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Editors Note : Some additions to the tables and text in this FAQ have been
made... These additions are in RED, and do not reflect information yet included
in the original FAQ by Mr. Rawles - any inaccuracies are the responsibility of
Biggerhammer.net and not Mr. Rawles. In addition the images were added to
help better illustrate the magazines being discussed - Editor
In response to repeated requests from rec.guns readers, I'm posting a list of the
various magazines available on the civilian market for Colt AR-15s, various AR-15 .
223 clones, and Colt Sporters. It lists the different varieties, identifying markings,
type of finish, and approximate values.
Note: This updated FAQ includes new information on 7.62 x 39 magazines provided
by Paul McMenamin, floorplate marking/date information provided by the Colt
Firearms Historical Office, and a new section on refinishinhg worn magazines.
(All of the following are made of aluminum alloy and gray anodized, unless otherwise
noted.)
X1 / X2
(Below) A transitional 20rd magazine that features the typical body style -
i.e. not waffled, but also has a later model Armalite floorplate that is
correct for the new body style. Image Courtesy Tom Kozik
X3
X4
X5
Colt Magazines for Blank Firing
Gun Show tip: As you walk around gun shows, look for used 20s and sort through
looking for shiny alloy followers. These are the early contract magazines, and are
worth a premium price. However, most dealers don't realize the significance, and will
sell you these magazines at the same price that they sell the typical later vintage
used 20s.
Note: The general rule is that pre-1969 20 round Colt-made magazines are marked
""CAL. .223" and that 1969 and later production 20s are marked "CAL. 5.56MM"
X6
X7
Colt 80s and 90s Production
(Top) Later model Colt floorplate - note retainer on right side. Image
Courtesy Rambo (Bottom) 1980s production - note use of Colt's
Firearms Division. Image Courtesy Buddy Hinton (Below) Date code
that appeared in the 1990s as part of the 1994 crime bill - hi-capacity
magazines produced before September 13, 1994 are legal for civilian
ownership
X8 / X9
Manufacturer Comments CAGE Code Picture
longer lasting moly than UI or Okay (Image
Adventureline X 81
Courtesy David Albert)
Armalite Eagle Arms / Armalite commercial production.
X 82
(Commercial) (Image Courtesy Boderman's Sports)
Bushmaster Made by Labelle for Bushmaster X 83
Center Bought out Parsons (Image Courtesy Jay Bell X 84
6P199
Industries and David Albert) X 85
Colt Predominatly made by UI, which is Okay. X 86
Army had to fire because they mixed rejects
and passes and shipped both. If a Cooper
passes inspection it can be a well made in
Cooper spec mag, however several sources say to 30389 X 87
avoid the mags with 3 welds on the back.
Along with Labelle, Cooper had the hardest
and smoothest moly. (Image Courtesy Sam)
DPMS Made by Labelle for DPMS. X 88
Eagle Arms / Armalite commercial production.
Eagle X 89
(Image Courtesy Boderman's Sports)
LEO Magazines (Image Courtesy Boderman's X 810
Sports) X 811
Current production for US military (Image
FN 3S679 X 812
Courtesy Buddy Hinton)
30rd mags have anti-tilt followers, however
Thermolds X 813
Orlites don't.
Along with Cooper had the hardest and
smoothest moly. Produced magazines for
Labelle 90435 X 814
Bushmaster. (Image Courtesy Boderman's
Sports)
Made all UI/Simmond's Industries, but now
produce under their own name. They are the X 815
Okay 33710
longest running manufacturer. (Image X 816
Courtesy Jay Bell and David Albert)
Lacks the anti-tilt followers of the Thermold,
Orlites
more resistant to heat that Thermolds.
Bought out Adventureline, later bought out by
Parsons Center Industries (Image Courtesy David 31907 X 817
Albert)
For some reason, never discovered by Army,
Sanchez had more problems with full auto
Sanchez than other makers. Green followers cured X 818
this. Sanchez is no longer in business. (Image
Courtesy Jay Bell)
Simmonds (Image Courtesy Buddy Hinton) X 819
X81
X82
X83 / X88
X84
X85
X86
X87
X89
X810
X811
X812
X813
X814
X815
X816
X817
X818
X819
X10
Thermold
X11
Note: The general rule is that pre-1970 30 round Colt-made magazines are marked
"CAL. .223" and that 1970 and later production 30s are marked "CAL. 5.56MM"
Gun Show tip: As you walk around gun shows, look for Colt 30 round magazines with
dark green followers. (They are worth at least twice as much as other 30s, even if
made by Colt.)
