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Thank you for checking out our AR-15 magazine test. We’ll be testing some of the most popular AR-15 magazine options available on the market. This testing includes a variety of real-world scenarios that you may run into if you own an AR platform rifle. Below, you’ll find the magazines in our test listed in alphabetical order by manufacturer. You can click on the name of the magazine to jump to that section. We hope you use the data we’ve collected when making a purchase decision for your next AR magazine.

For our AR-15 magazine test, we used Federal .223 55gr FMJ ammo. It’s an easy-to-find rifle ammo that feeds well in a large variety of AR magazines. Our test gun is a standard 16″ Colt M4 Carbine model AR-15. In our testing, we’re mostly concerned with making sure the magazines work as advertised and validating their reliability. If you’re curious about our testing procedures, you can find them explained at this link. You can take a look at the magazines included in our test in the table below:

	MSRP	Manufactured In	Material	Capacity	Spring	Follower	Weight (Unloaded)
Amend2 (Mod 2)	$14.99	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.9 oz
ASC Aluminum	$14.99	USA	Aluminum	30	Chrome Silicon	Anti-Tilt	4.0 oz
ASC Steel	$15.99	USA	Stainless Steel	30	Chrome Silicon	Anti-Tilt	6.0 oz
CAA (Clear)	$22.00	Isreal	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	5.5 oz
Colt	$24.99	USA	Aluminum	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.0 oz
(C Products) Duramag Aluminum	$15.99	USA	Aluminum	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.0 oz
(C Products) Duramag Steel	$16.99	USA	Stainless Steel	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	5.7 oz
D&H	$14.99	USA	Aluminum	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.2 oz
Elite Tactical Systems (ETS)	$17.99	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	3.9 oz
Hera Arms H3	$11.90	Germany	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.83 oz
Hexmag (Series 2)	$15.99	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.5 oz
IMI G2 Window	$16.00	Isreal	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	5.46 oz
KCI	$14.99	Korea	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	5.0 oz
Lancer L5	$21.99	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	3.9 oz
Magpul (Gen 2)	$12.95	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	5.0 oz
Magpul (Gen 2) Window	$15.95	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.8 oz
Magpul (Gen 3)	$14.95	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.8 oz
Magpul (Gen 3) Window	$17.95	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.7 oz
Mission First Tactical Mod II	$11.99	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	3.8 oz
Okay Industries	$12.99	USA	Aluminum	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.1 oz
Promag	$14.99	USA	Polymer	30	Chrome Silicon	Anti-Tilt	5.0 oz
Promag Steel	$18.99	USA	Blue Steel	30	Chrome Silicon	Anti-Tilt	7.8 oz
Promag (RollerMag)	$17.99	USA	Polymer	30	Chrome Silicon	Anti-Tilt	5.2 oz
Thermold	$19.95	USA	Nylon	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.0 oz
Troy Industries	$11.99	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.3 oz
UTG Pro	$14.97	USA	Polymer	30	Stainless	Anti-Tilt	4.8 oz

Article Index

• Best Performing Polymer Magazine (Click Here)
• Best Budget Polymer Magazine (Click Here)
• Best Performing Aluminum Magazine (Click Here)
• Best Budget Aluminum Magazine (Click Here)
• Best Performing Steel Magazine (Click Here)
• Best Budget Steel Magazine (Click Here)

Amend2 Mod 2

The Amend2 Mod 2 magazine holds 30-rounds, is made of an advanced polymer material, and is a solid alternative to traditional aluminum magazines. It features an anti-tilt super follower, a non-corrosive and heavy-duty stainless steel magazine spring, and a smooth finish that can be bolstered with Cerakote and similar materials.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Amend2	5.6 Lbs	Good, .42″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	1 Round Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 2 Rounds	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.2K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Amend2 Mod 2 magazine is budget-friendly and has a nice grip molded into the design. The magazine fed ammo well and the bolt in our test rifle remained open on the last round with the magazine inserted. During our AR-15 magazine test, the Amend2 Mod 2 passed our friction test but lost one round in our drop test. It handled being submerged in water and dirt in our environmental test but failed our sand test with failure to feed malfunctions after two rounds.

