Brownell's 20rd Aluminum mags?

[Spartan]

Brownells just released some AL 20 round mags.  If you actually read the reviews, the guy who rated them poorly was trying to run them in a Scout which doesnt work.  I was thinking about getting a few metal mags to chunk back in the safe.  Any thoughts/experiences with these? 

 

http://www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazines/20-round-308-7-62-ar-magazine-sku078000200-71942-126449.aspx?sku=078-000-200&cm_mmc=Email-_-Spop-Email-_-lm_12013412-_-www_brownells_com_magazines_ri&cm_lm=miked.oneil@gmail.com&cm_mmca1=BR_ProductAlerts_062615_308Mag%20(1)&spMailingID=12013412&spUserID=Mjg4ODIyNzQwNTES1&spJobID=523920558&spReportId=NTIzOTIwNTU4S0

 

 

[blue109]

Might be cool to have a couple just because I like metal mags,....if they prove to be bullet proof. Hard to justify when the cost the same as PMAGS.

[Spartan]

Yeah, i figured standard capacity mags will go away in the next decade or less probably.  Just trying to get something that will last a long time. I do love pmags tho...

[Tripledeuce]

  If its got Brownells name on , its good!

  Been dealing with them for almost 50 years, and thier customer service is second to NONE!

   Policy used to be, and i think still is, if they recieve TWO complaints on a product, its removed from their catalogue.

   Respectfully

   Terry

[AngelDeVille]

F them in the ear, they were supposed to ship in January, I'll stick to Pmags now. I won't buy them out of spite now.

I do have a bunch of their 5.556 mags and they are great.

[blue109]

Maybe they didn't want to release a sub par product and had some bugs to work out? I'd rather wait than get stuck with a product that doesn't work

[Spartan]

I'd rather have them fix bugs but anyway,i ordered three and some of their 556 mags. I'll report back when I receive them.

[survivalshop]

  I have a bunch of Brownel's AR 15 mags & have no issues with them & Trippledeuce is correct , they don't put out or endorse bad products . I have been dealing with them for almost forty years .

[AngelDeVille]

Maybe they didn't want to release a sub par product and had some bugs to work out? I'd rather wait than get stuck with a product that doesn't work

Then don't announce them until the bugs are worked out. Easy enuff.

[Spartan]

maybe it was a supplier issue or the first batch they received did not meet quality control expectations, had issues feeding etc.  All sorts of stuff can happen when you release a new product.  I wouldn't turn from a reliable, trustworthy vendor because a product was delayed.  

 

Pmags are great, i have a few of them but the purpose of these is to have a mag that won't degrade or chip.  These will go back in the safe for a long time.  

 

Anyway, they should deliver today.  Ill get some pics of them up tonight.  Plan to shoot them this weekend and test function. 

Edited June 30, 2015 by Spartan

[blue109]

Nice. Run em hard for us. I'll probably grab a few. I like the look of metal mags.

[Spartan]

So here are some pics.  Luckily, the first mag i pulled out has a HORRIBLE coating job on it.  the other two are fine.  I sent brownell's these pictures and am waiting for their response.  They load well and lock back on empty.  I think this one is just a fluke. It looks way worse in person than the pictures.  

 

 

 

 

[blue109]

Wow. That first mag has been used rough for sure! To be honest, the "good" ones look a little sloppy as well. function over form, but if I'm paying $20, I expect them to look new as well as work.

Makes me wonder if they just bought out a huge stock of DPMS mags and are selling them as new production?

Edited July 2, 2015 by blue109

[Spartan]

You know, that's a good point.  The others really didn't look "Great" either and they all feel VERY rough.  I have some other steel AR mags and they feel smooth.  This is like a hand dipped or sprayed coating.  They are stamped "BROWNELLS" on the side and bottom.  I think it said 1/14 or something.  I should've taken a picture.  yeah, overall, probably wouldn't recommend these.  Should have just got two lol. 

[392heminut]

Aren't the Brownells mags aluminum? I thought I read that they were in the email announcement I got from Brownells. The DPMS mags are steel for sure.

[survivalshop]

 Looks like a bad coating process , the worn places have too little & there are some goobers all over the mag. .

[Spartan]

I ordered some bulk 9mm today and snagged a DPMS mag on my order.

Yes these are aluminium like their 556 mags. The DPMS is steel. They were only $6.99 more.

[98Z5V]

Don't worry about the coating on those things - sandblast them and Cerakote them.  <thumbsup>

 

I'll be Cerakoting some grease gun mags pretty soon. 

[Spartan]

So brownells was dragging around on answering emails.  I called them this morning and they hmm hawed around and said they would exchange them. Then i got an email in response to my 1 star review of the mags.   Apparently they screen reviews and don't post them if they're negative since mine still hasn't appeared after posting it last week. 

 

 

We appreciate you contacting Brownells on the issue of the finish of these magazines. It appears you had spoken to our customer service representative yesterday with a label sent to pick up the magazines from you. were you wanting credit or an exchange. In researching these magazines, it appears there was an issue with the finish on the mags, and was being addressed. Somehow it appears your magazines got shipped before we caught the error.

We do apologize. Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance.

 

Ill just exchange them i guess.  Their 556 mags are nice.  Hopefully it was just the first batch.  Mine are stamped 11/14. 

[blue109]

I kinda like rough looking mags. The issue to me is paying for shiny new mags and receiving rough looking mags. If they were discounted for the obvious finish wear, I'd be ok with it. Maybe ask them for some store credit, of have them send you one for free and call it square.

[breastroker]

I have a Magpul 10 and 20, and a DPMS 5 round for "hunting" that came with the LR Hunter model.

 

Anyone know of a 5 or 10 round in aluminum???

[Spartan]

I get what you're saying, i like a nicely worn mag too but these are just poorly finished.  Like they paid a kindergarten class to brush on some rough finish by hand.  It reminds of one of those coatings you would buy from home depot and brush on.  

[survivalshop]

  I've seen one star ratings on reviews before . I have never had a problem Brownells  , but have never had to send anything back though, they always just sent me a replacement <dontknow>  

[Robocop1051]

Ouch! One star review based solely on cosmetics, and nothing to do with fit, form or function??

That reminds me of those stories of rappers who throw away "ruined" sneakers after one or two uses because they refuse to have dirt on their shoes.

If that first mag upset you... I'll post some pics that'll outright make you cry.

[Spartan]

yeah, it's weird. I'm tough like that.  I mean, I paid full price for a product expected to be in new condition, instead it arrives with drips, clumps and runs in the finish.  Brownells takes 5 days to answer emails and only responds after i post a negative review.  I guess i could've gone 2 stars. If it ever posts, ill change it. 

 

I don't mind using my stuff hard (just look at my motorcycle, kayak etc but when i buy it new, i expect it new.  heck, my Aero rifle i just built, actually shot it in the pouring rain for its inaugural shoot, of course a detailed cleaning followed.