20 vs 30 round magazine

Hump the 20-rounders ....

Just like the ol' Sarge warned our boys before they got shipped out to the Ia Drang over in the 'Nam.



You want a reliable 30-rounder? ... Those feed AKs.

 

One has 50% more capacity than the other. That’s the only real difference.

For modern magazines, reliability issues and whatnot are more gun folklore.

 

I run 20, 30, 40 and 60 rounders. Most of my homies and I run 1 or 2 rounds down in the 30+ mags. Its because getting a 30+ full mag in on a closed bolt is a PITA. For whatever reason the 20s don't seem to have this issue nearly as much. Yes, I am smacking them in there, but still seems to happen at the worst possible time. Bang - drop.

 

Most of the women in our flight crews run 28 rounds for that reason as well.

 

Straight back (original) metal 20 round magazines fit perfectly into a seven pocket bandolier.

It's a great way to carry extra loaded magazines.

 

Anybody see those silly curved aluminum 20-round mags that used to be sold by Bushmaster? I bought a few of those and they were jammamatics. Luckily I only bought three.

Also, what's with the curved plastic 20-rounders? Shouldn't these companies know by now that 20-round mags don't need to be curved in order to feed?

 

I don't have any reason to have a weapon with an empty chamber. Maybe that's the difference.

 

Most of the thought behind ours is reloading the weapon before you’re empty.

 

Solid point.

 

I have all 30s except one 20 I bought on a whim because I tend to randomly snatch up mags any time I’m in or near stores that carry them. And it just happened to be on the shelf the one day at the one store.

I’ll probably buy one or two more 20s. They’ll likely be for when I buy just a box or two of 223 or 556 in a different weight and style from what I normally shoot to try out in a range session, see if I want to get more. That way I can fill a mag or two without leftovers. Also for bench shooting.

 

Magpul straight 20s were known to sometimes have feeding issues. Not sure if they’re still doing it, but they used to offer a free exchange if you had straight mags.

 

You have to have a follower that tilts some with a straight mag. The case of a .223/5.56 round is tapered and stacking 20 of them still ads up. The D&H, Lancers and some other 20 rounders that are curved have anti tilt followers. Never had issues with any of them. That is one thing I don't care for about my straight GI 20 rounders I have, the follower that tilts a lot, nose dives the round and dings them up before chambering. The NHMTG/Okay have that piece of steel on the front that catches too.

 

As a grasshopper seeking knowledge, I for one have appreciated the topic and have added a couple 20's to the cart.

Never know whatcha might need.

 

I have one 20 rounder for HD and hunting.

 

As stated in an earlier post, QUALITY 30rd mags are GTG. OEM Colt mags are garbage compared to modern P-Mags, Lancers, Okay Industry, or EPM’s. Enhancements have been made to feed geometry, followers, and springs compared to what the Colt (GI) mags were back in the day. There is no need to download current “technology” mags.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

My department issues 20 round mags. I caught a lot of grief when I recommended them to staff. I found them to be more reliable than the 30s, the rifle with a 20 round mag fit better in the trunk mounted rifle racks, the 20s snagged less on the officers gear when slinging it, and the 20s were way better when holding the rifle over the top of a patrol car or cover.

When I went to patrol rifle school there was a drill where the shooter would run up to the firing line and quickly deploy to a prone position. Many 30 round mags got damaged or destroyed during this drill.
In one, the bottom of the mag got sheared off. It dumped the cartridges, spring, and follower on the ground in spectacular fashion.
In another, it jammed the mag hard into the mag well. After inspecting it the shooter fired the chambered round then it took a while to disassemble the rifle to clear it.
The guys from my department at that school didn’t gripe about the 20s so much after that.

Unless your rocking full-auto I don’t see a big advantage to the 30s to make it worth the drawbacks.

 

It’s not good to keep the rifle stowed in the car rifle rack with a round chambered.

 

Maybe a SG that isn't drop rated. I can't think of any good reason for an AR not to be loaded but everyone has their own SOPs.

 

Speaking of Colt brand mags, it's been 3-years since I bought a brand new Colt AR (that one came with P Mag), but I've seen a lot for sales lately at a couple of local gun shops of Colt brand/Colt package aluminum 30-rounders that have that grey dry film finish and the old style sky blue followers.

I don't know if Colt decided to go back to their own brand instead of including P Mag with their new AR15s or they're just selling these aluminum mags on the side.

However, as far as GI-style mags in either 20 or 30 rounds configuration, I'm sticking with the Okay/Surefire brand. If I can't find those, I'll go to D&H, but I won't bother with ASC and C Product mags based on past experiences.

I have no idea who's making the current US Army aluminum mags with the tan followers. They have no markings at the base plates.