In our 1K crush testing, the Amend2 Mod 2 magazine held up nicely. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open on the last round. During the failure portion of the AR-15 magazine test, the Amend2 Mod 2 held strong until its breaking point at 3.2K Lbs. The case of the magazine collapsed at that point, rendering the magazine unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

ASC Aluminum

This aluminum magazine has enough capacity for 30 .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO rounds. Each round is fed by chrome silicon springs and a polymer follower, both of which are designed for long-term reliability and durability. The aluminum floorplate is easy to remove, keeps the weight of the magazine low overall, and the exterior is boosted by a hard coat black anodized finish that resists corrosive damage.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
ASC Aluminum	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed at 930 Lbs	Failed at 930 Lbs, Welds failed At 1050 Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The ASC aluminum magazine passed our friction test, however, the finish on the magazine did show wear quickly. The magazine cycled ammo without issue in our test rifle with the bolt locking open on the last round. The ASC aluminum magazine passed our drop test and performed well in our environmental testing, passing all three stages.

During our 1K crush testing, the case of the ASC aluminum magazine collapsed at 930 Lbs. We were unable to insert the magazine back into the gun, or load ammo into it after the failure. We put it back on the press and witnessed the welds for the magazine failing at 1050 Lbs. They separated, causing the case of the magazine to open, and the spring and follower to be easily removed.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

ASC Stainless Steel

ASC 30-round stainless steel AR-15 magazine is durable on the outside and the inside, featuring chrome silicon springs and enhanced anti-tilt followers made of special, impact-resistant polymers. Furthermore, each magazine benefits from a special, easy-to-remove floorplate and a powder-coated matte black finish for added durability and aesthetic satisfaction.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
ASC Stainless Steel	6.2 Lbs	Excellent, .47″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Feed Lips Bent	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.6K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The ASC stainless steel magazine cycled ammo without issue and passed our friction test with the bolt of our Colt M4 staying open on the last round. The magazine passed our drop test, however, the feed lips bent and had to be reshaped with a multi-tool. The ASC stainless steel magazine passed all three stages of our environmental testing with ease. The exterior did become slippery during our water test. Gloves would be recommended in wet environments to help keep your grip since it has no texture. It should be noted that the magazine showed signs of iron oxidation days after our environmental testing was complete.

The ASC stainless steel magazine passed our 1K crush test. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open after the last round. The magazine reached its breaking point at 2.6K Lbs. The case collapsed, bending the metal walls inward, compressing the spring and follower between the two walls, resulting in failure.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios.

Not Good For:  Scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement. Environmental scenarios involving prolonged moisture leading to iron oxidation (rust). Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

CAA Clear

The CAA Clear 30-round magazine features a capacity window with clearly marked capacity notations along the side, allowing you to keep track of your ammo quickly and easily. With a black polymer finish, this durable magazine is specially formed to the shape of .223 Remington rounds to prevent jams and misfeeds. It features a corrosion-resistant stainless steel spring to bolster durability even more.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
CAA Clear	6.4 Lbs	Excellent, .42″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	3 Rounds Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.8K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The CAA Clear magazine has an interesting design, with a clear window placed towards the front. The grip feels good in the hand, with finger grooves in the front, and a ribbed spine. The magazine cycled ammo well, allowing the bolt to lock open on the last round. It passed our friction test, however, it lost three rounds in our drop test, performing below average. It passed our water test in environmental testing but failed our sand and soil test after one round.

In our crush testing, the CAA Clear magazine passed our 1K crush test. It cycled ammo well afterward with the rifle bolt staying open on the last round. We thought the front window might crack at 1K Lbs of pressure, but it remained intact. The magazine case collapsed outward at 2.8K Lbs. The baseplate detached at 3K Lbs and the spring exited the bottom of the magazine.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Colt Aluminum

Colt’s 30-round aluminum magazine is a perfect pick for AR-15 owners in part due to its low weight and anti-tilt follower. The magazine is durable, corrosion-resistant, and comes with a stainless steel spring to facilitate reliable feeding and performance for years on end. These magazines can be purchased in bulk if you need multiple for your AR-15.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Colt Aluminum	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 1.4K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Colt aluminum magazine performed very well overall. The durable finish has a slight texture to it, similar to a CARC military coating. It passed our friction and drop tests and cycled ammo reliably with the bolt staying open after the last round. It passed all three stages of our environmental testing, making it a great option for outdoor use.

