Steel/stainless steel mags: Faster wear to aluminum parts of AR15?

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Originally Posted by ViniVidivici

No OP, that is a completely idiotic assessment that person made.

Only reasons I see not to use them is greater weight, and likely higher price.

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bingo

The idea steel would ware faster than aluminum or especially polymer seems very reasonable to me.

How much if any difference it makes in the long term life of the gun. Those steel trigger pins are going to do in a lower way sooner than the steel mag.

Wouldn’t the aluminum oxide of the Class III anodizing vs type of stainless steel and steel temper/heat treating minimize wear? I don’t know the stainless steel used in my HK mags, but it’s a little more complicated than “steel vs aluminum.” Alloys & related heat treatments would need consideration, but I have no idea where to obtain the relevant info. I’m not sure of the coating on the HK steel mags, but that too, will act as a buffering layer.

Where’s a material scientist when you need one….?:confused:

ETA: I owned an FS2000 that was extremely fussy with STANAG mags. Polymer & aluminum mags were hit or miss, and somewhere online someone recommended HK mags, which was why I purchased them. I seldom use them since selling the FS2000, but my above statements are based on physically examining the components and noting variables.

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Originally Posted by TMS951

The idea steel would ware faster than aluminum or especially polymer seems very reasonable to me.

How much if any difference it makes in the long term life of the gun. Those steel trigger pins are going to do in a lower way sooner than the steel mag.

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Sand ground into the surface of polymer will cause more wear than smooth steel will. I don't see why polished and lubricated trigger pins would cause much of any wear at all. I think dirt is the enemy here.

This thread is going full mongo. I have 30 year old lowers that used to see a regular diet of those British steel 30s which were my range mags. There's nothing to remotely be concerned about.

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Originally Posted by markm

This thread is going full mongo. I have 30 year old lowers that used to see a regular diet of those British steel 30s which were my range mags. There's nothing to remotely be concerned about.

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This. I really did used to believe and worry about a LOT of stupid shit. Had to be true, I read it on the internet. Then one day I remembered my HK91 mags are steel and the receiver is stamped. I've got a pile of steel Sterlings somewhere in my magazine stash.

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Originally Posted by MSW

Wouldn’t the aluminum oxide of the Class III anodizing vs type of stainless steel and steel temper/heat treating minimize wear? I don’t know the stainless steel used in my HK mags, but it’s a little more complicated than “steel vs aluminum.” Alloys & related heat treatments would need consideration, but I have no idea where to obtain the relevant info. I’m not sure of the coating on the HK steel mags, but that too, will act as a buffering layer.

Where’s a material scientist when you need one….?:confused:

ETA: I owned an FS2000 that was extremely fussy with STANAG mags. Polymer & aluminum mags were hit or miss, and somewhere online someone recommended HK mags, which was why I purchased them. I seldom use them since selling the FS2000, but my above statements are based on physically examining the components and noting variables.

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From the early 90s to present I've been running several select fire HK G3 rifles with both steel and aluminum mags and after thousands and thousands of rounds I don't think it's made a bit of difference. Bolt carrier buffers and carry handle mounts are far more treacherous to HK finishes for G3s, 33s, MP5s and 90 series.

If I wasn’t clear—I never noticed a difference & listed why that might be rather than “stainless steel vs aluminum” and have personally used said items.

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Originally Posted by MSW

If I wasn’t clear—I never noticed a difference & listed why that might be rather than “stainless steel vs aluminum” and have personally used said items.

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I might have read it wrong, a cold has been kicking my ass last few days.

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Originally Posted by markm

Damn. This is ARFcom subject matter from 2005! :sarcastic:

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It is, but just in case someone has a serious concern, the answer is no, it is not an issue. The Brits used steel magazines for a long time, and while their platform was garbage, I've never heard of the magazines wearing anything out.

I have a few British steel mags that I've retro fit with Magpul guts, and use them on a regular basis.