Some interesting background: There were actually just two sets of U.S. military
contract 30 round magazine tooling, both built by Colt. They wandered around from
contractor to contractor. These contracts were usually "minority or small business
set- asides." Typically what would happen is a small business would get set up with
the tooling, and start to crank out a contract. Then, the contract was so lucrative that
the business no longer qualified as a "small business", the contract was cancelled,
and the tooling got yanked and sent on to the next contractor.
All of the G.I. contract 30s work fine with two exceptions, all Cooper mags and early
production Sanchez with the black followers. This is what the May 1987 issue of PM
Magazine (The Army's Preventative Maintenance magazine) had to say, "The 30-
round magazines made by Cooper Industries don't fit the magazine well, they double
feed and they won't feed the last five rounds when fully loaded." To avoid any
problems, NEVER buy Cooper mags these were recalled for destruction by the
military. The second exception, some early black follower lots of Sanchez (DSI)
production are also said to have feeding problems, however, they were never recalled
like the Cooper mags were. To avoid problems here buy only Sanchez with the green
follower (from the newer production runs) or plan on replacing the black followers
with the green ones, (Thanks to Rambo for the PM information and clarification).
After-market (civilian) manufacture. Most of these are total junk! Don't even bother
with any of these. The steel ones are particularly troublesome.
The only "semi-after-market" magazines worth buying were made by Labelle shortly
before the 9/94 ban and are marked "Defense Procurement Management Service
(DPMS)" or "BFI/Bushmaster." Labelle Industries made these to military specs. but
simply put on different floorplates for sales to the civilian market. Most of these are
gray or black Teflon coated.
Gun Show tip: As you walk around gun shows, look for used AR-180s for sale. Ask
the sellers if they have any extra magazines available for sale. Fairly often they will
have some Sterling magazines that are also notched for AR-15s. The only problem
will be in convincing the seller to break those magazines out of their intended
"package deal."
On 7.62 x39 AR-15 magazines:
7.62 x 39 magazines for AR-15s tend to be problematic. More and more AR owners
are buying spare 7.62 x 39 uppers for their rifles to take advantage of the low cost of
military surplus (Chinese and Eastern Bloc) ammunition, or as a means to get a more
effective stopper for deer than .223 Remington.
The problem is finding mags that will feed when loaded with more than 5 or 6 rounds.
Neither Colt (for the AR-15) or Ruger (for the Mini-30) ever made any high capacity
magazines for their 7.62x39s, because neither intended those guns for military or law
enforcement sales. (And both being statist/Politically Correct firms in recent years,
neither produced high capacity magazines for the civilian market before the 9/94
ban.)
The Colt 7.62 x 39 rifles and clones can *accept* standard 20 or 30 round G.I.
magazines, but they won't function reliably when loaded with more than 5 or 6
rounds. With its straight magazine well, the AR-15 is not well-suited to the cartridge.
As I'm sure most of you reading this know, an angle builds up to the point where the
7.62 cartridges will jam horribly if you load more than about 9 rounds--regardless of
which magazine you use. The cartridge simply works better in fully-curved
magazines. And with the AR-15Õs straight magazine well, that problem can never be
properly overcome in AR-15s and clones.
Colt-made 7.62 x 39mm magazines differ from standard .223 magazines only in that
they have different followers. The 7.62 x 39mm followers are black plastic and have
Ò7.62mmÓ in white letters printed on the follower. They appear to be made
differently from regular .223 followers. I believe these to be standard alloy M-16
magazine bodies that are assembled with 7.62 followers.
One tip garnered from the net: With the Colt-made 7.62 x 39 magazines, insert the
magazines gently with the bolt closed to keep rounds from flying out the top.
Another problem is that the fat 7.62x39 cartridge tends to bulge out or even split aluminum alloy AR-15
magazines. There is a solution for that particular problem: The best magazines that I can recommend for a
7.62 AR-15 are either STEEL original Sterling-made AR-180 magazines (also notched for AR-15 magazine
catch), or STEEL original Belgian FNC magazines. Then, if possible, replace the followers with Colt 7.62
mm marked followers. Even with these, donÕt load more than 9 cartridges.
