Making magazines reliable? How? (AR-15)

Green461 · May 16, 2025

I have some Brownells magazines, They all suck.

My Vietnam era magazine has always been flawless no matter what, when you press the follower down, the entire thing goes down, it cant twist. All the other magazines, when you push the follower down in the center the front goes down first, like the follower is thin and not supportive. The unstabilized follower I believe is my problem. Rather than junking these all I'd like to go through them and get them to work.

My question is..... is there a "go to" follower and spring that is the best? I have some 20rd and 30rd mags.

TheOE800 · May 16, 2025

Brownells has a satisfaction guarantee. Send those mags back, buy Magpul with your credit.

Green461 · May 16, 2025

TheOE800 said:
Brownells has a satisfaction guarantee. Send those mags back, buy Magpul with your credit.

Ive had them for a few years, some are painted. I just ordered 10 magpuls from Palmetto state. If anyone is looking for any they have a special. 7.99 each when you use the promo code "PMAG" and shipping is free on them. https://palmettostatearmory.com/magpul-pmag-30-5-56x45-magazine-mag571-blk.html

But i'd like to fix these ones I got also.

Redlion · May 16, 2025

There are quite a few options for replacing the springs, followers and springs & followers together.
Here is one possibility from ASC for the spring/no-tilt follower combo that you can get in 20 and 30 rounds.
ASC | 223/556 Stainless Steel AR-15 Magazine Spring Kit

Or you can just try some no-tilt followers such as from Magpul and see if this will work.
MAGPUL Enhanced Self-Leveling USGI AR-15 .223 / 5.56 Magazine Follower, 3 Pack

I usually buy magpul, Lancer and D&H magazines.

thedude824 · May 23, 2025

I had the same issues with my factory Colt mags. I swapped to Magpul followers and never had another problem. It wouldn’t hurt to do springs depending on how old they are, but probably not needed.

MO Fugga · May 23, 2025

I've had better luck with Lancer.

JoshPutman · May 23, 2025

Another vote for Magpul followers.

One good thing is a three pack is pretty cheap, and you SHOULD have functioning mags after the swap. If for some reason it doesn't solve your issue, you aren't out much.

MontanaMan · May 25, 2025

Lancer is great, Magpul Gen 3 are fine, Gen 2's are OK; change the follower & spring to Magpul; fixes most issues; file / stone off the inside edges of the lips never hurts.

MM

x248716x · Monday at 1:41 AM

the MAGPUL AR-15 mag followers are designed for the USGI (or Brownells aluminum) 30-rd mags. If you try to use them in the USGI or Brownells aluminum 20-rd mags, you end up with 17- or 18-rd capacity, IIRC.

you can restore the capacity back to 20 rounds if you trim the front & rear anti-tilt legs on the MAGPUL follower judiciously. That reduces some of the anti-tilt feature, but still better than OEM.

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Making magazines reliable? How? (AR-15)

Green461

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TheOE800

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Green461

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Redlion

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thedude824

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MO Fugga

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JoshPutman

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MontanaMan

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x248716x

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