Lancer L5AWM Advanced Warfighter Magazines [Archive]

Biggy

11-07-11, 10:14

Has anyone heard any feedback lately on how these mags are working out? I know they improved the process in which they deburr the steel feedlips and the water drain hole in the baseplate is now and option I think. There is also a post my Lancer in their forum on TOS that shows that they can be user moded to hold 31rds by removing approx .188" from the follower stop on the bottom lock plate.

Belmont31R

11-07-11, 10:19

I have one I got just to test out. Its worked 100% for me about 12 times Ive used it.

Main thing is the cost. Ive been using USGI and PMAG's for years and aside from being able to see through it Im not sure its worth nearly double the cost.

kwelz

11-07-11, 10:47

I am still having occasional issues with some of mine when loading a fresh mag. The First round will hang up about 1/3 of the time.

Biggy

11-07-11, 11:21

I am still having occasional issues with some of mine when loading a fresh mag. The First round will hang up about 1/3 of the time.

Do you know if your mags are from before (when the mags were first released) or after they tweaked the tooling for the feedlips? If they are from before, call them and they will replace them with the new ones with the coined feedlips.

kwelz

11-07-11, 11:43

Do you know if your mags are from before (when the mags were first released) or after they tweaked the tooling for the feedlips? If they are from before, call them and they will replace them with the new ones with the coined feedlips.

These are Mags they replaced due to issues with the feedlips. The problem is not bear as bad as it was but still happens sometimes.

USSA-1

11-07-11, 13:52

I've been running them for over a year. Extremely happy with them.

Pick some up, you won't be disappointed.

USSA-1

kwelz

11-07-11, 15:42

I've been running them for over a year. Extremely happy with them.

Pick some up, you won't be disappointed.

USSA-1

I only wish this were true. I love the design, I love the idea. But the failure rate is just far to high at this point.

Unless the gun is perfectly clean and absolutely sopping wet this is what happens when I try to load from an open bolt about 1/3 of the time. It isn't consistent across the mags or guns and that is the really frustrating part.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ddUub-ScS90/TrhQU43qCQI/AAAAAAAAACY/l2NAEsi_gpM/s800/DSC_0002.JPG

cop1211

11-07-11, 18:58

I just picked up 4 from Botach, buy 3 get 1 free:), so far so good with 500 rounds between the 4.

Eurodriver

11-07-11, 19:01

Forgive me for playing the Devil's Advocate, but what benefit do these magazines have over tried and true PMAGs or even USGI for that matter?

B Cart

11-07-11, 19:14

Forgive me for playing the Devil's Advocate, but what benefit do these magazines have over tried and true PMAGs or even USGI for that matter?

I think the supposed benefit is being able to see how many rounds you have left in a mag due to the translucency. Personally, I tested a couple of the first new lancer mags in an advanced carbine class and had multiple failures to feed the first round (even with mags downloaded to 28 and 29). I saw 2 other people have the same issues in the class with new lancer mags. To be fair, I have NOT tested the new version that they have since released.

The translucency and being able to see how many rounds in the mag is a nice feature, however I never bought any after seeing the failures. I've never had any mag issues with my Pmags and GI mags, so I have stuck with those.

LancerSystems

11-07-11, 19:42

Forgive me for playing the Devil's Advocate, but what benefit do these magazines have over tried and true PMAGs or even USGI for that matter?

There are a number of benefits over other polymer and aluminum magazines.

1 - Steel feed lips - The steel feed lips won't bend or break. This has been the hardest part to master, and I think we have it fixed now. This is also what is causing the issues with the 1st round. As the round enters the feed ramp it's forced up into the chamber and as the round goes up the feed ramp the feed lip will bend slightly. The steel feed lips won't bend (deform or break either) so the round drags along the edge of the feed lip. Our early feed lips had a sharp shear egde from the stamping operation and we used a finish operation to remove the burrs and the shear edge. The round would drag on this edge and cause the 1st round stall. This process was not sufficient to remove the edge everytime so we had to modified the tooling to process out the shear edge. The edge is processed smooth now, so less force is required to load the 1st round.