The Colt aluminum magazine passed our 1K crush test. We were able to correctly seat the magazine, cycle ammo through it, and confirm that the bolt stayed open on the last round. At 1.4K Lbs the magazine’s aluminum case buckled. The welds and seams held together, but the magazine walls compressed, locking the follower in place and rendering it unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

(C Products) Duramag Aluminum

This AR-15 30-round magazine is constructed of highly anodized aluminum, which resists corrosive damage and maintains excellent durability despite its low weight of 3.4 ounces. Each magazine comes with a specially designed anti-tilt follower and stainless steel springs, guaranteeing solid performance over months or years.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
(C Products) Duramag Aluminum	5.5 Lbs	Excellent, .47″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 1.2K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The (C Products) Duramag aluminum magazine performed very well in our testing. The anodized finish is durable and held up well, retaining friction even when wet. It passed our friction test, allowing the bolt to remain open after the final round has been fired. The (C Products) Duramag aluminum magazine passed our drop test. It performed well in our environmental testing, passing all three stages.

In our crush testing, the (C Products) Duramag aluminum magazine passed our 1K test. Afterward, it cycled ammo and functioned normally, allowing the gun’s bolt to lock back after firing the last round. In our AR-15 magazine test, we found the Duramag’s breaking point to be 1.2K Lbs. The case of the magazine compressed, breaking the welds and causing the seams to loosen.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

(C Products) Duramag Stainless Steel

This 30-round stainless steel magazine is one of the toughest on the market, featuring a corrosion and impact-resistant exterior. The interior is also durable, featuring a stainless steel internal spring and an anti-tilt follower. These magazines come with a specialized, corrosion-resistant coating, as well as an easy-to-remove floorplate for fast maintenance without tools.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
(C Products) Duramag Stainless Steel	5.5 Lbs	Excellent, .47″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Feed Lips Bent	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Failed To Lock Open On Last Round	Failed At 1.5K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The (C Products) Duramag stainless steel magazine achieved high marks in our AR-15 magazine test. It passed our friction test with minimal wear and allowed the bolt of the gun to remain open on the last round. It passed out drop test with minimal bending of the feed lips. The corrosion-resistant coating on the magazine feels “sticky” to skin when submerged in water. It passed all three stages of our environmental testing and showed no signs of surface oxidation in the following days.

The (C Products) Duramag stainless steel magazine passed our 1K crush test. Afterward, the magazine cycled ammo, however, the bolt of our M4 carbine remained closed after the last round. The magazine reached its breaking point at 1.5K Lbs. The case collapsed, bending the metal walls inward, compressing the spring and follower between the two walls, resulting in failure.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios.

Not Good For: Scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement. Environmental scenarios involving prolonged moisture leading to iron oxidation (rust). Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

D&H Aluminum

This AR-15 magazine features a heat-treated body that is further boosted by a hard-anodized coating that can resist corrosive damage. The spring is specially designed for long-term reliability and is checked for compression before each model is sent out to purchasers. The follower is similarly well constructed, as it’s an anti-tilt model that can come in either green or yellow depending on your preferences.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
D&H Aluminum	6.3 Lbs	Good, .46″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 1.2K

TESTING OVERVIEW

The D&H aluminum magazine is a good budget option, and can often be purchased in quantity bundles. It performed well in our AR-15 magazine test, passing the friction test and allowing the bolt to stay open after the last round. The D&H aluminum magazine passed our drop test. It also passed our environmental water test, as well as our sand and soil test.

During our 1K crush testing, the case of the D&H aluminum magazine showed signs of compression but passed. It didn’t seat well in our rifle afterward but it was able to cycle ammo, and the bolt remained open after the last round. The magazine case welds began to fail at 1.2K Lbs, we also witnessed the follower split at that weight.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

Elite Tactical Systems

Elite Tactical Systems’ 30-round magazine is entirely transparent, allowing you to track your cartridge capacity quickly and easily. Furthermore, it features a no-tilt follower as well as a clip-on dust cover that you can use to keep dirt and debris out of the magazine’s interior while it is being stored. It is ergonomic and easy to disassemble for maintenance without tools thanks to the floorplate. A lifetime warranty rounds out its exceptional value.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Elite Tactical Systems (ETS)	6.3 Lbs	Excellent, .44″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	3 Rounds Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Elite Tactical Systems magazines have the “cool” factor. The transparent outer shell feels good in the hand and has a nice ribbed grip. The ETS magazine passed our friction test, showing minimal wear. It cycled ammo without issue, with the bolt of the test rifle staying open after the last round. The magazine performed below average in our drop test, losing three rounds. It also struggled in our environmental test, passing our water test, but failing the sand and soil tests with failure to feed malfunctions.

