STANAG magazine explained
A STANAG magazine[1] [2] or NATO magazine is a type of detachable firearm magazine proposed by NATO in October 1980.[3] Shortly after NATO's acceptance of the 5.56×45mm NATO rifle cartridge, Draft Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4179 was proposed in order to allow NATO members to easily share rifle ammunition and magazines down to the individual soldier level. The U.S. M16 rifle's magazine proportions were proposed for standardization. Many NATO members, but not all, subsequently developed or purchased rifles with the ability to accept this type of magazine. However, the standard was never ratified and remains a "Draft STANAG".[4]
Magazines
The STANAG magazine concept is only an interface, dimensional and controls (magazine latch, bolt stop, etc.) requirement.[5] Therefore, it not only allows one type of magazine to interface with various weapon systems, but also allows STANAG magazines to be made in various configurations and capacities. The standard capacities of STANAG-compatible magazines are 20 or 30 rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. There are also 5-, 10-, 40- and 50-round box magazines, as well as 60- and 100-round casket magazines,[6] [7] 90-round snail-drum magazines,[8] and 100-round drum magazines.[9]
Issues and improvements
The STANAG magazine, while relatively compact compared to other types of 5.56×45mm NATO box magazines, has often been criticized for a perceived lack of durability and a tendency to malfunction unless treated with a level of care that may not be practical under combat conditions. Because STANAG 4179 is only a dimensional standard, production quality from manufacturer to manufacturer is not uniform.
As a result, in March 2009, the U.S. military began to accept delivery of improved STANAG magazines.[10] To increase reliability, these magazines incorporate heavier, more corrosion resistant springs and new tan-colored anti-tilt followers.[11]
ARDEC began development of a new magazine design in July 2013 to address feeding issues of older designs with the new M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round. It was first made public in 2014 and completed development in mid-2016 as the Enhanced Performance Magazine. The magazine uses a blue follower and a tan body which presents the rounds with a better angle to the weapon's feedway, preventing the hardened steel tip of the EPR from contacting the aluminum feed ramp of the M4 carbine, increasing mean rounds between stoppage by 300%.[12] [13]
Firearms compatible with STANAG magazines
AR-15/M16 type rifles
Non-AR-15/M16 type rifles
Manually operated rifles
STANAG magazine convertible rifles
Other cartridges
Over the years different cartridges that fit into the STANAG magazine emerged, some rounds like .300 AAC Blackout have the same rim diameter as .223 Remington and only require a barrel change to be used in a firearms that was previously using in .223 Remington.
Loading tools
Loading a STANAG magazine, particularly one with a large capacity and a corresponding high spring pressure pushing the rounds to the top of the magazine, can be quite difficult. A number of devices are available to make this task simpler. These are sometimes called speedloaders but are more commonly known as magazine loaders, stripper clips, spoons, or stripper clip guides. There are a wide range of both commercial and military type loading tools available for STANAG magazines. For example; draft STANAG 4181 is a type of stripper clip and guide tool proposed for standardization based on the USGI M16 rifle stripper clips and guide tools.[23]
Gallery
Additional information
- The "RAM-LINE 30-round COMBO MAG" is a uniquely notable STANAG magazine. These commercial translucent plastic magazines can be used in both AR-15 type rifles and Ruger Mini-14 type rifles.[24]
- Magnolia States Armory offers an adapter that allows the use of STANAG magazines in 5.56mm Galil rifles as well as one that works in a variety of 5.56mm AK-47 type rifles such as the Saiga, WASR3 and Norinco rifles.
- While STANAG magazines are typically loaded with 5.56 mm NATO ammo, they are also used for other calibers as well.
- There are also a wide range of dummy STANAG magazines in a variety of sizes, weights and colors for training purposes.
See also
References
- Book: Rottman, Gordon L. . The M16 . Osprey . 2011 . 35–36 . 978-1849086905.
- Book: Dockery, Kevin . Future Weapons . Penguin . 2007 . 125–126 . 9780425217504.
- Web site: Watters . Daniel . The 5.56 X 45mm Timeline: A Chronology of Development . The Gun Zone . 2000–2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150316235202/http://thegunzone.com/556dw-8.html . March 16, 2015.