2 - Steel feed lips allow us to use translucent and low glass content polymer, which are more robust and impact resistant than other polymer magazines.

3 - Translucent body - you know the status of the magazine instantly.

4 - Lightweight - weights slightly more than an aluminum magazine.

kwelz

11-07-11, 19:46

Forgive me for playing the Devil's Advocate, but what benefit do these magazines have over tried and true PMAGs or even USGI for that matter?

There are a number of advantages to them.
I have found polymer mags to be preferable to USGI. They tend to survive hard use better and can take more abuse in general.

By adding the Steel reinforcement to the top of the mag they solve the spreading problem that has affected polymer and aluminum mags.

Frankly if they can get this issue fixed that I have run into I don't think I will have a reason to use any Mags except these.

I know it seems like I have been harsh on them in this thread but the fact is I am being harsh because I believe in the product and want it to succeed.

ChocLab

11-07-11, 22:08

.....

CoryCop25

11-07-11, 22:20

I just purchased 10 of them and I used a few today for zeroing. I am taking a week long class next week and I plan on using them hard and writing a quick review like I did with the Troy mags.

darr3239

11-07-11, 22:25

Forgive me for playing the Devil's Advocate, but what benefit do these magazines have over tried and true PMAGs or even USGI for that matter?

Yeah, I know, I'm going to include a link to a magazine article, minus the photos. It was in Shotgun News a while back. It included the Lancer l5, before the Warfighters came out, but I think it applies. I'm not commenting on the author, or on his specific methods of testing, but think overall something can be learned here.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Feeding+your+AR%3a+AR+mags%3a+is+there+a+best%3f+The+magazine+has+been...-a0212762057

Kfgk14

11-07-11, 22:36

My L5AWM 20's are the best 20's I've ever used, far better than my Magpul 20's.
Just my experiences though, put about 1000 rounds through each so far.

Cecil Burch

11-08-11, 11:24

My L5AWM 20's are the best 20's I've ever used, far better than my Magpul 20's.
Just my experiences though, put about 1000 rounds through each so far.

Same here. I have also had zero problems through the 4 different 30's I have with a couple of thousand rounds through them.

kaltesherz

11-08-11, 11:46

Here's my review from when they first came out, other than being a bitch to insert with the bolt forward for some reason on emergency reloads I'd frequently overinsert the mag, keeping the bolt from going forward and frequently being difficult to remove. Gave mine to a friend, I'll stick with USGI and Magpuls...

https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=78704&page=3

tony413

11-08-11, 22:47

for what its worth i really like the AWM's the things i like are:
1. one piece wrap around steel feed lips, i have no worries about keeping mags loaded to 30 rounds for 6-8months.
2. Translucency its nice to be able to see straight through the mag
3. weight, they are lighting than PMAGS and a little more than USGI mags
4. size the mags fit in pouches with a similar feel compared to USGI. PMAGS are bulky in certain pounches and alot of folks complain about it.

so far to date i have had ZERO issues with them and they are replacing my PMAGS

heres some eye candy comparisons

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6261356096_456cebb121.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6223/6260828151_b916132e30.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6036/6260826207_d1ee6d86a0.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6261348882_7caa457b13.jpg

JSantoro

11-09-11, 09:08

My L5AWM 20's are the best 20's I've ever used, far better than my Magpul 20's.
Just my experiences though, put about 1000 rounds through each so far.

You mean, except for the fact that you have in no way described your experiences beyond the drive-by statement of "they're teh bestest lulz!!11!" and a round-count is a description of nothing but the round-count.

Can we knock it off with the simplistic drive-bys? A "+1" post is still a bullshit "+1" post, even it contains more characters.

Dave L.

11-09-11, 09:35

I bought 3 of these mags(FDE) a couple months ago and have a 200-300 between all 3 mags with zero issues. I really like them and will eventually get more. I was a fan of the first gen ones with the rubber floor plate but the new design metal upper makes me get that happy feeling in my pants.

