AR Sponsor
Posted: 3/24/2007 7:23:07 AM EDT
Who has wore out a brand new aluminum mag? I have read reports of cracked feed lips in some surplus mags, but has anyone bought a brand new mag and actually shot it to shit? How many rounds did it stand up to? I have had a follower crack, and had to replace some springs, but the closest I came to wearing out a mag body, if you can call it wearing out, was with a pre ban Colt 20 rounder that I logged a little over 2000 rounds in during the Klinton regime. Not a huge number of rounds, but over 100 loadings/firings out of a "disposable" device, nontheless. Saving my other mags, I used it, two older Colt 20's with alloy followers, and my Thermolds as my range mags. The feed lips were wore pretty smooth and shiny, but there wasn't much visual wear on the mag as far as metal wear. It looked about the same as my older 20's, and they were wore pretty smooth when I got them, as far as the finish goes. I know there is some metal wear due to friction, but almost all of the USGI mags I have seen seem to hang in there quite well, finish aside. I didn't measure actual wear with instruments, or keep any kind of technical logs, but I was pretty amazed at how well the "disposable" aluminum ammunition feeding device held up. If my CProducts and D&H aluminums are just as durable, I'll be a happy camper for a long time to come.  GHILLIE |
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I have had some that were probably ~ 20 years old that still functioned great. I bought my first AR in 1989, and I bought a stack of used 20s from a gun show for like $4 each. I picked out all Colt with alloy followers. I went through numerous rounds, an extractor & two springs, and two sets of gas rings through that rifle with those mags. When I traded that rifle for a carbine, the mags went with it, but they still looked like they did when I picked them up. I know that the USGI mags won't stand up to hard training/use/abuse, but for general use, I am simply amazed at the durability of them. I find myself wanting to hoarde mags again...just in case the Dem's slip some more shit in on us....but I am trying to convince myself that I have plenty because they are pretty hard to wear out. I was curious to see if anyone ever wore one out from shooting, other than going through some abuse. I am tempted to pick up 5 20rnd CProducts mags, and dedicate them to one AR for all range use/hunting, and try to log all rounds fired through each one. That should keep me from being bored for the next 30 years or so. GHILLIE |
Not calling you a liar. Ive talked to family and friends in the Army up till last year and they Never once even seen a 20rd mag.. 
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They still exist in reserve and national guard armories. When I was in the reserves 98-01 we still had M16A1s, and truckloads of 20 round mags. 30 round mags were scarce and fought over when they passed out the boxes. Although all of them seemed subject to growing legs and walking off (used high caps at local gun shows likely came from such sources during those dark days). |
I know of an arms room on a reserve post were there are at least 1000 20 rounders (I've seen them with my own two eyes) . There are also some M14 parts and M1911 parts. Trust me, old stuff lies around in storage lockers, vaults, and back rooms for decades in the military. |
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