The AR-10 is a powerhouse that provides enthusiasts with the modularity and familiar controls of the AR platform along with the heavy-hitting performance of full-power rifle cartridges. The adaptability of these rifles has made them incredibly popular, with many using them for everything from simple recreation and long-range shooting to more intensive competitive and duty use.
While these rifles can be extensively customized to fit your needs, one critical component that is often overlooked by most enthusiasts is the type of magazine you use. There are a lot of magazines to choose from, and although it’s easy to assume that anyone will do the job, it’s important to recognize just how crucial having the right one is.
Simply put, a bad magazine can significantly hinder your rifle’s performance, resulting in jams, failures to feed, and other malfunctions. Fortunately, there are a lot of solid magazine options to pick from, but the sheer number of them can make choosing the right one a bit overwhelming. But by knowing what to look for, the decision is much easier.
What is an AR-10?
Before diving into the details of all the magazine options available for the AR-10, it’s important to understand what exactly the AR-10 is. The AR-10 is a rifle platform that was originally developed in the 1950s by Eugene Stoner to be presented as a potential standard issue service rifle for the U.S. Military. Despite being passed up for the M14, the AR-10’s iconic design would continue to be developed further and would even be used as the inspiration for the AR-15. Today, the AR-10 platform has been refined to create popular rifle systems like the M110 Semi-Auto Sniper System (SASS), as well as several unique rifles on the civilian market.
Although you might assume that every AR pattern rifle chambered in .308 is an AR-10, they aren’t. You see, the term ‘AR-10’ is a trademarked term that only applies to rifles created by Armalite. So even though the firearms industry is home to many similar rifles, they aren’t truly AR-10s. As such, manufacturers will differentiate their AR-308s by giving them a model designation such as the MD10 from Maxim Defense, and the Defender-H from LMT, for example. Even further, these rifles don’t have a standardized design like the AR-15.
There are a multitude of AR-308 receiver patterns used by different manufacturers, with the three most common being Armalite, DPMS, and SR-25 receiver patterns. As a result, there is a diverse array of parts and components that can’t be universally used on every rifle. This extends to the magazines these rifles use as well, but for the most part, AR-308s use the popular SR-25 pattern magazine.
Magazine Compatibility and Development
Today, AR-10 magazine options mostly consist of SR-25 pattern magazines, which were popularized thanks to the Knight’s Armament Company SR-25’s adoption by the U.S. Military, redesignating the rifle as the M110 SASS.
Following its military adoption, SR-25 magazines were mass produced, garnering a significant reputation as a battle proven design. And as AR-308s became increasingly popular on the civilian market, rifles like the LR-308 pattern DPMS AR-10 would use SR-25 magazines as well. After more manufacturers followed suit, SR-25 magazines essentially became the unofficially ‘official’ magazine for large caliber AR rifles.
Although there are many differences between AR-308 models today, one of the commonalities most of them share is their magazine pattern. Keep in mind that this isn’t true of all AR-308s. Rifles like the Rock River Arms LAR-8, for example, use a more niche FAL style magazine, while rifles like the Heckler & Koch MR762 use their own proprietary design. Still, most of the AR-308s available today, whether they’re chambered in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, or .260 Remington, are compatible with SR-25 magazines—but it’s always a good idea to double check your rifle’s compatibility before buying.
Best AR-10 Magazines
As mentioned before, there are a lot of AR-10 magazines to choose from, with there being a wide assortment of manufacturers producing top-tier options. Although no single magazine can be declared the ‘best’, several brands stand out for their reliable and durable magazine options.
Magpul
Magpul is one of the well-known names in the firearms industry, producing a wide range of accessories for rifles like grips, stocks, slings, and of course, magazines. Their PMAG series magazines have become the go-to option for many, with their AR-10 options being among their most popular.
PMAGs are constructed from a rigid, high-strength polymer, making them lightweight but still durable enough to withstand harsh use. Internally, they use a corrosion resistant stainless-steel spring, as well as an anti-tilt, self-lubricating follower that provides a smooth surface for ammo to glide across, minimizing the risk of jams or other malfunctions.