In our crush testing, the Elite Tactical Systems magazine passed our 1K test like a boss. It cycled ammo well afterward with the M4 rifle bolt staying open on the last round. The magazine reached its breaking point at 2.3K Lbs. The case collapsed, with the front spine splitting open, compressing the spring and partially ejecting the follower, resulting in failure.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Hera Arms H3

Hera Arms’ H3 30-round AR-15 magazine weighs just 4.7 ounces and is made in Germany, guaranteeing solid performance. It features a flush-fit floorplate for ease of use and aesthetics, as well as a transparent rear frame window that allows you to monitor your cartridge capacity at a glance and eliminate unnecessary reloads. The magazine doesn’t rattle around in place thanks to centering support fins at the top of the mag square.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Hera Arms H3	5.7 Lbs	Excellent, .47″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.2K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Hera Arms H3 magazine looks like something from Starship Troopers. The outer shell feels slippery for a polymer product, the front/rear serrations do help with friction, but only when you grip it tightly. It cycled ammo with no issues and the bolt stayed open consistently after the last round. The Hera Arms H3 magazine did well in our AR-15 magazine test, passing our friction and drop tests. It passed our water test. However, it failed to pass our sand and soil tests.

In our crush testing, the Hera Arms H3 magazine passed our 1K test with no issues. Afterward, it cycled ammo without issue, allowing the bolt in our test rifle to stay open after the last round. In our crush fail testing, the magazine’s casing collapsed and folded outward at 3.2K Lbs. The follower was unable to travel due to the compression, rendering it unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud.

Hexmag Series 2

The Hexmag Series 2 30-round polymer magazine is a perfect pick for AR-15 owners. It includes a tool-free latch plate design so you can quickly and easily disassemble the magazine for regular maintenance. It also comes with a proprietary color identification system to help you recognize ammunition in a flash. It’s compatible with stripper clips and comes with a lifetime warranty for even more added value and peace of mind.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Hexmag Series 2	5.6 Lbs	Excellent, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	1 Round Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Hexmag Series 2 magazine has a patented honeycomb texture, with a ribbed spine, making it easy to grip with confidence. In our AR-15 magazine test, it passed the friction test and the bolt stayed open after the final round. It lost one round in our drop test, which is on par with its closest competition. It passed our environmental water test but failed our sol and sand test with failure to feed malfunctions after one round.

In our crush testing, the Hexmag Series 2 magazine passed our 1K test. Afterward, it cycled ammo and functioned normally, allowing the gun’s bolt to lock back after firing the last round. In our AR-15 magazine test, we found the Hexmag’s breaking point to be 3K Lbs. The case of the magazine compressed, locking the follower and partially detaching the baseplate.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

IMI G2

IMI’s affordable Gen 2 AR-15 magazine can hold 30 rounds and is constructed of highly durable material. Its curved body and anti-tilt follower ensure reliable feeding of new cartridges into a rifle. Furthermore, it features a floorplate with openings for dirt, water, and debris, plus a transparent window so you can see how many cartridges you have left at a glance.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
IMI G2	6.1 Lbs	Excellent, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.9K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The IMI G2 magazine has a unique texture and rubberized bottom plate. It’s supposed to allow water, dirt, and debris to pass through, more on that later. The magazine did pass our friction test, it cycled ammo well and allowed the gun’s bolt to stay open after the last round. It passed our drop test with ease, retaining all of its ammo. The IMI G2 magazine drained water quickly in our environmental testing. However, it experienced failure to feed malfunctions after one round in both our sand and soil tests.

In our crush testing, the IMI G2 magazine passed our 1K crush test. We heard a crunching sound and determined the window in the magazine partially dislodged. However, it cycled ammo well afterward with the rifle bolt staying open on the last round. The magazine case collapsed outward at 2.9K Lbs. As we continued, the baseplate partially detached and the follower split at 4K Lbs.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud.

KCI

KCI’s 30-round AR-15 magazine is made of a durable but lightweight polymer that can resist dent damage. It features tactile raised segments to help you grip the magazine without slipping, as well as an impact-resistant baseplate to make maintenance easy and to absorb impact if it is dropped. Furthermore, it features user-friendly translucent viewing windows for even more ease of use.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
KCI	5.4 Lbs	Excellent, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	1 Round Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.4K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The KCI polymer magazine is textured with a raised ribbed pattern on the front, rear, and sides. It’s easy to get a good grip on it, even when it’s unloaded. It passed our friction test, cycling ammo well and keeping the bolt open after the last round consistently. The magazine lost one round in our drop test. It passed our water test and our soil test but had a failure to feed malfunction after one round in our sand test.

