Improper loading and storage of AR 15 magazines can shorten the life of your magazine and cause jamming while you’re out on the range. Whether you’re new to the scene or looking for a few extra tips on how to best store your gear, Dogtooth Tactical offers a guide to properly loading our AR-15 extended magazines and storing magazines when they’re not in use.
Tips for Loading an AR-15 Mag
Once you’ve selected the right ammunition for your gun, you should always make sure to load it properly, both to extend the life of your magazines and to reduce the chances of jamming, malfunctioning, and injury while shooting. As always, follow all gun safety practices while using firearms.
Loading Ammunition into the Magazine
- While holding a round in one hand, press the top of the follower with the thumb of your other hand, and hold the magazine firmly with your other hand.
- Slide the round into the magazine with your thumb, making sure that it is fully seated before releasing the follower.
- Repeat until the magazine is full.
Loading a Magazine into an AR-15
- Always visually inspect that the magazine has been properly loaded
- Insert the magazine into the magazine well on the AR-15, and ensure that it’s secured by pushing it up (you should feel or hear a click).
- Tug on the magazine to make sure it is fully engaged, even bumping the bottom of the magazine to make sure it is fully seated if necessary.
Loading the Ammo into the Chamber
- To load ammo into the chamber, you will need to make sure to point the rifle in a safe direction, make sure the safety is on, make sure not to have your finger on the trigger, and then pull the charging handle all the way back and quickly let it snap back into place. You may see the side ejection port cover open as the ammo is driven forward.
- The bolt carrier group (BCG) needs to be fully forward and locked into place (in battery) for the firearm to function correctly. When the BCG is forward and the ammunition is properly seated in the chamber, the gun is ready to fire.
- After you are pointing in a safe direction, take the safety off and don’t place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to fire.
Tips for Storing AR 15 Extended Magazines
When it comes to storing Dogtooth’s AR 15 extended magazines, or any of your mags, there are several ways that you can do so without risking damage or shortening their lifespan.
- Don’t store the magazines where they will receive direct sunlight. Too much exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage the polymer that makes up the mag, resulting in discoloration and loss of integrity.
- Keep the magazine covered with a Dust Cover to prevent any debris or contamination from entering the top of the magazine.
- Store the magazines in a space with controlled temperature and humidity. Fluctuating temperatures and damp environments can cause the metal springs to rust (although the Dogtooth Tactical magazine spring is made from stainless steel and is rust-resistant).
- Regularly disassemble, inspect, and clean your magazines.
If you’re concerned about storing the magazines loaded or unloaded, contrary to popular belief, storing loaded magazines doesn’t cause as much degradation–if any–to the mag’s performance as most think. The springs are far more likely to wear down from constant loading and unloading than spending an extended amount of time under compression.
About Dogtooth Tactical
Dogtooth Tactical is a company specializing in AR-15 extended magazines and accessories. We are a veteran-owned and American-made company of expert manufacturers and firearm enthusiasts. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and be sure to check out our full range of products.