Skip to main content

AR-15 20 or 30 Round Magazines What's Your Choice?

By Gregory Kielma

Featured image for AR-15 20 or 30 Round Magazines What's Your Choice?

AR-15 20 or 30 Rounds?


I'm reading a book where the protagonist specifically requests 20 round magazines for an AR-15. If money is no object, is there any benefit to getting 20 round magazines over 30 round magazines?
Thoughts from an avid readier. What are your thoughts?

My unit had an old senior master sergeant that loved the 20 round magazines. He also coached our shooting team and oversaw the squad designated marksman program. He had a lot of experience with pretty much every small arm in the military inventory. In addition, he shot most weekends with a civilian shooting team. He also served in the Marine Corps earlier in his military career, where he was in combat in the Gulf War in 1991.

So, he was probably the most experienced shooter in my Air Force unit and he preferred them. But I think it was mostly his ego in believing that if he ever got into a shootout, he was an excellent shot and he wouldn’t need as much ammo. Yes, they help a little when firing from the prone position, but not so much that you’d prefer them over 30 round magazines.
Also, I thought he set a bad example since no junior airman would ever be allowed to have 20 round magazines for their weapon. Only he could get away with something like that.