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2/26/2011 10:03:48 PM EDT
Thinking about buying some pre ban Israeli made Orlite magazines, but I don't really know anything about them. Are they good magazines? I was also wondering if the magpul self-leveling follower would fit in them. any Advice from someone who has expiriance with these magazines would be much appreciated.
2/26/2011 10:09:16 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
Thinking about buying some pre ban Israeli made Orlite magazines, but I don't really know anything about them. Are they good magazines? I was also wondering if the magpul self-leveling follower would fit in them. any Advice from someone who has expiriance with these magazines would be much appreciated.


They arent very good mags. Magpul followers will not work in them.
2/26/2011 10:18:42 PM EDT
[#2]
I use mine as range mags.  The feed lips have a habit of cracking.

2/26/2011 10:38:35 PM EDT
[#3]
suck, bad. double feeds on all mine.
2/27/2011 2:56:52 AM EDT
[#4]
I bet the price is real low on those Orlites.

2/27/2011 3:53:31 AM EDT
[#5]
I have a few that are cracked with a metal screen molded in them..
One magazine you can load up take your thumb off and it will unload its self
2/27/2011 5:11:16 AM EDT
[#6]
They have not aged gracefully.  

Hopefully Pmags will fare better against the ravages of time.  
2/27/2011 6:45:41 AM EDT
[#7]
To give some perspective, on ARFCOM back in 1997-1999, folks considered Orlites and Thermolds with exactly the same high esteem that PMags get today.  But Orlites and Thermolds have not fared well.  Those rich enough back then bought and tooted their horns pretty loudly.  Pretty much a poor "investment" now for some.   But some Orlites, Tapcos, & Thermolds seem to have fared well, like many Lancers have.  

Given lots of amazing industy and tech advances in just the past 5-10 yrs, PMags should do exceptionally well over time compared to it's polymer predecessors.  Only time will tell.  One thing for sure is that the AR mag landscape changes a lot over the years.  USGI or Polymer - it's all completely different than it was just 10-14 years ago.      ...the more things change, the more things remain the same.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile
2/27/2011 9:09:13 AM EDT
[#8]
Quoted:
To give some perspective, on ARFCOM back in 1997-1999, folks considered Orlites and Thermolds with exactly the same high esteem that PMags get today.  But Orlites and Thermolds have not fared well.  Those rich enough back then bought and tooted their horns pretty loudly.  Pretty much a poor "investment" now for some.   But some Orlites, Tapcos, & Thermolds seem to have fared well, like many Lancers have.  

Given lots of amazing industy and tech advances in just the past 5-10 yrs, PMags should do exceptionally well over time compared to it's polymer predecessors.  Only time will tell.  One thing for sure is that the AR mag landscape changes a lot over the years.  USGI or Polymer - it's all completely different than it was just 10-14 years ago.      ...the more things change, the more things remain the same.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile


LOL Orlites and Thermolds NEVER had a good rep or "high esteem" with anyone I knew back in 1997-1999.

Orlites and Thermolds limited popularity was as a low cost alternative to USGI mags which were 20-30 dollars because of the assault weapon ban.  

Polymer technology has increased dramatically since the 1990s. In the heyday of Thermold it was discovered that the magazine, even when new, could not survive a limited deployment with the Canadian military during peacetime. Contrast that to the combat deployment of the PMag over the last 3+ years.
2/27/2011 9:35:47 AM EDT
[#9]



Quoted:



Quoted:

To give some perspective, on ARFCOM back in 1997-1999, folks considered Orlites and Thermolds with exactly the same high esteem that PMags get today.  But Orlites and Thermolds have not fared well.  Those rich enough back then bought and tooted their horns pretty loudly.  Pretty much a poor "investment" now for some.   But some Orlites, Tapcos, & Thermolds seem to have fared well, like many Lancers have.  



Given lots of amazing industy and tech advances in just the past 5-10 yrs, PMags should do exceptionally well over time compared to it's polymer predecessors.  Only time will tell.  One thing for sure is that the AR mag landscape changes a lot over the years.  USGI or Polymer - it's all completely different than it was just 10-14 years ago.      ...the more things change, the more things remain the same.



Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile




LOL Orlites and Thermolds NEVER had a good rep or "high esteem" with anyone I knew back in 1997-1999.



