Steel vs Aluminum - Benefits and Cons of use for specific AR parts

[tehpwnag3]

20210415_104224.jpg

Missing photo.

[Stickman]

I traded mags with some guys out of 2 PARA a long time ago. The mags work fine after some work on magpul followers and coating them so they wouldn't rust. Like Mark commented, the difference is real when you start adding up mags and you certainly do feel the difference.

[lysander]

Some of the comments about weight made me curious, so I pulled out a scale and a couple 30rd mags, one stainless steel and the other aluminum. Each was weighed empty and then loaded with 30rds of LC XM855.

Empty
Au: 107 grams (3.8oz)
SS: 168 grams (5.9oz)

Loaded
Au: 468 grams (16.5oz)
SS: 528 grams (18.6oz)

Comparing empty mags, my steel mag weighed about 50% more which is quite dramatic and definitely adds up. However, fully loaded, the weight differential is about 12%. Still, lighter is better IMO.

For comparison, I also weighed a M2 Pmag (no dust cover):

137 grams empty (4.8oz)
498 grams loaded (17.6oz) (can only attach 5 photos here)

It would appear the polymer mag sits right in between the aluminum and steel mags.

The element "Au" is gold

The symbol for aluminum (or aluminium) is "Al".

[tehpwnag3]

Au and Ag has been on my mind a lot lately. I'll make corrections. Thanks!

The element "Au" is gold

The symbol for aluminum (or aluminium) is "Al".

[lysander]

Au and Ag has been on my mind a lot lately. I'll make corrections. Thanks!

I just thought it was amusing that you said you have gold magazines . . . Sounded like you were going all middle eastern dictator on us

[jsbhike]

Add in on benefit.

Properly made polymer mags have the usual benefit of being visibly damaged or working properly versus metal getting an imperceptible bend to a feed lip screwing things up.

Polymer exact dimension copies of receivers are the same way when the barrel extension or receiver extension breaks through, but not a plus then.

[markm]

This is my funky-fresh clip.

[P2Vaircrewman]

I had the hook break off of a AL extended charging handle latch. I’ll admit it was a cheap no name gun show pickup.