Cammenga EASYMAG
The Cammenga EASYMAG is distinguished from standard magazines by the way that it loads. The front portion of the magazine pulls downward, depressing the spring and follower, locking it into the lowest position. The cartridges are then loaded from the front. When the capacity of 30 rounds is met, the front of the magazine slides upward into place, releasing the spring and follower. The magazine is then ready to fire.

The EASYMAG has a continuous curve instead of the standard straight/curve shape. The continuous curve design allows the follower and track to remain in alignment throughout its entire range of travel, which results in less shifting and movement of the ammunition as it feeds out of the magazine. Cammenga believes the design contributes to the EASYMAG’s high level of performance in sandy conditions.

The follower performs the functions of compressing the spring, locking to the base plate, feeding the ammunition and pushing up the rifle’s bolt catch. The two samples I evaluated functioned as advertised. No malfunctions were experienced. It took some getting used to in terms of putting the rounds in the magazine. If the cartridges were placed improperly from the front, the base of the case would fall into the rib and would then have to be pulled out and set properly to load the next round.

Lancer Systems L5 Magazines
Lancer Systems of Allentown, Pa., produces one of the finest magazines available today. The L5 is unique, as the 30-round-capacity magazine is not all-polymer. The feed lips are steel and are molded into the plastic body. Lancer felt the steel lips would be an improvement, even though molding them into the body is a tricky process. Because of its translucent body and round-count markings of “20” and “30” molded into the magazine, the user can know with reasonable certainty how many rounds are in the magazine. The L5 uses the standard G.I. green follower, but, as of this writing, Lancer is working on an anti-tilt follower. The floorplate is rubber-covered with a large drain hole on the bottom. Disassembly is accomplished by pressing in two wings, one on each side of the magazine, which allows the floorplate to tilt out.

Last year, Lancer introduced two new magazines into its line, and the first is the long-anticipated 20-round magazine. The L5-20 uses a constant curve design, which veers away from the straight design as seen in the 20-round U.S. G.I. aluminum magazine. The other is the L5 Competition (L5C), which is a 48-round magazine intended for 3-gun competitions and the like, during which reloading costs time. The L5C uses a precision-machined aluminum coupler that accurately aligns 1 1/2 magazine bodies, ensuring constant curve shot columns. Lancer also produces a side-by-side magazine coupler as well as a floorplate removal tool for disassembly. I used this magazine extensively and had no malfunctions in several thousand rounds.

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