Small details of use:
-Colt 6920's & LMT lower w/BCM upper used
-All rounds were XM193
-Temp 70*F

Porn:
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o309/laninga66/6920s.jpg

From what little fondling I have done with these, I like them and will end up getting a few more.

shootist~

11-09-11, 10:53

My L5AWM 20's are the best 20's I've ever used, far better than my Magpul 20's.
Just my experiences though, put about 1000 rounds through each so far.

Same opinion here. I had sporadic malfunctions with more than one 20 rnd PMag with more than one rifle - zero issues with 20 rnd L5s with over a year of use and at least 3,000 rnds.

My SWAG is the 20 rnd PMags don't like to stay loaded w/o the feed lip covers in place. No issues with the 30s, but I've since added the covers to any I leave loaded. I'm using 30 rnd L5s as well, with no issues.

montrala

11-10-11, 05:31

I do not use L5 AWM long, they just replaced my old and well worn out HK HRM magazines. But as far as my use (some matches, some teaching, some fun) they work flawless in my HK. Lately friend had problem on the match with bolt over base malfunctions from his P-Mags 30 his Sabre Defense (I think it was Sabre, I had b-o-b problems from P-Mags 20 in HK). I gave him my AWMs and those worked flawles for him. He now also use L5 AWM.

One thing that I instantly noticed is that magazine spring in L5 AWM feels considerably stronger that one in my (fairly new, as I was mostly running HK magazines for last 5 years) E-mags.

I got version with water drain hole. Because it is more sand than water where I shoot, so I blocked them with some duct tape between base pad and locking pad and do not look back.

Those magazines seem also to get more attention and popularity here with people who shoot to stay alive. Especially because they are HK compatible.

sinlessorrow

07-16-12, 00:02

BufordTJustice

07-16-12, 03:04

I'll add my experience.

I have 10 black L5AWM's that I have been running over the past 6 months so far each mag has 600 rounds through them and not one stoppage.

I switched from the Tan follower GI mags and those things had issues galore so the AWM's are a great upgrade.

are they better than PMAGS? im not sure, their feedlips are certainly a better design and their body does seem better made but I have not tangible proof to the latter.

I have 3 currently and they are my favorite magazines right now. They work even in problem guns where PMAGs would malf. Shove an AWM in them and they ran.

Not knocking PMAGS, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say these are better.

rob_s

07-16-12, 03:53

I switched from the Tan follower GI mags and those things had issues galore so the AWM's are a great upgrade..

what sorts of issues, what manufacturer, where did you get them, in what gun... ?

sinlessorrow

07-16-12, 07:06

what sorts of issues, what manufacturer, where did you get them, in what gun... ?

I had the Center Ind tan follower mags.

They gave me problems in my spikes lower and my colt lowers.

They would double feed sometimes, had issues locking back the bolt, and were difficult to seat and wouldnt drop free and the finish on them was crap. Out of 20 only about 7 were reliable.

These were new in wrapper mags too.

MattHallman

07-16-12, 08:02

I have used a couple for 1.5 years with no problems and countless rounds.

remington79

07-16-12, 14:21

I've been talking to one of my friends off and on this past month about the mags he is using. I don't know what brand mags they are. They are what ever the Air Force issues to their Security Forces and he is using a Colt M4. He and the majority of people that are training with him are having problems with the mags with tan followers. He has been having various misfeeds and double feeds. One guy that was training had an empty casing stay in the chamber pushing the next round into the chamber while a third round also tried to come out of the mag. He had 3 or four mags with tan followers and had issues with them all. The mags with the black and green followers gave him no problems.
He said it didn't matter what ammo was used the mags still gave everyone problems. It didn't matter if blanks or live rounds were used. He said he is keeping his M4 wet. He is using CLP and also the oil that came in his Otis cleaning kit. He got rid of the mags with the tan followers and replaced them with mags with green followers and is getting a 10 pack of black P Mags to take overseas with him.

Caduceus

07-16-12, 16:54

I've bought several, only used one. Probably 5 loads through it, about 3 stoppages. However, all w/ Wolf ammo. S&W AR.

