Lancer-Systems was at the Industry Day at the Range event during SHOT Show passing out their new L5AWM Advanced Warfighter Magazine. Lancer has been producing very innovative rifles and magazines for several years, and the Advanced Warfighter Magazine is an excellent example.
The L5AWM is a polymer magazine for AR-15 rifles, but has the added advantage of a steel insert at the top of the magazine providing metal feed lips. This ingenious design produces a much more durable magazine at what is often the Achilles heel of magazines in general, but polymer magazines in particular.
Lancer L5AWM – Advanced Warfare Magazine
When Lancer began to engineer the L5AWM, it was with one goal in mind – a better 5.56 magazine. The L5AWM was not going to be just another polymer magazine option. This was going to be a magazine with the reliability of steel, durability of polymer and weight of aluminum. The L5AWM is designed with a one piece, wrap-around steel feed lip assembly, and an aggressive surface texture on the polymer sides.
This combination has created an incredible hybrid magazine with characteristics tough enough for military, LE and commercial applications. Lancer designed the L5A5M internal geometry with a constant curve, maximizing positive feeding of the 5.56x45mm NATO (.223 caliber) round, and topped with a no-tilt follower for trouble-free feeding. The spring is made of steel for durability and longevity. The L5AWM body and component materials are corrosion and chemical resistant, passing military chemical testing, including exposure to DEET.
The L5AWM is available in translucent or opaque, with several optional colors. The translucent version has round count markers on the sides for easy reference, along with the quick visual confirmation. Removing the base plate for any maintenance needs is accomplished by pushing a small detent on the back of the base plate and sliding the base plate off to the rear. The detent hole is about the size of the tip of an 5.56x45mm round, or a Glock disassembly tool.
Though adding a steel insert to the design, the Lancer L5AWM magazine is actually lighter than their highly popular competitor Magpul PMAGs. Measurements were taken on an Amston scale.
- Lancer L5AWM (unloaded) – 126.60 grams
- Magpul M2 PMAG (unloaded) – 132.45 grams.
The L5AWM is compatible with all modern AR-15 rifle systems, including M4, M16, AR-15, SCAR16, HK416, ARX160, etc. Available in 5, 10, 20 and 30-round capacities, the Lancer L5AWM is an excellent choice in AR-15 magazines.
Lancer A5AWM Features:
- Hardened steel feed lips
- Impact resistant polymer body
- