With some of the older magazine threads coming back up lately I reread some of them. I noticed a few times in which people mentioned a preference for 20 rd magazines.
Is there anything they offer over 30 Rd magazines?
I understand how some states have capacity restrictions, but setting laws aside and assuming you live where you are free to use any magazine you want. Does anyone prefer 20’s over everything else?
I’ve seen a few times people mentioned that the 20’s conveniently fit one 20 Rd box of ammo, but I’m more interested to hear the opinions of those people who use 20’s for work/duty/HD.
While on the subject; is there a brand of 20 Rd magazines to stick to over all others? I know geometry is different, so what manufacture may be a good choice for 30 Rd mags may not be for 20 Rd magazines. I’ve been looking at the Lancer L5 AWM 20 Rd translucent mags; I like the 30 Rd version. Would I be safe getting the 20’s as well?
I prefer 20’s for shooting off a bench or prone, because 30’s often get in the way of the position I want. I use 30’s for competitions where I’m on a timer and likely to use more than 20 rds. If I have to use a downloaded mag, I use a 20 because it’s shorter. For me, that’s the extent of it. My HD stash includes both 20’s and 30’s, but mostly 30’s.
My preferred 20’s are the Lancer AWM and the Tangodown ARC. The Magpul straight 20’s from gen1 or 2 were not 100% reliable. The new M3 curved 20’s should be reliable and I have a few. You should also be fine with NHMTG straight 20’s (the first widely issued magazine for the M16 (I’m not counting the true original waffles that were in limited use) or D&H curved 20’s (shortened 30).
C-Products has made a variety of 20s, some of which were also sold as AR-Stoner. I have some from various ages and they run the gamut from quite good to really awful. I would just avoid C-Products. I understand that CP somehow split and is now two unrelated companies, C-Products Defense and ASC, but it’s still not clear to me if either of them makes a reliable and consistent product.
Aside from the obvious bench uses, I keep a Magpul 20 in my car gun because my 10.5" SBR with a 20 rounder and collapsed stock fits perfectly in a Wilson tennis racket case. I keep a 30 round mag in the side pocket as a backup.
I keep the good ammo in 20 rd mags otherwise all I use are 30 rounders (Lancer L5 AWM). It gives you a better grip when reloading.
For bench or prone, I like to use a 10 round mag to get as low as possible. I originally got it to use with 300 BLK when hunting with capacity restrictions (10+1) but I like the low profile. I usually only load 5 at a time anyway.
These 20 round PMAGs are a few years old (maybe first gen?) and don’t drop free. I was thinking of replacing them with either NHMTG or Lancer 20 rounders.
I keep a Colt 20 rounder in my go to rifle for home defense because it’s easier to get in and out of where it’s stored with the smaller mag. Other than that I have all 30 rounders.
In the words of a friend of mine, “Twenty 20 round mags are great because you can get your head just that(holds thumb and forefinger apart about an inch or so) further behind the log that you are shooting from behind.”
Joking aside, they have their purposes and use, just like 40 rounders have their purpose and use. I use both 20 and 30 round mags on a regular basis. I like the shortness of the 20s for some applications.
I love 20 rounders. They are great for shooting off the bench or prone with a bipod. I do love my 30 and 40 rounders though as they make up the bulk of the mags in my ammo cabinet.
I see that a lot of responses are in regard to overall size and not round count, what about an X products 50 rd? I have one and just measured, and it is 7/8" shorter that a standard GI mag and 11/16" shorter than Pmag. Not a huge difference but considerably shorter and 50 rounds for when you are in the tightest of jams.
I prefer 20 round mags for the reasons that other people have mentioned.
Plus the ammo I use comes 20 rounds to a box, then 1 box per mag, since I can’t stand partial boxes of ammo.
I’m also a fan of the 20’s for just about everything. Prefer the looks, compactness, and whatever slight weight difference may be.
30’s are fine for plinking, or I suppose for reloads if anything happened in real life that required one, but so far I’ve never been in any of those situations. Think if I could only have one type it would be 20’s.
Wish I hadnt sold off all the Colt 20’s I had years ago. Just have a few left, though likely all I’ll actually need.
20 round mags feel better when you are driving and carrying rifle across your lap. A 30 round mag makes the weapon sit to high and is uncomfortable when driving with weapon for long periods of time. Easier to shoot out of a car window also.
Like everyone else, I like my Colt 20 rounders when bench shooting or when shooting in general. Plus, reloading 20 rounders take less time at the range, and I like the what I consider little more compact feel with 20 rounders. I rotate out a couple of 30 rounders, but more than anything to make sure they run properly.