If I didn't already have about 10 'range' mags, I'd be trying out the others. However, I like that they seem to fit mag pouches better than Pmag (of which, only 1 is being used as well)

mkmckinley

07-16-12, 18:58

I have 10 and they've all run really well for me. It's had to say exactly how many rounds I have through them but I'd say easily 5000 rds combined. I like the metal feed lips and the smoke see-through bodies. I'm not going to throw out my Pmags or USGIs but the next time I buy mags it will be more L5 AWMs.

P2000

07-16-12, 20:17

I now have about 10 AWMs with just over 3,000 rounds through them. Never had a problem. This includes some shooting with 20 rounders too.

I just received last week 4 FDE 30 round AWMs and I see a couple of changes. First of all the drainage hole in the baseplate has been filled in. Reports of sand/dirt induced failures might be the reason why Lancer filled this in. If you think about it, every time you shoot the follower jumps up, which would suck debris into the mag if using it as a monopod on the dirt. Secondly, the new spring is shorter and weaker than my other AWMs. Now the spring feels the same as as a PMAG or GI mag. Personally, I liked the extra power spring just for longevity reasons, but I am sure it will function perfectly either way.

sinlessorrow

07-16-12, 20:42

kwelz

07-16-12, 20:44

Yep. I was one of the early adopters that had issues. They have corrected them all. Love these mags.

sinlessorrow

07-16-12, 20:59

Yep. I was one of the early adopters that had issues. They have corrected them all. Love these mags.

i have to admit its impressive how fast they fixed the issues reported with the mags.

chadbag

07-17-12, 00:44

I'll have to see if my AWM are the "fixed" ones or not.

I've had a problem where the AWM mags would not lock in the magwell. No matter what I did, they would not lock in. All other mags, GI and PMAG have no problem. This was across a couple guns IIRC and all my AWM had the same issue. Don't remember if it was bolt closed or bolt open or both. Did not matter how many rounds were in the mag (not an overloading issue).

I like them for their light weight.

I will have to check my AWM and see which rev I have, and do more testing to get exactly the conditions where it fails etc. I have not run them for a while due to the issue I was having.

--

northern1

07-17-12, 18:05

kaltesherz

07-17-12, 18:45

No experience with these as I live in a sissy/ban state where such evilness is forbidden.

With that said I always thought the AK74 Bakelite mags (is Bakelite polymer) with the steel lips seemed like the best all around concept. If someone can bring that to the AR world I'd encourage it, and some bumps in the road would be expected.

The M16 was designed to work with thin aluminum magazines, AK mags are designed to be thick around the feed lips, therefor they're incompatible. Thick AR mags would not be able to sit high enough to feed reliably...

northern1

07-17-12, 18:52

AK74 mags = polymer or polymer type body w/ steel feed lips

These Lancer mags = polymer body w/ steel feed lips.

That's all I was getting at. Time will tell how it pans out.

akgunnut

07-17-12, 19:45

I acquired ten of these through a trade and I've only tested maybe five of them in my Colt 6920 and they all ran fine. I got eight 30 round mags and two 20 round mags. The guy that traded them to me said they were better than the Pmags. I was hesitant at first but took his word and I've had no problems with them so far.

sinlessorrow

07-17-12, 21:34

AK74 mags = polymer or polymer type body w/ steel feed lips

These Lancer mags = polymer body w/ steel feed lips.

That's all I was getting at. Time will tell how it pans out.

Lancers have been around a while, these are their third revision each gettig better and better.

As it stands i feel the AWM are the best magazine for the AR-15 platform and any that use this type of magazine.

The new wrap around feed lip fix the #1 issue with polymer mags.

1. They allow use of polymer that offers better spingability(no sure for technical term) this usually requires weaker polymer which can break at the feedlips.

2. Makes it impossible to crack the spine, that is a huge benefit.

3. Feedlips can longer be broken either.

4. The steel feedlips allow the use of clear polymers, something no other magazine maker has pulled off(aside from the AUG mags)

M4Fundi

07-17-12, 22:53

There are a number of benefits over other polymer and aluminum magazines.

