magazine

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Strike Industries "Strike Mag"

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  Strike Industries has been hitting a home run in the aftermarket parts game. They continually bring out new products. Of those new products is the Strike Mag. The Strike Mag is a 32 round magazine for the AR-15 rifle.

  As with a lot of Strike Industries products, the Strike Mag has a semi-futuristic look. The way the magazine’s lines flow, just gives it that kind of look. Of course looks aren’t everything. So they gave the magazine an anti-tilt follower. Some anti-slip grip texture on the front and rear to aid in inserting and removal of the magazine. There are also some raised “dot matrix” textures on the front sides to aid in the aforementioned. And of course, it holds 32 rounds of 223/5.56 for only a little bit added in overall length.

  Some other features of the Strike Mag are really useful too. The first of which, the magazine has been designed to help prevent over-insertion. It has 2, what I like to call “bumps”, on the front and rear of the magazine, just below where a fully inserted magazine rests inside the magwell. These “bumps” help to stop the magazine from over-insertion when slamming in the magazine on a locked back bolt. I have seen this happen with other magazines and it essentially takes the rifle out of use until one can literally pry the over inserted magazine out. Another feature is the magazine base’s shock cord channel. This channel lets the shock cord, on many magazine carriers, fit snugly over the magazine. It keeps the shock cord from sliding side to side. It works extremely well on my plate carrier pouches.

  What does the extra 2 rounds get you? Unfortunately, it does make the magazine slightly longer. About ¾” longer than a standard GI magazine and ½” longer than a Gen. 3 Pmag. This has pluses and minuses. One plus is: If you stack magazine pouches, the Strike mags can be used to offset the magazines. Maybe put them closest to a plate carrier or chest rig so the back magazines are easier to grab. A minus is: They are longer. I didn’t really notice the extra length when shooting or reloading the AR.

  Luckily I received the Strike mag before the crazy ammunition prices, just barely. So I was able to run quite a few rounds through the mag. Just as I expected, the magazine ran great! I have had zero malfunctions when using it. I ran lots of cheap steel cased ammunition through it too. The magazine was tried in 5 different AR’s, from a 7.5” to 16”’er’s. It even drops free from my AR that has a slightly tight magazine well. So, I would say it is a good magazine, one you should probably check out. And yes, it does insert fully, when loaded with 32 rounds, on a closed bolt.

  Strike Industries has been coming out with top notch products. The Strike Mag is one of them. It holds 32 rounds instead of the normal 30 and functions great. Plus it is 100% made in the U.S.A. Go check out the Strike mag, or any of Strike Industries other stuff. I think you’ll be surprised at all the firearm accessories they have. 

  Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

32 round AR 15 magazine

Target Market:

Anyone wanting an extra 2 rounds in their standard capacity AR magazine

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 32 round capacity

  • -223 Remington/5.56 NATO AR-15/M4/M16 compatible magazine

  • "AccuRamp" first round feed tray design

  • Anti-tilt follower

  • Enhanced geometry with anti-slip finger grooves

  • Magazine base shock cord channel to help provide additional retention

  • Lightweight high-strength polymer

  • Tool-less disassembly of magazine

  • Made in the U.S.A.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

10 round version for restrictive states

What others are saying?:

Nothing as of this review

Link to other reviews:

None found

Price point:

MSRP = $16.95

Retail = $15.95 at Primary Arms

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms or Strike Industries

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Capacity

  • Shock cord channel

  • Functions as expected - very well

  • Designed with over insertion protection

Cons:

  • A little longer than a standard 30rd magazine

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  Matador Arms

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EndoMag

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  Mean Arms came into the Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) market with an interesting idea. They made a 9mm insert for Magpul Pmags, called the “EndoMag”. This eliminates having to use a special lower receiver or magazine adapter. I was intrigued after we discussed them on the Gun & Gear Review Podcast. Mean Arms kindly sent one for review.

