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Posted: 12/10/2019 10:06:43 AM EDT
[#1]
By aluminum mags or even PMAGS. I have aluminum GI mags that have over 30K rounds shot through them that are 30 years old without issues. The only issues I've ever had with a quality magazine became apparent right from the start. I know everyone says mags are disposable wear and tear items, but I have never worn a mag out and I shoot over 15K rounds per year for decades.
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Posted: 12/10/2019 12:35:52 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:
How many more rounds can be fired through a stainless steel magazine than an aluminum one before it is shot? Twice as many? Three times as many? The same amount? Assume the magazines will not be dropped and there is a supply of replacement followers and magazine springs. Personally, I’d purchase Okay Industries and then not have anything to worry about. |
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Posted: 12/10/2019 8:28:27 PM EDT
[#3]
Steel can rust. Aluminum doesn't. No thanks!
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Posted: 12/10/2019 8:50:08 PM EDT
[#4]
Aluminum Okays
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Posted: 12/16/2019 8:48:58 AM EDT
[#5]
@Green: Thanks for your post!
Thanks, all. |
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Posted: 12/16/2019 11:30:20 AM EDT
[#6]
Part of me wants to think a stainless mag has to be tougher but regular aluminum GI mags have stood the test of time .
I am a great fan of old school GI 20's . Not something one even has to worry about. I think about mags like I think about gun oil. By whatever color or brand that works for you . If you have some to use and some more as a set aside for the end of the world event you are good to go without overthinking things |
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Posted: 12/16/2019 8:56:55 PM EDT
[#7]
I run both and IMHO no difference in service life.
I’ve seen Vietnam era mags still running fine although they’ve probably gotten new springs, maybe a new follower. Brownells sells a tool for reshaping the feed lips if they get out of shape so theoretically either body could last forever. Now I prefer steel mags just cause they’re stronger but I’ve never worn out an Okay/Surefeed, D&H or Brownells aluminum mag. I do prefer stainless steel springs over chrome silicon, I shoot a lot of corrosive surplus in other calibers and the chrome silicone springs started rusting quickly, the stainless didn’t. And just to muddy the waters, Lancers are my favorite. But any mag is disposable, when it fails, I buy another. |
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Posted: 12/16/2019 11:50:38 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:...And just to muddy the waters, Lancers are my favorite. But any mag is disposable, when it fails, I buy another. |
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Posted: 12/17/2019 2:14:38 AM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Considering the manufacturers of Stainless magazines vs the manufacturers of Aluminum magazines, I wouldn’t even consider purchasing Stainless magazines! Personally, I’d purchase Okay Industries and then not have anything to worry about. C-Products and ASC are some of the worst magazines I own. I could blame it on 6.5/6.8 calibers, but even their 5.56mm magazines are flimsy and unlovable. Okay Enterprises Brownell's Magpul in that order. |
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Posted: 12/17/2019 9:42:37 AM EDT
[#10]
FWIW I have zero problems with either. A loaded aluminum 30rd mag is surprisingly tough. I took a pretty nasty fall down a slope while wearing kit and I thought my AL mags were gonna be damaged. Swapped them out to finish the patrol and when I got back inspected all of them. They were perfectly fine, and function tested fine. I still have them too.
Haven't tested a steel mag but I'd have a hard time imagining they would fare any worse. Beating on an empty mag is a "no shit it's gonna break dummy" sort of thing for me. Or dropping either while loaded on the feed lips. |
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Posted: 12/19/2019 7:59:05 PM EDT
[#11]
Just don’t step on any of your aluminum mags if they’re no longer made.
Seriously though, if that’s what you’re worried about, just buy good quality mags and buy a LOT of them. Most stainless steel mags are pricier than aluminum so you could stock up on more of those. But if I only had one mag for the rest of my life, I’d take a steel one. |
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Posted: 12/20/2019 1:10:40 AM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
FWIW I have zero problems with either. A loaded aluminum 30rd mag is surprisingly tough. I took a pretty nasty fall down a slope while wearing kit and I thought my AL mags were gonna be damaged. Swapped them out to finish the patrol and when I got back inspected all of them. They were perfectly fine, and function tested fine. I still have them too. Haven't tested a steel mag but I'd have a hard time imagining they would fare any worse. Beating on an empty mag is a "no shit it's gonna break dummy" sort of thing for me. Or dropping either while loaded on the feed lips. |
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Posted: 12/20/2019 8:15:34 AM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Yet driving over them with a pickup truck was by far most talked about event on this very forum. |
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Posted: 12/20/2019 8:24:11 AM EDT
[#14]
I have no issue with stainless steel magazines.