1 - Steel feed lips - The steel feed lips won't bend or break. This has been the hardest part to master, and I think we have it fixed now. This is also what is causing the issues with the 1st round. As the round enters the feed ramp it's forced up into the chamber and as the round goes up the feed ramp the feed lip will bend slightly. The steel feed lips won't bend (deform or break either) so the round drags along the edge of the feed lip. Our early feed lips had a sharp shear egde from the stamping operation and we used a finish operation to remove the burrs and the shear edge. The round would drag on this edge and cause the 1st round stall. This process was not sufficient to remove the edge everytime so we had to modified the tooling to process out the shear edge. The edge is processed smooth now, so less force is required to load the 1st round.

2 - Steel feed lips allow us to use translucent and low glass content polymer, which are more robust and impact resistant than other polymer magazines.

3 - Translucent body - you know the status of the magazine instantly.

4 - Lightweight - weights slightly more than an aluminum magazine.

Your candor and detailed explanation is refreshing and much appreciated. I do not own any of your mags, but I respect that you are genuinely trying to make a better mousetrap and not just another mousetrap. I will add some of your mags to my wish list. Keep perfecting as it sounds like you are on to something:)

montrala

07-18-12, 05:37

4. The steel feedlips allow the use of clear polymers, something no other magazine maker has pulled off(aside from the AUG mags)

HK G36 mags, HK417 mags, FB Radom Beryl mags ;)

All of them ale all polymer (no steel inserts or feed lips), clear (translucent) magazines.

BTW My Lancer AWM mags are still working fine so I probably will sell my stock of E-Mags and get more Lancers.

sinlessorrow

07-18-12, 06:33

HK G36 mags, HK417 mags, FB Radom Beryl mags ;)

All of them ale all polymer (no steel inserts or feed lips), clear (translucent) magazines.

BTW My Lancer AWM mags are still working fine so I probably will sell my stock of E-Mags and get more Lancers.

And none of them work in AR-15's either.

My comment was about AR-15 magazines. Or other guns using the same type mag well.

JSantoro

07-18-12, 08:02

2. Makes it impossible to crack the spine, that is a huge benefit.

Somewhere, somebody is bellowing "Challenge....ACCEPTED!!" ;)

montrala

07-18-12, 08:21

And none of them work in AR-15's either.

My comment was about AR-15 magazines. Or other guns using the same type mag well.

4. The steel feedlips allow the use of clear polymers, something no other magazine maker has pulled off(aside from the AUG mags)

You mentioned Steyr AUG mags, not "AR15 mags". Those are not AR15 mags and do not use AR15 magwell. So I took your remark as general one.

sinlessorrow

07-18-12, 09:24

You mentioned Steyr AUG mags, not "AR15 mags". Those are not AR15 mags and do not use AR15 magwell. So I took your remark as general one.

I gotcha, funny thing is the only time ive ever personally seen aug mags they were running in an AR-15 so I honestly thought they worked lol. They didnt work well but they did work.

To JS.....challenge accepted!!!! Ill freeze one of my lancers tonight and see what happens, i can spare 1 to abusing it and trying to break it.

BTL BRN

07-18-12, 09:48

I have four of these mags myself, and they seemed to be a bit more resistant to insertion on a closed bolt; but now with time (guessing around 500 rounds through each) that "issue" doesn't seem to be apparent now.

I personally don't have this problem but I wonder if for those with tight magwells if the steel makes inserting/removal easier?

Personally I like them a lot, I will certainly be getting more down the road.

Ned Christiansen

07-19-12, 08:01

I have only three Lancers and have been trying to find more-- they seem to be sold out most places.

I want more because these three have worked very well and have become my best mags for .300 Whisper / Blackout. To me the translucence is not gimmick, it's truly beneficial to be able to do a rough round count it half a sec.

One thing I did specifically notice was that bolt-close insertion of a 20 rounder loaded to 20, works. Have not tried 30 in a 30.

So for me they've been "everything to gain and nothing to lose", other than availability, and I have not exactly turned over every stone-- just causally searching as I think of it. Frankly I'm very surprised to learn of any problems with them, but then I am probably not using them as much and as hard as some people.

JSantoro

07-19-12, 08:30

To JS.....challenge accepted!!!! Ill freeze one of my lancers tonight

Jokes only, man! They are, as noted, seemingly a bit scarce, so don't potentially gank one on my account. I'm a Recovering Catholic, so I'm not prone to feel guilty for crap I didn't do, despite Sister Mary Hulk Hogan's best efforts, but I'd feel a twinge over somebody maybe busting an otherwise-good mag over a piece of whimsy...