  The Endomag is not your standard magwell adapter. First up, it goes inside a Gen 2 or 3 Pmag body. Just take your Pmag apart and set your spring and follower somewhere. Now, depending on where you live, cut the Endomag to the required magazine capacity. It has marks for 15, 20, and 30 rounds and comes in a 10 round configuration. The included instructions tell you how to do this and it is super simple. I cut mine to accept 30 rounds. Then all you need to do is slide the Endomag assembly into the Pmag body and install the floorplate. It is now ready to be used.

  Before using the Endomag, it is recommended that you break it in. Basically, it involves testing to make sure the mag body doesn’t rub the bolt. Then testing cycling, by hand, with the Endomag installed. Again, the instructions are very useful here. I could feel the bolt rubbing a little on the one they sent me. I just did as instructed and have had no issues.

  The Endomag has some great benefits, and a few that leave me wanting something else. I love the ability to load rounds just by pushing them down, much like a standard AR magazine. This is because the Endomag is a double column, double feed magazine, much like the Colt 9mm style magazines. The Endomag also features a last round bolt hold open feature. My biggest complaint about the Endomag is the built in ejector. It functions great, but takes some training to unload the firearm. One has to cycle the bolt back by hand to eject the live round. Then while the bolt is back, you have to drop the magazine. If you drop the Endomag out before cycling the action, the round will not eject, and thus just go right back into the firing chamber. Like I said, this is a training issue, but during a competition this could confuse some people and maybe even cause an unsafe condition. Besides this training issue, the Endomag doesn’t require any other learning curve. It is the same size as a standard magazine, therefore it fits in all your gear. All the rifle’s controls will also be the same, especially the magazine release button. I also noticed that the magazine spring, that Mean Arms uses in the Endomag, looks very much like the spring that came out of the standard Pmag. So much that I would guess it is the same spring. The EndoMag also lets one “try out” a PCC without having to purchase a lower receiver or magwell adapter. Of course you would still need a complete 9mm upper.

  I used the Endomag a lot. As expected, it ran like a champ. If I had a failure, it was minor, because I don’t remember any. One of the nice features about installing the Endomag in a Pmag body is that you can mark the Pmag with “9mm” in the dot matrix! That way you have a better chance of not getting your magazines confused. As far as training with the Endomag, I give it a thumbs up. 9mm is cheaper than 5.56/223, and has about the same felt recoil. So you can get some good training in, for cheaper.

  Mean Arms has a good idea with the Endomag. It has some decent features to aid in training. Goes into a magazine body that you probably already have, and works fantastic. I just had to get over the ejecting a round before dropping the magazine. If you think the Endomag is for you, go give one a try, they are inexpensive enough to see.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

9mm magazine kit for converting standard AR-15’s to 9mm without a magwell insert

Target Market:

Those wanting a 9mm carbine without the added cost of an adapter

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Converts a Magpul 30-round 5.56x45 PMAG (Gen 2 and 3) to 9mm

  • Functions as a standard AR magazine

  • No magwell adapter needed

  • Uses a standard AR15 receiver

  • Insert comes fully assembled.

  • Uses same controls as a standard AR

  • Uses standard mag pouches, etc.

  • Last round bolt hold open

  • Lifetime warranty

  • Built in Ejector

  • Compatible with Colt and Glock style BCG’s

  • Indents for 15, 20, and 30 round options, Ships as 10 round capacity

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Charles F.  5/5 stars @RainierArms

Great 9mm option. Worked like a champ, I had no issues with the operation at all. Great product.

Link to other reviews:

The Firearm Blog

Price point:

MSRP = $29.99

Retail = $29.95 at AimSurplus

I need it now! Availability:

Mean Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Uses Glock or Colt 9mm BCG’s

  • No lower modifications or special lower required

  • Last round bolt hold open

  • Uses same spring as P-Mag

  • Fits same accessories as standard AR magazines

  • Uses same controls as standard AR

Cons:

  • Only available in 9mm

  • Magazine body required

  • Ejector in magazine

Score: 7.00 Good

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Favorite Link:   We The Female

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The Mag Feeder

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  As a shooter, we all sometimes want easier magazine loading. Welcome to The Mag Feeder. I am not one to typically use magazine loaders, so there is that. But with lots of them on the market, this AR15 magazine loader is a little different. Manufactured by Six Axis Development. I can’t remember if I contacted them, or the other way around. Either way, the sent me one for review.