I like them and they are tougher than aluminum. I have AR15 aluminum magazines missing floor plate ears. |
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Posted: 12/20/2019 8:54:48 AM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Yet driving over them with a pickup truck was by far most talked about event on this very forum. Quoted:
I never understood why that's a thing. Unless you intend to run over your mags with your F-150 on a regular basis? |
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Posted: 12/23/2019 11:49:21 AM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You can thank Magpul for that nonsense. Hardly indicative of real world situations. |
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Posted: 12/25/2019 11:35:04 AM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Steel can rust. Aluminum doesn't. No thanks! |
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Posted: 2/16/2020 10:06:21 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I have no issue with stainless steel magazines. I like them and they are tougher than aluminum... |
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Posted: 2/16/2020 10:08:39 PM EDT
[#19]
Quoted:
How many more rounds can be fired through a stainless steel magazine than an aluminum one before it is shot? Twice as many? Three times as many? The same amount? Assume the magazines will not be dropped and there is a supply of replacement followers and magazine springs. |
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Posted: 2/16/2020 10:35:42 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I don't think I've ever seen rusted stainless steel. |
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Posted: 2/16/2020 11:04:07 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 400 Series Stainless will rust, 300 Series won’t When stainless steel is exposed to oxygen, chromium oxide is created on the surface of the steel . As long as there is sufficient chromium present, the chromium oxide layer will continue to protect the stainless steel and prevent it from rusting. Chromium content is key. |
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Posted: 2/17/2020 10:17:59 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Another angle to this is what if steel cased ammo is used? Does that change anything? |
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Posted: 2/26/2020 5:48:50 PM EDT
[#23]
I prefer Aluminum.......
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Posted: 2/26/2020 6:18:06 PM EDT
[#24]
Steel mags? Just say no kids.
Okay Surefeed/D&H or Magpul Pmags. |
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Posted: 2/26/2020 8:05:11 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Steel mags? Just say no kids. Okay Surefeed/D&H or Magpul Pmags. |
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Posted: 2/26/2020 8:56:23 PM EDT
[#26]
Because the majority of Stainless magazines have had issues!
And several of the manufacturers are flat out untrustworthy. |
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Posted: 2/26/2020 9:03:01 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Any reasons not stated above? And I have yet to find anyone reputable who recommends them. Pmags and USGI are proven, no need to gamble to subpar mags. |
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Posted: 2/27/2020 4:50:51 PM EDT
[#28]
I think the OP was asking a theoretical question. It seems to me they SS might be a better material to make mags out of because it is tougher than aluminum. It gets back to the original question and probably the most discussed thing on this forum: “ How tough do magazines need to be”? It certainly would be more expensive and the magazines would be heavier. I don’t think a decent company has made a serious effort to make a true SS magazine. ( yes I know C prod made one but notice I said decent company).
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Posted: 2/27/2020 6:31:28 PM EDT
[#29]
A former member here (87GN) did quite a bit of magazine torture testing and a lot of it was steel (& stainless steel) against G.I. Aluminum magazines.
He came to the conclusion that Aluminum was overall a better material. |
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Posted: 2/28/2020 8:46:24 PM EDT
[#30]
Thanks again for the replies, all.
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Posted: 2/28/2020 10:53:21 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A former member here (87GN) did quite a bit of magazine torture testing and a lot of it was steel (& stainless steel) against G.I. Aluminum magazines. He came to the conclusion that Aluminum was overall a better material. 1.He squeezed them in a hydraulic press until they broke, hardly a realistic situation. 2. The SS mags he tested were made by C Products, hardly any type of standard. |
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Posted: 2/29/2020 12:49:41 AM EDT
[#32]
The HK mags still sucked.
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Posted: 2/29/2020 4:49:39 AM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A couple of problems with his testing: 1.He squeezed them in a hydraulic press until they broke, hardly a realistic situation. 2. The SS mags he tested were made by C Products, hardly any type of standard. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
A former member here (87GN) did quite a bit of magazine torture testing and a lot of it was steel (& stainless steel) against G.I. Aluminum magazines. He came to the conclusion that Aluminum was overall a better material. 1.He squeezed them in a hydraulic press until they broke, hardly a realistic situation. 2. The SS mags he tested were made by C Products, hardly any type of standard. |
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Posted: 2/29/2020 7:15:31 AM EDT
[#34]
Steel magazines (stainless included) dent easier than aluminum magazines.. once a steel magazine is dented it will only feed ammo up to the dent then a stoppage occurs. If you don’t intend to lay on your magazines on uneven ground and you treat your magazines nicely then stainless magazines are fine.