In our crush testing, the KCI polymer magazine passed our 1K test with no issues. Afterward, it cycled ammo without issue, allowing the bolt in our test rifle to stay open after the last round. In our crush fail testing, the magazine’s casing collapsed and folded outward at 3.4K Lbs. The follower was crushed due to the compression, rendering it unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Lancer L5

The Lancer L5 30-round AR-15 magazine has a lot to like, including hardened steel feed lips, an impact-resistant polymer body, and an option for a translucent window so you can keep track of your cartridges over time. The top of the magazine catch is pure steel for added durability and reliability, and the interior magazine is bolstered by a non-tilt follower and a stainless steel spring.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Lancer L5	6.1 Lbs	Excellent, .46″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	1 Round Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Lancer L5 magazine performed admirably in our testing. We had high expectations for it, given that it’s one of the more expensive magazines on the list. The polymer shell has a texture with raised stippling for an excellent grip. It cycled ninety rounds of ammo without issue and the bolt of our test rifle remained open after the last round. The magazine did lose one round in our drop test, however, its steel feed lips did not bend. It passed all three stages of our environmental testing making it a good option for outdoor use.

The Lancer L5 magazine passed our 1K crush test. We were able to correctly seat the magazine, cycle ammo through it, and confirm that the bolt stayed open on the last round. At 2.3K Lbs the magazine’s polymer case buckled outward. The steel feed lips compressed at the top, locking the follower in place and rendering it unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios.

Not Good For: Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Magpul Gen 2

Make sure you always have enough rounds for the job with this 30-round polymer magazine, ideal for both 5.56 and .223 Remington rounds. Impact-resistant construction, a super easy to disassemble design, a flared floorplate, and a corrosion-resistant, stainless steel spring all solidify this as a durable and versatile magazine for any AR-15 user.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Magpul Gen 2	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .44″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.9K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Magpul Gen 2 magazine performed flawlessly in our AR-15 magazine test. It’s hard to beat the original. It cycled ninety rounds of ammo without issue and passed our friction test, allowing the bolt to stay open consistently after the last round. The magazine passed our drop test, keeping all of its ammo. It passed all three stages of our environmental testing, making it a great option for outdoor use.

The Magpul Gen 2 magazine also performed flawlessly in our 1K crush testing. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open on the last round. The Magpul Gen 2 showed its toughness in our AR-15 magazine test. It held strong to 3.9K Lbs of pressure before the case compressed outward, dislodging the follower.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Gun owners who don’t like polymer materials.

Magpul Gen 2 Window

Magpul’s Gen 2 window magazine features a convenient capacity window so you can always see how many rounds you have left without needing to remove the mag. A durable polymer construction and an easy to disassemble design allow you to maintain this magazine over the long term, plus guarantee phenomenal performance in the field.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Magpul Gen 2 Window	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .44″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Magazine Exterior Fail, 6 Rounds Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 2 Rounds	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.5K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Magpul Gen 2 Window magazine had a few hiccups in our AR-15 magazine test. It cycled ammo well and had no issues in our friction test, consistently holding the bolt open after the last round was fired. The magazine took a beating in our drop test, losing six rounds of ammo and developing a crack near the rear spine. It passed our water and soil test, but experience a failure to feed malfunction after two rounds in our sand test.

The Magpul Gen 2 Window magazine passed our 1K crush test. It cycled ammo well afterward with the rifle bolt staying open on the last round. The magazine case collapsed outward at 3.5K Lbs. The collapse caused the window of the magazine to partially dislodged at that weight.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Magpul Gen 3

Try this 30-round Magpul magazine features a durable polymer construction and a stainless steel spring that resists corrosive damage for long-term functionality and reliability. Also included is a redesigned bolt catch notch, an anti-tilt follower, and a specially designed, constant curve internal geometry to ensure reliable feeding.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Magpul Gen 3	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .44″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 3 Rounds	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Magpul Gen 3 magazine performed well in our AR-15 magazine test. It cycled ammo without an issue, passed our friction test, and kept the bolt open consistently after the last round. It passed our drop test, retaining all of its ammo. In our environmental testing, it passed our water and soil tests, however, it experienced a failure to feed malfunction after three rounds in our sand test.

The Magpul Gen 3 magazine also performed well in our 1K crush test. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open after the last round. During the failure portion of the AR-15 magazine test, the Magpul Gen 3 magazine held strong until its breaking point at 3K Lbs. The case of the magazine collapsed outward and the follower was crushed.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand.

