put it there anyway.  It stops .40 and .45 great though.

Here is a video of just putting the mag in and racking the charging handle.  It fed fine and even locked the bolt back.  I will fire it tomorrow at the range for a true function check, but this'll do for now.

Pseudo Function check

Sorry for the curse words and some of the sloppy camera work, as my brother said "It looks like a bad porno".  I hope you enjoyed my little tests and I will shoot tomorrow.

Thank you Lancer. You have made a hell of a product. I will definitely buy more.  I beat the piss out of this thing and it still works great.  I may have to do a gallon of gasoline and torch test, but I may hold off on that. And also watch out for DEET, because it lurks around every corner and may strike when you least expect it... dun dun dunnnnnn.

GGGgggrrr...Semper Fi

Thanks for the write up, pics, and video.  I am glad I have 10 of these mags.  Looks like mine will hold up to range use.

Impressive!  I'm sure there will be somebody who will pop along and state that you should have used a bigger vehicle, or dropped it from the top of the Sears tower or something though.

Seriously, what that thing went through is plenty tough for me.

I am getting a little tired of the "PMAG's are awesome and Lancers are crap!" threads.  They are both awesome mags and you just helped prove it.

Nice report, looks like it held up very well.

Damn that was fast getting around to destroying that mag.  You just posted earlier today you would do it.  Looks pretty tough to me.  Can't wait to see your live fire, I am sure it will go without a hitch.

ETA:  Not to change the subject, but your mag has a green follower.  I just purchased a few of these and all of mine have black followers.  Any one know what's up with that?

I was thinking the same thing, mine have black followers, just picked them up the other day.  ??

Looks like a standard green follower from what I can tell?

great report

I gave the Lancer a hard time on the other thread about possible separation, but I like your test.  I have changed my mind about the Lancer after seeing how the polymer/steel stayed together here.   I hope Lancer will replace your mag for your efforts.......

 

I heard Lancer was suppose to come out with a more anti-tilt design follower. Maybe the black one is it? Can you take a pic of it outside of the mag?

FWIW, there was nothing wrong with the original green follower other than some mall ninja's complaining of it tilting when they stuck a pencil down the mag to check the follower function and whining because it was not like Magpul's followers.

My Lancers have green followers.

Nice post.

Mine have green followers as well, and my last ones were just purchased about 2 weeks ago.

Nice review. Cool pics, as well..

(I am not even going to click on the vids due to my slow internet connection..)

.

I am glad that I ordered up a few of these L5's. They look like they can take some serious abuse. I think that I may have to order up a few more when I get paid...

Nice testing and cant wait to see a range report.

I cant beleive you posted that picture on the internet. everybody knows why you "really" filed down that firing pin. your making a machine gun! damn it man! hide your dogs.!!1

The black follower is a slight modification to the green so that it will hold the bolt back after the last round on a specific brand of AR. I don't recall which one. This is one small example of the improvements Lancer is continuously making after getting feedback from you guys.

They do listen and respond to constructive information.



LCPL4ever, if you send me your test mag, I'll send you a new L5. We have never beat one up to the extent you have and would like to take a look at it.

Send me an email at: info AT anchorarmament . com

Thanks for doing this.

You guys are top notch in my book.  I just made my first purchase from you last week and you got my mags to me fast (3days!!!), and it won't be my last.  Keep up the good work.  LCPL4ever, Anchor is going to replace that mag for you for free.  You can't beat that with a stick IMO.

ETA:  Thanks for answering my question about the follower.  I figured as much considering it looked just like a green follower, but black.

I definitely feel better about the L5 now....

However, I still wish they would get rid of that ridge...

I don't care if the feed lips are steel. I have seen more problems with steel feed lips than polymer and aluminum combined.

The biggest weak-point I see is where the steel is inserted into the polymer. I can see there are holes in the steel, to allow the polymer to get in and hold on... but there is no chemical bond. People criticize the windows on the PMags as being weak points... but those are chemically bonded. The L5 has steel in polymer for a critical part of proper function... and no one cares.

They should have made it all polymer... gotten rid of the steel. Get rid of the ridge. Then, I will pay up to $18 for one, since it is nice to have a see-through novelty magazine.


It is durable enough... but I just don't find it that extraordinary... especially for how much they want for the things...

I actually like the ridge, and the reason I bought mine was due to the steel lips.

Not argueing, just making note that we all must find different things important to us.

Right... I am not trying to say they are not good. These tests prove that they are durable enough.

Those are just the reasons I wouldn't want one. For me, PMags and USGI work fine (and I like the looks/construction/feel more)... for less money.

There is no need to "chemical bond" the steel insert. I work with plastics and polymers in the the aviation industry and what Lancer is doing is the best effective method. To "chemical bond" will only add cost with very little to nothing gained for it.

Hootbro

Well I took it to the range today.

It worked great. Had some very bad weather blow in so I could only put 90rd (3 full magazines) but nary a hiccup.  I only recorded the first and third mags.  I didn't record the 2nd mag because I was sighting in my new ACOG and didn't think yall would appreciate watching me adjust windage and elevation for 5 minutes.  I would have loved to just shoot as fast as I could, but the ROs frown on that, and I do like attending that range. Oh and the bolt locked back all three time too.

Here was the rain on the ride back , you can hear the wind in the first video.


I used my Beta C mag stripper clip loader and Federal XM193.  The rifle is a CMMG 20'' inch upper, with a KAC M5 RAS rail, and a Trijicon ACOG TA33-R with an Amber Chevron Reticle, and a Larue bolt carrier group. The lower is an LMT Defender.  I replaced the SOPMOD stock with a standard A2, and I hated the ERGO grip so I replace that with a standard A2 also.

