[1] Introduction
===
[1-1] Purpose:
=====
The purpose for this FAQ is to gather as much reliable information about all magazines for the AR-15/M16 weapons system in one place. This
will allow for AR enthusiasts, new and experienced, to have a reference with regards to magazine facts and issues. This FAQ will cover both USGI and aftermarket AR magazines in detail, as well as maintenance and upgrades of both. Please present any suggestions for additional content to: mraudio@ecis.com. This FAQ is a work in progress, intended to
benefit everyone, so feel free to contribute.
[1-2] Disclaimer:
=====
This FAQ is for informational purposes *only*. While many issues covered in this FAQ deal with legal issues, this FAQ should not be taken as legal advice. Consult a lawyer in your area if you have legal questions.
The author of this FAQ (and all contributors) can in no way be responsible for anything you do after reading this FAQ. This FAQ guarantees *nothing* at all. For all you know, its complete BS...
This FAQ is designed to help organize the collective knowledge and experience of the members of AR15-L and www.AR15.com. As such, there
will inevitably be differences of opinion with regards to the content of this FAQ. Submissions or corrections should be made to mraudio@ecis.com.
[1-3] Copyright:
=====
The AR-15 Magazine FAQ is Copyright 1999 by Troy Tiscareno. All rights not specifically granted below are reserved by the author. You are granted the following rights:
I. To make copies of this FAQ in original form, as long as
(a) the copies are complete and are unaltered by anyone other than Troy Tiscareno;
(b) the copies are in electronic form;
(c) they give credit to the author, Troy Tiscareno.
II. To distribute this work, under the provisions above, as long as
(a) the copies are complete and are unaltered by anyone other than Troy Tiscareno;
(b) no fee is charged;
(c) they give credit to the author, Troy Tiscareno, in any
description;
(d) the distributed form is not in an electronic magazine or
within computer software;
(e) the distributed form is the newest version of the FAQ (email
the author to find the latest version number);
(f) the distributed form is electronic.
You may NOT distribute this FAQ in *any* non-electronic media.
You may NOT distribute this FAQ in any electronic magazine.
You may NOT distribute this FAQ within computer software.
NOTE: These rights are temporary, and may be revoked upon written, oral, or other notice by Troy Tiscareno. If you wish to distribute this FAQ within a magazine or electronic magazine, get in touch with the author.
[1-4] Credits:
=====
The bulk of the information in this FAQ has come from the AR15-L mail list and from the Discussion Forums on www.ar15.com. However, the
author owes specific debt to several folks for sharing their knowledge:
James Wesley, Rawles rawles@usa.net
Paul "Paul308" Podhorn allsteel@piasanet.com
LtC. Chuck Santose santose@compuserve.com
A good deal of the information herein came directly from Jim Rawles' great USGI mag FAQ, though I've omitted pricing details due to the constant fluctuations in market value of these items. Find that FAQ here:
http://www.ar15.com/products/magazines/information.asp
Thanks Jim!
[1-5] Additions/Updates in this version of the FAQ
=====
- Alpha edition
=====
Back
=====
[2] United States Government Issue (USGI) Spec Magazines
=====
[2-1] USGI 20 Round Magazines
-------
USGI 20-round mags are aluminum, straight-bodied, and are angled at the bottom. Like all USGI mags, they are hard-coat anodized, then coated with a gray moly dry-film. Floorplates are generally black
aluminum, marked with the manufacturer's name and city/state.
Back
[2-1-1] Early Designs
-------
The original AR-15 magazines were made by ArmaLite, the company responsible for the design of the AR-10 and AR-15 rifles, among others.
They were aluminum, 20-round magazines and had waffle-pattern ridges, though later examples had only the vertical ridges. These mags are very
rare, and are generally collectors' items. Floorplates were stamped:
ArmaLite(r) AR-15
Patents Pending
CAL. 223
COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG.CO.INC.
HARTFORD, CONN.U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-2] Colt
-------
All Colt-marked magazines were actually made by a sub contracter,
Universal Industries, a division of Okay Industries. GI-Contract Colt 20s had alloy followers and are marked with a "UI" stamp (for Universal
Industries) on the front narrow wall of the magazine. Tilted on it's side, the "UI" becomes a "CH" (Colt, Hartford). The US Military switched to 30-round magazines in the early 1970s, and Colt-marked 20s made after the switch had black plastic followers. Anodizing is
generally gray or silver in color.
