What USGI mags to buy?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - What USGI mags to buy?

Posted: 5/30/2020 5:24:31 PM EDT

I'm just getting into ARs and I want some steel USGI (or USGI style) mags with a gray finish to go with older guns, both 20 and 30 round. I hear that there's a lot of variation in quality between manufacturers. What brands are good that are currently available new? Or, if I should be looking on the secondary market, how can I identify the good ones and confirm they are steel?

Posted: 5/30/2020 5:27:27 PM EDT

[#1]

DSG gray Teflon.

Posted: 5/30/2020 5:40:58 PM EDT

[#2]

There are no steel "USGI" mags - the milspec calls for aluminum.

There are things like HK 416 mags and aftermarket mags made to the same form factor as USGI 30s, but made of steel, and some NATO partners have issued 30rd or 40rd STANAG-compatible steel magazines.

Link to HK "Maritime steel" for $65 a pop. https://hkparts.net/product/30-round-maritime-magazine-steel-hk-416-mr556-p487.htm

Posted: 5/30/2020 5:50:23 PM EDT

[#3]

Original Okay speedfeed mags arw my favorites, followed by D&H

Posted: 5/30/2020 5:52:31 PM EDT

[#4]

OKAY Ind.

Posted: 5/30/2020 6:05:59 PM EDT

[#5]

Okay, but their E2.

Posted: 5/30/2020 7:02:46 PM EDT

[#6]

Okay Industries, end of story. They’re aluminum, the ONLY steel STANAG U.S.G.I. magazine was the HK.

The HK was pulled from service after the Military realized that the springs were WEAK and the feed lips were improperly heat treated eventually resulting in spreading feed lips.

This could result in the dreaded Type III malfunction (Double Feed).

Don’t fix what isn’t broke.....Okay Industries!

Posted: 5/30/2020 8:17:57 PM EDT

[#7]

I have a metric shitload of the tan folllwer mags by Okay, Brownells, and Center.

I like 'em.

D&H are good too, but teflon finish instead of dry film lube.

Okay Surefeeds are great mags too.

Posted: 5/30/2020 8:23:15 PM EDT

[#8]

Finally bought some Okay Surefeeds because I wanted some 20 rounders. Also snagged some Lancers.

I gotta say, think I’m through buying D&H or Pmag.

Posted: 5/30/2020 9:07:09 PM EDT

[#9]

Okay
Brownells
D&H

I've not had issues with any of the above.

Posted: 5/30/2020 9:14:38 PM EDT

[#10]

A simple magnet would verify that a magazine is made of steel, but USGI mags are made of aluminum.

Posted: 5/30/2020 9:19:20 PM EDT

[#11]

Don't buy steel mags. They've been aluminum from the start and aluminum mags work well.

I like Okay along with D&H for metal mags.

Posted: 6/2/2020 8:54:52 AM EDT

[#12]

Okay
Center Ind
Parsons
D&H

Any of those are good.

Posted: 6/3/2020 1:15:00 PM EDT

[#13]

Quote History

Quoted:
There are no steel "USGI" mags - the milspec calls for aluminum.

There are things like HK 416 mags and aftermarket mags made to the same form factor as USGI 30s, but made of steel, and some NATO partners have issued 30rd or 40rd STANAG-compatible steel magazines.

Link to HK "Maritime steel" for $65 a pop. https://hkparts.net/product/30-round-maritime-magazine-steel-hk-416-mr556-p487.htm

View Quote

Along that train of thought , Beretta sells STANAG-compatible steel 30rd mags.

https://www.berettausa.com/en-us/beretta-universal-ar-15-30-round-magazine/c80018p/

Posted: 6/3/2020 6:19:28 PM EDT

[#14]

I’ve have a bunch of D&H mags and they all work great.

Posted: 6/3/2020 7:34:43 PM EDT

[#15]

If you want to get whats commonly available right now, get Okay Mags or D&H. But In my experience there isnt an Aluminum or Steel magazine a MagPul anti-tilt follower cant fix

Posted: 6/3/2020 7:48:53 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Don't buy steel mags. They've been aluminum from the start and aluminum mags work well.

