Get set up with the tooling, and start to crank out a contract. These contracts were usually "minority or small business set- asides." Typically what would happen is a small business would They wandered around from contractor to contractor. Some interesting background: There were actually just two sets of contract 30 round magazine tooling, both built by Colt. These cost law enforcement agencies around $11 each. Bodies are date stamped to indicate that they are of "post ban" manufacture.) Black plastic followers. Usually $9 to $25, depending on condition.Ĭolt law enforcement sales 30 round. (Not to be confused with the shiny hard green plastic followers used on the ealiest Colt-made 30 rounders.) Miltary contract 30s are fairly easy to find at gun shows. Starting around 1992, some of the contractors began using soft green plastic followers. Precision Products, Labelle Industries, Sanchez (DSI), Center Industries, Okay Industries, Cooper Industries, and a few others. Contractors included: Adventureline, Parsons Marked with contractor's name and usually location (city) on floorplate. (Countless millions made.) Circa 1975 to 1994. These are the most common M16 magazines on the surplus market. A few pre-ban ones make it out to the civilian market through police supply houses. Most of these are sold to police departments. Colt hasn't had a military contract in many years. Usually $20+Įach, depending on condition. Marked Colt w/pony and "5.56mm" on floorplate. They are worth at least twice as much as other 30s, even if made by Colt.Ĭolt late G.I. Gun Show tip: As you walk around gun shows, look for Colt 30 round magazines with green followers. Note: The general rule is that pre-1970 30 round Colt-made magazines are marked "CAL.223" and that 1970 and later production 30s are marked "CAL. Usually $30+ each, depending on condition. Latest bastardized style-permanently blocked) Circa late 1994 to present Usually around $15 each.Ĭolt early G.I. Usually $20+ each.Ĭolt commercial 5 round. Later style (riveted floorplate but rivet can be drilled out.) Circa 1991 to 1994. Usually $25+ each.Ĭolt commercial 5 round. Early style (no floorplate rivet.) Circa 1989 to around 1991. These cost law enforcement agencies around $12 each.Ĭolt commercial 5 round. Usually $20+ each.Ĭolt law enforcement sales 20 round. (Actually these are scarcer than Colt made 20s, but few collectors realize it, and oddly they pay more for Colts!) I usually have these in stock.Ĭolt commercial 20 round. A few are marked Simmonds or Adventureline on floorplate. 5.56MM".Īrmy and late Air Force contract 20 round. Note: The general rule is that pre-1969 20 round Colt-made magazines are marked "CAL.223" and that 1969 and later production 20s are marked "CAL. (These usually sell for $15 to $25 at gun shows.) I usually have these in stock. Marked Colt Firearm Division" w/pony and "5.56 MM" on floorplate. However, most dealers don't realize the significance, and will sell you these magazines at the same price that they sell the typical later vintage used 20s.Īrmy and late Air Force contract 20 round. These are the early contract magazines, and are worth a premium price. Gun Show tip: As you walk around gun shows, look for used 20s and sort through looking for shiny alloy followers. Marked Colt w/prancing pony and ".223" on floorplate. Earliest had bright alloy followers, later manufacture had dull followers. $90+ eachĮarly Air Force contract 20 round. Armalite "waffle-sided." Similar in design to the AR-10 magazine. (All of the following are gray anodized, unless otherwise noted.) It lists the different varieties, identifying markings, type of finish, and approximate values (as of October, 1998). In response to repeated requests from rec.guns readers, I'm posting a list of the various magazines available on the civilian market for Colt AR-15s, various AR-15. Fulton Armory FAQ: The Lowdown on AR-15/M16 Magazines The Lowdown on AR-15/M16 Magazines by James Wesley, Rawles