AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

[ROLEXrifleman]

This should be the last post about the diffrences between AI mags.

1st is a full view of .308 and .338 rifles. Take note at the diffrence in thickness in the mag well area:

Close up of the .308's:

Close up of the .338's:

In each of the following mags there are 3 rounds loaded. These are the .308 mags. The AE and AICS mags are 5 rounders to be fair and the AW mag is the only one offered, a 10 rounder.
As stated in a previous thread, the AW is a stagered mag that feeds from both sides. The AICS mag is in fact staggered, not much, and feeds from the center. And finaly the AE mag, the only true single stack in the .308 family.:

Some close ups. AW, AICS, AE:

Some around the world shots to show the diffrence in length and width. Remeber, the AICS and AE mags hold 5, the AW is 10. Also note, the AW mag is the only one welded.

Hope this clears the air

 

[RSR]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Well done

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

VERY WELL DONE Rolex! Thanks for the info and pics, it is nice to be able to actually SEE the differences.

Adam

 

[Whiskey 2-1]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Nicely done (though I'm sure it wont put an end to the question)

Must be nice to have that kind of camera fodder around the house....

 

[d-a]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the AW mag is the only one welded. </div></div>

They all are welded just not the bottom plate.

d-a

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: d-a</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the AW mag is the only one welded. </div></div>

They all are welded just not the bottom plate.

d-a </div></div>

 

[dc45]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

I really hate to show my ass here, but what does AW, AICS & AE stand for? I would really like to know before I order the wrong mags...

I have been bumbling along thinking Accuracy International and Badger DBM's were the same.

Thanks,

DC

 

[Lindy]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

AW - Arctic Warfare
AICS - Accuracy International Chassis System
AE - Accuracy Enforcement

 

[Lowlight]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

AW = Arctic Warfare
AE = Accuracy Enforcement
AICS = Accuracy International Chassis System

Which the Badger DM uses AICS Magazines, Badger makes the bottom metal, Accuracy International makes the magazines.

 

[Lindy]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

GMTA.

 

[ChrisF]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Also , both the AW 308 & the AICS 308 , actually appear to have the same external size . as the AW mag fits in my AICS stock .

I had thought of tiring to get a Surgeon SA to run AW mags at one stage , not sure it would work out ?

Later Chris

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

AW: 3.055 x 0.960 x 3.180 Measured length of spine

AICS : 3.055 x 0.970 x 2.535 Measured length of spine

 

[dc45]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Do rifles set up for the AICS feed reliably from AW mags?

Thanks,

DC

 

[cj.weber]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Hey guys I am going nuts here... I saw a post the other day where someone modified a mag so they were fitting flush in the magwell... but now I can't seem to be able to find that... can anyone send me a like to that post or if they know who it was that did that, let me know... I think he was using AICS mags, but I don't recall.

 

[MrButterpants]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

so my 10 rounder AICS mag is really an AW? It sure doesn't look like one.

 

[c ward]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

No it's not , the AW mags are a true 2 position feed where the AICS mags are staggered column single position feed

 

[MrButterpants]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

dont you have weekends off biznatch?

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

btt for review by some of the new members

 

[lksyotas]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Just reading through this - does anyone know for sure if the AW 308 magazine will fit in the AICS magwell and feed reliably? I know the width and height are close but is the latch feature the same height from the top of the mag the same on both? If so, I'll be looking to purchase a few AW mags for use in my AICS.

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just reading through this - does anyone know for sure if the AW 308 magazine will fit in the AICS magwell and feed reliably? I know the width and height are close but is the latch feature the same height from the top of the mag the same on both? If so, I'll be looking to purchase a few AW mags for use in my AICS. </div></div>

Nope, AW receiver has a dual feed ramp...

 

[Lowlight]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JBB</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just reading through this - does anyone know for sure if the AW 308 magazine will fit in the AICS magwell and feed reliably? I know the width and height are close but is the latch feature the same height from the top of the mag the same on both? If so, I'll be looking to purchase a few AW mags for use in my AICS.</div></div>

No, won't work...

 

[ROLEXrifleman]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

your forgetting one is set up for center feeding from a single position he other is staggered from two positions. Even though the overall size is similar the feed lips and feeding set ups are worlds apart.

NO WONT WORK

 

[lksyotas]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Yeah, figures... Nothing is ever that easy - other wise their wouldn't be such a high demand for the higher prices AICS mags. Thanks all for the quick answers and bursting my bubble...LOL

 

[Smokin]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Thanks for the review, but Im confused as to the advantages and disadvantages of each. For a .308 which is best?

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Smokin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks for the review, but Im confused as to the advantages and disadvantages of each. For a .308 which is best? </div></div>

Depends entirely on what you have or are getting. I personally like the 10 round AW setup the best as the mag is no longer than the 5 round AE mag. But I you are building a Remington based build you don't have that option... Personal preference is what it comes down to.