I like Okay along with D&H for metal mags.

View Quote

I'd normally agree ,but fusil 30 rd mags are good.

Posted: 6/10/2020 8:17:53 AM EDT

[#17]

USGI aluminum mags with any generation of follower over any commercial steel constructed magazines. Also don't over look the original 20 rd USGI aluminum mag. Great for shooting off the bench and one box of ammo fits in it

Lots of other advantages to the 20 also.

FN also made STANAG steel 30rd mags that would work in the M16/M4. Those are the FNC magazine (follower won't lock bolt open, different design) and the Mk16 SCAR (These will lock bolt open). I thought HK Maritime mags were great during 03-04' till used heavily. Don't know why I'm still holding 6 NIW ones at home. Must be for collectors purposes only.

CD

Posted: 6/10/2020 3:43:05 PM EDT

[#18]

Okay/Surefeed dry lube film and D&H grey mags get my vote and use. Edited content.

Posted: 7/17/2020 3:33:06 AM EDT

[#19]

Okay Industries and Brownells are my picks for the best, currently-made USGI mags. Center Industries also makes mags for the military, but their reputation is a bit more checkered.

Colt mags are also good to go, but they're actually made by Okay; you just pay a little more to get the prancing pony on the floorplate.

Posted: 7/17/2020 5:03:20 AM EDT

[#20]

I am running dsg arms mags which are made by D&H as well as a few pmags.

Posted: 7/17/2020 5:03:36 AM EDT

[#21]

double

Posted: 7/17/2020 2:36:59 PM EDT

[#22]

OK Surefeeds. Watch for sales on 10 packs.

Posted: 7/17/2020 3:53:57 PM EDT

[#23]

There's a deal on some steel G.I. style mags at global ordnance for $6/ea. Korean MFG, I think they are the same ones CDNN is selling right now for $10/ea. I got a few & they are solid, drop free & the follower moves smoothly. Light grey followers, that look just like magpuls.

https://globalordnance.com/shk-30rd-steel-ar15-magazines-upc-00850003223070/

https://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-30rd-223-steel-extreme-duty-military-mag.html?___SID=U

Posted: 7/17/2020 6:16:21 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
There's a deal on some steel G.I. style mags at global ordnance for $6/ea. Korean MFG, I think they are the same ones CDNN is selling right now for $10/ea. I got a few & they are solid, drop free & the follower moves smoothly. Light grey followers, that look just like magpuls.

https://globalordnance.com/shk-30rd-steel-ar15-magazines-upc-00850003223070/

https://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-30rd-223-steel-extreme-duty-military-mag.html?___SID=U

View Quote

I picked up several of them. I agree, they are very nice for the money. They are OOS again, though.

Posted: 7/17/2020 7:31:45 PM EDT

[#25]

Look around and you might find FNC or Imperial Defence steel 30 rounders.
The only drawback to the FNC mags is they don't have a bolt hold open feature.

ETA - If you really want grey you would have to paint them.

Posted: 7/17/2020 11:55:43 PM EDT

[#26]

Okay are the best hands down.

Posted: 7/23/2020 9:02:47 PM EDT

[#27]

I have Simmons, Okay, LaBelle, Adventureline, Brownells, DH and NHMTG GI mags in my collection and quiet frankly, I can't tell the difference-in 30 round mags

In 20 round mags, I have NHMTG, Colt, Brownells and made some OKay's....I like them all

Posted: 7/23/2020 10:24:48 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have Simmons, Okay, LaBelle, Adventureline, Brownells, DH and NHMTG GI mags in my collection and quiet frankly, I can't tell the difference-in 30 round mags

In 20 round mags, I have NHMTG, Colt, Brownells and made some OKay's....I like them all

View Quote

Okay Industries, Colt, & NHMTG are all manufactured by Okay Industries.