Magazines

These are the subject of quite a bit of controversy among any community of firearms enthusiasts. Polymer versus steel versus aluminum. Then you (sort of) have a factory versus aftermarket debate (at least in the handgun community). Below is a picture of three magazines that I own.

From Left to Right: Colt USGI, Lancer Hybrid, IMI Defense Polymer

The first of which is a Colt USGI magazine (generation I, black follower). This was actually the first "part" for an AR-15 that I ever purchased. I got it in 2011 at a gun show for five dollars. At the time, I still had it in my head that I was going to purchase an AR-15 as a fully assembled rifle, and had everything budgeted to purchase a twenty-five hundred dollar rifle. Certain unexpected unexpected expenses put a quick end to me delusions of grandeur.

The second magazine I acquired is a Lancer Hybrid magazine. This magazine has a polymer body and hardened steel feed-lips. The internal geometry is a consistent curve, apparently aiding in smoother function. Their current generation of magazines, called L5 Advanced Warfighter Magazine comes in five flavors: Translucent Smoke (pictured, loaded w/thirty rounds), Translucent Brown, Opaque Black, Opaque Olive Drab, Opaque Foliage Green, and Opaque Flat Dark Earth. If you do a quick internet search, you'll find raving reviews about Lancer's magazines. The current iterations go for about twenty dollars a piece.

If you look closely at the magazine in the middle, you can see

the bullets (yes, bullets; not the whole case is visible) as they

sit in the magazine.

The third magazine I got is the IMI Defense Polymer AR-15 magazine. I actually bought seven of these on clearance from Palmetto State Armory for about eight dollars a piece. The reviews I found online about these are somewhat mixed. An interesting feature that this magazine possesses is a catch on the right hand side for use in an AR-18, or an AR-180 (semi-automatic version).

I put the yellow electrician's tape around the bottom for two reasons. First, quick identification when I take them shooting. Second, I found that the tape provides better traction for bare hands than even the ribbing on the polymer magazines, which surprised me considerably.

Once my rifle is built, I'll let you know how they hold up.

I will make another post tomorrow about other parts I have.

Supplemental

At the time the images were taken, the IMI magazine has been fully loaded for three months. Ten rounds were left in it and the thirty were loaded into the Lancer Hybrid. They will be left there for thirty days while the others are used. Results will be posted as they become available.