X12
X13
X14
X15
X16
Notes on Practical Use:
The 20 round capacity magazines for the AR-15 should never be loaded with more
than 18 rounds. (They have a tendency to jam, otherwise.) The 30s, however, can be
loaded with a full 30 rounds.
Many practical shooters (including AR-15 guru Jim Crews) actually prefer the 20
round magazine, since it allows better prone shooting. Most bench shooters also
prefer 20s, because the 30 is so long that it requires extra sand bagging to keep from
going "high center."
For practical carry, I took a compromise approach, and have my "bad times" web
gear set up to carry both 30s and 20s. (Six spare 30s, Four spare 20s.) In the carbine
itself, I usually have a duplexed pair of 30s (using a spring steel Israeli duplexing
clamp). And for "worst case scenario" home defense, I have a pair of duplexed 40s.
(Those hard-to-find Sterling of England AR-180/AR-15 40 round steel magazines.)
On Magazine Pouches:
The earliest issue pouch for the M16 was simply the M14 O.D. canvas Universal
magazine pouch. It fits two 20s (or three if you squeeze them in.)
The most commonly seen (and current) U.S. military issue magazine pouch is the
olive drab triple 30 round magazine pouch. The strange straps on the sides are
designed to hold hand grenades. (Hey, they could come in handy in that worst-case
Y2K scenario. You never know when you might run across a case of grenades...)
They same style pouch has been made for civilian market sales in black nylon, and
with and/or without the grenade straps.
An earlier (and scarce) nylon pouch was an olive drab quadruple 20 round magazine
pouch. It featured an internal strap designed to be woven between the magazines
with its tab left sticking up. (It acts as a ÒhelperÓ to facilitate getting the first
magazine out of the pouch.)
One of the least expensive places to buy M16 magazines is at gun shows.
Unfortunately many of the magazines you will find are have well-worn anodized
finish. They function fine, but look horrible. I often have folks contact me to ask about
how they can be re- finished.
Since U.S.G.I. M16 magazine bodies are made of aluminum alloy, they cannot be
blued. That leaves re-anodizing, painting, Teflon coating, or Metacol III. I will address
all four:
Re-anodizing would require that EVERY bit of original finish is removed with fine grit
beadblasting and then solvent dipping. Otherwise they will look blotchy.
Painting can yield varying degrees of success. If your AR has a "tight" magazine well,
it is likely to rub off regular paint. Therefore is best to use a bake-on finish such as
Gun Kote. See: http://members.aol.com/GUNKOTE/index.html/ Phone: 520-883-
8879
Important Note: Make sure that you remove the magazine springs before using any
high temperature process, or you will RUIN the springs' temper!
Teflon coating is a more durable finish, but unfortunately also expensive (around $10
per magazine!) I have done business with Rocky Mountain Arms. They do great
genuine Teflon coating, in several colors. Phone: (303) 678-8522.
Another more expensive but even more durable alternative is Metacol III. It is a
bonded solid-film lubricant. It is offered by Arizona Response Ststems. Phone: (602)
873-1410. Or see their website at: www.arizonaresponsesystems.com
The magazine ban passed in September of 1994 banned only the importation and sale
of high capacity magazines that were made after Sept. 13, 1994. To law enforcement
officers conducting searches and arrests, an unmarked magazine is generally
presumed to be "pre- ban." Magazines marked with dates after Sept. 13, 1994 are
considered "post ban". Such magazines may only be possessed by law enforcement
officers and the military. However, FFL holder may also purchase them for inventory
for the purpose of resale to "qualified buyers". (Read: Law enforcement officers.)
Private possession of post ban magazines is a felony. At a recent gun show I found a
dealer selling a case of new-in-wrapper G.I. contract (made by Parsons) magazines
with light green followers. On close inspection , I found that they were stamped 01/99
on the side of the magazine body!!! This dealer had no clue about the law, and had
been selling them to the general public! Needless to say, he was soon set straight.
BTW, if you own a "post ban" firearm manufactured after the Sept. 13, 1994 ban, it is
PERFECTLY LEGAL to own and use *pre-ban* high capacity magazines in it.
I'm also the author of a pro-gun survivalist novel and screenplay. For
info, see: http://www.teleport.com/~ammon/gn/cover.htm