Back
[2-1-2-1] Colt .223
---------
Early US Air Force contract magazines. Early runs had shiny alloy followers; later runs were dull alloy. Made from 1965-1967.
Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) COLT AR-15
CAL. .223
COLT'S PT.F.A.MFG. CO.INC.
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-2-2] Colt 5.56mm
---------
Army and late Air Force contract Colt mags with 5.56 stamping. These have dull alloy followers. Note that there are no dimensional differences between mags marked .223 vs. 5.56. Made from 1969-1971.
Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) COLT AR-15
CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S PT.F.A. MFG. CO. INC.
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-2-3] Colt Commercial 5.56mm
---------
Colt sold mags made for the commercial market with standard USGI mag bodies and black plastic followers. Generally, the black plastic followers are considered less reliable than the Mil-Spec alloy followers. Made from 1980-1989. Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S FIREARMS DIVISION
COLT INDUSTRIES
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-2-3-1] Colt Nickel-Plated 20s
-----------
Colt had a small number of 20-round mags finished with in nickel, for sale with a limited run of nickel-plated SP-1s in the late 70's. These mags are rare, and are among the few mags desirable by collectors regardless of condition. Note: some people have confused silver or gray anodized mags with no finish remaining for nickel-plated mags. Nickel-plated mags are noticeably brighter and smoother.
Back
[2-1-2-3-2] Colt .222
-----------
Colt had a run of mags made with floorplates marked CAL .222
designed to be shipped with rifles chambered in .222 Remington. These rifles were for export to countries where civilians are barred from owning guns in military calibers. They are dimensionally the same as
standard .223 mags.
Back
[2-1-2-3-3] Colt 7.62X39mm
-----------
Several lots of mags have been made for Colt's 7.62mmx39mm AR-15 rifles. These are standard 20-round .223 bodies with a floorplate marked 7.62x39mm. They will hold 7-8 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Made from 1980s-1994. Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) CAL. 7.62 X 39
COLT'S MFG. CO. INC.
HARTFORD, CONN.
U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-2-3-4] Colt 5-Round Mags
-----------
Colt had a small number of 5-round magazines made for hunting in states where magazine capacities are limited to 5 rounds. This was done by taking a standard 20-Round magazine and adding an upside-down U-shaped insert to prevent the follower from traveling far enough into the magazine to allow more than 5 rounds to be inserted. As these magazines are legal pre-ban mags, many people remove the insert. These mags, in 5-round format, are favored among hunters as the spring pressure is the same as a standard 20-round mag. Made from 1974-1994.
Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S FIREARMS DIVISION
COLT INDUSTRIES
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-2-4] Colt LEO 5.56MM
-----------
These mags were made after the 1994 Crime Bill banned the
manufacture of over-10-round-capacity magazines for civilian sales. These mags are marked Law Enforcement/Military Use Only. USGI-type mag bodies with black plastic followers. Made from 1994-present.
Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S MFG. CO. INC.
HARTFORD, CONN.
U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-3] Adventure Line Manufacturing Company
-----------
Army and late Air Force contract mags made by Adventure Line Mfg. Co. Adventure Line was eventually aquired by Center Industries. Dull alloy followers and gold/bronze colored anodizing. Made from 1966-1971.
Floorplates stamped:
ADVENTURE LINE MFG. CO.
PARSONS. KS. U.S.A.
Back
[2-1-4] Simmonds Precision Products Incorporated
-------
Army and late Air Force contract mags made by Simmonds. Dull alloy
followers and gold/bronze colored anodizing. (Simmonds was a division
of Okay/Universal Industries). Made from 1966-1971. Floorplates
stamped:
(S Logo) M16/M16A1 CAL 5.56 mm
UNIVERSAL INDS. DIV
SIMMONDS PREC. PROD. INC.
WEST HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.
Back
[2-2] 30 Round Magazines
=====
USGI 30 round magazines are aluminum-bodied and have black or green
plastic followers. The body of the magazine is straight on the top 2/5,
then curved forward for the next 2/5, and straight again on the last
1/5. Like the 20s, 30-round mags are hard anodized and moly dry-film
coated.
Back
[2-2-1] Colt 30-Round Mags
-------
Back
[2-2-1-1] Early Colt 30-round Mags
---------
Army and late Air Force contract mags. The first Colt 30-round
mags had dark green, hard-plastic followers with Colt part number 62665A
stamped in white on the follower and part number 62667 stamped on the
side of the body. These followers did *not* have the lengthened front
"anti-tilt" leg that later green followers have. These mags are rare
and collectable, though considered unreliable by some. Made from
1967-1969. Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) COLT AR-15
CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S PT. F.A. MFG. CO. INC.
