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Magazine capacity for military issue rifles
11/9/13 | Me

Posted on 01/09/2013 9:03:11 AM PST by GOP_Party_Animal

Just wondering - what is the "standard" capacity for magazines issued to our soldiers for the M-16 and M-4? 10 rounds? 20? Any difference from the Vietnam era?


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: 30rdmags; guncontrol; vanity
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1 posted on 01/09/2013 9:03:18 AM PST by GOP_Party_Animal
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

30. Same.


2 posted on 01/09/2013 9:04:28 AM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (TYRANNY: When the people fear the politicians. LIBERTY: When the politicians fear the people.)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

Originally in Viet Nam they started with 20rd. The springs sucked. They switched to 30rd and use it to this day.


3 posted on 01/09/2013 9:04:46 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie (zerogottago)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal
M16/M4 = 30
M14 = 20

There are plenty of exceptions and special applications. Special ops uses 100 rd drum mags and the like. The biggest change since 'Nam is in the number of mags carried. Guys I know that served in the sandbox tell me that they routinely carried over a dozen M16 mags and 4-5 M9 mags. That's a lot of firepower.

4 posted on 01/09/2013 9:14:30 AM PST by jboot (This isn't your father's America. Stay safe and keep your powder dry.)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

I never used anything more than a 20-round in my ROTC, active duty, and reserve time from 1973-84.


5 posted on 01/09/2013 9:16:58 AM PST by T-Bird45 (It feels like the seventies, and it shouldn't.)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

I have a buttload of MILSPEC magazines I got for $9.95 ea in a good deal online a couple of years ago (CTD IIRC)....they are from various manufacturers with all the contract info, mfr. and FSN#s, still brand new - never loaded (yet).....they are 30 rounders.


6 posted on 01/09/2013 9:18:04 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

AK-47 mags seem to be mostly 30 but I recall every time I would see an interview with Osama he would have one which was longer than standard, probably a 40 round one.


7 posted on 01/09/2013 9:19:35 AM PST by yarddog (One shot one miss.)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

During most of Vietnam 20 round mags were used. Some guys taped two back to back for quick change. Advantages and disadvantages to that. 30 round mags made there way to Vietnam at the end.


8 posted on 01/09/2013 9:22:17 AM PST by jwalsh07
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To: jurroppi1

bump for later


9 posted on 01/09/2013 9:23:52 AM PST by jurroppi1
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

I still remember the criticisms of the M-16 when it was first adopted. It was clear that the WWII mentality was still at work.

1. The handle was too high exposing too much of the soldier’s head if fired above a barracade.

2.The magazine was too long making it impossible to use in the prone position.

3.Too light to be used in a bayonet charge. The buttstock too flimsy to be used to hit after the bayonet thrust.

4. A full auto blast would empty the firearm too fast causing a waste of ammo(shades of “that old fogey” Ripley).

In other words, excuses, excuses.


10 posted on 01/09/2013 9:31:04 AM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (GUNS.. the rightful property of freemen, and formidable only to tyrannical governments.”)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal
We were issued bandoleers that held seven magazines. 20 rounds in each magazine. 140 total, plus the mag in weapon gave basic load of 160 rounds.

Many carried 2 or even 3 bandoleers. Also, magazine pouches on web gear/ALICE . But all were 20 round. In my day...Unfortunately, we were also ordered to load only 18 in each magazine as the springs were prone to "breakage."

11 posted on 01/09/2013 9:35:13 AM PST by donozark (Kim Kardashian had her baby. Triplets! She named them Wilson, Spaulding and Rawlings.)
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To: Gaffer
"I have a buttload of MILSPEC magazines I got for $9.95 ea in a good deal online a couple of years ago (CTD IIRC)....they are from various manufacturers with all the contract info, mfr. and FSN#s, still brand new - never loaded (yet).....they are 30 rounders."

You realize, of course, that you are sitting on a major asset today until the Feds come along and outlaw them.

12 posted on 01/09/2013 9:36:23 AM PST by Truth29
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
1) First time I ever heard that one...

2) Who EVER shoots prone in the field without finding SOMETHING to use for a rest? (And to take cover behind, if someone's shooting at you?)

4) Load more.

3) My favorite: "As long as I've got a round in the chamber, there ain't gonna be no bayonet fight."

13 posted on 01/09/2013 9:38:57 AM PST by OKSooner ("The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." - Revelation 22:21)
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To: GOP_Party_Animal
Re: Magazine capacity for U.S. military rifles and carbines (and clones):
1. Rifle, cal. .30, M1 (Garand) - 8 rd. enbloc clip.
2. Carbine, cal. .30, M1 — 15 rd. or 30 rd.
3. Rifle, cal. 7.62 NATO, M14 — 20 rd.
4. Rifle, cal. 5.56 NATO, M16 — 20 rd. or 30 rd.*
5. Carbine, cal. 6.67 NATO, M4 — 29 rd. or 30 rd.*

*Some operators use the 100 rd. Beta C-Mag dual drum magazines.

14 posted on 01/09/2013 9:39:03 AM PST by MasterGunner01
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To: jboot

Would you store magazines in a loaded condition, or would that weaken the spring?


15 posted on 01/09/2013 9:40:23 AM PST by GOP_Party_Animal
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To: Truth29

At present they are fully legal, likely to still be legal for me when the Senate RINOs acquiese to the DEMs....I believe the House will stop the bill.

If/when things turn out different, well......they get sold or dispersed to friends.


16 posted on 01/09/2013 9:41:20 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: GOP_Party_Animal

I keep a couple three mags fully loaded and ready.....I swap out the loaded vs. unloaded on a few-week timetable.


17 posted on 01/09/2013 9:42:38 AM PST by Gaffer
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To: MasterGunner01

“5. Carbine, cal. 6.67 NATO, M4 — 29 rd. or 30 rd.*”

Change: “6.67 NATO” to “5.56 NATO”.
Change: “29” to “20” rd. magazine.


18 posted on 01/09/2013 9:43:46 AM PST by MasterGunner01
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To: Gaffer

“I have a buttload of MILSPEC magazines ...”

YOU sir are sitting on a goldmine!


19 posted on 01/09/2013 9:45:37 AM PST by petro45acp (More sheepdogs please...)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar
In other words, excuses, excuses.

I prefer my FAL or M1A1 to my AR for excuse #5, the 5.56 won't penetrate obstructions on its way to the target (cinder blocks, small trees, mud walls. And excuse #6, I might want to put something down at 500 yds.

20 posted on 01/09/2013 9:45:37 AM PST by SampleMan (Feral Humans are the refuse of socialism.)
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