 The Mag Feeder is very well thought out. The first notable feature is the USGI magazine catch. Yes, the same one as on an AR15. This keeps your magazine locked in place while using the loader. Now, as with everything now days, it is made from a chemical resistant polymer. So you don’t have to worry about destroying it from gun lube or cleaners. It also folds up for storage and ease of transportation. Last up is the neat little slider that does the actual work.

 Loading the Mag Feeder is pretty self explanatory. First unfold it so that it lays flat. There is a magnet that holds it in the folded position. Lay it on a flat surface. Slide a magazine on until the mag catch latches. Throw some 223/556 or 300 Blackout rounds in the loader. Or put them in the little load slot toward the top. Organize the shells so they all point the correct direction, they will not go in the wrong way. You can also take out the pusher block and load them in from the top. Once all the rounds are in the loader, slide the “pusher block”  down and the magazine is now loaded. Then, of course, push the mag button and pull the loaded magazine out. Now go shoot.

 Now we know how The Mag Feeder is suppose to be used, I’ll tell you how I use it. I basically just pour a bunch of rounds into the body of the Mag Feeder. Then I straighten them out. I only need to use the “loading port” for the last few rounds. So it is pretty quick, and really easy to use. I tried it on a bunch of different magazine styles, from USGI to Pmags and they all worked fine. The pusher block is also held at the top of the loader with a magnet, actually one of the same ones that keeps the loader folded. This is nice because it doesn’t fall out. But if it does, it will only go back in one direction.

 There are lots of things to like about The Mag Feeder. Ease of use, of course. It also has marks for how many rounds are in the loader, well at least by 5’s and up to 30. This is nice if you want to load a 20 round magazine for example. I have one dislike about the Mag Feeder. It doesn’t stay open. I would have some sort of catch made to hold it open. When you pick the loader up off of a table, it just folds partway. I also like how it will fit in a double magazine pouch. Because it folds, you can stick it in an ammo box, or most soft case side pouches.

 The Mag Feeder is staying in my range bag. I am very pleased with how it works, and it can save your thumbs. If you need an easy way to load AR15 magazines, this might be a good option. Six Axis was also kind enough to send a .30 cal ammo can and some .223 ammo. That was a plus that I didn’t expect. Go check out The Mag Feeder and maybe some of their other products while you’re there.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Foldable 30 round AR15 magazine loader

Target Market:

AR15 users who want easy loading of magazines

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Made in the USA

  • Safe for hands and magazine lips

  • Folds in half for portability

  • Magnetic operated to keep closed in your bag/box

  • Magnetic pusher block to keep from falling out

  • Works with all AR15/M4 magazines

  • Chemical Resistant

  • Allows for easy inspection of rounds prior to shooting
    Securely grabs on to the magazine

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

Some Youtube videos, but that’s it

Price point:

MSRP = $59.99

I need it now! Availability:

The Mag Feeder

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Easy to use

  • Quick

  • USGI Mag catch

  • Folds and stays closed

  • Fits in double mag pouch and ammo cans

  • Capacity markings

Cons:

  • Doesn’t lock in open/use position

  • Price

Score: 8.00 Great

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Amend2 AR-15 Magazine

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   Amend2 is a new company that has entered into the AR-15 magazine market. Having another option in the AR magazine market is always a good thing. Amend2 offers mainly standard capacity magazines of 30 rounds in 5.56/.223, but also lists a 20 round option. I was sent the 30 round black ones for review. 

  I was pretty excited to try these mags out. And since I was going to a big shoot, the timing was perfect. When the mags first arrived, I immediately checked them to see if they would drop free. All of the ones they sent me, hit the floor when the mag release was pressed. This was even in a rifle that will hang up on some other magazines. Of course,  the Amend2 mags also locked back the slide, as expected. One thing I noticed is that the magazines seemed heavier than both my mil-spec and P-mags, but they actually weigh really close to the P-mags. Don't get discouraged by this, because they are made from a tough polymer. I did toss one across the road and it had only very minor scratches. Then I drove over it, both loaded with empty cases and unloaded completely. I really just wanted to see if it would crack, but it didn't. The baseplate on the mag is slightly larger than some and has a checkerboard texture on the bottom. This is a good thing if you drop your mags a lot on hard surfaces. It also helps when retrieving them from a pouch. As with essentially all good magazines, they have anti-tilt followers and stainless steel springs. 

