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View Full Version : Tango Down ARC 30Rd Magazine



Eric
26 April 2009, 00:02
The product description and photographs are listed here. (http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1116&highlight=tango+down)

Tango Down has jumped into the high capacity 30 round polymer magazine for the M16/M4/AR-15 system. When I first received the magazine I noticed the two-part design, which looks like the upper piece merely snaps into the lower piece. I questioned the strength of the bond, but I was unable to break it. Ridges on the waffle pattern are higher than similar mags and the ARC mag also has horizontal ridges molded into the front and back. None of the molding is sharp or abrasive and for my purposes, I would actually like a more aggressive surface. The body of the magazine was solid and had very little give to it, less than a Pmag and much less than a Lancer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Tango%20Down/IMG_6376.jpg

The follower design is unusual in that it positions the last round on the left side of the mag, instead of the right. I'm not sure what this accomplishes, but it is the opposite positioning from USGI and similar mags. This could cause confusion for some users with a lot of familiarity with the standard system.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Tango%20Down/IMG_6360.jpg

The ARC magazine has a lot of spring pressure, more so than just about any other magazine of similar configuration. When loaded to full capacity I did not experience any problems locking it in place on a closed bolt. It was test fit in lowers from Colt, Bushmaster, Armalite, RRA, Oly Arms, Daniel Defense, POF and Stag. With each lower, the magazine dropped free and correctly engaged the bolt catch to lock open when empty.

I did live fire testing on my own and later at a three day LE patrol rifle class. Function was flawless, except in one particular Oly Arms rifle which functioned fine with USGI and Pmags. The round was feeding unusually high and failing to chamber.

The inability to disassemble the magazine didn't create any problems during the testing, but was different than what I'm accustomed to. I pitched the magazine into a sand backstop several times, which caused debris to enter it. Most of the crud shook out of the holes in the follower when inverted. I would still prefer a removable floor-plate that would allow me to disassemble, clean and inspect the components. If the bottom of the mag were to sustain damage, it would not be repairable by installing a new floor-plate, as you can do with a Pmag.

A fully loaded ARC magazine was dropped end-first onto cement three times, at a height of about four feet. No rounds dislodged and the body remained intact. I dropped an empty mag onto the ground and stomped on it several times without causing damage. During malfunction clearance drills I ripped out the mag, flung it into concrete and put a small ding into the top right/front corner. However, it did not break.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v503/AR15forme/Tango%20Down/IMG_6383.jpg

The Tango Down ARC magazine appears to be priced around $25, which is about $5 to $10 more that the Magpul Pmag. While I don't have a problem paying more for better gear, I don't see enough of an advantage for the increased cost, especially if making a quantity purchase. Despite the increased cost, the ARC magazine appears to be a decent option.