Adam

 

[Smokin]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Im building a .308 with a Surgeon action. Since that is more or less a "Remington based build" I guess the AW is out? What would it work with?

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

AICS mags are your only option.

 

[Lowlight]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

The AW and AE are stand alone rifles, your only choice in a custom build is an AICS.

 

[Adam B]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

bump for later

 

[Fitz]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

another ignorant question but has anyone tried to modify an AE to use AW mags? Looks to me like there is plenty of machining room in that AE magwell. I am sure there is more than meets the eye or someone on this site would have done this by now.

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fitz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">another ignorant question but has anyone tried to modify an AE to use AW mags? Looks to me like there is plenty of machining room in that AE magwell. I am sure there is more than meets the eye or someone on this site would have done this by now. </div></div>

The AW has dual feed ramps too so it would require machining new feed ramps into the receiver as well as the stock area...

 

[Fitz]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

is that difficult to do?

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Not impossible, but I would suspect there would be a bit of welding and machining just to the receiver and I would never do that to mine... Somebody posted pictures of the different feed ramps a while back and it was deemed too much of a headache for 5 extra rounds.

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Bump to the top for the newbs.

 

[Jester308]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Will be getting my action machined next week to feed from AW 10rd mags. Action is a rem 700 SPS with a BO M5 fitted, will have the feed ramp scallopped wider to allow for the stagger feed and the feed rails in the action machine out to allow for the mag lips to fit. Il post pics when it's done.

JJ

 

[Just Jim]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Rolex-

Really appreciate the good info, you've answered some questions I was pondering over. It seems to me that double-feed AW mag would be easier to load as well.

Cheers... Jim

 

[krw]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Very informative, Very nice pics. krw

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Can either be made to tun in a TRG?

 

[1917]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

In comparing AICS and AE mags in a McRee build stock with rem ltr barreled action .308 both will work but Scott mentioned AE mags have inconsistances and he checks each AE mag before selling.

 

[longtines]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

There appears to be more room for length in the AE. What bullet do you have in there, and how long could you have loaded it if you wanted to?

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

I would like to see pics of an AE mag in the place of an AICS mag, it is too long to fit in the hole and way more narrow... If it does fit it would be a sloppy fit to say the least...

 

[phlii]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

What is the longest OAL for a .308 round that will fit into an AICS magazine?

 

[NiceDay2]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Very thorough writeup. Thanks.

 

[Jester308]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

The jobs done, and well worth the wait. Ill throw some pics of it and my stick later tonight.

JJ

 

[MEL07]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Very helpful post. Thanks much!

 

[Jester308]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Ok here are some pics of my SPS Tac 308 action after i had it milled by my local smith IOT fit AI AW 10rd mags. The DBM is a BO M5.



The feed rails were milled down to allow the mag lips to up inside the action, and the feed ramp was widened IOT allow ease of feeding from the double stack mag.



Some minor widening was required around forward corners of the mag well/box.



This allows me to use both AICS mags and also the AW mags, which i prefered due to its lower profile when fitted, compared to the AICS 10rd.

Thanks go to Glen seekins and George at GAP for there advice and guidance, and a big thanks to my local smith Charlie for his dedication and hard work on this rifle.

Cheers,

JJ

 

[longtines]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Excellent job!

Since this is supposed to be the "AW/AE/AICS mag difference" thread, it would be good to know if there are any differences in cartridge OAL possibilities between the three magazines. Reloaders using certain types of bullets would be interested in knowing which mag system better fit their desired bullets. I would do it for you if I had all three mags, but I don't.

 

[rsracer65]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

AW 10rd Mag 2.980 OAL
AICS Mags 2.880 OAL
AE 5rd Mag 2.925 OAL (Thanks Graham!)

 

[CoCaDoRi]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

Skimmed this briefly..

Can the AE be retro fitted to accept the AICS. Seems they both taper to approx. the same size.

 

[nrode]

Re: AW/AE/AICS mag diffrences

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LongTines</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Excellent job!

Since this is supposed to be the "AW/AE/AICS mag difference" thread, it would be good to know if there are any differences in cartridge OAL possibilities between the three magazines. Reloaders using certain types of bullets would be interested in knowing which mag system better fit their desired bullets. I would do it for you if I had all three mags, but I don't. </div></div>

I am really confused by some of the post here. The AW and AE are factory built rifle systems based on a specific criteria for each. Are you saying you would base you rifle purchase solely on the length bullet you can load despite the significant price difference of each. You are looking at a $2500+ Rem style AICS gun vs. a $3500+ AE vs. a $5500+ AW as if they are all identical options. What I am missing in your logic here?