These magazines also come standard with over-travel stops built into the magazine body, and they come with flared floorplates to make pulling them out of magazine pouches easier. They’re available in multiple finishes such as black and FDE, and some models can even come with a translucent window to show how many rounds are left in the magazine.
Currently, Magpul AR-10 mags are available in either a 10-, 20-, or 25-round configuration, and they’re typically priced around $20 to $25, depending on the size. They also produce a 50-round drum magazine as well. It has all the features present in their other magazines, but it uses a ratcheting loading system to make loading the drum easier. Like most drum mags, these are a more expensive alternative hovering around the $150 mark.
Lancer Systems
Another top name in the industry, Lancer Systems, is well-known for producing top-tier firearms, accessories, and magazines. For the AR-10, their L7AWM magazines are some of their most popular.
Utilizing a unique hybrid polymer and steel construction, the magazine body is made mostly from polymer, with steel being used to reinforce the feed lips to prevent them from getting damaged or deformed during use. All Lancer .308 magazine options come equipped with anti-tilt followers to minimize their risk of jamming, and they also have drain plugs built into the baseplate, allowing them to be used in both wet and dry environments with no issues.
Additionally, they have aggressive texturing on the magazine body, making them easier to grip when wearing gloves or in adverse conditions. Something else to note is that these magazines use a straight design rather than a curved one. This doesn’t impede their functionality, but it does set them apart aesthetically. Lastly, they’re available in a wide array of color options, including black, FDE, translucent smoke, and clear.
As of right now, Lancer’s L7AWM magazines are offered in either a 25-, 20-, 10-, or 5-round capacity, and they’re also some of the most expensive AR-10 magazine options as well, with them usually priced around $40 to $50. Still, they’re a solid choice to consider, providing some extra durability in key areas.
DuraMag
DuraMag has long been one of the industry’s leading magazine manufacturers, known for crafting high-quality metal magazines for a vast assortment of rifle systems, including the AR-10. For those who prefer a more classic design, DuraMag offers high quality steel AR-10 magazines that keep the SR-25 magazine’s classic aesthetics, while also coming with several enhancements.
As we mentioned above, DuraMag AR-10 magazine options are made entirely from stainless steel and are designed to be as durable and reliable as possible. Adding to their reliability is DuraMag’s specialized T-360™ coating. It makes them naturally dust resistant and gives them a smoother surface, making it easier to insert them into your rifle’s magazine well. They also have enhanced feed lips that use their LipLock technology to keep all your rounds in place, ensuring they feed properly.
Each magazine also comes standard with DuraMag’s Advanced Geometry Follower™ and their EverFlex anti-fatigue spring, further ensuring they store and feed ammo adequately. Lastly, they’re available in either a black or FDE finish.
DuraMag’s AR-10 offerings are a solid pick that matches the aesthetics of the magazines used on rifle systems like the M110 SASS. Furthermore, they’re available in a 5-, 10-, and 20-round configuration, and they typically cost around $25 to $30. Unlike the other magazine options mentioned, DuraMag doesn’t currently offer a 25-round option. However, their rugged design and enhanced internal components make them a great choice for DMR builds.
Conclusion
Having the right magazine is essential regardless of the rifle platform you use, with the AR-10 being no exception. With the vast assortment of high-quality options to choose from, it’s paramount to pick one that meets your needs in terms of durability, capacity, material, and most importantly, reliability.
Magpul’s PMAGs have long been some of the most sought-after magazine options. Made from robust polymer, they blend utility and affordability effortlessly, making them the go-to choice for many. Lancer Systems magazines offer incredible durability thanks to their dual polymer and steel construction. This makes them exceptionally versatile in harsh environments, and with their built-in drain plug, they’re a solid choice for wet conditions. Finally, DuraMag is another excellent pick that retains the classic look of the original SR-25 pattern magazine, but despite their old-school aesthetics, they come standard with a plethora of enhancements to make them more effective in the modern landscape.
No matter which magazine you choose, you can rest assured knowing that each one is a reliable and effective option. However, the brief list of above only provides a glimpse of what all is available. With so many options to choose from, it’s critical that you ensure your magazine is compatible with your rifle, and reliable enough to not let you down when you need them most. So long as the one you’re looking at meets all these criteria, you’ll be good to go, regardless of which you choose.
