With the market flooded in AR magazines, there’s been the age-old rivalry between metal magazines and polymer magazines. Often there are debates between people on which style magazine they prefer and give a number of reasons. There are also companies who make hybrid magazines which use both metal and polymer features. So what do you buy? I’ll break it down and give my perspective on the debate.

Metal Magazines

Since the birth of the AR, it has used either steel or aluminum magazines. Okay Industries has made the short 20 round magazines for over 40 years now and is still one of the best-known brands of metal magazines. Today’s technology has brought metal magazines into the future with companies like Magpul and other manufacturers creating anti-tilt followers greatly improving the reliability of the magazines. In the big picture, metal magazines do have a better reputation for being more durable when dropped on the ground. This may seem like a small issue but accidents do happen.

The biggest advantage of metal mags is having metal feed lips. The feed lips are the most problematic area of polymer magazines and over time they have the ability to thin and crack from use. Some of the most popular metal magazines are HK’s steel magazines designed for the 416 and AR variants. They are some of the most robust metal magazines on the market but are much heavier than other options. I’ve had very good luck with metal mags with a few exceptions. I’ve had a few different metal magazines fail due to worn out springs or broken baseplates. It’s not a difficult issue to fix, but can be annoying when it happens at the range.

Polymer Magazines

Over the past 15 years, polymer magazines have become extremely popular. Both style magazines are still considered disposable magazines but polymer magazines have become very reliable and lightweight for the user. Usually, when purchasing a new rifle most manufacturer will include a Magpul P-Mag or similar polymer magazine. These newer style magazines have become popular with people because they are lighter, cost-effective, and have features metal magazines don’t have. Many people like the window cut out in the 3rd generation P-mags so they can see how much ammo is in their mag.

The biggest downside to polymer magazines is durability over time. I’ve had a few different polymer magazines break on me either at the range or even while loading if they are cheap magazines. I have broken a few different Magpul 308 P-Mags whether it’s the feed lips or the actual structural defects.

Hybrid Magazines

There are a few different types of hybrid magazines on the market today. One of the most well known hybrid styles would be the Lancer magazines. I call them a “hybrid” magazineս because they are polymer magazineս but haվե metal feed lips. This brings the best of both worlds together with the lightweight polymer magazines and the reliability of metal feed lips. I’ve run a few different style Lancer magazines and I have had really good luck so far.

Overall Thoughts

With so many options in the market today, I would try to find some name brand magazines to run whether it’s metal, polymer or hybrid magazines. There is so much research behind each style magazine that they should be fairly reliable if you go with a name brand. I have been sticking with SureFeed magazines made by Okay Industries. I’ve loved my P-Mags and have had good luck with Lancer magazines as well. If you have a ton of one specific brand magazine, stick with them if they work. My biggest piece of advice to new shooters will be that things happen no matter what kind of magazine you run. Magazines are considered a serviceable part, so its always a good idea to visually inspect your magazines. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to leave them below. Remember to stay safe out there.

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