I was wanting you guys to chime in with your methods and why you like them. It it best loaded to capacity or plus 1 or is minus 1 or 2. Also if you do the same for all mag brands and capacities.
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Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
- Thread starter dieseldr99
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Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
As many as possible while still being able to seat the magazine with the bolt forward, and capable of chambering with normal manipulation of the operating group/bolt.
Differs from brand to brand. Some 30 round AR mags are good with 30, and a lot are limited to 28 or 29. Testing is key, but I use 28 as my standard with issue metal mags.
As many as possible while still being able to seat the magazine with the bolt forward, and capable of chambering with normal manipulation of the operating group/bolt.
Differs from brand to brand. Some 30 round AR mags are good with 30, and a lot are limited to 28 or 29. Testing is key, but I use 28 as my standard with issue metal mags.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
i always load 29 in a 30 round mag or 19 in a 20 and so on
i always load 29 in a 30 round mag or 19 in a 20 and so on
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
always load minus 1 for metal mags, magpul mag I load to the limit. I've noticed when metal mags are loaded to limit they are much more likely to have their spines break. Magpul well... they're magpul.
always load minus 1 for metal mags, magpul mag I load to the limit. I've noticed when metal mags are loaded to limit they are much more likely to have their spines break. Magpul well... they're magpul.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I down load by one in all of my magazines both pistol and rifle. You want to be able to push your last round down and it be flush with your lips...
I down load by one in all of my magazines both pistol and rifle. You want to be able to push your last round down and it be flush with your lips...
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
theres actually a science between -1 idea. When you load it to max and jumble them around usually the would go out of the mag via the top. but if its in a pouch or other places similiar that prevents the round from escaping. the bullets will buldge up and find the easiest way out of the magazine. that just happens to be the spine on the metal mags. on magpul mags they are more uniformly made preventing the mags from bursting. At least that is my idea on the method is.
theres actually a science between -1 idea. When you load it to max and jumble them around usually the would go out of the mag via the top. but if its in a pouch or other places similiar that prevents the round from escaping. the bullets will buldge up and find the easiest way out of the magazine. that just happens to be the spine on the metal mags. on magpul mags they are more uniformly made preventing the mags from bursting. At least that is my idea on the method is.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
In 3Gun I down load mine by 2. I've found they seat easier and the reload is faster. For just shooting at the range I load to capacity but I do have one mag that still needs to be -1 or it won't seat.
In 3Gun I down load mine by 2. I've found they seat easier and the reload is faster. For just shooting at the range I load to capacity but I do have one mag that still needs to be -1 or it won't seat.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I always load 28 in my metal mags, down 1 would be OK, too, but I like my top rounds consistently on the same side, plus it's easy to check by slightly pushing down the top round to check the fullness.
Some (most) issue mags will be hard to seat on a closed bolt with 30 rounds loaded.
Many 30 round issue mags can have 31 rounds loaded and then they are IMPOSSIBLE to seat.
I always load 28 in my metal mags, down 1 would be OK, too, but I like my top rounds consistently on the same side, plus it's easy to check by slightly pushing down the top round to check the fullness.
Some (most) issue mags will be hard to seat on a closed bolt with 30 rounds loaded.
Many 30 round issue mags can have 31 rounds loaded and then they are IMPOSSIBLE to seat.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I load mine to the max, but I also only use 20rounders. I also only load 15-18 rounds when I store my mags at home. I read somewhere that when storing them for a long time, its best to keep loaded at -5. But thats for storing, not the range,
I load mine to the max, but I also only use 20rounders. I also only load 15-18 rounds when I store my mags at home. I read somewhere that when storing them for a long time, its best to keep loaded at -5. But thats for storing, not the range,
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
Its called a 30 round mag for a reason .... its cause it was meant for 30 rounds.
Dont be such a pussy when putting the mag into the gun, its NOT going to hurt it.
Its called a 30 round mag for a reason .... its cause it was meant for 30 rounds.