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A
Back
[2-2-1-2] Colt 30-Round USGI Contract & Commercial Mags
---------
Made by Okay Industries, these mags had black plastic followers up
until the early 1990's when the "anti-tilt" green follower was made
Mil-Spec, though commercial mags continued to use up the supply of black
followers for some time. Made from 1972-1994. Floorplates stamped:
[1970's Production]
(Pony) CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S FIREARMS DIVISION
COLT INDUSTRIES
HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.
[Recent Production]
(Pony) CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S MFG. CO. INC.
HARTFORD, CONN.
U.S.A.
Back
[2-2-1-3] Colt LEO/Military 30-Round Mags
---------
After the passing of the 1994 Crime Bill, all high-capacity
magazines were marked "For LEO/Military/Gov't/Export Use Only" and are
illegal to possess for most. Standard USGI-type mag body and green
followers. Made from 1994-present. Floorplates stamped:
(Pony) CAL. 5.56 MM
COLT'S MFG. CO. INC.
HARTFORD, CONN.
U.S.A.
Back
[2-2-2] Okay Industries 30-Round Mags
-------
Okay Industries is a current US Military contractor, and is the
subcontractor that manufactures all Colt-marked AR-15 magazines. They
also sell magazines under their own name, identical except for the
floorplate stamping. Early mags had black plastic followers; mags made
since 1992 had green "anti-tilt" followers. Made from late
1970s-present. Floorplates stamped:
(Okay Logo) INDUSTRIES,
INC.
NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.
Back
[2-2-3] Center Industries
-------
Center Industries is a current US Military contractor. Parsons and Adventure Line were aquired by Center. Center is one of the largest manufacturers of M16/AR15 magazines, and recently (1999) received a new GI contract for 10 million mags over several years. Early mags had black followers; mags made since 1992-3 have green "anti-tilt" followers. Made from 1980s-present.
*WARNING* Center Industries is not marking its post-ban magazines with the required "FOR LEO/MILITARY/ GOV'T/EXPORT USE ONLY" verbiage.
All Center mags since the late 1980s have the date (in 12/99 format) and Center's CAGE code (6P199) stamped on the side of the mag body. It seems that some individuals have ground the date stamp off of some post-ban magazines and refinished the area. These magazines are being sold at gun shows to unsuspecting folks as pre-ban mags. Possession of these post-ban magazines by non-approved folks can result in a felony charge.
Floorplates stamped:
CENTER INDUSTRIES CORP.
WICHITA, KS. U.S.A.
Back
[2-2-4] Adventure Line Manufacturing Company
-------
Adventure Line was one of the early magazine contractors, making both 20 and 30-round magazines. Adventure Line was aquired by Parsons, and eventually by Center. Adventure Line mags had gold-colored anodizing, black followers, and have especially long-lasting moly finish. Made from late 1960s-early 1970s. Floorplates stamped:
ADVENTURE LINE MFG. CO.
PARSONS, KS. U.S.A.
[2-2-5] Parsons Precision Products
-------
Parsons bought out Adventure Line, and was eventually aquired by Center Industries. Parsons mags all had black followers. Made from early 1970s-early 1980s. Floorplates stamped:
PARSONS PRECISION PRODUCTS
PARSONS, KS. U.S.A.
Back
[2-2-6] Cooper Industries
-------
Cooper Industries is well-known as the only M16 mag contractor to lose its contract. There had been reports of problems with Cooper mags in the field, and an investigation uncovered that Cooper had mixed "reject" mags in with those that passed inspection. Some Cooper mags were found to have only 3 spot-welds per seam, instead of the usual 6-7.
Others were oversize and wouldn't fit into mag wells, or had the mag halves welded together unevenly, causing feed problems. Although the
majority of Cooper mags were fully in spec, the US Army recalled all Cooper mags. Always examine any Cooper mag for fit and welds before buying, preferably in your own lower. Because of the stigma surrounding Cooper mags, you can often find them at bargain prices. As long as you know what to look for, they can actually be a bargin. Made from mid 1970s-mid 1980s. Floorplates stamped:
COOPER INDUSTRIES
UPLAND, CA (r) 786
MFG. CODE 030389
Back
[2-2-7] Sanchez Enterprises
-------
Sanchez magazines have aquired a wholy undeserved reputation as
being bad mags. It began when it was discovered that Sanchez magazines
exhibited a higher-than-normal rate of failure when feeding the last few
rounds in a magazine, particularly during full-auto fire. An
investigation found that Sanchez magazines were in-spec, and no
explanation was ever given for the increase in the failure rate.