  You probably really want to know how they function? Okay. Two of the magazines were run in full auto AR's, all day. I don't have an actual round count, but it was over 1000 rounds per magazine, probably more like 2000 each. One magazine ran flawless with no problems at all. The other one had 1 failure to feed. I would say these magazines are good to go for anything that you would want to use them in. I have also been using these magazines when I need to use an AR mag, with no problems. I have also ran them suppressed, in an SBR. 

 Currently,  Amend2 offers the magazines with some options. They come in black, OD green, and tan. The anti-tilt follower and base pad insert are red. According to their website, other magazine colors are also available: Zombie green, Ghost white, Dark earth, and Desert tan. But it is a little confusing, I don't know if they mean magazine body color, or magazine follower color. While surfing Amend2's Instagram, I noticed that they can also do custom nameplates for dealers, or maybe anyone if you purchase enough of them. It appears that "Amend2" on the mag body is replaced with "your company logo/name". 

  I have been quite impressed with these magazines. Amend2 has done a good job with the durability and function. The price is on par with other 30 round magazines. So, if you are looking for some more magazines, and aren't we all, give the Amend2 mags a try. 

   

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

AR-15 30 round polymer magazine

Target Market:

AR-15 owners who can own 30 round magazines 

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product): 

  • Polymer construction

  • Anti-tilt follower

  • Stainless Steel spring

  • Textured body and floorplate

  • 30 round capacity

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

OD Green, Tan, and maybe more

What others are saying?:

Jay @ Brownells: 4/5 stars

GOOD MAGS, GREAT PRICE

I bought a 10 pack of these as the price is awesome. I was about to buy 10 aluminum mags from another site, and just so happened to check brownells for comparison. I stumbled across these and decided to give them a try after watching some youtube reviews. At first, these did not fit in my AR, but my rifle has a very large broached mag well. After debating whether to send them back for a refund and lose out on some money, I decided to trim some of the material on one mag that was contacting my AR and then they slid right in and out like they should have. It took about 5 seconds a side with a dremel and a sanding wheel per side and it solved the issue. These do not fit 100% of the AR's out there, so keep that in mind. That is the only reason i docked a star. Another issue arose that they would not stay seated in my AR, compared to PMAG's and Mission First Tactical mags. Frustrating to say the least, so what did I do? I bought another complete lower (HAHA!) to compare. As it turns out, the mag release/catch spring was completely shot, so after replacing that spring, they remained in the rifle. I test fitted in the new AR lower and they were tight fitting unlike in the other AR where there was some wiggle room and slid right out. Great construction, the grip and texture of these mags is unique and aids in handling.

Tim L. @ Brownells: 4/5 stars

DECENT NO FRILLS POLYMER AR-15 MAGAZINE

For the price, it's a good magazine. Feels solid right out of the package, however, I tried in both of my AR's and the magazines would not drop free from the gun. Other than that, they claim to feature no-tool disassembly, however, depressing the "2" on the bottom far enough to disassemble the magazine surely requires pressing down with something other than fingers (aka a tool). But a 5.56 bullet tip will do the trick. I'll keep them in the range bag for plinking, but I will stick with the tried and true PMags and HexMags for training, competition, and personal defense.

Link to other reviews:

Ghostginthree on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $14.95

Retail = $14.99 @ Pershingarmory.com

I need it now! Availability:

Pershing Armory, Amend2, and Brownells 

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Durable

  • Stainless Steel spring

  • Anti-tilt follower

  • Made in U.S.A.