- Web site: Arvidsson . Per G. . NATO Infantry Weapons Standardization . 2008 . PDF . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121201183951/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Arvidsson.pdf . December 1, 2012.
- Book: Rottman, Gordon L. . The Book of Gun Trivia: Essential Firepower Facts . Osprey . October 20, 2013 . 9781782006206.
- Web site: Magpul Invents New Quad-Stack Magazine for ARs . Accurate Shooter . June 9, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129040610/http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/06/magpul-invents-new-quad-stack-magazine-for-ars/ . November 29, 2014.
- Web site: DR Exclusive!: SureFire MAG5-60 and MAG5-100 High Capacity Magazine (HCM) "Quad-Stack" AR Rifle Magazines: 60-Round/Shot and 100-Round/Shot AR (AR-15/M16) 5.56mm NATO Box Magazines for Significantly-Increased Firepower during Infantry Combat and Tactical Engagements of All Sorts . David . Crane . December 3, 2010 . Defense Review . https://web.archive.org/web/20150321042519/http://www.defensereview.com/dr-exclusive-surefire-60-shot-and-100-shot-ar-ar-15m16-5-56mm-nato-box-magazines-for-infantry-combat-and-tactical-engagements-meet-the-surefire-mag5-60-and-mag5-100-high-capacity-magazines-hcms/ . March 21, 2015.
- Web site: MWG 90-Rounder Snail Drum Magazine: 90 Rounds of Immediate 5.56mm Firepower for Your M4/M4A1 Carbine (or AR-15 Carbine) . Defense Review . David . Crane . June 21, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150327014417/http://www.defensereview.com/mwg-90-rounder-snail-drum-mag-90-rounds-of-immediate-556mm-firepower-for-your-m4m4a1-carbine-or-ar-15-carbine/ . March 27, 2015.
- The Gun Digest Book of the AR-15.Patrick Sweeney. Gun Digest Books, September 9, 2005. page 106
- http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/06/13/brownells-shipping-m16-magazines-with-anti-tilt-follower-to-military/ Brownells shipping M16 magazines with anti-tilt follower to military
- http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/12/16/new-us-army-m16-tan-magazine/ New US Army M16 “Tan” Magazine
- http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/07/26/us-army-introduces-new-enhanced-performance-magazine-for-m4m16-series-rifles/ BREAKING: US Army Introduces New Enhanced Performance Magazine For M4/M16 Series Rifles
- https://www.army.mil/article/177640/army_fielding_new_magazine_optimized_for_m4m4a1_carbine_and_m855a1 Army fielding new magazine optimized for M4/M4A1 Carbine and M855A1 - By U.S. Army, November 1, 2016
- https://www.forgottenweapons.com/when-m14-meets-m16-the-fort-ellis-xr-86/ Forgotten Weapons - The Fort Ellis XR-86
- Web site: . September 11, 2007 . SAR 21 Product Brochure . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080414141931/http://www.stengg.com/upload/805FZ25kCHnhWIBPg9K.pdf . April 14, 2008 . mdy-all .
- https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2016/12/26/crossfire-crossfire-mki-forgotten-weapons/ CROSSFIRE! The Crossfire MKI with Forgotten Weapons -The Firearm Blog
- https://web.archive.org/web/20021215095929/http://www.leitner-wise.com:80/pages/LWS1.htm Leitner-Wise Rifle Co
- https://www.all4shooters.com/en/hunting/rifles/voere-k15a-small-caliber-s16-bolt-action-features/ New rifles by Voere: S16 and K15A | all4shooters
- https://web.archive.org/web/20170627040522/http://www.armalon.com/public/products/item/1 Armalon - Armalon PR
- http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2015/03/run-ar-magazines-in-your-rem-700-bolt-gun/ Run AR Magazines in your Rem 700 Bolt Gun « Accurateshooter.com Daily Bulletin
- http://www.securityarms.com/firearm/3587 Security Arms | Firearm Photo Archive :: The Armalon PR precision rifle
- Web site: Steyr AUG NATO Conversion kit - AUG Accessories - Accessories. November 15, 2014.
- "NATO Infantry Weapons Standardization ", NDIA Conference 2008
- http://www.modernsurvivalonline.com/Files/weapons/Articles/AR-15_vs_Mini-14.pdf Ruger Mini-14 vs. the AR-15
