Yep, I think it's that simple.
I was talking to a 3 tour combat vet about two weeks ago.
First thing he said was "They had a better rifle."
Doesn't take too much imagination to get to..."Why can't we have a 30 round mag ?"
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Much of this stuff is covered in TBR...Collector Grade Pub. But anyway, the original mag for the AR was a straight 25 rounder. How well it worked is today, lost to history. I still like twenties for the bench, FWIW.
The 20 is lighter and handier, and not nearly as sinful as the 30s... ;)
Moon
Hate to compare anything worthwhile to 'water in a can'. :) :) :)
Rereading The Black Rifle, and was reminded that there was an issue getting 30 round mags to fit in all AR magwells; they weren't initially designed for the curved mags.
Still like 20s in retro ARs; the loaded 20s in the safe are 55s, and the 30s are green tips.
Moon