10000291 Reviews & Ratings

Last Production Run! When this current batch is out of stock, these will no longer be available.

Whether you’re at the range or humpin’ the boonies, having plenty of ammo to feed your AR-15 "Retro" rifle is vital. With a few extra loaded Brownells 25-round Retro AR-15 magazines on hand, you won’t have to "di-di mau" back for more. Externally, this straight-bodied steel mag is a carefully reproduced replica of the magazines Armalite assembled for their original AR-15 prototype rifles - ideal for your very early Retro Repro build. More good news: our 25-round Retro AR-15 mags are 100% up-to-date with reliable modern innards, and they will fit and function dependably in ANY modern AR-15 with a mil-spec lower, including our Retro lowers. We’re pointing this out because, if you know your AR-15 / M16 history well, you know that the prototype rifles’ mag won’t fit a modern gun. Now you can give your rifle that period-correct appearance so many AR-15 history fans/shooters crave, with a reasonably priced "shooter" mag!

Fits modern "mil-spec" AR-15 lower receiver, including Brownells Retro receivers
Stamped steel body & floorplate with correct markings/indentations
Durable matte black Parkerized finish
Chrome silicon spring maintains proper tension for consistent feeding
Glass-fiber reinforced composite follower further aids feeding

Our 25-round Retro AR-15 magazines are the perfect complement to your Retro AR-15 rifle - whether you bought it whole or built it from parts. It’s also ideal for shooters who prefer the reliability of the straight-body magazines the AR-15 was originally designed to use but want 5 more rounds than you get from the standard 20-round mags. As a bonus, that sturdy steel body will stand up to all the abuse you can give it, and be ready for more!

See all of our AR15s and AR15 parts here.

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3 Stars

Reviews Summary

Overall, the AR-15 25-RD Straight Body Steel Magazine garners a mixed yet mostly positive reception. Users appreciate its fit and aesthetic appeal, noting reliable performance in most rifles. Some encountered quality issues, such as manufacturing residues and feeding problems, particularly when loaded to capacity. While the price is viewed as steep, many agree it's a solid reproduction for collectors and enthusiasts.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Quality and Finish

40%

Several reviews mention varying quality and finish of the magazines, with some noting poor parkerization and rust upon arrival. While many found satisfactory performance after cleaning, others were disappointed with visible wear and construction inconsistencies. About 40% of reviewers highlighted issues related to quality and finish.

Reliability

60%

Most customers report that the magazine performs reliably in AR-15 platforms, although some experience feeding issues when fully loaded. Some users recommend downloading the magazine by one or two rounds for optimal function. Approximately 60% of reviewers discussed reliability, emphasizing its importance.

Aesthetic Appeal

55%

The retro look and feel of the magazine are frequently applauded, with many users appreciating its visual appeal on firearms. This aesthetic value is significant to collectors and those building retro-style rifles but doesn't compensate for all quality concerns. Around 55% of reviews mentioned aesthetic aspects positively.

Price Perception

70%

The pricing of the magazine is a recurring point of discussion; many consider it overpriced for its performance and quality. While some believe it's justified for a retro design, others suggest lower prices or improved quality. About 70% of reviewers noted price concerns, impacting their overall satisfaction.

Compatibility Issues

25%

Some customers experienced issues with magazine compatibility, citing failures in specific rifle models and dimensions. Reports of failure to drop free in some AR lowers and issues with seating under certain conditions were common. Approximately 25% of reviews focused on compatibility struggles.

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Unfinished

Received 2 and neither have a black finish on them. Decent magazines but unfinished.

by Joshua B. on August 06, 2023

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Not impressed. Not worth the $$

It looks GOOD but it's not worth the $60 price tag. The tabs on the magazine that hold the base plate in position were so lose you could easily pull plate off with little to no effort. (Couple of light taps with a brass hammer fixed that issue). It seems to run OK in my AR's but will not pick up from the left side in my Mossberg MVP which works great with all my other AR mags. I do love the aesthetics, looks great in a MK12 setup BUT either the price needs to be lowered or the quality needs to be kicked up a bunch of notches.

terrible finish, rusty, scratched

The magazine DOES drop free when it's got some wear on it, but mine came with an awful, really rough park job that already had rust on one side. Feeds alright, but I've only put a few boxes through it. Not worth the insane asking price by a long shot.

Came with wear/rust already

Thought I was getting a new magazine, but it came rusty and scratched, with visible wear. Despite this, it doesn't insert smoothly or drop free from the magwell.

.5" longer than originals.

These magazines are roughly .5" longer than the originals they are supposed to be reproductions of. Probably still a better option that cutting up 20rd magazines to make a more accurate reproduction, due to the amount of work involved, but I don't see why Brownells couldn't use the original dimensions.