Cheap AR magazines

[gregintenn]

                      http://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/1163640.htm#1163650B

20 round Thermold for $5.95

 

Have you found any good deals?

[Dolomite_supafly]

RUN AWAY!!!

[No_0ne]

Just before the great panic, several companies were selling these (the 20 round Thermolds) "unassembled" for $4.10 each, or assembled for $5.10.  That was probably the lowest price I've seen for new AR mags, looks like they are nearly back to that level now, so I doubt if you're going to see much better than what you posted.

[Oh Shoot]

RUN AWAY!!!

 

Nah. That particular Zytel version is fine, though I've never paid more than just under $4 each for them.

 

Here's same, for 4 cents more per mag if you want 6 and you're a SG member, and you get the maglocks too if that's your thing:

 

 

 

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/6-thermold-20-rd-mags-with-3-maglocks?a=1140625

 

- OS

Edited September 3, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[Ted S.]

I have three unused 30 rnd thermold mags. Figured if RRA's online site sells the brand, they can't be any worse than an aluminum mag. (which are fine too...)

Edited September 3, 2014 by Ted S.

[Oh Shoot]

Long story on "Thermold". Got really bad rep when original license got ported to Canadian military and were made up there poorly by whoever for awhile before they dropped the whole thing and ceased production. These apparently still show up in surplus sales, and suck.

 

AFAIK, any of the ones that say Master Mold and/or Wilson, North Carolina on them should be "okay", but these straight walled Zytel 20 rounders have always been generally acknowledged as especially solid performers.

 

They likely can't stand up to same physical impact as a Magpul, but neither are they "fragile" by any means.

 

- OS

Edited September 3, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[gregintenn]

I have some, and they work fine. Mine are marked "MasterMold North Carolina".

[Oh Shoot]

I have some, and they work fine. Mine are marked "MasterMold North Carolina".

 

Yeah, I've got 6 or 10 myself, as I prefer 20 rounders in general, they've all been fine -- some typical reviews, current even:

 

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/6-thermold-20-rd-mags-with-3-maglocks?a=1140625#reviewsTab

 

(and here's through TGO's favorite vendor :)):

 

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/reviews/57870/0

 

- OS

Edited September 3, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[TMF]

Spend $2 more and get magpul. I just saw them on Primary Arms for sale at $7.99. I've yet to meet a magpul mag that wasn't excellent quality.


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[broox]

Only 20 rounds? That is clearly not tactical.

[hipower]

Spend $2 more and get magpul. I just saw them on Primary Arms for sale at $7.99. I've yet to meet a magpul mag that wasn't excellent quality.


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I just bought some 20 rounders last month. If other purchased don't work out, I might get a few more.

[Oh Shoot]

Only 20 rounds? That is clearly not tactical.

 

Being the low speed high drag guy I am, I'd have more Magpul 20 rounders, but they always cost more than their 30's for whatever reason.

 

- OS

Edited September 3, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[hipower]

I always thought more was better, especially when more cost less.

 

But loading 30 rounders and lugging them around has given me reason to rethink that.  And it's easier to shoot the 20's from a rest.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Do they have an internal rib on the sides towards the front?

 

Perhaps these might work for 300 Blackout.

 

I assumed these were the crappy ones from the past. I used to buy the crappy ones 10 at a time to get 2 good ones. And even the good ones weren't all that great.

 

If people say they are great then they must be.

[TMF]

I always thought more was better, especially when more cost less.

But loading 30 rounders and lugging them around has given me reason to rethink that. And it's easier to shoot the 20's from a rest.

I like the 20 rounders for concealable storage. Doesn't get hung up like 30 rounders do where I keep it in the truck.


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[Oh Shoot]

Do they have an internal rib on the sides towards the front?

 

Yeah, one rib on each side, pretty much like a Magpul as follower tracks, with no more anywhere else.

 

They are more smoothly contured than Magpul though, about the same as metal  GI 20 rounders, but without the other two ribs on the back half.

 

I've put one aside to lay on ya to try, never know, they might work great for that.

 

- OS

Edited September 3, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[gregintenn]

Do they have an internal rib on the sides towards the front?

 

Perhaps these might work for 300 Blackout.

 

I assumed these were the crappy ones from the past. I used to buy the crappy ones 10 at a time to get 2 good ones. And even the good ones weren't all that great.

 

If people say they are great then they must be.

I use them regularly, and the worst thing I can say about them is that they don't  always hold the bolt open when empty. Other than that, they work flawlessly, and are great for range use.

[dcloudy777]

I'd stick with known, reputable maker mags, and just grab some of whichever you prefer.  It's salad days for AR mags right now... I looked at a few places online and literally can't find a 5.56mm AR15 magazine  for more than 20 bucks.  :up:

[gregintenn]

The point I was trying to make is "NOW is the time to BUY!"

 

Don't get caught with your pants down wen the next catastrophe hits. :up: :up:

[Jamie Jackson]

The point I was trying to make is "NOW is the time to BUY!"

 

Don't get caught with your pants down wen the next catastrophe hits. :up: :up:

 

 

It definitely is a "buyers" market right now...AR & AK mags are the cheapest I've seen them since I don't know when. They are quite simply money in the bank.

 

 

I have about 10 Thermold AR mags I picked up back in '93-'94 for less than $5.00 each. They work....at least for semiautos. They didn't hold up worth a darn running in a couple of fullatuo 5.56 guns back then...

Now I wouldn't trust them for self defense, I have proven reliable mags, GI and Magpul, for that. But for range use? I'm pleased with mine.

:2cents:

[McGarrett]

I have 10- 20 round & 10- 30 round ones and I have never had any issues. 

[Static_USMC]

^{I have 2 for AR and 1 for a FAL.  The 2 AR Mags I use for malfunction drills and the FAL mag sits on the work bench to remind me that you get what you pay for.  They work great for what I use them for.}

 

 

^{Edit:  Mine are the older ones.}

Edited September 10, 2014 by Static_USMC

[Jamie Jackson]

At the risk of hijacking this thread...and because we are speaking of cheap AR magazines...

 

The majority of my AR mags are OKay's, Magpul and Brownell's...They are extremely reliable.

The Wilson, N.C. Thermolds I have work well for range mags.

 

But...I wouldn't mind have some "bargain" priced, reliable, AR mags put aside.

 

 

What is the current story on C-Products aluminum magazines?

 

Any other bargain priced AR mags you guys have had good experience with?

[Oh Shoot]

....

 

What is the current story on C-Products aluminum magazines?

......

 

AFAIK, any C-product stuff is still as good as ever. They're just one of the many sources that have or have had GI contracts to make them in the past.

 

Matter of fact, I've never had any aluminum mag fail that claimed to be GI spec,  even some old really crappy looking ones I bought for a song at  gun show. And regardless of what kind of follower was in them.

 

I have a number of those Brownell 20 rounders, all been fine.

 

- OS

[Jamie Jackson]

Thanks Oh Shoot.

 

A bud saw a deal recently for the C Products at $7.99...but for a large volume order.

 

Yeah, those Brownell 20 rounders are actually my favorite AR mags.