[PROCON]

Bought myself and early Christmas present, a Bushmaster XM-15 (AR-15).

Problem: it only came with one 30 round magazine.

Bushmaster sells them for about $26.00, but after market ones are half that price.

Should I spend the extra bucks and stay with Bushmaster or will an aftermarket magazine work as well?

[circlecity]

The inexpensive magpul magazines have worked fine for me.

[gorush]

They all work.

[Unassuaged]

I prefer the mags that have a follower that does not ‘tip’ on its spring. The followers are often green. Just one man’s opinion.

[W.Lee]

They all come from the same one or two companies. You’re paying half of the price for the word “Bushmaster”.

[grimalkin]

circlecity is correct. The Magpul ones are fine.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Bushmaster mags are WAY overprices. You can get Magpul p-mags for $10 each or surplus aluminum ones for $8 each.

[jettester]

After-markets work just as well but you should worry more about the reputation of the store to be able to take returns. Even the best-made parts mess up so I look for a store with a very easy/forgiving return policy as a higher requirement than the actual manufacturer.

[Lurker]

Buy nothing but the Magpul P-Mag. $16 on sale at Cabelas. Worth every nickel.

[AlaskaErik]

Magpul makes great magazines and they walked the walk right out of Colorado after that state passed its draconian anti-Second Amendment bill.

[Bulwyf]

Magpul are very reliable.

As a side note, why not a real battle rifle? 308? heh

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

Always get Magpul. will work wonderfully.

[puppypusher]

Get the Magpul brand Magazines.

I hope your AR-15 was chambered for the 5.56 instead of the .223 since you never know when you’ll need that military caliber ammo.

[mrmeyer]

I concur with what others have said about MagPul. Great company, great products.

[driftdiver]

Magpul 30 rd pmag work great in my Bushmaster.

[CodeToad]

Aftermarket. www.44mag.com is the cheapest out there with quality products.

[BubbaBasher]

I get used military ones for less than $10. That is I would get them if mine hadn't fallen overboard in a tragic boating accident.

[elteemike]

Magpul...Always dependable and easy on the wallet...

Look here: http://lanbosarmory.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3&products_id=15881

[Thane_Banquo]

Any AR-15 standard mag should be compatible with your AR. However, not all are created equal from a quality standpoint. I would stick with MAGPUL mags as they are tops for quality and durability and they are quite inexpensive.

[Thane_Banquo]

I should add, this sounds like your first AR. You’re going to want to stock up on cheap mags. I have a few ARs and probably 40 mags and I plan to buy more. The reason you want to stock up is in case the gun grabbers outlaw the 30 rounders. You basically want to have a lifetime supply.

[NFHale]

The only ones that I’d suggest you stay away from are polymer mags. Bought some “on sale” and they suck - and I don’t mean “suck just a little” but suck on a magnitude of, well, picture a walrus trying to do a blowj- never mind... suffice to say, that’s how much they suck.

Brownell’s makes some really good 30 rounders.
Magpul’s are great too.
I also have some old Colt-marked 20 rounders which are great.