I take care of my magazines but after witnessing stoppages with steel magazines I would never recommend them. My .02 |
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Posted: 2/29/2020 8:05:41 AM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I sent an email to C-Products about their mags. One of their guys sent back a generous response. Their latest mags are called Duramags. Maybe it is a step forward. 
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Posted: 3/1/2020 8:42:23 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It’s kind of like ProMags, they only have one way to go. |
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Posted: 3/1/2020 8:44:16 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
A few years ago ProMags sold more magazines than anyone else according to Gun Tests magazine. |
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Posted: 3/1/2020 10:00:53 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A few years ago ProMags sold more magazines to suckers than anyone else according to Gun Tests magazine. I was one of them at one point. Junk mags, all 3 platforms IME. |
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Posted: 3/1/2020 11:41:00 PM EDT
[#39]
One of the members over on fnforums.net purchased 3 ProMag FN PS90 50 rd mags.
None of them worked after three loadings, he called the vendor and they told him “Just throw them away and we’ll credit the money back to your card”. |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 1:53:44 AM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
One of the members over on fnforums.net purchased 3 ProMag FN PS90 50 rd mags. None of them worked after three loadings, he called the vendor and they told him “Just throw them away and we’ll credit the money back to your card”. |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 1:59:26 AM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It goes to prove that there’s one born every minute. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
A few years ago ProMags sold more magazines than anyone else according to Gun Tests magazine. |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 2:07:04 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Steel can rust. Aluminum doesn't. No thanks! |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 2:11:58 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
True, to a degree. When stainless steel is exposed to oxygen, chromium oxide is created on the surface of the steel . As long as there is sufficient chromium present, the chromium oxide layer will continue to protect the stainless steel and prevent it from rusting. Chromium content is key. |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 2:18:57 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Unless it's Chinese's stainless doesn't rust. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Unless it's Chinese's stainless doesn't rust. Basic metallurgy 101... Stainless contains a minimum of 10.5% chromium. This chromium reacts quickly with surrounding oxygen to form a thin oxide layer on the steel’s surface. Unlike iron oxide, which often is in the form of flaky and corrosive rust, the chromium oxide clings to the steel. It therefore acts as a protective barrier. The chromium oxide is known as a passive film which seals the iron in the alloy away from the air and water in the environment. This film gives stainless its rust-resistance. There are four main types of stainless steels: austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, and duplex. Austenitic stainless steel is dominant in industry and comprises over 70% of total stainless steel production. Its properties include a maximum of 0.15% carbon and a minimum of 16% chromium, yielding very strong protection against rust. Ferritic stainless steel has reduced corrosion resistance compared to austenitic grades, but fares better than martensitic stainless steel. Duplex stainless steels have high resistance to localized corrosion particularly pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking. As a general rule of thumb, most 300 series Stainless alloys are more rust resistant than 400 series alloys both of which are produced by U.S. Steel Mills. 400 series alloys are used quite a bit in firearms production, Quoted:
Aluminum oxidizes and become brittle over time. |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 7:33:45 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
RAW Aluminum oxidizes and CAN become brittle over time. |
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Posted: 3/2/2020 4:00:55 PM EDT
[#46]
Every single type of magazine has its benefits and cons.
Steel is heavier and can rust. Steel is more durable and resistant to bent feed lips than Aluminium. Aluminum mags can deform and have feed lips bent if dropped much easier. Aluminium will crack when stressed to much. Aluminium is lighter and work very well when not overly abused. They are cheap and easy to come by. Plastic can crack from fatigue usually along the spine. They are light weight and very durable. I have steel, aluminium, and plastic of all variations and hybrid (Lancer). The ones I have had most trouble with were the aluminium and that was from them falling and hitting on the feed lips. The lips bend if the mag has any weight to it and cause malfunctions when dropped. Also I have seen aluminium mags get crushed before when guys drop to prone fully geared up. |
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Posted: 3/3/2020 5:12:36 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Every single type of magazine has its benefits and cons. Steel is heavier and can rust. Steel is more durable and resistant to bent feed lips than Aluminium. Aluminum mags can deform and have feed lips bent if dropped much easier. Aluminium will crack when stressed to much. Aluminium is lighter and work very well when not overly abused. They are cheap and easy to come by. Plastic can crack from fatigue usually along the spine. They are light weight and very durable. I have steel, aluminium, and plastic of all variations and hybrid (Lancer). The ones I have had most trouble with were the aluminium and that was from them falling and hitting on the feed lips. The lips bend if the mag has any weight to it and cause malfunctions when dropped. Also I have seen aluminium mags get crushed before when guys drop to prone fully geared up. |
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