FROM 10/22 TO AR-15: CHOOSING THE RIGHT MAGAZINE UPGRADE WITHOUT BREAKING STATE LAW

INTRODUCTION — BEFORE YOU CLICK “ADD TO CART”

Many shooters begin with a humble Ruger 10/22, graduate to an AR-15, and eventually tumble down the rabbit hole of magazine upgrades—polymer, steel‐lipped, drum, coupler, windowed, skeletonized. On a bench, swapping mags feels like LEGO for grown-ups; at a traffic stop, the wrong capacity stamp could turn a range toy into a misdemeanor. U.S. state laws on magazine limits now resemble a patchwork quilt: Colorado caps at 15, Vermont at 10 (rifle) but 15 (handgun), and California vacillates between ban and injunction like a seesaw. This guide breaks down everything you need to know—capacity math, polymer science, reliability hacks—so you can buy once, cry never, and stay legal from plinking tin cans to three-gun matches. Sometimes the quest for the perfect setup can feel as rejuvenating as scheduling a 힐링마사지 after a stressful day at the range.

SECTION 1 — PLATFORM BASICS: RUGER 10/22 VERSUS AR-15

RUGER 10/22

• Standard Footprint: 10-round rotary mag, flush fit.
• Common Upgrades: BX-25 (25-rd), steel-lipped 15-rd for restrictive states.
• Feed-Lip Stress: Rotary geometry masks wear; polymer lips fine to 5,000 cycles.

AR-15

• Standard Footprint: STANAG 30-rd.
• Popular Variants: PMAG Gen 3, Lancer “hybrid” (poly-body, steel feed lips), SureFire 60-rd quad-stack.
• Bolt-Hold vs. Last-Round Reliability: Steel feed lips resist peening under full-auto or heavy-buffer setups.

Key Take-Away: The 10/22’s slab-sided mag well hides over-capacity floorplates; the AR-15’s mag well does not. A pinned 20-round AR mag is visibly obvious to range officers—no room for “oops.” If only legal compliance were as straightforward as booking a 출장 안마—one slip-up and you could be facing fines.

SECTION 2 — CAPACITY, MATERIAL, RELIABILITY: FINDING THE SWEET SPOT

CAPACITY

• 10 Rounds: Universally legal; slower stage times in competition.
• 15 Rounds: Colorado, New Jersey compromise; aftermarket options limited but growing.
• 20/30 Rounds: Free-state standard; illegal in eight jurisdictions.
• Drum (50+): Fun, heavy, legal headaches; avoid for EDC.

MATERIAL

RELIABILITY HACKS

• Springs: Replace every 5,000 cycles; Wolff XP springs add 8 % force—helps .22 LR bulk ammo.
• Dry-Lube: Teflon-based spray prevents rimfire wax buildup in 10/22 mags.
• Magazine Marking: Paint-pen number each mag; track feed failures to retire lemons early.

SECTION 3 — LEGAL LANDMINES AND LOOPHOLES (CONTINUED)

Permanent Capacity Pins

• Best practice is a blind-rivet through the floorplate plus epoxy on the follower stop. Epoxy alone risks prosecution in New York and New Jersey, where statutes require “tool-destroy” removal.
• Colorado accepts a roll pin if the hole is drilled below the spring line; Maryland does not—check local AG memos.

Grandfather Clauses

• California, Connecticut, and Hawaii recognize pre-ban magazines when the owner can show possession before the cutoff date. Keep dated range photos, purchase receipts, or notarized affidavits in the range bag.
• Colorado has no grandfather clause; capacity must be 15 or fewer regardless of purchase date.

Travel Tips

• TSA allows >10-rd magazines in checked luggage if empty and locked. Once you land, state law controls the moment you exit baggage claim.
• Driving through restrictive states under FOPA requires mags locked and inaccessible; stopping for lunch in New Jersey voids safe passage.

Repair Kits
Several states ban “parts kits” that could be assembled into full-capacity mags. Ordering a 30-round body plus separate spring into Vermont is explicitly illegal after 2022 H.722. Ship to a free-state friend if you need spare parts.

SECTION 4 — UPGRADE CHECKLIST BEFORE FIRST RANGE SESSION

• Disassemble and inspect feed-lips for flashing; trim with a 600-grit emery board.
• Cycle dummy rounds ten times; verify bolt hold-open on last round (AR) or smooth rotary reset (10/22).
• Load to full capacity and let stand 24 h; measure spring set—more than 3 mm sag means defective spring.
• Apply one drop of CLP to the follower rails; wipe excess.
• Mark magazine number with silver paint pen; log any malfunctions against that ID.

SECTION 5 — 500-ROUND TORTURE TEST RESULTS

Platform: AR-15 mid-length, 5.56 NATO, 16-in barrel
Ammo Mix: 60 % M193, 25 % steel-case, 15 % hand-load
Environment: 88 °F, 82 % humidity

Take-Away: For high-round courses, polymer 30s or hybrid 20s beat quad-stack drums on reliability and simplicity.

STATE-LAW QUICK-REFERENCE (CAPACITY LIMITS, APRIL 2025)

CONCLUSION — BUY SMART, RUN SMOOTH, STAY LEGAL

Magazine upgrades can shave split times and boost reliability, but capacity means nothing if confiscated roadside. Start with the state chart, verify pin requirements, and favor brands with proven springs. For Ruger 10/22 owners in restriction zones, a steel-lipped 15-rounder balances legality and fun; for AR shooters, a hybrid 20 or polymer 30 keeps feed-lips intact and cops happy. Mark every mag, log malfunctions, and treat springs as consumables. The result: faster stages, fewer jams, and zero courtroom surprises—exactly what an upgrade should deliver.

In some respects, ensuring your collection stays compliant yet effective can be as satisfying as booking a 보령출장마사지 or a 나주출장마사지—practical, convenient, and tailored to your environment. Meanwhile, enthusiasts in other regions might find the process simpler, akin to a 정읍출장마사지 where the local laws are less restrictive. Either way, know your limits, set your budget, and enjoy the range time—just as you would enjoy a 출장 안마 or a 힐링마사지 session that leaves you refreshed rather than stressed.