FAL mags: aluminum or steel ?

[SalBO]

I am to the point of needing to order alot of mags......

With my AR's I prefer aluminum but I am not familiar with FAL mags enough yet to know the differences.....

I know the aluminum is lighter and it cant be parkerized... ....the steel is heavier and can be parked.......what are your opinions ?

[awp101]

I have both and to me it's merely 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.

I'm not humping it and 80lbs of equipment over any distance so the weight savings are negligible for me.

[Schuetzenman]

In steel I trust! Much tougher IMO. The shi . . . I mean guys at Interordnance have New in the wrapper sealed boxes of 10 Belgian FN Herstal steel mags for about $99 a box I think. Might be $110, prices subject to change and all that. I got a box of them off of them at Charloette's Gun Show. They're put back for the future. BTW these look black, don't know if they're painted or if they're parked but they sure look sweet.

Tapco has used Austrian FAL steel mags for a low price. In as much as you have a blast cabinet and compressor, you could get these, blast em off then parkerize them. Go for the nice Black looking Park.

[PBR]

Steel in the way to go. Cheaper and more abundant. Easy to refinish and more tolerant of being dropped and beat up.

[SalBO]

ok, you guys make sense....That is the way I was leaning so I could park them.........I will order some steel ones.......thanks.

[kfranz]

I vote Aluminum. They are much less common and currently are the same price. Snap up at least 10, 20, 50, whatever you're comfortable with, of the aluminum first. Steel mags are much more prevelant, and should be available much longer(or cheaper) in the future.

[dmk0210]

I bought about 30 mags, half steel and half alloy. Most of them I got from Vorbek on the FAL files(very good condition and cheap), some from DSA (very nice but $$) and a couple from TAPCO (advertised good, but actually very poor condition).

Although I don't have either rifle operational, to test them, I do like how easy it is to clean the alloy mags. Remove the springs and drop them in a sink or bucket full of hot soapy water. While they soak, wipe off the springs with a rag. Then rinse, dry and reassemble.

[Schuetzenman]

Here's a thought provoking question for you folks.

Why are M16 mags prone to wearing out?







They're aluminum is the answer. The weak link in this rifle system is the aluminum mags that are far too easy to get damaged. Originally the M16 20 round mags were supposed to be issued loaded and considered disposable items. It didn't take them long to figure out you can't consider a 20 round box magazine a disposable item, however we've been stuck with aluminum ever since.

In steel we trust!

[Tony@TAPCO]

We got a great deal going on the steel metric mags right now. Ten or more are $3.99 each.

[Schuetzenman]

Originally posted by Tony@TAPCO
We got a great deal going on the steel metric mags right now. Ten or more are $3.99 each.

:rockin: :cool: I may have to grab, a bunch at that price!

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by Tony@TAPCO
We got a great deal going on the steel metric mags right now. Ten or more are $3.99 each.

These mags will perform like they are supposed to right? Just the finish is worn?

[alfajim]

I bought 10 of the tapco mags and they were in good condition needing refinishing , I also bought 10 of the aluminum mags from these guys (http://www.oldgunsupply.com/) they are $4.50 each and reported to be nice I will see in a couple days.

[SalBO]

I have 10 of the steel mags to be delivered in my order on Monday and I will let you know how they are. I got 2 of them a month or so ago and they just needed blasting and parking. No dents, just lots of dirt and not much rust as a matter of fact.

[awp101]

Originally posted by alfajim
I also bought 10 of the aluminum mags from these guys (http://www.oldgunsupply.com/) they are $4.50 each and reported to be nice I will see in a couple days.
His store is about 10 minutes from me. The mags in the store are nice and the group buys we've done on the G3 mags have gone great.

I buy the steel ones he has anytime I'm in there.

SalBO- If you park em, check how they feed. I finally figured out that's why mine wouldn't feed for crap after I bought some that hadn't been refinished. Need to polish mine...

[SalBO]

yep, need to polish the inside of the feed lips......I assume that is what you are referring to.......:)

[SalBO]

I am interested in what you get too Jim. I was planning on ordering some of those too..........

[alfajim]

I will post a report when they come in.

[SalBO]

thanks.........

[alfajim]

I must say I was surprised to see the mags show up today. Very happy should have ordered 20. They pass the paint stick test and feel smoother than the steel one’s I just got. They seem to weigh the same as an ar 30 rounder very light compared with the steel ones. A shot of the best and worst.

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/7827DSCN2998-med.JPG

http://www.gunsnet.net/album/data/500/7827DSCN2995-med.JPG

[SalBO]

very good.......thanks for the post on them. I will have to get an order in for some soon.......