Ar15 mags

[unknown]

What is your fav and why?

[UnaStamus]

Here's my opinion from both training and professional/operational experience: Magpul is superior.

Rigidity:
The polymer used in the Lancer L5 AWM is very flexible, and this can cause deformation. This affects reliability because when the upper portion of the mag flexes or deforms, it can start spitting out rounds. I have had double-feeds from Lancers for this reason. This is also an issue with relation to durability, because Lancer uses translucent polymer which is not as strong and durable as other forms of polymers.
Magpul PMAGs are very rigid and durable. They don't flex and cave like the L5 AWMs.

Round Count:
The translucent nature of the L5 AWM is handy for determining round count, but once you get below about 12-15 rounds, you can't see your ammo anymore and you don't know how many you have left. Operationally, this is a good time to do a mag change as a safety precaution. However, if you have 12rds left in the mag during training, you're now creating unnecessary clutter in your dump pouch and reducing the number of full mags you have available on your person. It results in more mag changes and more "shuffling" of mags as you deplete your ammo load.
Magpul on the other hand has a marked spring that accurately tells how many rounds are in the mag down to depletion. The windowed PMAG is a much better system for ammo management.

Failsafe:
Lancer L5 AWMs have no failsafe system in place in their design.
Magpul uses a special sonic weld on the spine of the magazine. If the feed lips break or splay out, this will crack the rear spine and cause the sonic weld to break, disabling the magazine from further use. It prevents you from using a junk magazine. It's not guaranteed system, but it's a much better system than what anyone else offers.

Seating on Full:
I have noticed difficulty seating full L5 AWMs into a closed bolt AR. Most mags have this issue.
Magpuls reliably seat on a full 30rd mag, and you don't typically need to download them to 28rds like you do with others. this is obviously subjective as certain rifle specs may make this more or less true. However, in my LaRue, BCM and Noveske ARs, I've found this to be true.


As always, YMMV

[870TC]

Are the black Lancers any better than the translucent ones?

[FJ540]

I've never tried the Lancers, because after getting my first pmags I've never looked into anything else.

[10-32 Solutions]

The current Lancers are better than the first ones. The type of plastic material used made it very slippery to work with when wet, such as in the rain, blood, etc. The latest version has surface added to increase the ability to grip it.

With that said, yeah, while it's neat to see through the magazine, I really don't NEED it, and the Magpul's have fulfilled every need I've ever had. Magpuls and quality aluminum magazines like the ones from BCM are loaded and stashed all over the place in my gear, depending on what I need. The only issues I've ever had with Magpul, which has also been improved over time, is three magazines splitting on the feed lips or the back seam. Two of the magazines that split were a certain batch they had recalled back in 2007. I've run the snot out of my magazines, and as they are wear items I'm prepared to consider replacement if needed.

Another good prospect to look at are the Tango Down magazines, but I haven't worn any of my current ones out enough to justify buying more yet.

[The Lance]

Magpul pmags

Windowed ones just because I'm fancy

[Uffdaphil]

Pmags are my first choice. I bought a bunch of Gen2s for under $10 recently. Windowed look cool, but I don't think they are worth paying extra. No issues with Israeli IMI mags and they are cheap but kinda ugly.

[10-32 Solutions]

Pmags are my first choice. I bought a bunch of Gen2s for under $10 recently. Windowed look cool, but I don't think they are worth paying extra. No issues with Israeli IMI mags and they are cheap but kinda ugly.

How many IMI magazines, how many rounds have been fired through them? I am very hesitant with many things Israeli, since Orlite, Fobus, etc... They even look like the South Korean Magpul ripoffs. May be decent for the casual range user, but someone that depends on it for competition or defense, I'm very hesitant. Decent, proven ones are very available at an affordable cost, and I personally cannot see spending $ on ones that don't have that ability.

[MaryB]

O have some promags I will be trying... they were $5 each so I grabbed 4. Had to do some sanding on one to get it to release right so not overly impressed, typical promag junk

[Tronster]

30 round windowed Pmags. No feeding issues. Rarely use the window but it's a cool feature.
20 and 30 round NHMTG USGI mags. No feeding issues. The finish is thin but the bodies are strong and straight.

I've never used lancers and see no reason to switch.

[FJ540]

I like the windows. It's nice to know how many rounds is in a mag when dealing with 300blks especially - you can't go by weight when the bullets are 2x heavier than what you can get in a 5.56 chamber.

[tenmilmag]

My first PMags came fully loaded Thanku very much! You know who you are