Beowulf vs. LAR mags

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grimblyd

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Sorry in advance if this is the wrong place to post this. I can't think of where else it should go.

So, now that I have my tactical rifle (CQ-A Norinco, 14.5", stock) on the way. It's time to plan magazine and capacities. I am receiving 2 5 shot magazines with it. (original metal magazine, and 1 30, pinned to 5 magazine.)

My options are

10 rnd pinned LAR magazine for $25/each

Beowulf magazine (the ones that you can get 13-14 rounds in to?) at $40/each

Budget wise, I'm about tapped out so thinking just pick up 4 LAR, gives me 40 rnd capacity for $100

BUT, the efficiency part of my brain keeps screaming at me about getting the most capacity for the least space etc. I haven't actually physically seen either of these magazines, so not sure if size matters in this scenario. (It always makes me happy when I can slip in a size matters joke).

3 Beowulf would be $120, and round capacity of 39-42, based on whether the Beowulf are actually 13 or 14. So really similar round capacity.

Only other factor I can think of, is if the rules change, and I need to pin the magazines to 5 rounds, then the cost of doing that would be for only 3 magazines if I went Beowulf.

All considered, it seems to come down to $20 more for same capacity, and possibly less fumbling, room taken up by tactical rifle magazines during a shoot/match.

What I am asking of you folks, is there anything else that I should be considering here? Anything missing in my analysis? I know it's only $120, but I've already made a couple mistakes in getting set up that I have to backtrack on so kind of trying to minimize that.

Thanks in advance!

Dan
 
If you are planning to compete in IPSC rifle, the Beowulf mags are almost a requirement to be competitive these days. The legislative risk issue is unknowable...you pays your money and takes your chances...like the rest of us.

Most CQB competitions insist on only 5 rounds per mag since they are trying to force mag changes and awareness of ammunition management - so more mags are better.
 
With the RCMP attacking the Ruger 10/22 platform, trying to remove all 10+ magazines from the market that will fit in a Charger, it's possible that pistol and Beowulf mags are next. Going by this the 10 round pistol mags would be a safer bet. Even if no longer allowed in semi-auto they should still be okay for bolt actions or you can pin them. Beowulf mags might not do so well. This is just my opinion and what I would consider before making a purchase today.
 
I've only done one competition and only brought pmags. My teammates gave me a funny look and lent me a few LAR and Beowulf mags which made life a lot easier.

After the comp, there was some spare time, so I decided to run the last stage again for fun, using Pmags only and there were a LOT of mag changes, lol!

I'd love to be able to get the full length Alexander Arms Beowulf mags pinned to 5, but the last time I saw a retailer who had them, they were asking $100 each. Ouch.
 
grimblyd said:
What I am asking of you folks, is there anything else that I should be considering here? Anything missing in my analysis? I know it's only $120, but I've already made a couple mistakes in getting set up that I have to backtrack on so kind of trying to minimize that.
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Something to consider is that not all rifles and mags function perfectly when the mags are filled to maximum capacity. A jam can be much more time consuming (and potentially disastrous to your stage and match times) than a simple mag change. The LAR-15s, and metal mags in general, are less prone.
 
Mister Donut said:
I've only done one competition and only brought pmags. My teammates gave me a funny look and lent me a few LAR and Beowulf mags which made life a lot easier.

After the comp, there was some spare time, so I decided to run the last stage again for fun, using Pmags only and there were a LOT of mag changes, lol!

I'd love to be able to get the full length Alexander Arms Beowulf mags pinned to 5, but the last time I saw a retailer who had them, they were asking $100 each. Ouch.
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Wolverine has some coming and I think rusty wood has them in Stock. Think $50 or less.
 
grimblyd, you also need to consider any division capacity rules and need for spare mags in case you drop one.

For example, if you were shooting any division other than Open at an MP3G match, you're limited to 10 rounds in a mag. So having 3 Beowulf mags doesn't give you 45 rounds available, it gives you 30.

It's not uncommon to see folks fumble a reload or lose a mag while running or shooting around a low barricade and having an extra mag on your belt can save the stage from being a complete train wreck.
 
Stevo said:
grimblyd, you also need to consider any division capacity rules and need for spare mags in case you drop one.

For example, if you were shooting any division other than Open at an MP3G match, you're limited to 10 rounds in a mag. So having 3 Beowulf mags doesn't give you 45 rounds available, it gives you 30.