Orlites and Thermolds limited popularity was as a low cost alternative to USGI mags which were 20-30 dollars because of the assault weapon ban.  



Polymer technology has increased dramatically since the 1990s. In the heyday of Thermold it was discovered that the magazine, even when new, could not survive a limited deployment with the Canadian military during peacetime. Contrast that to the combat deployment of the PMag over the last 3+ years.
I had to "introduce" some of my fellow LEOs to PMags when we had firearms qualifications a few weeks back.



They wanted to shoot my Sig 556 and I brought some PMags with it.  They were only familiar with USGI mags for the AR-15 platform.



Needless to say, they were impressed with the quality and reliability of the PMag.  They said they would be ordering PMags when our dept starts issuing AR-15s in the future.



Like I said in my previous post, I only use my Orlites as range mags.  I have been lucky with mine.  But the high instances of failure keeps it in the range mag category.



They have intact feed lips and have functioned 100% so far.  But why take the chance of it crapping out when I need it during a firefight, etc. ?
 
2/27/2011 9:38:37 AM EDT
[#10]
Orlites were definitely Tier 3, but I never had an issue with my Wilson Thermolds.
2/27/2011 10:08:18 AM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
To give some perspective, on ARFCOM back in 1997-1999, folks considered Orlites and Thermolds with exactly the same high esteem that PMags get today.  But Orlites and Thermolds have not fared well.  Those rich enough back then bought and tooted their horns pretty loudly.  Pretty much a poor "investment" now for some.   But some Orlites, Tapcos, & Thermolds seem to have fared well, like many Lancers have.  

Given lots of amazing industy and tech advances in just the past 5-10 yrs, PMags should do exceptionally well over time compared to it's polymer predecessors.  Only time will tell.  One thing for sure is that the AR mag landscape changes a lot over the years.  USGI or Polymer - it's all completely different than it was just 10-14 years ago.      ...the more things change, the more things remain the same.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile


LOL Orlites and Thermolds NEVER had a good rep or "high esteem" with anyone I knew back in 1997-1999.

Orlites and Thermolds limited popularity was as a low cost alternative to USGI mags which were 20-30 dollars because of the assault weapon ban.  

Polymer technology has increased dramatically since the 1990s. In the heyday of Thermold it was discovered that the magazine, even when new, could not survive a limited deployment with the Canadian military during peacetime. Contrast that to the combat deployment of the PMag over the last 3+ years.


+1

I purchased orlites during the AWB because it was a lower cost alternative to GI mags. I have one or two more Orlites that make it to the range from time to time.
2/27/2011 2:09:53 PM EDT
[#12]
I've never had a problem with any of my Thermolds, I'd always heard that the Orlites for the AR weren't good but the Orlites for the Galil are considered to be superior to the metal Galil mags by many people.
2/28/2011 1:45:48 PM EDT
[#13]
I have some I cut down to 15 rounds. They've held up well and I think that they may get a worse rap than they deserve. They would make good range mags if you can get them cheap enough.
2/28/2011 5:07:39 PM EDT
[#14]
I owould make a wal mount for your AR15s with your Orlites.

They have not aged gracefully.
3/1/2011 5:11:09 PM EDT
[#15]
I've used Orlites extensively, running them till failure at MG shoots for around 15 years.  

You will read all sorts of categorical negative statements about them.  Sometimes you will read about some very positive experiences.  I have an idea why this happens.

There are two different types of Orlites, distinguishable by feed lip design.  I'm not sure which is earlier.  At any rate, one type has feed lips that wrap around to the rear of the mag, like most USGI mags.  The second type has feed lips that stop short of the rear of the mag and, obviously, do not wrap around.  

You would think the less-supported 2nd type feed lips would be more likely to weaken and result in double feeds, etc.  Exactly the opposite is true.  Not one of my short feed lips Orlites has failed in any way.  I purchased eight - I still have eight.  I have run the snot out of them; I cannot kill them.   OTOH, every single Orlite I've owned having full-wrap feed lips has failed.  Reasons:  usually feed lip failure/cracks, a lesser number failed b/c of mag body and base plate cracks.

So, IMO short feed lip Orlites make decent range mags, especially for folks in ban states.    

Sam



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