Dont be such a pussy when putting the mag into the gun, its NOT going to hurt it.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
1 stripper per mag sometimes less...more trainin for the bang yo.
1 stripper per mag sometimes less...more trainin for the bang yo.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I load 30 even in steel mags, So far the only time they've failed it was the ammo, not the mags
I load 30 even in steel mags, So far the only time they've failed it was the ammo, not the mags
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I recommend NOT loading 31 rounds in PMAGs, especially for competition. (The video of that stage is both sad and hilarious)...
I recommend NOT loading 31 rounds in PMAGs, especially for competition. (The video of that stage is both sad and hilarious)...
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I replace my mags when they get worn. I've never had any issues with loading them to full capacity.
I replace my mags when they get worn. I've never had any issues with loading them to full capacity.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
27 rounds. Mainly to ensure that your mag has fully seated while conducting a reload. I've seen mags fall out hundreds of times while my guys were loading and reloading. Its funny when I call "up!" to start a drill and you see a guys mag go flying out of the rifle.
27 rounds. Mainly to ensure that your mag has fully seated while conducting a reload. I've seen mags fall out hundreds of times while my guys were loading and reloading. Its funny when I call "up!" to start a drill and you see a guys mag go flying out of the rifle.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
18 in a 20 rd mag, 28 in a 30.
When the poop hits the fan, and the pucker factor kicks in, you aint thinkning about nothing but the mag change. You jam the mag in the first one or two rounds sometimes pop up, jamming the gun whey you let the bolt go forward.
I've seen then more then once in SE Asia when I was attending a live fire FTX with pop up shoot back targets.
18 in a 20 rd mag, 28 in a 30.
When the poop hits the fan, and the pucker factor kicks in, you aint thinkning about nothing but the mag change. You jam the mag in the first one or two rounds sometimes pop up, jamming the gun whey you let the bolt go forward.
I've seen then more then once in SE Asia when I was attending a live fire FTX with pop up shoot back targets.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
29-30... Some don't hold 30 very well, not a good idea to force it.
Usually when someone has mag problems, it's a result of old worn out/damaged mags. People don't seem to understand that the feed lips spread over time when under pressure and daily carrying, jarring, banging around dents and damages mags.
Modern springs can stand years under tension and still function flawlessly, so don't buy the hype about "allowing your mags to rest". The biggest concern should be blowing all the dust and dirt out of the mags and ensuring they are not damaged. Toss old mags, or use them for range duty- not carry use.
29-30... Some don't hold 30 very well, not a good idea to force it.
Usually when someone has mag problems, it's a result of old worn out/damaged mags. People don't seem to understand that the feed lips spread over time when under pressure and daily carrying, jarring, banging around dents and damages mags.
Modern springs can stand years under tension and still function flawlessly, so don't buy the hype about "allowing your mags to rest". The biggest concern should be blowing all the dust and dirt out of the mags and ensuring they are not damaged. Toss old mags, or use them for range duty- not carry use.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
Its according to what your doing.Sandbox 28,jacking around at the range where it dont matter as many as u want,Competition when loading with the bolt open 30,and lastly a fully loaded mag inserted with the bolt open will sometimes jar a round out of the mag and cause a jam.
Its according to what your doing.Sandbox 28,jacking around at the range where it dont matter as many as u want,Competition when loading with the bolt open 30,and lastly a fully loaded mag inserted with the bolt open will sometimes jar a round out of the mag and cause a jam.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DP425</div><div class="ubbcode-body">29-30... Some don't hold 30 very well, not a good idea to force it.
Usually when someone has mag problems, it's a result of old worn out/damaged mags. People don't seem to understand that the feed lips spread over time when under pressure and daily carrying, jarring, banging around dents and damages mags.
Modern springs can stand years under tension and still function flawlessly, so don't buy the hype about "allowing your mags to rest". The biggest concern should be blowing all the dust and dirt out of the mags and ensuring they are not damaged. Toss old mags, or use them for range duty- not carry use. </div></div>
+1
I fill all of mine up unless #30 just doesn't want to seat properly.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DP425</div><div class="ubbcode-body">29-30... Some don't hold 30 very well, not a good idea to force it.
