Experience or opinions on Thermold AR15 magazines?

FlaMtnBkr

FlaMtnBkr

Joined
Oct 20, 2004
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I ordered a bunch of these a couple months back and they were back ordered and I finally got them, though it took a lot longer than expected. I haven't been able to shoot with one yet, but I've loaded one and cycled bullets through the gun and everything seems to work good so far.

Has anyone else used these? Any comments? They are a polymer mag and I'm sure they aren't a Magpul. But if it is a good design there shouldn't be much variation between mags like there could be with metal mags.

Just wondering about them. Now it's time to decide whether to keep them all or sell some off. I went a little over board during the "panic".
 
During the Post '94 "shortage" I bought four or five at gunshows where I ran across them. I had more than enough metal ones to last, but thought it couldn't hurt to revert to plastic for informal uses if the situation continued indefinitely.
Never used 'em. Probably never will.
They don't have a particularly good rep for longevity & I wouldn't bet my life on one. :)
Denis
 
They are OK for informal use. Personally, I'd opt for something really strong like the HK M-16 mags (I believe the British SA-80 mags are the same HK's that I have, just label'ed a little differently).

If I were you, I would see if I could trade 2-for-1 into a high quality steel/stainless steel mag.
 
It looks like there are a couple types. Some that were made in Canada which used an inferior plastic and there were problems with. And some that are made in NC and use zytel which seem to have pretty good reviews. I went to the range yesterday and tried a couple in a few different AR15 and they worked great so far. Locked in place, fed good, and locked the bolt back when empty. For something that I was able to get my hands on they worked good. I would also think something made in a mold would be fairly consistent opposed to some OEM steel/ aluminum mags I have that required a bit of tweaking to feed good. So far I'm happy with them.

Just thought I would update my experience so far in case someone happens to have a similar question about them.
 
I remember explicitly, that before all of this stuff happened, that a certain retailer had them (the 20 rounders mind you) on sale for 3.99, I contemplated buying a ton of them, but never did, I saw some for sell the this very day, at a pretty well known sight, for 19.99 a piece......... I'd like to try some 20 rounders and in hind site, at 4 bucks a pop they'd have been great, to test out, but I missed the boat for now. When everything calm back down I'll make it up and buy some USGI 20 rounders maybe.
 
The steel mags are really nice. :)

At the time, my HK steel mags were twice the cost of generic aluminum mags. :p
I wish I had stocked up at the time but I thought they were expensive back then.
My how things have changed! :mad:
 
The most recent generation of Thermold mags made in Wilson, N.C. are superb magazines. They are much more dependable than the Canadian made mags. The key is the patent no. on the baseplate (4139959). I've sold a bunch of 30 round AR15 mags with absolutely no complaints.
 
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