Beta C drum still the "gold standard"? Best 100 rd drum question for full auto M16 style weapon

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Beta C drum still the "gold standard"? Best 100 rd drum question for full auto M16 style weapon

Posted: 12/30/2021 10:51:11 PM EDT

I have never purchased a drum before and I'm looking for the best 5.56, 100rd + drum for open bolt, full auto use. It will be used in a Lage Max 11/15 upper for my M11/9. I always thought/heard the Beta C was the best, but I was just wondering what the rest of the crowd knows.

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:10:21 PM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
I have never purchased a drum before and I'm looking for the best 5.56, 100rd + drum for open bolt, full auto use. It will be used in a Lage Max 11/15 upper for my M11/9. I always thought/heard the Beta C was the best, but I was just wondering what the rest of the crowd knows.

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I didn’t think it was the best…just what was available. I think the Magpul drum is better….

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:14:53 PM EDT

[#2]

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Quoted:

I didn’t think it was the best…just what was available. I think the Magpul drum is better….

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I have never purchased a drum before and I'm looking for the best 5.56, 100rd + drum for open bolt, full auto use. It will be used in a Lage Max 11/15 upper for my M11/9. I always thought/heard the Beta C was the best, but I was just wondering what the rest of the crowd knows.

I didn’t think it was the best…just what was available. I think the Magpul drum is better….

100 vs 60

Get both.

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:16:53 PM EDT

[#3]

I think the Beta C was pretty much the only thing available. Magpul or Surefire are better liked I think

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:22:56 PM EDT

[#4]

https://www.armatac.com/

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:24:01 PM EDT

[#5]

as long as I use the dry lube that came with my Beta mag, it ran perfectly fine in multiple full auto sessions.

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:41:58 PM EDT

[#6]

Surefire makes 100rd stick mag, I'd take that over a Beta C any day of the week.

That being said, the Magpul D-60's are awesome if you don't mind 40 less rounds

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:51:41 PM EDT

[#7]

Beta was first.
Magpul is probably most popular now.

Buy both and report back.

Posted: 12/30/2021 11:52:27 PM EDT

[#8]

Yeah, Beta Cs sucked ass, but they were all that was available.

+1 on Surefire 100 or Magpul D60

Posted: 12/31/2021 12:00:08 AM EDT

[#9]

My Beta C ran okay as long as plenty of dry lube applied. Never did a torture test, it is plastic, would expect failure there. Not worth wasting ammo to find out now. My favorite is Surefire 60s. Have a couple of 90 round that load the entire 90 to one side, fed okay just awkward with all the weight to one side.

Posted: 12/31/2021 12:24:51 AM EDT

[#10]

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Quoted:
Surefire makes 100rd stick mag, I'd take that over a Beta C any day of the week.

That being said, the Magpul D-60's are awesome if you don't mind 40 less rounds

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Is the profile long vertically? I’m going for a LMG profile with the weapon off a bipod.

Posted: 12/31/2021 12:39:38 AM EDT

[#11]

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Is the profile long vertically? I’m going for a LMG profile with the weapon off a bipod.

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Full disclosure I've never actually owned one of the 100rd sticks, but from the pictures the profile looks a bit ridiculous.

Personally I think the D-60 is what you're looking for. Reliable, affordable, low profile. The Beta C-mags I've owned (also owned the Korean copy) wasn't reliable and felt cheap.

Posted: 12/31/2021 4:30:51 AM EDT

[#12]

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Quoted:
https://www.armatac.com/

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+1

Posted: 12/31/2021 5:49:34 AM EDT

[#13]

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Personally I think the D-60 is what you're looking for. Reliable, affordable, low profile. The Beta C-mags I've owned (also owned the Korean copy) wasn't reliable and felt cheap.

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You want the D60.
I have all 3. Ended up with several of the D60 for my HBAR project.
Do not waste your money on any of the Korean ones. They're total crap.

Beta C mag was the only high capacity mag on the market for a long time.
I still use a C mag with my HK53 and HK33 because that's the only solution available.

Armatac SAW-Mag is better, but in my opinion its too big. 150 rounds kills the handling too much, unless you're on a bench or have it mounted.

D60 is where it's at.

The Surefire 60 and 100rd quad stack mags are just ok. A 40rd PMAG is far more reliable.
So is the D60 (vs Surefire 60).

Posted: 12/31/2021 9:17:02 AM EDT

[#14]

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Quoted:
https://www.armatac.com/

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And get a couple D60s to go along

And dont forget the armatec carry case.

Posted: 12/31/2021 6:46:11 PM EDT

[#15]

I have several Betas and a few D-Mags. Both work. The Beta will run fine if you use the graphite as needed. I have even run them in a Galil ARM with the AR mag adapter.

Only issue with the Betas is that they are heavy AF when loaded (to state the obvious). I have at least one lower (POF) that the D-Mag will not lock into because of the shape of integral trigger guard - disappointing for an otherwise great product - though that seems to be a magpul issue here and there in general with certain lowers just not being able to accept certain mags.

Posted: 1/1/2022 10:22:48 AM EDT

[#16]

Thanks for all the input folks.