Usually when someone has mag problems, it's a result of old worn out/damaged mags. People don't seem to understand that the feed lips spread over time when under pressure and daily carrying, jarring, banging around dents and damages mags.
Modern springs can stand years under tension and still function flawlessly, so don't buy the hype about "allowing your mags to rest". The biggest concern should be blowing all the dust and dirt out of the mags and ensuring they are not damaged. Toss old mags, or use them for range duty- not carry use. </div></div>
+1
I fill all of mine up unless #30 just doesn't want to seat properly.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
Thanks for the info everyone provided. Loading down seems to be pretty popular for tactical applications. I will most likely adopt this method for my weapons.
My magazines are in good shape and I actually have not been experiencing any malfunctions. I was just curious on what most do and why
Thanks again
Dieseldr
Thanks for the info everyone provided. Loading down seems to be pretty popular for tactical applications. I will most likely adopt this method for my weapons.
My magazines are in good shape and I actually have not been experiencing any malfunctions. I was just curious on what most do and why
Thanks again
Dieseldr
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
On GI mags (even with replacement guts) I load 28. Works every time and that's worth more than 1 or 2 more rounds.
Fusil USA mags. 30 and go.
Magpul's...never had great luck with them once I returned stateside and the 6 I had, ended up in the dump.
Rich
On GI mags (even with replacement guts) I load 28. Works every time and that's worth more than 1 or 2 more rounds.
Fusil USA mags. 30 and go.
Magpul's...never had great luck with them once I returned stateside and the 6 I had, ended up in the dump.
Rich
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
308--in a 19 round DPMS mag I load 15.
223--I load 25 in a 30 round mag.
These numbers are easy for my brain to deal with in log books and brass collection.
BMT
308--in a 19 round DPMS mag I load 15.
223--I load 25 in a 30 round mag.
These numbers are easy for my brain to deal with in log books and brass collection.
BMT
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
a full 30 rounds in a pmag.. 28 in a gi alum mag.. with the green follower.. and a full 30 rounds in gi mags that i have changed out the spring and follower with the magpul anti tilt follower and better spring..
a full 30 rounds in a pmag.. 28 in a gi alum mag.. with the green follower.. and a full 30 rounds in gi mags that i have changed out the spring and follower with the magpul anti tilt follower and better spring..
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
load to capacity.
If the mags you have won't feed reliably when loaded to capacity.....find new magazines.
I have had no problems seating and feeding Pmag30's with 30 rounds. Then again my rifle runs reliably with REAL USGI magazines loaded to 30.
load to capacity.
If the mags you have won't feed reliably when loaded to capacity.....find new magazines.
I have had no problems seating and feeding Pmag30's with 30 rounds. Then again my rifle runs reliably with REAL USGI magazines loaded to 30.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
on the battlefield you have to use whatever you can get your hands on. Don't bet that you'll be issued 100% good to go mags.
If you load more than 28 rounds in a 30 round AR mag, you're not only betting your life but every life in your team/squad that counts on you that those first few rounds in your "stuffed to the gills" magazine are going to feed properly. The sand and dust of Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that's a reckless chance to take.
In the adrenaline-fueled "tunnel vision time warp" known as combat, shit goes wrong at the worst of times. The simplest and stupidest shit just trips you up and you'll piss yourself trying to recover. And you just had to stuff those 2 extra rounds in your mags? Aw hell no!
on the battlefield you have to use whatever you can get your hands on. Don't bet that you'll be issued 100% good to go mags.
If you load more than 28 rounds in a 30 round AR mag, you're not only betting your life but every life in your team/squad that counts on you that those first few rounds in your "stuffed to the gills" magazine are going to feed properly. The sand and dust of Iraq and Afghanistan has shown that's a reckless chance to take.