Instead, the problem was corrected with the new green "anti-tilt"
followers. The Green Followers (GFs) were first seen in Sanchez
magazines in 1988, and became standard issue for all M16 magazines in
1992. Sanchez mags should be considered on par with any USGI-spec mag.
Made from early 1980s-early 1990s. Floorplates stamped:
(DSI) SANCHEZ ENT.
MANSFIELD, OH USA
Back
[2-2-8] Labelle Industries
---------
La Belle is best known as the only manufacturer to have offered
magazines finished in teflon (in place of the moly dry-film) from the
factory. However, the majority of La Belle mags were for USGI
contracts, and had the standard moly finish. In early 1994, just before
the Crime Bill was passed, La Belle made several lots of mags finished
in black or gray teflon for sale to civilians and LEOs. AR15
manufacturers Bushmaster and DPMS were the largest distributors of these
mags, though several other companies also offered these teflon mags with
their own floorplate stampings. Teflon La Belle mags are widely
considered the best of the USGI 30-rounders. La Belle was bought by
General Stamping in 1995. Made from late 1980s-mid 1990s. Floorplates
stamped:
LA BELLE IND.
OCONOMOWOC, WI. U.S.A.
MFG 90435
Back
[2-2-8-1] Bushmaster Firearms Incorporated
---------
Bushmaster sold gray teflon Labelle mags with black Bushmaster
floorplates until their supply of these pre-ban mags ran out in late
1998. The last of the mags had unmarked black floorplates. It appears
that Bushmaster is making their 2nd Generation 10-round magazines from
cut-down, post-ban teflon Labelle mags. Made in 1994. Floorplates
stamped:
B.F.I.
WINDHAM, ME (Snake)
U.S.A.
Back
[2-2-8-2] Defense Procurement Manufacturing Services (DPMS)
---------
DPMS sold black teflon Labelle mags with DPMS floorplates until
they ran out in late 1998. Made in 1994. Floorplates stamped:
DEFENSE PROCUREMENT
MANUFACTURING SERVICES, INC
OSSEO, MN 55369
Back
[2-2-8-3] Armalite Incorporated
---------
Not the original Costa Mesa, CA ArmaLite; this is the company
formerly known as AR15 manufacturer Eagle Arms and currently located in
Genesco, Il. Armalite supplied teflon La Belle pre-ban 30-round mags
with Armalite rifles. Made in 1994. Floorplates stamped:
(Lyon)
ArmaLite
Back
[2-2-8-4] Eagle Arms Incorporated
----------
Eagle Arms is now Armalite, but still makes a bargin line of AR15
rifles under the Eagle Arms name. La Belle-made Eagle Arms magazines
were supplied with pre-ban Eagle Arms rifles. Made in 1994.
Floorplates stamped:
EAGLE
ARMS
INCORPORATED
Back
[2-2-9] General Stamping
----------
General Stamping bought out La Belle, and made USGI contract
30-round mags for the military. All General Stamping mags are post-ban,
and restricted to military, LEO, and export use only. Made from
1996-present. Floorplates stamped:
GENERAL STAMPING
OCONOMOWOC, WI. USA
RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT
GOVERNMENT USE ONLY
Back
[2-2-10] Fabrique Nationale (FN)
--------
FN is the current contractor of the M16A2, A3, and A4, as well as
the M249 SAW, all of which use M16 magazines. FN also makes steel
M16-type magazines for their competing rifle called the FNC. Made from
late 1980s-present. Floorplates stamped:
FN MFG. INC.
COLUMBIA, SC
MFG. CODE
3S679
Back
[2-2-11] Diemaco
--------
Diemaco is a Canadian company that makes AR magazines for the
Canadian military's M16's, called C7s and C7As. As these magazines are
not made in the US, they are not required to have date stamps on them,
but nearly all of these magazines are post-ban. The Canadian military
was still using locally-produced Thermold magazines around the time of
the 1994 Crime Bill. Floorplates stamped:
DIEMACO
MAGAZINE, 5.56MM
30 ROUNDS
P/N:07465C NBOM: 20085
Back