The first video sucks, but you can count the 30 shots and see the rounds going up.
1st mag function check

On the second video you can clearly see the rounds and me firing.  I hit the camera once also.
3rd mag function check

Gun Pron




These are really great mags.  I didn't mention in the first post, that before I drove over it and threw it out of a window that I had dropped it on the feedlips 7 times from chest height (like a mag change, I'm 5'10'') with no visible damage.  I also kept banging the rubber base plate on the driveway to try to get the follower to tilt/mess up, but I failed to do that.  I down loaded it by 5 rounds before I banged it on the ground a bunch. Rounds would pop out, but the follower never tilted or messed up feeding. I went 30 to 25 to 20 15 to 10.  I think the only thing that I accomplished was making my neighbors question my sanity.

If I have left any info out that you would like let me know.


Have a great sunday

Excellent!!!



I had a good feeling that the mag would work after all that.  It really takes a beating and keeps going.  Good deal, I can't wait to get out and run some rounds through mine.  It's been raining all day, and snow for the next couple.

Quite the test you put that Lancer through..

Bout the only thing you didn't do is put a gun to its head and threaten it

Just to see if it would have a breakdown...

Nice work got me a couple on order just for GP

this is a Marine Corp. boot, so this is a Mil spec test


Great testing!

Yeah, and at least you ran it over with an SRT-4 instead of a regular POS neon.

Great stuff!  Thanks for posted all this information.

Nice test and I hope the people who keep posting the L5s feel flimsy and are not as tough as Magpul P-Mags. enjoy eating crow.

Nice write up, and I learned something new today...

LCPL4ever,

We sent you a replacement mag. Let me know when you get it.

Lancer has a few new things coming out at SHOT.

Do Tell

I wish I could. I'm excited about them. Some of them may not be anything breath taking, but will be welcomed in the market today.

Lancer has been dropping hints as to what's coming such as:

20 round magazines
Anti-tilt followers

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a couple more goodies.

Maybe I missed it and if so I apologize but can Lancer L5 mags be inserted fully loaded into an M4 with the bolt closed and still seat properly like the PMag or the HK mag?  Thanks in advance.

I have never had any problems inserting them on our Colts or LMTs.

I have this problem with Pmags in my Bushmaster...a bit surprised (I bought mine 3 months ago..so still a newbie)

Thanks for the write up, I think I will pick up a couple of the Lancers now.

I bought 5 Lancer L5's 'cause I couldn't find PMAGS.  I'm an AR newbie and up to now have only used USGI mags.  I've been using them in my Bushie and they work great, look bad ass.  I had one off problem with a new L5 though... some flashing on the plastic behind the metal feed lips kept cartridges from properly being loaded into the mag.  2 seconds with an exacto knife fixed the problem.

I'm gonna buy more Lancers.

The guys at Lancer are awesome! (And their mags are pretty freaking good too)

When everyone went Mag Crazy a few weeks back, I too ordered 5 more Pmags and 5 more Lancer mags. I have since traded the 5 Pmags for some other needed items. My point.....I am holding on to my 10 Lancer mags, because I think I like them better. Both are great, and I will keep the last 5 Pmags.......just sharing

The guys at Lancer are very cool, but the woman at Anchor Armament sent the new Lancer L5 mag

Yeah, thank you!! You all are alright in my book. I'll take better care of my new one

When I got my first L5, that's how I felt about it. Compared to a PMAG or stainless steel mag, they do feel flimsy. But when you actually load one up and use it, you find that the L5 only feels flimsy because it is so lightweight. It's deceptive in that regard and is far from being a weak mag. It is remarkably tough despite the light weight.

I like 'em, and I like the steel feed lips.

Yes the followers do tilt BUT they won't stay tilted. If you push on the front of a standard USGI mag, the follower will often bind up and stay tilted. Do that to an L5 and the follower smoothly comes back into place. It is a true self-leveling follower. Does it really *need* to be anti-tilt? It works great just as it is.

Hey LCPL4ever or anyone other the L5 (yes I know there is a video) do an independent subzero test on lancer mag.

Criteria:
1. Fully loaded. -15 degree or below for a minimum of at least two hours.
2. Fully loaded. Direct drop on the metal feed lips at a minimum of five feet. At least three time (if there is no notable damage) on hard concert floor.
3. Fully loaded. Direct drop on the plastic front end (feed lips) at a minimum of five feet. At least three time (if there is no notable damage) on hard concert floor.
4. Fully loaded. Direct drop on the plastic floor plate at a minimum of five feet. At least three time (if there is no notable damage) on hard concert floor.
5. Fully loaded. Direct drop on the side at a minimum of five feet. At least three time (if there is no notable damage) on hard concert floor.

If the mag is in working order repeat it at -40 degree or below. Please document it step by step (picture) and if possible a video.

Thanks.

We did the drop tests at 8 feet at - 12deg.

Was the mag fully loaded and how long was it in subzero degree?

I edited the criteria to mention fully loaded and hard concert floor.

Yes, fully loaded and stored for over 8 hours. This was performed on a pre-production T&E mag when Anchor Armament was looking at adding the Lancer L5 mags to their product line.

Ha, I live in Florida, I dont even know where to find something that cold down here.  Wish I could help, but my freezer only gets so cold.

I'm glad you did this test. I really love my lancers, but was always wondering just how well that steel was embedded. (obviously pretty damn well)

The mag body will tear before the feed lips come apart.