M4 Mag sizes
 

I had thought that I saw on old thread comparing M4 mag sizes to the real steel counterpart but I have been unable to locate it.

Basically, I'm wondering what Airsoft M4 magazines are the most comparable to the RS M4 mags. So far I've found that the ICS hi-caps seem to be closest but I would like to go the low cap route and was wondering if there was anything currently available on the market.

I know that the CA, TM and STAR mags are all too small.

Systema Mags for the PTW.

Otherwise all airsoft mags are fatter, and generally shorter. ICS and G&G mags are the correct length, however due to AEG design they stick out of the reciver too much.

RS are about 1mm thinner and 15mm longer then the AS mags. Color texture wise its a crap shoot , depends on what manufacturer you get AS or RS mags from. Ive got 2 differnt kinds of mags here some look more like the CA hicaps and star plastic lowcaps then anything else. The others are almost teflon coated black and dont really match up with anything in the AS world. I could post pics if needed.

PTW mags are the closest to real steel dimensions that you can get in an airsoft version. That's because they use real mag shells for their mags.

When a standard AEG mag is installed in the gun, it will extend out of the magwell the same amount as on a real steel gun.

Differences in dimensions are more apparent when the mag is alone.

Yeah, I was planning on going the PTW route, but having a functional bolt just doesn't justify the cost in my mind. I'm going to stick with my 3rd gen ICS M4 but I want to make sure that it at least looks accurate in terms of mag length sticking out of my gun. Obviously there are small dimensional differences in terms of receiver thickness etc. but those are pretty much invisible to the naked eye.

By the sounds of what you guys are saying, any standard TM, CA, STAR mag would stick out of the gun just as much as the RS.

That leads me to my next question, I was pondering purchasing some of the G&P thermomold mags to go for an older Canadian look. (When they first introduced the C8 to the Canadian forces). I have one of these mags already but it misfeeds ALL the time. Do all the G&P thermomold mags do this or did I just get a defunct mag?

If you think the only difference between a PTW and a regular AEG is just a "functional bolt", then you are sadly sadly mistaken, my friend. You're missing on the greatest thing next to sliced bread.

Haha, everyone keeps saying that but I still can't help but cringe at the costs.

For my $3000+ to get started with a PTW, what do I get that is different from my upgraded ICS that cost $1200? From what I have read, I get:

- A bolt catch / a gun that stops firing after the mag is empty
- Realistic dimensions (why would I want to buy RS parts for an AS gun at double or even triple the price of the replica. Sure, if I had a RS M4 that I used at the range that could be justified. Just my opinion though.)
- Burst fire? (which I would personally never use)
- Full piston cycle upon trigger pull

My ICS already has a split gear box so spring and piston changes take seconds. The gun is already full metal, has no barrel wobble and is solid as a rock. If the gears get stuck because I'm silly and don't hold the trigger down I just have to hit the forward assist and it clears. I just don't understand what the hell I'm missing. lol.

I guess I need to meet up with Mcguyver and see if he can make me a convert, huh?