REVIEW: DRUM MAGAZINES: MAGPUL D60 vs Beta C Clone

Sure! Please provide the text that you would like us to translate into English while preserving HTML elements, image sources, and links as they are.Sometimes it just has to be more. This also applies to ammunition. There are two options for that when considering the AR platform: pack more regular magazines or use a drum magazine. The selection is large, especially on the other side of the ocean – but there are also a few models washed up on our shores. Today we show you the Magpul PMAG D60 and a Korean clone of the Beta C magazine.First of all: much has been tried in the past to increase the capacity of a assault rifle. In addition to drum magazines, the options also include magazine couplers that link two or more magazines together, extended magazines, the RediMag, and surely some other solutions.All have, in addition to the advantage of increased capacity or faster reloading, of course disadvantages – all mentioned solutions add more weight and size to the weapon, which is definitely a factor to consider. Especially with quick-change systems, you need a lot of training to adjust to the modified loading process and deviate from the KISS (Keep it simple and stupid) principle. This can bring additional malfunctions or delays that are completely undesirable in a reloading scenario. Storage of such magazines or coupled magazines must also be considered if additional magazines are to be carried.

The original Beta C Mag has been around for quite a while and among drum magazines it has a very high capacity of 100 rounds - which according to our research is only surpassed by Armatac with the SAWMAG which holds 150 rounds.But more than 100 rounds under an assault rifle like the AR15 is actually no longer acceptable, as the weight and handling of the weapon are significantly deteriorated.

We opted for the widely distributed clone of the Beta C Mag by KCI, as the original is twice as expensive and we wanted to stay in the same price range as the Magpul D60 magazine.

The Korean derivative visually resembles its model in every respect and comes with identical accessories. The package includes the C-Magazine, a cover for the feeder, a loading aid, operating instructions, graphite, and a carrying case.The purpose of the graphite quickly becomes clear once you hold the magazine in your hands: it serves for lubrication and prevents loading jams.

Both the original and the clone are hated for their susceptibility to malfunctions, but usually malfunctions only arise due to lack of maintenance or exactly the lack of graphite.

Properly lubricated, we experienced no feed malfunctions, although without gloves you quickly end up with the hands of a pencil artist who has just created his masterpiece in a 36-hour marathon.

The loading aid is absolutely necessary compared to the PMAG D60, as 100 rounds have to be pressed into the magazine, which is no longer possible by hand alone after a few rounds.

The magazine is almost entirely made of metal, resulting in an empty weight of 1040 grams.

Due to the "C-shaped" construction, the ammunition is divided into two drums, which are inserted to the right and left of the weapon. At the bottom, you have about the length of a 20-round magazine. The bottom is flat and therefore ideal for shooting from a rest, which is an advantage given the increased weight.

Inserting the magazine proved to be problematic with the AR15 we used, as the magazine clicked in very forcefully and also did not fall out freely. We had both magazines only on loan for testing and unfortunately could not make any modifications to them - with a little sandpaper, the fitting inaccuracies should no longer pose a problem.The Beta C Mag can be disassembled for cleaning and maintenance.

The Korean model is only available with a solid body without an ammunition status indicator. The original also offers a version with a fully transparent back cover.The Magpul D60 is mostly made of polymer, as you know from regular PMAGs. It holds 60 rounds and can be loaded with an integrated charging handle. This is relatively unproblematic until the last round, but here too you can use a loading aid to speed up the process.

In addition to an instruction manual, dust cover, and a Magpul sticker, the Magpul D60 comes with nothing else – no bag or similar.

At Magpul, the cartridges are provided in a single drum, which sits just below the weapon. Due to its construction, the total length of the D60 is just slightly longer than a regular 30-round magazine. This means that handling is hardly worsened, and the weight of a filled PMAG is only 289 grams more than two filled 30-round PMAGS of the third generation.The empty weight is 579 grams.

To check the loading status, there is a small viewing window on the back at the top of the drum, which indicates the complete fill level with the number 60 and the "almost empty" status with the number 10.At the bottom, you will find the typical marking/labeling area, which is also engraved on the Gen3 PMAGs.The PMAG D60 can also be completely disassembled for cleaning and troubleshooting.Handling and feeding with the D60 work just like with a regular magazine – it can be easily inserted and ejected with the mag release – the cartridge feeding in our tests always ran smoothly.Full magazines in comparison:

• PMAG GEN3 - 30 rounds - 511 grams
• PMAG D60 - 60 rounds - 1311 grams
• KCI Beta C Mag - 100 rounds - 2276 grams

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