It's not uncommon to see folks fumble a reload or lose a mag while running or shooting around a low barricade and having an extra mag on your belt can save the stage from being a complete train wreck.
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Why the heck would anyone (club) limit magazine capacity other then to legal limits?
 
cereal83 said:
Yes so thats why they set it as the limit.
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You're missing my point. Why don't they limit to 5 (usually shipped with guns) as everyone may not have 10. That's like saying everyone has to shoot a Norc AR as everyone can't afford a POF or Colt or Stag Arms. Ridiculous.
We are our own worst enemies.
 
tomo333 said:
Why the heck would anyone (club) limit magazine capacity other then to legal limits?
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cereal83 said:
To be fair as not everybody has mags that hold 15. In terms of competition
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It has nothing to do with "fairness".

It's set up that way so Open will (notionally) be the fastest division with mag capacities in all guns being limited only by what's legal.

No different than USPSA with it's Limited divisions.

tomo333 said:
You're missing my point. Why don't they limit to 5 (usually shipped with guns) as everyone may not have 10. That's like saying everyone has to shoot a Norc AR as everyone can't afford a POF or Colt or Stag Arms. Ridiculous.
We are our own worst enemies.
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Having the facts before you #### on people may have helped out here.
 
peterrunsguns said:
Beowulf mags are now required to be pinned to 2 50 cal rounds and so that makes it pinned to 5 .223 rounds. LAR pistol mags have not been subjected to RCMP changes.....yet
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I claim this as BS unless you can point to a credible reference. If you are being sarcastic, it just doesn't work in a post and has the risk of spreading misinformation.
 
Pr589 said:
I claim this as BS unless you can point to a credible reference. If you are being sarcastic, it just doesn't work in a post and has the risk of spreading misinformation.
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Read this on another site. Take it as you will.

As some of you know we were declined an IIC for the Alexander Arms .50 Beowulf magazines earlier this year. Foreign Affair Canada said they would not issue the IIC due to the controversy surrounding these magazines and asked that we get clarification on the matter from the RCMP. I then wrote to the RCMP asking for said clarification back in May and just now received their response. The following is a direct quote for the letter we received.

The 50 Beowulf Magazine
In the case of AR platform rifles chambered for 50 Beowulf calibre, the magazine is adapted from the original 5.56x45 NATO version of the magazine, generally by one or more of the following: widening the space between the magazine lips, changing the angle of the magazine lips and changing the feed angle of the magazine follower. The adaptations more efficiently feed the much larger diameter 50 Beowulf calibre cartridge. However, the original ability to contain and feed 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges has not been deleted and the magazines remain serviceable for that purpose.
The 50 Beowulf cartridge is centrefire and the AR platform rifles which use that calibre are semiautomatic. Thus, cartridge magazines for 50 Beowulf calibre firearms are prohibited if more than five 50 Beowulf cartridges can be contained in the magazine (subparagraph ii, as above).
Magazines for the AR platform which contain four or five 50 Beowulf calibre cartridges present a more complicated situation. Such magazines will generally contain 11 and 14 cartridges respectively of 5.56x45 mm NATO (or 223 Remington) calibre. Since the 50 Beowulf calibre magazines are adapted from the original 5.56x45 mm NATO design and the ability of the magazine to perform as originally designed has not been compromised by the adaptation, such magazines are prohibited if they contain more than five 5.56x45 mm NATO cartridges. The magazines are in effect dual calibre magazines and will be prohibited if they exceed five shots capacity of either calibre.
Magazines have recently been manufactured in, or imported into Canada bearing markings suggesting they are exclusively designed for 50 Beowulf ammunition, and at four or five shot capacity, are non-prohibited magazines. This is simply not the case. All magazines for 50 Beowulf calibre AR platform firearms presently on the Canadian market are prohibited devices.
AR Platform Upper Receivers
You had also asked about 50 Beowulf calibre AR upper receivers. Your understanding is correct that they are not prohibited.

Yours Sincerely,
Manager,
Specialized Firearms Support Services
Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Support Services Directorate
Canadian Firearms Program
Specialized Policing
 
This is an old issue and is not reflective of the current status of Beowulf magazines. It refers to issues with a specific shipment of Beo mags that was experienced by a particular importer. I also see no mention of a requirement to pin the mags to 2 rounds.

Given what is currently happening with 10/22 mags, now is not a good time for inaccuracy.

See the link below for more detail and a more accurate description.
http://calibremag.ca/rcmp-prohibit-50-beowulf-magazines/
 
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