Magpul Gen 3 Window

This window magazine from Magpul allows you to see how the cartridges you have left at a glance. But it’s also a great magazine thanks to its durable construction, anti-tilt follower, stainless steel spring, and specially designed geometry. All of these aspects combine into an easy to disassemble magazine that will last for years to come.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Magpul Gen 3 Window	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .44″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 2 Rounds	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.9K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Magpul Gen 3 Window magazine survived our AR-15 magazine test. It cycled ammo without issue, allowing the bolt to stay open after the last round was sent downrange. It passed our friction test and drop test. In environmental testing, it passed our water test and soil test, however, it experienced a failure to feed malfunction after two rounds in our sand test.

In our crush testing, the Magpul Gen 3 Window magazine passed our 1K crush test. It cycled ammo well afterward with the rifle bolt staying open on the last round. The magazine case collapsed outward at 3.9K Lbs. The failure caused the internals of the magazine to compress, rendering it unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand.

Mission First Tactical Mod II

Mission First Tactical’s 30-round AR-15 magazine claims to be 50% stronger than the competition and features a ribbed front and rear to provide a better gripping surface. A long-life stainless steel spring and a lubricating follower ensure that cartridges will flow smoothly into your rifle over the long term. A flared floor plate, an oversized bolt catch, and other features make this a phenomenal accessory through and through.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Mission First Tactical Mod II	6.1 Lbs	Excellent, .42″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	1 Round Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 2 Rounds	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Mission First Tactical Mod II magazine has a nice stippled texture. It cycled ammo well and passed our friction test. The magazine allowed the test rifle’s bolt to remain open after the last round was fired. It lost one round in our drop test. In our environmental testing, it passed our water test but had failure to feed malfunctions after two rounds in our sand test, and one round in our soil test.

In our crush testing, the Mission First Tactical Mod II magazine passed our 1K crush test. It cycled ammo well afterward with the rifle bolt staying open on the last round. The magazine case collapsed outward at 3.3K Lbs. The baseplate detached and the spring exited the bottom of the magazine.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Okay Industries Aluminum

Okay Industries’ 30-round aluminum AR-15 magazine is one of the best in the industry, in part due to the four-way, anti-tilt, and self-lubricating follower, which provides fantastic performance in the field. The magazine also includes a stainless steel spring and a hard-anodized coat on the exterior to afford better corrosion resistance and a more tactile feel when extracting the magazine from your rifle.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Okay Industries Aluminum	5.8 Lbs	Excellent, .46″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 1.2K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Okay Industries aluminum magazine performed very well in our AR-15 magazine test. The durable finish has a slight texture to it, similar to a CARC military coating. It passed our friction and drop tests and cycled ammo reliably with the bolt staying open after the last round. The magazine passed all three stages of our environmental testing, making it a great option for outdoor use.

The Okay Industries aluminum magazine passed our 1K crush test. We were able to correctly seat the magazine, cycle ammo through it, and confirm that the bolt stayed open on the last round. At 1.2K Lbs the magazine’s aluminum case buckled. The welds and seams held together, but the magazine walls compressed, locking the follower in place and rendering it unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

Promag

Promag’s standard 30-round AR-15 magazine is a quality piece of equipment, being constructed of heat-treated chrome silicon internal springs and long-lasting, durable polymers. Each magazine comes with a lifetime guarantee to ensure peace of mind and excellent value for money. These magazines feature improved grip texture for added performance and ease of retrieval in the field.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Promag	6.6 Lbs	Good, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	2 Rounds Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 4 Rounds	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.2K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Promag polymer magazine feels a lot like the standard Magpul magazines. That’s not a bad thing, the waffle pattern is easy to grip and feels familiar, making reloads quick and easy. It cycled ammo well and passed our friction test, keeping the rifle bolt open after the last round. The magazine did lose two rounds in our drop test, but held up well, showing little, to no signs of wear. It passed our water test, and soil test, only faltering in our sand test with a failure to feed malfunction after four rounds.

In our crush testing, the Promag polymer magazine passed our 1K test. Afterward, it cycled ammo and functioned normally, allowing the gun’s bolt to lock back after firing the last round. In our AR-15 magazine test, we found the Promag’s breaking point to be 3.2K Lbs. At that weight, the baseplate detached and the spring exited the bottom of the magazine.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Promag RollerMag

Promag’s RollerMag is a 30-round magazine. It comes in a specialized black finish and features a textured, slip-resistant exterior to make inserting and retrieving the magazine quick and easy. It also comes with an anti-tilt follower, as well as a chrome silicon spring that can resist corrosive damage. Each magazine is backed by a lifetime warranty that protects you against any manufacturer defects.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Promag RollerMag	6.6 Lbs	Good, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 4 Rounds	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 1.8K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Promag RollerMag magazine features a patented anti-tilt Roller follower. What does it do? In theory, it should keep the follower from having any tilt, the roller wheels keep the follower level as they travel inside of the magazine. Does it work? As far as we can tell it does, the magazine cycled ninety rounds of ammo without issue and allowed the bolt to stay open consistently after the last round. The magazine passed our friction and drop tests easily. It did well in our environmental testing, passing our water and soil tests. It only faltered during our sand test, cycling four rounds before experiencing a failure to feed malfunction.

