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AR15.COM
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12/11/2002 6:14:24 PM EDT
Sorry if this topic has been addressed before, but I'm fairly new to the AR forum.  My question is fairly simple.  I know barrels wear out after several thousand rounds, but I have no idea how many rounds will wear out a USGI magazine.  Can anyone give me some idea based on their experience?

Thanks!
12/11/2002 9:08:40 PM EDT
[#1]
A USGI magazine should last longer than you, unless not properly treated
12/11/2002 9:48:59 PM EDT
[#2]
The only USGI M16 mags I have seen go bad have either been crushed or else dropped on the feed lips while loaded.  Oh, and I did see one where a guy bent and broke one of the tabs on the bottom of the mag in an incorrect attempt to get the floorplate off.  Springs can rust if abused and neglected, but those are easily replaced.
12/11/2002 10:07:17 PM EDT
[#3]
I have seen many USGI mags with feedlips worn from actual use.

I could not imagine doing this in my lifetime, but I suppose it is possible.  

These were mil-surplus mags... and the entire lot had a good amount of wear.  Probably remove from service because of this.  It can happen.
12/12/2002 11:36:18 AM EDT
[#4]
30-round USGI mags are required to have a minimum lifespan of 6,000 rounds, or 200 load/unload cycles.  That, of course, is conservative as far as usage wear goes, but know that most mags are lost or damaged before they wear out.

-Troy
12/12/2002 1:21:12 PM EDT
[#5]
In my Army unit here in Korea, we've been using 20-rd magazines at our M-16 qualification ranges.  We've just replaced them with new 30-rd mags not because of functioning, but because of age and capacity.

Yesterday I had a detailed look at the 20-rd'rs.  They are Colt, marked with the prancing horse and "Colt AR-15", and in general have NO finish on them.

Even without the finish, after being cleaned up, there are no dings in the bodies, the feed lips are uniformly shaped, and they function properly.

Pretty damn good for magazines that I'm sure are 20+, maybe even 30+ years old, [b]GI [u]abused[/b][/u] the entire time.


Chris
AR Sponsor