I've got 2 of them, smoke/clear, but I got them for the specific reason that students can see the day-glo orange dummy rounds that are all I ever put in them.

I did shoot with them, about 300 rounds each, just on GP; nothing out of the ordinary to note other than the differences/improvements since their previous version, already discussed.

However, I have to REALLY shove on these things to get them to lock on a closed bolt on all my guns, none of which have insert/eject problems with any of my other mags from 4 vendors.....somewhat noteworthy because that's with only 10 rounds in each L5 mag, and after they've been decently used "for real." That's a bit jacked, but since 1) they're now relegated to and permanently marked for inert-only, and 2) the only two brands of mags I really note any more are Work Inc. and Don't Work Ltd. (every mag manufacturer holds stock in each of those two...), I can't bring myself to care if these elicit an "Umph..." from me on a closed bolt.

PA PATRIOT

07-19-12, 10:41

However, I have to REALLY shove on these things to get them to lock on a closed bolt on all my guns, none of which have insert/eject problems with any of my other mags from 4 vendors.....somewhat noteworthy because that's with only 10 rounds in each L5 mag.

I have the same exact problem with several L5 magazines I purchased six months ago. Tried them in several different Colts with different round count loads and they all have to be slammed in to lock and then pushed up from the bottom once empty to allow enough pressure off the magazine release button to eject.

No other manufacture of magazine has this condition when used in the same Colts.

Biggy

07-19-12, 11:09

I have the same exact problem with several L5 magazines I purchased six months ago. Tried them in several different Colts with different round count loads and they all have to be slammed in to lock and then pushed up from the bottom once empty to allow enough pressure off the magazine release button to eject.

No other manufacture of magazine has this condition when used in the same Colts.

The L5AWM was designed to hold 30 rounds max. With use they will eventually get somewhat easier to load and seat, or they can be user modified to hold 31 rounds, which in turn will make them easier to load and seat.

remove the bottom and seperate the bottom lock from the spring

cut, grind or sand down the follower stop on the bottom lock approx .188

http://www.lancer-systems.com/Images/L5AWM_bottom_lock_mod.gif

FlyingHunter

09-19-12, 21:11

(Mod: The first sentence is pretty funny, 'cuz I just used "Lancer" as a keyword and found this thread, 5th title on the list. Last post was from July of this year...how 'bout that...)

Searched the forum and the last post I could find was over a year old regarding the Lancer Mags and more specifically I'm curious if people are finding their latest version GTG. The latest version known as the L5 AWM are a hybrid polymer and steel feed lipped versions that appear to be released sometime in 2011. They can be found here :

http://www.lancer-systems.com/L5_AWM.html

http://www.lancer-systems.com/Images/L5AWM_features.gif

I like the idea of the hybrid design, visual IDability of round count of these.

User feedback appreciated.

AKDoug

09-19-12, 21:52

I've been running 5 of the translucent ones all summer. It is cool to see your round count, but it's not a big deal to me. I have about 400 rounds through each of them. Zero issues with them. For half the price each I bought a 10 pack of BCM GI style mags. They have also been flawless. I see no reason to spend the money on the Lancer mags again until I get to the point my round counts get higher and they prove better than GI mags.

CoryCop25

09-19-12, 22:45

I have 10 of the Advanced Warfighter Mags. I think that they get a little easier to use when you wear the metal feed lips down a little bit. I have had zero issues with any of the mags for thousands of rounds. Buy with confidence.

VIP3R 237

09-19-12, 23:03

I have 6 of them and I have had nothing but praise on these magazines. I've ran them through classes, kicked them, dropped them, and they keep going strong.

