Almost without regard to the type of airsoft gun you typically play with, you’re going to need a fleet of reliable airsoft magazines to carry you through to success. No matter what you play with - a bolt action spring sniper rifle, a green gas blowback pistol, a high capacity, powerful AEG - you’re going to use a magazine with it. Where else does your ammo come from, after all?

Without a good airsoft mag, you’re basically going to be working with a single-shot airsoft gun, which is not very much use in a competition. Here’s the good news - despite the operation of your airsoft gun, the qualities that make up a good magazine aren’t going to change very much. Here are some of the best ways to identify quality in airsoft magazines.

●Keep capacity in mind - Some airsoft guns that are only designed to take mid-capacity (mid-cap) magazines actually have had high capacity magazines designed for them. Consider, for example, the AW Custom 350 Round Drum Magazine that was designed for multiple styles of Hi-Capa airsoft pistols that otherwise wouldn’t hold nearly as many rounds. Extra magazines with a higher capacity can make you much more effective in the field.

●Metal is your friend - Some airsoft mags are made with high-density polymers that resist torque and twisting, but all the same, metal is your friend in the field, especially corrosion-resistant alloys. Despite the fact that some quality mags are made from plastic polymers, it’s hard to beat a tough metal alloy that will stand up better to abuse than almost anything else - if your mag doesn’t work, how much is it really worth?

●A strong spring - The single ‘mission-critical’ component of an airsoft mag is the spring that feeds the BBs up in the actual airsoft gun itself. Without a strong spring, the airsoft mag is headed for the door from the day you unbox it. Springs stretch out, break, lose their memory, and compress. Probably other unseemly things happen to springs, too, but the point is you need a strong one.

●A quality follower - There’s more than one type of mechanism that feeds airsoft BBs into your gun with the help of the spring mentioned above, but without a good follower above the spring, the mag just won’t work with your airsoft gun. Followers warp, break, and get distorted, and that’s something to be aware of.

●Compatibility with multiple platforms - Check out that drum magazine we linked to above. That drum mag is compatible with WE, AW, and TM style Hi-Capa pistols. That’s not out of the norm for airsoft mags; oftentimes they are compatible with many different models, or at least brands, of airsoft guns. If one mag serves two platforms, all the better for you.

●Bumpers can extend the life of a magazine - Let’s face it; airsoft guns get bumped and knocked around during matches. Some magazines are thoughtfully designed with soft plastic or rubber bumpers around their bases. These aren’t as useful to the mag as they are to the airsoft gun they’re loaded into - if the gun gets dropped, it might be better able to survive the fall.

●Translucency - Some airsoft magazines are made to be entirely transparent, and others have nothing more than a little window you can see through to view the side of the mag. Either of these will help you see that you’re going to run out soon, and are much more welcome than the sound of a dry airsoft gun.

●Hi-vis can also be valuable - One more thing to note is that some mags are designed to be high visibility, which can be valuable in the field and can help minimize misplacement or loss.

●Beware - some require batteries - this is not necessarily a selling point, but something to be aware of before buying. Some airsoft mags are capable of holding 2,000 or more rounds, but the tradeoff is that some of these require batteries. Be aware before buying, just like you should be aware of compatibility, and if you have questions, just call.

Naturally, these are only some of the traits of airsoft magazines that can make them valuable to you. The only way to be really certain that an airsoft mag is valuable to you is to individually assess it. Take a look through our collection of airsoft magazines and make sure you call us if you have any questions at all.

Remember, a spare - a spare loaded mag, that is - can be a game-changer in the field when you are under fire and can save your team. In addition to keeping spare mags, you should also keep speedloaders and extra ammo on hand, just in case you need it.

Check out what we offer, and if you have any questions, make sure you give us a call at 800-581-6620 to and we’d be more than happy to help. Remember, you’re covered by our low price guarantee and certain orders even qualify for free shipping, so treat yourself to something new today!