Without the right ammo and the right magazine, the AR15 does not seem so much like the finest semi-auto rifle in the world. Over the past few decades, the design and development of AR15 magazines have kept up with the inexhaustible creativity of this popular weapon. The result is a dizzying number of choices for magazines.
Magazines for the AR15 rifle range from ultra-capacious drum magazines to single-shot. They are also available in a variety of materials, including high-impact polymer, aluminum and steel. With so many different options from which you can choose, it can be a rather daunting task to select the right magazine for your gun and shooting style.
Capacity
First things first, it is important to note that some states have restrictions regarding magazine capacity. Therefore, prior to purchasing any AR15 magazines, you need to check the law in your specific region.
Once you have checked on the legal restrictions in your areas, you are ready to begin shopping for your AR15 magazine. First of all, you need to determine the focus of your rifle.
If you have a varminting benchrest rifle that weighs around 15 pounds, you should be looking for something that is streamlined and low profile. As long as you do not have to worry about compliance with any hunting capacity restrictions, the longest magazine that will not protrude beyond the pistol grip of the gun is the 20-round straight magazine.
The classic 30-round AR15 magazines feature both commonality and compatibility. Practically all of the mag carriers on the market these days is designed to equip the standard 30-round magazine. For this reason, this is the most affordable and ubiquitous magazines available for the AR15. There are dozens of manufacturers that offer this style of magazine, which is available in a wide range of colors.
Another popular AR15 magazine is the drum magazine. As the name suggests, drum magazines are shaped like a percussion instrument. It is an ultra-capacious magazine that features a giant clock spring that winds the ammunition out around a spiraling cylinder.
A drum magazine holds anywhere from 50 rounds to 120. It may feature a single drum or a pair of drums. Drum magazines are the ideal choice for some for three reasons, competitions and photographs, plinking as well as the shear mean look that comes with a giant drum being attached to your rifle.