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Drum magazines expand a firearm's capacity so that more rounds can be fired before it is necessary to reload. However, using a drum mag may not be the most practical choice for every situation and could even be a detriment for some defensive encounters.
For most shooters, increasing the amount of ammunition on tap is a no-brainer. More rounds on target means better odds of incapacitating a deadly threat before that threat is fully realized. A quality drum mag is a great way to improve firepower and reduce the frequency of time-consuming reloads when seconds could mean the difference between life and death.
That expanded capacity does come at a cost, though. Drum magazines are larger and heavier than standard mags, which inhibits mobility by adding to the firearm's overall profile. Additionally, a small number of drums have been known to induce feeding-related malfunctions in handguns or long guns that were not specifically designed to run drum mags.
There are many factors that can impact the reliability of a drum magazine - the firearm model, the type of ammunition used, the design of the drum itself, etc. Thorough testing is critical to ensuring your drum mag runs effectively in your firearm with your defensive rounds of choice. With proper care and maintenance, a well-built drum magazine can run just like any other mag you'd use in your firearm.
Aside from extending the duration of your next range session, drum magazines have many practical applications for real-world self defense scenarios. A staged firearm stored with a loaded drum can provide convenient access to plenty of rounds to address an intruder during a burglary or home invasion. Or if you work in law enforcement, a quality drum mag for your patrol carbine can eliminate the need to carry a reload on your belt / vest as part of your daily carry.
We do not recommend drum mags for concealed carry (where size is an impediment) or competition shooting (where excess weight reduces speed), since concealment and reliability are arguably more important than capacity in each use case. However, a drum magazine would make an excellent addition to a concealed carry or bug out bag stowed in your vehicle.
If nothing else, drum magazines simply have that undeniable fun factor that makes them a must-have for any shoot day. Be sure to watch our video with the 100-round AR-15 drum to see firsthand why you need one of these in your range bag.
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