The Promag RollerMag magazine passed our 1K crush test. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open on the last round. During the failure portion of the AR-15 magazine test, the case of the Promag RollerMag magazine compressed at 1.8K Lbs. We witnessed the baseplate detach, allowing the spring and internals to exit the base of the magazine.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand.

Promag Blued Steel

Promag’s 30-round blued steel magazine comes with a blued finish, which resists corrosive damage and provides long-term durability. Each magazine spring is made from heat-treated chrome silicon wire for added performance and reliability. Furthermore, each of these magazines comes with a lifetime warranty.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Promag Blued Steel	6.6 Lbs	Good, .47″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Feed Lips Bent	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.1K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Promag blued steel magazine cycled ammo without issue and passed our friction test, allowing the bolt to stay open on the last round. The magazine passed our drop test, however, the feed lips bent and had to be reshaped with a multi-tool. The Promag blued steel magazine passed all three stages of our environmental testing with ease. The exterior felt slippery during our water test, gloves are recommended if used in wet environments. It should be noted that the magazine showed signs of iron oxidation days after our environmental testing was complete.

The Promag blued steel magazine passed our 1K crush test. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open after the last round. The magazine reached its breaking point at 2.1K Lbs. The case collapsed, bending the metal walls inward, compressing the spring and follower between the two walls, resulting in failure.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water, dirt, debris, and mud. Advanced gun training scenarios.

Not Good For: Scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement. Environmental scenarios involving prolonged moisture leading to iron oxidation (rust). Scenarios involving extreme weight or pressure that could cause the metal to bend, indent, or structurally fail.

Thermold

Thermold’s 30-round magazine is incredibly affordable and features a composite molded body and follower to provide reliable performance over the long term. The removable floorplate will allow you to maintain this magazine easily, as well as check on the coated stainless steel spring that provides reliable cartridge feeding even after years of use.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Thermold	6.6 Lbs	Poor, .43″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Magazine Exterior Fail, All Rounds Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed	Failed, Failure To Feed	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Thermold magazine is a budget option that performed below average in our testing. The magazine fit poorly in our Colt M4 Carbine test rifle. It had a lot of wobble when seated, making us unsure if we’d correctly inserted it into the gun. The magazine did reliably cycle ammo, and allowed the bolt to stay open after the last round was fired. It failed our drop test, losing all thirty rounds after splitting open near the rear spine. It did pass our water test, although it should be noted that it retained a fair amount of water. The Thermold magazine failed our soil and sand tests, it was unable to feed a round into the chamber despite the bolt being dropped three times for each test.

In our crush testing, the Thermold magazine passed our 1K crush test. It cycled ammo afterward and allowed the bolt to lock open after the last round. The magazine had a catastrophic failure at 2.3K Lbs. The shop press clamped down, splintering the magazine case into countless pieces around our testing area. During the failure, the follower ejected, and the baseplate detached, allowing the spring and internals to exit the base of the magazine.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use. Environmental conditions involving water.

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Basic or advanced gun training scenarios, and scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

Troy Industries

Troy Industries offers this high-quality 30-round polymer magazine for AR-15 users. It’s an impact-resistant and highly durable mag featuring reinforced feed lips along with an anti-tilt follower. The magazine body overall has an aggressive scale texture that can help you maintain a sure grip on the magazine as you extract it from your rifle or storage pouches.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
Troy Industries	6.1 Lbs	Excellent, .45″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	3 Rounds Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 2 Rounds	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 2.7K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The Troy Industries magazine features a unique fish-scale texture pattern. It took a beating in our AR-15 magazine test, cycling ammo, passing our friction test, and keeping the rifle’s bolt open after the last round. It lost three rounds in our drop test and began showing signs of wear. The Troy Industries magazine passed our water test, however, we did notice that it retained water in the base. Our test copies of the magazine did not include the extended floor plate accessory, so it’s possible it would remedy that issue. The magazine experienced failure to feed malfunctions after two rounds in our sand test, and after one round in our soil test.

