Whether you’re into guns or are just starting out with purchasing your first firearm, you may have noted that there are a wide variety of options when it comes to aesthetics and performance for guns. You’ll find that you have a wide variety of options for triggers, rails and even rifle stock. In the past 15 years, polymer magazines have become increasingly popular as an option for magazines. In this article, we explore what these magazines have to offer and why you should consider investing in an AICS polymer magazine.
What are AICS Magazines?
Before going any further, it is important to define exactly what AICS magazines are. AICS is an acronym that stands for Accuracy International Chassis Magazines. It is a style of magazine that is detachable and is often featured in bolt-action rifles. These magazines are often single-stack magazines that feature metal housing. However, in recent years, polymer housing has been introduced and is quickly gaining popularity amongst gun enthusiasts. AICS magazines have become the gold standard for magazines made for rifles. They are designed to certain specifications to ensure greater efficiency in feeding the rifle. Accuracy International is a UK based firearms manufacturer whose specialty is sniper rifles. They developed the AICS magazine system specifically for sniper rifles used by the military. It is therefore not surprising that it has become successful with the general public.
Benefits of Polymer Mags
AICS magazines are available in metals such as steel and aluminum. They are also now available in polymer. If you’re searching for magazines for your rifle, you may be considering different types of magazines. Below we discuss some of the benefits that polymer magazines offer.
- Reliable
Polymer mags are becoming increasingly popular because of their reliability. The polymers used to make the polymer mags can undergo elastic deformation. This means that when they are subjected to an external force, they will stretch but return to their original shape. Metal on the other hand undergoes plastic deformation. This means that when it is deformed it retains the new shape and does not return to its original shape.
What does this mean? Polymer mags are able to retain their shape while metal mags will show some form of deformation. Even the slightest deformation will affect the performance of the magazine.
- Better for safety
This brings us to the second benefit of polymer mags. Polymer mags are resistant to bends and dents. Metal mags, especially those made of aluminum, are more prone to dents and bending. Even the slightest dent on the mag can hamper the efficiency of chambering of the ammo contained in the mag. These dents and bends can therefore present great danger to your safety.
This doesn’t mean that polymer mags are resistant to all forces. In fact, if enough force is applied to the mag, it will snap. However, it is much better to have your mag snap than to have bends and dents that could result in feeding the ammo incorrectly while you’re out hunting. This could result in a serious accident.
- Lighter and affordable
Poly mags are generally more affordable and lighter than metal mags. They will reduce the weight of your rifle. This is a great advantage if you’re going to be carrying your rifle and ammo on the shooting range or hunting ground. You won’t be as weighed down. You can even carry more as a result.
If you want to give AICS polymer mags a try, visit the Gray Boe website and explore their collection of polymer mags. You may even want to order a custom rifle stock from these custom rifle stock makers and take your rifle to the next level.