Luckystiff

09-19-12, 23:32

I was sent one when they first came out for a review. I took the mag to many department ranges and asked the officers to be mean to it and see if it could take it. They dropped it on all kinds of surfaces, stepped on it, kicked it down the range and even “accidentally” slammed it in the door jamb of a Crown Vic. That mag is still running strong today. I just bought some of the translucent tan versions. I like them a lot. Wish they marked the mag spring like Magpul window mags because once the ammo disappears in the mag well you’re guessing like with a GI mag. Other than this it is a great mag. Much better than the original L5 mag and MUCH easier to take apart. I highly recommend the AWM. Cost is a separate issue that only you can decide.

BufordTJustice

09-20-12, 02:51

It's my current favorite mag. I've been abusing 3 of the translucent models since right after they came out. Like a Brownells aluminum mag w/ CS spring an Magpul follower, it's the only other magazine design that will function in truly shitty guns (that malf with GI mags/green followers or PMAGs).

Buy L5 AWM in translucent or opaque with confidence. :D

C4IGrant

09-20-12, 06:50

Like them.

C4

mkmckinley

09-20-12, 06:55

I really like them. I ran 10 of them hard last summer and didn't have any problems. I like the steel feed lips which should be stronger than aluminum. The AWM is lighter than a Pmag if that matters to you. Next time I buy mags it will be AWMs.

jdodd

09-20-12, 07:07

sinlessorrow

09-20-12, 07:53

I bought my first one last night to test and see if its worth investing in more. Will take it to the range on Saturday and run some rounds through it.

To the above posters, do you keep them loaded to 28?

I tried 30, no way its going in on a closed bolt. I can do 28, but needs a good smack to get it to seat properly. If I grip the mag beer can style out of my chest rig I cant get it to seat.

-J

Normal, they were designed to seat 30 tightly so you can't put 31 in them. Lancer talked about this over on TOS, they did say you can shave a tiny bit off the follower stop to give you 31 round capacity.

BTL BRN

09-20-12, 10:19

I tried 30, no way its going in on a closed bolt. I can do 28, but needs a good smack to get it to seat properly. If I grip the mag beer can style out of my chest rig I cant get it to seat.

-J

A few of mine (I currently own about 6) were pretty hard to seat on a closed bolt when I first got them, but it isn't an issue anymore. Maybe the springs have settled a bit? :confused: I could always get them to seat however, but it did take more effort than with other mags.

jdodd

09-20-12, 12:06

As I said they do seat, just take a little smack.

Im used to a pmag which when loaded I can use a bear can grip and push/pull and it locks every time. Not so with the awm, I have to put it in the magwell and then smack the bottom to get a positive lock.

Again the mag is brand new, but I never had that problem with usgi mags loaded to 28.

viperashes

09-20-12, 15:02

I currently own 5 30 round smoke black and 3 20rd smoke black AWMs and have zero issues with any of them. They were a little bit tight to get to seat fully loaded initially, as others have reported, but the problem goes away pretty quickly, if you call it a problem. These mags are currently my "go to" mags that stay loaded with BH 50gr 5.56 TSX and reside in my plate carrier and on my night stand. My PMAGs aren't going to get retired any time soon, but the AWMs are definitely top notch magazines from my assessment. MUCH better than Lancer's first foray into the AR magazine cesspool.

Preach

04-05-13, 09:10

Does anyone know if these mags will fit in the FS2000?

Hammar

04-05-13, 11:11

Does anyone know if these mags will fit in the FS2000?

They will not.

Neo Mara

04-07-13, 11:35

Is there a difference between the L5A mags and the L5AWMs besides texture and markings?

BobinNC

04-07-13, 16:25

Is there a difference between the L5A mags and the L5AWMs besides texture and markings?

L5 AWM Mag:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm268/Shadowbobski/Lancer_Systems_L5_Advanced_Warfight.jpg

L5A Mag:

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm268/Shadowbobski/370419_zps630b1d30.jpg

Summary of changes from Lancer:

- The original L5 and L5A had a rubber bumper base plate, but this has been omitted on the AWM.

- The one piece wrap-around steel feed lip unit is significantly larger on the AWM versus the L5A. It wraps around the rear of the magazine and extends to the front.

- The follower was redesigned.

- The AWM has texturing to the front half of the sides of the magazine body and along the bottom of the magazine body to improve grip.

- Unlike the L5 and L5A, is now impervious to DEET.