AR mag opinion?

[blackwolfe]

Just wondering which you perfer and why, 20 or 30 round mags for the AR?  I would especially like to hear from those who used them in the military or in a professional capacity.  Now that I think about it, what magazines does the military use, 20 or 30 rounders?  Thanks.

[Big Frank]

In the army we always used 20 round mags, if available, for shooting prone. The rest of the time we used and carried 30 rounders. I like 30s better for their capacity.

[garand4life]

Currently the US military issues 30 round aluminum magazines to the troops. A lot of different manufacturers make them under US GOV contract, including, TAPCO and Brownells. Personally I prefer to use 30 rounders for general use. I use mainly PMAGs from MAGPUL and I absolutely love them for the simple fact that they work every time. I can also leave them stored loaded with 30 rounds of Hornady 55 grain TAP with the cap on them and not think twice. I also have a small collection of TAPCO GI aluminum magazines for those times when I want to have extra ammo ready and on hand. Typically I've seen the 20 round mags used for long range shooting where the shooter is needing the reduced ground clearance for going prone. Obviously the magazine is shorter and flatter which offers its own advantages. But this is something that you need to look at from the perspective of the intended use you have for you rifle. Just something to think about.

[MikeBjerum]

I mostly use 30 round for capacity ... just because I can.  I do have a couple twenties for prone.  I am big enough that the thirty isn't an issue for prone in most cases, but I have had them hit the ground in uneven terrain a couple times.  Twenty is long enough to give support if needed, but short enough to keep from interfering.

[1911 Junkie]

30rd mags are more plentiful and cheaper.

Have you priced 20rd mags? They are usually 2-3 times the price of 30rd mags.

Besides, can you ever really have too many rounds of ammo in your gun? 

[Sponsor]

[garand4life]

I haven't had any price problems with 20 rounders. Just availability. I can get a 20/30 round PMAG for $16 locally.

[1911 Junkie]

Couple weeks ago I went to a carbine match. They had PMags for $10 each. Lucky me had no extra money on me. 

[fightingquaker13]

I am relatively new at this game, so take what I say with a large grain of salt. In my youth, I used GI 30 rounders with an M-16 A1. Load them to 28 for a thirty rounder ad they were good. Now, in my dottage, I have 2 DPMS aluminum (which look a lot like C mags), and 4 non see through P mags. They all work, but I would go Pmag every time. I got mine for $11 with the rifle and kick myself for not making it a dozen. Even at $15 they are worth it. I see no advantage to a 20 rounder unless you are short or plan on hittting praire dogs from 300 meters plus. As a minute of pie plate rifle from point blank to 300 meters, I like the extra ten rounds.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

 I used 30 rd loaded with 28 as well back in the 70's in an M 16 A1. The Marines issued 20 rd at the rangebut they were never fully loaded because the strings of fire were in increments of 10 rounds, some required 5 shots and a mag change.
I never had any problems with 30 rd in prone at other times though.

[billt]

Now that the price and availability of Mag-Pul P-Mags have stabilized, they are really the only way to go. I have several of the 30 rounders. Never an issue with any of them.  Bill T.