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Posted: 12/20/2007 4:25:35 AM EDT
| I don't have a Beta- Mag, but I was reading an ad for one in a catalog the other day, and it said it came with dry graphite lube. Now, I bring this up, because in a previous thread about lubricants for the AR, I suggested graphite, and was told by several people that dry graphite is bad for aluminum weapons because it corrodes the aluminum. If that's true, wouldn't having a magazine system that is loading rounds into the same weapon, and is lubed with graphite be a bad thing? Some of that graphite has GOT to find it's way into the weapon... |
Its not really a big deal, the beta mag is novelty item for range fun. |
functionally? no durability, practicality, and such?> more than likely--its bulky, heavy, and more cumbersome; moreover, drop a fully loaded up C-mag on concrete...probably not good 
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This action will allow you to watch brass glitter in the sun as it rolls away from your shattered $270 dollar magazine |
That is why I have never bought one. I love my drum mags for my AK's, but you could almost drop them out a 2nd floor window and not hurt them. Wish there were a durable AR drum available. 
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| The Beta C-Mag was designed to be stored fully loaded in pre-positioned caches in Western European countries when the Soviet hordes started rolling towards France. They were intended to be a disposable ready source of ammo that could be left loaded indefinitely yet still function. The idea was it would be used one time and then thrown away. It's a cheap single use drum magazine - as it was originally intended to be. |
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www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=17&t=349611 www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=3&f=17&t=352881 This topic has been beat to death |
That sounds really interesting, is there a source where I could read more about it. Me personally, I like the availability of several hundred rounds ready to go. I could fire 3 30 round mags as fast as one Beta, and a loaded drum would get awful heavy on a long walk. But for firing stationary I dont think you could beat it. Everybody needs at least one Beta mag. |
Really? The ORIGINAL QUESTION? As in, WILL the graphite damage the weapon eventually? I'm the OP, and I asked about graphite, not about the viability of the magazine. 
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It's been rejected by the US Army... Higher chance of stoppage than belt-feed systems, and MUCH more expensive (they would have to be recovered & re-loaded.... Links, OTOH are just cheap sheet-metal and aren't worth the trouble)... OTOH, if you do not have access to a belt-fed 5.56mm weapon, a drum is the only way to get large capacity.... |
Didnt the army also reject Dragon Skin? And they have replaced very good equipment with not so good equipment more times than I would like to mention. |
AreoScout23
Know what your talking about.. The DOD had put out a Letter years ago after several recorded incidents of Beta mag failure under combat conditions. It is a range toy..Period.. no professional would use one in that environment... As to Dragon Skin.. you have no clue what you don't know.. it failed for a reason.. Beta mags are $100 max range toys.. nothing more.. if anyone wants to spend more for one.. knock yourself out... |
I am fully aware of the Beta's failing in testing, you got me on the dragon skin though. I just thought it was a conspiracy because we have already invested heavily on the current body armor. My original statement has merit, I could give a crap about dragon skin or Beta mags, well I tend to like the Beta's. But the army HAS and will continue to replace good stuff with bad stuff. (Not 100% of the time.) From rifles to helicopters, and it happens for reasons beyond whats BEST for us. Money, Politics, the good o'l boy system going on. Trust me, I know. I make a living hunting bad guys with systems that local police wouldnt even use. Im not Guard or Reserve either. While money and effort are poured into projects that everyone knows is a waste. But it must be good shit, because the army wouldnt procure garbage right? I was trying to make a point. The army may use or reject some equipment, though it is by all means a good indicator of performance considering the amount of tax dollars going into testing, I wouldnt let that be my primary deciding factor. But you are right, Beta's are pricey. And I encourage their ownership. |
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