Steel/stainless steel mags: Faster wear to aluminum parts of AR15?

[shadowspirit]

I've asked around about steel and stainless steel AR mags in the past. One person opined that steel/stainless steel may wear out the aluminum parts of the AR15 that it touches at a faster rate than aluminum or polymer mags.

Is that true?

[kirkland]

The only aluminum part it's going to come into contact with is the mag well of the lower receiver and I doubt it would cause any significant wear there. The mag catch is steel so that shouldn't be a problem.

[georgeib]

What about all the steel parts inside the AR coming into contact with aluminum parts?

[CrowCommand]

Slow down those mag changes, you’re gonna scratch it!

[bamashooter]

I've asked around about steel and stainless steel AR mags in the past. One person opined that steel/stainless steel may wear out the aluminum parts of the AR15 that it touches at a faster rate than aluminum or polymer mags.

Is that true?

Perhaps another person has "opined" that the aluminum parts contribute to a longer life span of the steel/stainless steel magazines.

[markm]

Damn. This is ARFcom subject matter from 2005!

[titsonritz]

Wearing out a lower receiver with mag changes? Must be a real stud.

[ViniVidivici]

No OP, that is a completely idiotic assessment that person made.

Only reasons I see not to use them is greater weight, and likely higher price.

[markm]

No OP, that is a completely idiotic assessment that person made.

Only reasons I see not to use them is greater weight, and likely higher price.

Bingo. Put 3 of those suckers in an old Deuce Gear pouch, and WOW! The weight really becomes real.

[Dutch110]

I'm going to admit to being a polymer mag whore for many years. And they certainly have their place. But these last few years I have been buying only Duramag stainless or aluminum depending on which is on sale. The weight difference is real. Holy crap. 3 or 4 on a chest rig running a CGB stage and you notice it. Then again, step on an aluminum mag that you dropped and step on a steel one. The aluminum one may not fair as well.