Pros and Cons of Double Stack Magazines

[Colcalcipherol]

I'm in the middle of another built (.243 Win) and going with a Stiller action but I am itching to try the double stack magazines.

The pros that I can forsee:
They enable a longer COAL by .070"
The magazine is shorter

The potential cons:
Feeding problems?
Will it mar or scratch the bullet while chambering?

I'd love to hear from those who have fielded the double stack magazines, particularly in the Stiller AW actions.

Thanks

 

[Niles Coyote]

IMO, and I am relatively new to my AW mag fed stiller, if you need it due to the cartridge OAL your using get it. Otherwise stick to standard AICS 5 and/or 10 mags, just less potential hassle... but then I built my own and am still sorting out the ticks. If your going full custom from a smith that has worked on them I am sure it would be a non issue.

 

[Hunt4life]

I'm in the middle of another built (.243 Win) and going with a Stiller action but I am itching to try the double stack magazines.

The pros that I can forsee:
They enable a longer COAL by .070"
The magazine is shorter

The potential cons:
Feeding problems?
Will it mar or scratch the bullet while chambering?

I'd love to hear from those who have fielded the double stack magazines, particularly in the Stiller AW actions.

Thanks

They either feed or they don't and you can have problems with either. I would think if fitted by a competent smith that has done a bunch of them, I am sure it will work great and all the benefits of the double stack will be yours.

 

[poison123]

Make sure the smith understands you want it to run with AW mags.

 

[Colcalcipherol]

One way to alleviate the problem of feed issues may be to use the Stiller bottom metal which comes with custom cut/machined pillars. I would think that using these pillars would place the magazine in an appropriate proximity to the action to enable reliable feeding.

 

[Colcalcipherol]

Poison123, I am wondering if we have crossed paths anywhere in the shooter's world. I just noticed that you are from Atl; I work at Ft. Gillem.

 

[hewlett260]

While I don't have a Stiller I have had AICS mags for a chassis, and currently have an AW. Pros for the double stack are longer COAL, smaller profile while giving a higher capacity for similar profile, able to top off without removing from gun. From my experience they feed a lot smoother and reliability has never been issue

 

[mkollman74]

Reliability with the AW mags has never been a problem for me. Any build I'd do these days would be with AW mags.

 

[Colcalcipherol]

Gentlemen, thanks for the feedback. I believe I will go with the AW action. I can always go to an AICS magazine with that action if I don't like the double feed.