Posted: 1/4/2022 3:17:59 PM EDT

[#17]

beta C
DPMS welded 45 rounder
Lancer Clamp mag 48? (i think)

iirc only the Beta is Still made.

the DPMS was my go to for most stages, Beta only for really high round counts
I won the Lancer one and it soon replaced the DPMS one.

Problem with the Beta was cost, if it janned your stage was toast no way I was dropping a 300 (approx) mag onto the ground knowing it will not survive impact.

Posted: 1/7/2022 4:05:28 PM EDT

[#18]

Surefire ~~makes~~ made 100rd stick mag,

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Discontinued. I have 2 though & they have worked well enough. I see no need for them in semi auto, & the weight is just nuts.
If you can find a used one or old stock, give it a try.

Posted: 1/7/2022 5:35:03 PM EDT

[#19]

I always thought the Surefire 100 is too long.
I have an old Surefire 60 but Magpul's D60 is far superior.

Posted: 1/7/2022 6:04:24 PM EDT

[#20]

D-60 seems better

Posted: 1/7/2022 6:55:04 PM EDT

[#21]

The Schmeisser S60 60 round AR-15 magazine has been decent the few times I've run it.

I actually use the Beta Mag loader on it.

Posted: 1/8/2022 9:56:38 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

I didn’t think it was the best…just what was available. I think the Magpul drum is better….

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This...

The Beta requires the use of Graphite. Magpul does not.

I would never willingly purchase a Beta drum over the Magpul 60 rounder.

Posted: 1/9/2022 1:40:44 PM EDT

[#23]

I always thought the Surefire 100 is too long.

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Yeah it's ridiculous...

Posted: 1/9/2022 10:06:38 PM EDT

[#24]

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Quoted:
The Schmeisser S60 60 round AR-15 magazine has been decent the few times I've run it.

I actually use the Beta Mag loader on it.

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I've also had good luck with the S60, including with an FTR. However, I would avoid steel case ammo with it.

Posted: 3/13/2022 1:35:17 AM EDT

[#25]

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Quoted:
You want the D60.
I have all 3. Ended up with several of the D60 for my HBAR project.
Do not waste your money on any of the Korean ones. They're total crap.

Beta C mag was the only high capacity mag on the market for a long time.
I still use a C mag with my HK53 and HK33 because that's the only solution available.

Armatac SAW-Mag is better, but in my opinion its too big. 150 rounds kills the handling too much, unless you're on a bench or have it mounted.

D60 is where it's at.

The Surefire 60 and 100rd quad stack mags are just ok. A 40rd PMAG is far more reliable.
So is the D60 (vs Surefire 60).

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Quoted:

Quoted:
Personally I think the D-60 is what you're looking for. Reliable, affordable, low profile. The Beta C-mags I've owned (also owned the Korean copy) wasn't reliable and felt cheap.

You want the D60.
I have all 3. Ended up with several of the D60 for my HBAR project.
Do not waste your money on any of the Korean ones. They're total crap.

Beta C mag was the only high capacity mag on the market for a long time.
I still use a C mag with my HK53 and HK33 because that's the only solution available.

Armatac SAW-Mag is better, but in my opinion its too big. 150 rounds kills the handling too much, unless you're on a bench or have it mounted.

D60 is where it's at.

The Surefire 60 and 100rd quad stack mags are just ok. A 40rd PMAG is far more reliable.
So is the D60 (vs Surefire 60).

Not really. The MWG 90 Rounder pre-dates the others. They were awkward and a pain to load, but they worked.

Here's one in "Miami Vice."

Attached File

Posted: 3/13/2022 2:43:19 AM EDT

[#26]

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Not really. The MWG 90 Rounder pre-dates the others. They were awkward and a pain to load, but they worked.

Here's one in "Miami Vice."

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/6163/bushido_surfs_up_jpg-2311547.JPG

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I have one. It works well with my frt

(Old pic. Don't gasp and cry)

D60 also work well

Posted: 3/13/2022 10:59:42 AM EDT

[#27]

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Quoted:

I have one. It works well with my frt

(Old pic. Don't gasp and cry)

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/389138/Resized_0921161444_260338060716208-1999392.jpg

D60 also work well

https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/389138/Resized_Screenshot_20210527-115017_Photo-2007334.jpg

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Other than the old optic that's damn cool. Love that handguard setup.

Posted: 3/13/2022 9:24:06 PM EDT

[#28]

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Other than the old optic that's damn cool. Love that handguard setup.

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Thanks
Vortex uh1 now. I was dumb.

Posted: 4/4/2022 6:26:34 PM EDT

[#29]

I bought 5 at one point. 3 of the 5 worked fine even in full auto as long as you were generous with that graphite. 2 of the 5 I had to make quite a few "adjustments" to get them to work which at 300$ a pop that's bs I had to but whatever. I now only have 2 left. 2 broke and 1 I sold. They were (maybe still are?) A brittle polymer, if you drop one even empty its game over. And it makes a big mess if it was full when you drop it. There are better options now.

Posted: 4/6/2022 8:23:33 PM EDT

[#30]

Funny enough I’m looking at the armatac for the exact same use as the OP.
I have a beta that’s been finicky. I also have a surefire 60 that runs great.
I also have mine set up as a light machine gun.

Would love to hear about anyones experience with the armatac in a full auto situation.