I never liked the polymer? (or plastic?) AI mags for .223 In fact when I was shooting them, I tried to keep them in the shade so they would not get too hot. I honestly feel they are not made from a stable material. Why not just form them out of metal like the AI .308 mags?? Weird they would go this route (plastic), I was surprised when I first got them with my rifle.
If it were me at this point and they didn't work, I would take a few pics and see if you can get some loving from AI, or distributor. If that's a no go, then it's time to experiment. If they're f'd up why not. I would try and warm them up again, and see if I could reform them to something that functions. I watched some you tube videos on making kydex holsters. Maybe some of those techniques could save your mags. Good luck man.