In the adrenaline-fueled "tunnel vision time warp" known as combat, shit goes wrong at the worst of times. The simplest and stupidest shit just trips you up and you'll piss yourself trying to recover. And you just had to stuff those 2 extra rounds in your mags? Aw hell no!
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
Guess I have lucked out. All the magazines I have ever been issued fed from 30. Remember I was issued some of the shittiest mags around too. It's amazing the crap you get issued between wars.
Guess I have lucked out. All the magazines I have ever been issued fed from 30. Remember I was issued some of the shittiest mags around too. It's amazing the crap you get issued between wars.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
my failures were with older alum mags--no faiures yet with Magpul, Fusion, H&K, or Brownell's---I like the braided SS springs and SS FOLLOWER FROM CCMG to rebuild 30 rders--have
Vietnam era 20 rders and none has failed yet and are always loaded to capacity
my failures were with older alum mags--no faiures yet with Magpul, Fusion, H&K, or Brownell's---I like the braided SS springs and SS FOLLOWER FROM CCMG to rebuild 30 rders--have
Vietnam era 20 rders and none has failed yet and are always loaded to capacity
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
Magpul is the way to go. I keep 5 fully loaded and I have not noticed any weakness or anything of that matter over the years. I seen a torture test video of Magpul, shot through it, busted the spring. So they took it apart, stretched the spring out, loaded it full and it fed like new.
Magpul is the way to go. I keep 5 fully loaded and I have not noticed any weakness or anything of that matter over the years. I seen a torture test video of Magpul, shot through it, busted the spring. So they took it apart, stretched the spring out, loaded it full and it fed like new.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
i can fill magpul 20's and 30's to capacity with zero issues. the green follower alum mags usually saw -1, that was until they went byebye. i wish i would've bought the leveling rebuild kits for the alum's. oh well, more magpuls i guess.
i can fill magpul 20's and 30's to capacity with zero issues. the green follower alum mags usually saw -1, that was until they went byebye. i wish i would've bought the leveling rebuild kits for the alum's. oh well, more magpuls i guess.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
Not AR's, but relevant.
Downloading an M-14 mag for long term carry was a piece of 'common wisdom' when we were in 'Nam.
I never bought into it. I loaded my 20's with 20 and that was that.
About the only thing the other folks got for their trouble was 'going Winchester' one round sooner.
I'm here today. Some of them aren't. Danged if I know why.
Greg
Not AR's, but relevant.
Downloading an M-14 mag for long term carry was a piece of 'common wisdom' when we were in 'Nam.
I never bought into it. I loaded my 20's with 20 and that was that.
About the only thing the other folks got for their trouble was 'going Winchester' one round sooner.
I'm here today. Some of them aren't. Danged if I know why.
Greg
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscbigdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Magpul's...never had great luck with them once I returned stateside and the 6 I had, ended up in the dump.
</div></div>
That's not something that you hear very often. Could you please give us some more info?
Thanks.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: uscbigdawg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Magpul's...never had great luck with them once I returned stateside and the 6 I had, ended up in the dump.
</div></div>
That's not something that you hear very often. Could you please give us some more info?
Thanks.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
..
Or how about 31 or maybe 33?
I just came across these cleaning up. There are just too odd not to bring out in this thread.
You load up to 30 and then slam the base home when its time to go. That way there is no spring compression weakness in storage. If you need 40 rounds, no problem, load them up, the spring was scaled for that as well as long as you used them.
Thermold made them for all of 60 seconds, way back when..
Maybe 32 rounds?
..
Or how about 31 or maybe 33?
I just came across these cleaning up. There are just too odd not to bring out in this thread.
You load up to 30 and then slam the base home when its time to go. That way there is no spring compression weakness in storage. If you need 40 rounds, no problem, load them up, the spring was scaled for that as well as long as you used them.
Thermold made them for all of 60 seconds, way back when..
Maybe 32 rounds?
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
I always do -2 in three-gun but have never had an issue going to thirty other times.
I always do -2 in three-gun but have never had an issue going to thirty other times.
Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not AR's, but relevant.
Downloading an M-14 mag for long term carry was a piece of 'common wisdom' when we were in 'Nam.
I never bought into it. I loaded my 20's with 20 and that was that.
About the only thing the other folks got for their trouble was 'going Winchester' one round sooner.
I'm here today. Some of them aren't. Danged if I know why.
Greg </div></div>
I find the "common wisdom" to be "common blind myth". Fact is, there is no official documentation from the branches advising downloading mags in rifles. If your mags are in good condition you have nothing to worry about.
If you don't trust your mags enough to use them to their full capacity, you should probably not be using those mags. I get 13 new mags every time I deploy.... which is why I have a big box full of mags.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not AR's, but relevant.
Downloading an M-14 mag for long term carry was a piece of 'common wisdom' when we were in 'Nam.
I never bought into it. I loaded my 20's with 20 and that was that.
About the only thing the other folks got for their trouble was 'going Winchester' one round sooner.
I'm here today. Some of them aren't. Danged if I know why.
Greg </div></div>
I find the "common wisdom" to be "common blind myth". Fact is, there is no official documentation from the branches advising downloading mags in rifles. If your mags are in good condition you have nothing to worry about.
If you don't trust your mags enough to use them to their full capacity, you should probably not be using those mags. I get 13 new mags every time I deploy.... which is why I have a big box full of mags.
G
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Re: Ar -15 magazines how full to fill them?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DP425</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I find the "common wisdom" to be "common blind myth". Fact is, there is no official documentation from the branches advising downloading mags in rifles. If your mags are in good condition you have nothing to worry about.</div></div>
That may not be in print, but when the 16's first came out, if you loaded more than 18-19 many would not strip an run. Problem was not mags it was chambers, an lack of cleaning equipment never issued, because it was "Self Cleaning". A clean weapon would run until it got combat dirty, about 250 -400rds, then they would start having problems
Self cleaning with extruded powder, maybe, but not McNamara money saving, Ball. I've ran first gen 16's up to 2k rds w/o cleaning as long as the powder was IMR 3031 or 4895 and they were not in a jungle environment. But, ball powder was cheaper and raised the vol about 150-200 fps faster. Did anyone retest or check with Stoner, no.
I leave my mags full all the time, I've never had an issue in semi or full that was infact a mag spring issue. Uncle taught me springs wear/fail from rapid movement and heating, not from being just compressed in a serviceable storied state. I've left my M14 mags and M16 mags full for over 15 years and they still ran perfect in full.
One thing to always remember, most anything new will preform until wear sets in and or it becomes environment dirty. Then the true test of that items design ability and operator knowledge/training an fix's begin. Many myths start and travel via the wrong ghost chasing.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DP425</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I find the "common wisdom" to be "common blind myth". Fact is, there is no official documentation from the branches advising downloading mags in rifles. If your mags are in good condition you have nothing to worry about.</div></div>
That may not be in print, but when the 16's first came out, if you loaded more than 18-19 many would not strip an run. Problem was not mags it was chambers, an lack of cleaning equipment never issued, because it was "Self Cleaning". A clean weapon would run until it got combat dirty, about 250 -400rds, then they would start having problems
Self cleaning with extruded powder, maybe, but not McNamara money saving, Ball. I've ran first gen 16's up to 2k rds w/o cleaning as long as the powder was IMR 3031 or 4895 and they were not in a jungle environment. But, ball powder was cheaper and raised the vol about 150-200 fps faster. Did anyone retest or check with Stoner, no.
I leave my mags full all the time, I've never had an issue in semi or full that was infact a mag spring issue. Uncle taught me springs wear/fail from rapid movement and heating, not from being just compressed in a serviceable storied state. I've left my M14 mags and M16 mags full for over 15 years and they still ran perfect in full.
One thing to always remember, most anything new will preform until wear sets in and or it becomes environment dirty. Then the true test of that items design ability and operator knowledge/training an fix's begin. Many myths start and travel via the wrong ghost chasing.
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