The Troy Industries magazine passed our 1K crush test. Afterward, the magazine functioned correctly, ammo cycled, and the bolt of our M4 carbine remained open on the last round. During the failure portion of the AR-15 magazine test, the case of the Troy Industries magazine collapsed at 2.7K Lbs. We witnessed the baseplate detach, allowing the spring and internals to exit the base of the magazine.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

UTG Pro

UTG Pro’s 30-round polymer magazine for AR-15s is constructed of a durable and superstrong polymer, plus features a four-way anti-tilt follower to prevent cartridge jams. It’s further boosted by a high-longevity stainless steel spring to guarantee reliable feeding. The magazine is made in the USA to guarantee high quality and reliability in the field.

	Spring Tension	Fit/Feed Lip Spacing	Friction Test	Drop Test	Water Test	Sand Test	Soil Test	Crush Test (1K Lbs)	Crush Fail Test
UTG Pro	6.1 Lbs	Good, .46″	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	1 Round Ejected	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed, Failure To Feed After 2 Rounds	Failed, Failure To Feed After 1 Round	Pass, Bolt Locks Open On Last Round	Failed At 3.3K Lbs

TESTING OVERVIEW

The UTG Pro magazine is a hunk of textured polymer. It has a space-age design that feels good in hand and performs well during reloads. It passed our friction test with no issues. We were able to feed ammo through it with no issues and it consistently kept the test rifle’s bolt locked back after the last round. It lost one round in our drop test, putting it on par with the competition. It passed our environmental water test, but had failure to feed malfunctions during our soil and sand tests.

In our crush testing, the UTG Pro magazine showed its toughness. It passed our 1K crush test with ease, with everything functioning correctly afterward. During the failure portion of the AR-15 magazine test, the UTG Pro held out until its breaking point at 3.3K Lbs. The case of the magazine collapsed and the baseplate detached, rendering the magazine unusable.

Good For: Indoor and outdoor range use, environmental conditions involving water. Basic gun training scenarios. 

Not Good For: Environmental conditions involving sand, dirt, debris, and mud. Training scenarios where dropping magazines are a requirement.

AR-15 MAGAZINE TEST: CRUSH TESTING

There are several things to consider during crush testing. First, crushing the magazines does not always lead to failure. For example, in stage one of our crush testing, we look at how the magazine performs before and after 1K Lbs of pressure is applied. In our test group, only one magazine failed before reaching 1K Lbs of pressure. These failures generally occur when the magazine is pushed past its load limit to its breaking point. For polymer magazines, this often means pushing them to the point that the outer shell collapses. For metal magazines, the breaking point is often the welds or seams. Take a look at our AR-15 magazine test results in the video above.

FINAL THOUGHTS

There’s a lot of data to unpack in our AR-15 magazine test. In summary, almost all of the magazines we tested seated well in our Colt test rifle and cycled 90-rounds of ammo under normal conditions without issue. We feel confident that any of the magazines in our test would be good options for use at indoor or outdoor gun ranges. However, not all of the magazines in our test were capable of handling basic gun training scenarios. Even fewer were up for the task of handling environmental situations and advanced gun training scenarios.

During environmental water testing, all candidates in our AR-15 magazine test performed above average. No magazines had issues with retaining water or being unable to drain it quickly enough to cycle correctly. We did however find some corrosion and rust spots on the steel magazines a few days after they dried out. Aluminum and steel magazines were largely unaffected by sand and soil, passing our environmental testing without issue. Polymer magazines did not perform well with sand, however, many performed well with soil.

At least two polymer magazines failed our drop test, both developing cracks in roughly the same area near the rear spine. It’s possible that both of these magazines were not manufactured to the correct specifications, resulting in sample variation, which led to the failure. Aluminum magazines held up well to drop testing, however, it should be noted that all metals can dent, bend, or deform when dropped repeatedly. Feed lips were the Achilles heel of steel magazines. They all bent inward a certain degree when dropped and had to be reshaped using a multi-tool to continue testing.

Testing, Training, Repetition

As always, be sure to test your gear for compatibility before taking it out into the real world. Certain gear combinations will work better together than others. If you’re going to have a malfunction or compatibility issue, it’s better to work through it at the gun range, rather than in a critical situation where failure isn’t an option. Train with your gear the way you intend to use it. We recommend taking classes from certified instructors who are well respected in the gun community.

Have a suggestion for our AR-15 magazine test? Is there a magazine you’d like to see included in the testing? Send us a message using the contact form on the website.