Most .308 box magazines are relatively cheap, light, simple and hold 20 rounds. They work great for those who wear additional magazine pouches and have friends cover them during reloads. Drums are not cheap, weigh a little more and hold 50 rounds. 100rd double drums are much heavier and work best for fixed positions.
So what do you get for the extra money spent? 2.5x as much ammunition before the first reload is necessary. Machined feed lips that are resistant to damage. Thick convex mag body, also resistant to damage. For a single fighter who has no one to cover his reloads and who might not have a load-bearing vest on, it makes sense. You pay more for the magazines but win time in combat.
Unlike extended box magazines, properly designed drums do not put every round under constant spring pressure, only those inside the feed tower. That improves feeding reliability. A drum is also shorter than a 30rd .308 magazine, so firing prone is easier.
This particular design does not require tools for loading.
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Oleg – Have you tried the X-FAL 50 round drum in your RFB?
(Same folks as make the one shown here)
I do not have a FAL drum yet. Not sure if it fits the RFB but I think it does not. I will try it in a couple of DSA FALs.
I will try this one in an M1A Rogue bullpup conversion.
I like the cut of your jib, sir.
Your photos make everything a thing of beauty!
From my personaly perspective, drum mags are great “fun shoot” items but have limited use in the real world.
The advantages (larger ready ammo supply, longer between reloads) really only help if you are in a prolonged firefight. The disadvantages (greater weight & bulk) hamper the real world manuvering with a rifle. The advantages are greatest with a full atuo gun, and even then they don’t balance out IMHO.
For defending a fixed position they are handy. But unless your fixed position is a foxhole, trench, sandbagged emplacement or bunker staying in one place for that long is not healthy. Defending your home against a home invasion is really unlikely to be a long term high round count scenario. If it is, you are being attacked by either a suicidal horde or you are going to be facing a hailstorm of incoming rifle and pistol fire (that the walls of your house are unlikely to stop). While a drum might help in the first, it becaumes a definate liability if the second happens (and you need to find a new cover spot pronto).
Jeff,
I think you’re overlooking several other uses. Overwatch positions at a circuity facility, forward advancement in the roll of LMG, and Border support. High cap magazines are easier to manage than a belt fed, or crew serviced weapon, plus there is no exposure to the elements. We’re just trying to simply the LMG roll.
It looks great but at $270.00 each I think I’ll stick with my 20 round mags.
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One must question the ergonomics and balance of a drum magazine in a bullpup configuration.