  • Custom Name Plates

Cons:

  • Rough looking

Score: 8.0 Great

 

Chad's Favorite link: Axelson Tactical

 

 

 

 

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HCMAGS HC3R 10/22 magazine

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   HCMAGS is a company that makes an easy loading magazine for the 10/22, or any other firearm that uses 10/22 magazines. I first saw one of their magazine systems at a local gun shop. The idea looked really cool, so I purchased one. The magazine holds 25rds of .22lr with a side saddle that holds another 20rds for quick loading. 

  The HC3R magazine can be used like any other mag, but why? Well, since the HC mag has a slider on the side of the magazine, you could just slide it down while loading it up. But there's more. The back of the magazine acts like a stripper clip. One can push it down slightly and rock the whole stripper clip out. Fill the clip up with 25rds, pull the slider on the side of the mag down and lock it in place. Then roll the clip back into the magazine and release the slider and your ready to go. When the clip is off of the magazine, you can also put 20rds in the magazine side saddle before loading up the other 25rds. Once you have depleted the contents, you can take the stripper off of the magazine, slide it over the rims of the 20rds in the side saddle, and reinstall it with 20 new rounds. An extra stripper clip is included also. 

  Now I would have thought that this was the best thing since sliced bread. The biggest problem is that I couldn't get the magazine to feed in 3 different 10/22's. HCMAGS instructions say to watch their video on their website to make sure you are loading the magazine correctly. I watched it 3 or 4 times and still the magazine wouldn't work. I called them and they told me that I had a 1st generation HC3R mag and when the 2nd gen was out they would replace mine with a gen 2. They replaced it after about 6 months. Okay, sometimes manufacturing takes longer,  so I was alright with that. Now I have my gen 2 in hand, and it works a little bit better. It only jams about every 3rd round, instead of every time. I can't load 25 in the mag or it won't even feed, I have to load 20 to get it to feed the first round. Different manufacturers of .22lr don't seem to make a difference either. As is with different 10/22's.

  Basically the HC3R magazine is an innovative design. It is kind of a shame that it doesn't live up to its hype. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quick reloading 10/22 magazine

Target Market:

Someone who wants extra magazine capacity without the need for an extra magazine. 

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Quick reloading 
  • Stripper clips
  • Lockable thumb stud
  • Extra ammo on hand in magazine side saddle
  • Disassembles for cleaning

 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Tactical pack available with extra stripper clips, loader, and case. 

Tactical pack

What others are saying?: 

 Bill K. at Botach 2/5 stars

Cumbersom

This magazine is difficult to load for me. I found bullets jamming during the loading process and falling out of the Rib Clip and extra holding channel when I didn't hold it properly. For me, it is more hassle than it's worth.

LEXRated at Cabelas 5/5 stars

Awesome and Innovative

There's not much real fun in loading, but this system these folks have developed is simply amazing.

Follow their instructions and get a couple extra magazines and this system will let you shoot all day and even for days. It is effortless.

NOTE: this listing is incorrectly listing the magazine as a 20 round magazine. Once they update the product to show it is in fact a 25 round magazine and it's part of the whole system whereby the strip clip feeders hold 20 rounds on the same mag. That means with one mag you have 45 rounds, 25 in and 20 out, and dumping the 20 in is super fast.

I hope Cabela's gets the HC Mags HC3R Tactical Kit (I have one already) but others need to know about it. I do not work for HC, just an impressed customer of their product and fan of Cabela's.

Additional note: some may say that having an open/exposed magazine makes it not worth it, but considering how much more one typically shoots with 22, i see the value in making the loading delays and effort go away and getting back to shooting more important. Plus, it's a breeze to clean and frankly, most of any significant debris easily going in, can fall out the same way. Mud is mud and play safe.

Price point:

MSRP = $29.95 at HCMAGS

Retail = $30.00 at Botach

I need it now! Availability:

HCMAGS.com

Our Rating: 

Pros:

  • Stripper clip
  • Steel feed lips
  • Ease of loading
  • Comes apart for cleaning  

Cons:

  • Will not feed properly
  • Shouldn't need special loading instructions

 Score: 4.00 Bad

 

 

 

Chads favorite link of the day: Northwest Firearms

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