The Roles and Weapons with the Squad

[Granite_State]

Isn't that always the case?

The original requests for proposals on the IAR calledfor a 50-rd magazine, and I think it remains in existence.

I finally saw a SF 60-rd mag at SOFIC and gained an appreciation for its size and bulk. Definitely best for an AR gunner as perhaps the first upload, and a few more distributed through the squad, but not the ammo container for the remaining combat load.

That's what we were thinking, initial mag to react to/initiate an ambush. The 100 round ones I saw looked too long to use in the prone, but 60 looked like it would work with the bipod.

[jcustis]

That's what we were thinking, initial mag to react to/initiate an ambush. The 100 round ones I saw looked too long to use in the prone, but 60 looked like it would work with the bipod.

That 100-round magazine is an abortion and only suitable for shooting gamers. I would never tie that many rounds up in a single magazine. Surefire typically runs a tight business model, and I was shocked to see that come out.

[Fuchs]

What exactly is wrong with drum magazines other than noise?

There are 75 rnd drum mags for RPK series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ioQ499lFoE

[jcustis]

Reliability of American-designed drum magazines for a 5.56mm platform has generally been lacking. They have not been able to satisfy procurement requirements. Sure they run well in manufacturer demo videos, but they fall way short during detailed testing.

I have zero experience with a drum in a 7.62x39mm platform, but I imagine they have their own issues and are fragile without meticulous maintenance.

Like water finding its level, that's why the 30-round magazinr had become standard. It's pretty much mechanical evolution.