Magazines, Clips & Speed Loaders

What are airsoft gun magazines?

In airsoft you have 2 basic types of airsoft gun magazines: High Capacity and Mid Capacity. The main difference between these 2 types is the method in which they are loaded and feed. High Capacity has a reservoir that holds a large amount of BBs and has a winding wheel on the bottom of the magazine. The winding wheel is used to build spring tension and fire a portion of the BBs in the reservoir. After those BBs are used, you will rewind the magazine and repeat the process firing until the magazine is empty.  These types of magazines are very popular with automatic electric guns.  The mid capacity magazine is more traditional with a simple spring and a plunger. You’ll load quality airsoft BBs into the top of the magazine using a loading tool until the magazine is full. It requires no further loading or winding after it is loaded. It will feed BBs to the rifle until it is out. With the 2 types of magazines, you have multiple accessories available for each type. One of the more common magazine accessories is a magazine coupler. This is designed to keep 2 magazines together. This enables faster reloads while in the field. Another popular accessory is for magazine base plates. There are different pull tabs available as well as securing devices. These can help you with faster reloads.

 

Q & A: 

Q: Do I need to get mid cap magazines to play?

A: You can start off with high capacity magazines or mid capacity magazines. Both of these are allowed at most fields. Larger Milsim style games typically require mid capacity magazines, when you are playing in a larger event make sure to check the rules to ensure you have the proper equipment.

 

Q: Would you recommend getting a magazine coupler?

A: This depends on your personal preference. Some players like having 2 magazines ready to go. Others find that it adds bulk the rifle and may choose not to use them.

 

Q: How many magazines should I start with?

A: When first starting you want to have at least 1 back up. 2 high capacity magazines is a great and easy way to get started playing. As you progress and build your kit, you may want to switch to mid capacity magazines. At this point we recommend a minimum of 4 additional magazines on your gear. Some players will carry much more than 4, you’ll have to find what works best for your style.

 

Q: What is the best way to carry all of my magazines into the field?

A: A chest rig or plate carrier are the most popular methods for carrying additional magazines. Another great option is a leg rig. Some people use a combination of these methods depending on their mission. When building a loadout to carry magazines, consider the different types of missions you will be doing to build the most efficient platform.

 

Q: Are pistol magazines different than rifle magazines?

A: Yes - pistol magazines are designed to hold gas propellant, either CO2 or Green Gas.  Due to their requirement to hold gas, there are more moving parts and usually makes them cost more than their rifle counterparts.