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AR-15 MAGAZINE 20-ROUND USGI

AR-15 MAGAZINE 20-ROUND USGI Reviews & Ratings

AR-15 MAGAZINE 20-ROUND USGI

Classic 20 Round AR15/M16 Magazine Design

New production 20 Round straight body aluminum magazines feature the reliability you've come to expect from Brownells USGI type mags. The original 20 round profile is retained, with improved geometry at the feed lips and at the bolt catch interface, to ensure the most reliable magazine possible. New laser welded halves remove any potential for spot welds to deform magazine body, ensuring a smooth ammo stack and exterior profile.

  • Stamped aluminum two half construction
  • Laser welded seems
  • Matte gray anodizing
  • Dry film application to ensure smooth operation
  • Re-profiled feed lips for improved performance
  • Black follower, without anti-tilt feature (just like the original 20 round mags)
  • Easy to remove floorplate

Optimized for 5.56x45mm NATO / 223 Remington. Not intended for 300 Blackout.

Note: These magazines feature a dry film lubricant on the exterior. This film will highlight scuffs and dings easily. This is normal for a USGI magazine finish.

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Reviews Summary
Overall, the Brownells 20-Round USGI magazines garner a mix of praise and criticism. While many appreciate their quality, retro design, and reliability, there are concerns about the non-anti-tilt followers and issues with feeding for some users. Shipping is generally efficient, making these a decent choice for enthusiasts looking for durability and authenticity at a fair price.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Product Quality
75%
Many reviewers commend the overall quality of the Brownells magazines, stating they are well-constructed and comparable to military-grade options. Despite some individual complaints, a significant number found them reliable and effective for their shooting needs.
Design and Aesthetics
60%
The retro design of these magazines is a highlight for many customers, especially those looking to complement their vintage AR builds. Reviewers appreciate the authentic feel and look, often referring to the magazines as visually appealing and reminiscent of military-issued versions.
Feeding Issues
40%
Quite a few users reported problems with feeding, particularly when attempting to use the last round hold open feature. Some felt that the lack of anti-tilt followers contributed to feeding failures, leading them to prefer alternative brands.
Customer Satisfaction
70%
The satisfaction with Brownells as a company is reflected in multiple reviews, which mention fast shipping and overall good service. Customers express a willingness to purchase again and often highlight their positive experiences with the brand.
Price and Value
50%
Several reviews point out that the magazines offer good value for their price. While some feel the cost is a bit high, many also celebrate sales and promotions, making these magazines a reasonable choice for enthusiasts on a budget.
Material and Construction Concerns
30%
A few reviewers showed discontent with the material quality, particularly questioning the finish and durability compared to older models. There were mentions of scratches upon delivery, though many attributed this to the nature of operational use rather than functional failure.
1
Unreliable Repro Mags
I have ordered 6 of these in the past, and they have multiple issues with all 6 mags. None of the mags allow me to run the bolt catch to drop the bolt and load a round, causing every load to freeze up even if I run just a few rounds in the mag. Last Round Bolt Hold Open feature works maybe 20% of the time when running them. Then normal cadence shooting causes issues with feeding from missed round, to causing the bolt to sluggishly drop (making my forward assist a must have component with these mags). I found that if I had accidentally grabbed one of these mags to go hunting, I would need to make sure I loaded the gun from running the charging handle (with the bolt open) or else I wouldn't get a fully seated round, and I had a high likelihood of rounds not feeding. Because of this, I had switched all my 20 round mags to P-mags or Lancer mags and never had an issue with operability in the same weapons I ran these Brownell's branded ones. If you are wanting a steel 20 round mag, as I was looking for at the time, then go find a DuraMag (if you can) or find some surplus mags as they will actually run well. I have since just thrown my mags away because I couldn't find someone who wanted the mags for free because they knew better.
1
Bring quality back
It’s the worst finish I’ve ever seen on a product. You can immediately rub the gray paint off with your fingers. I have older, heavily used USGI / Brownell mags that still retain better finish than these do. We’ll see if Brownells takes these back and applies a real finish or I’m done buying stuff until things are better.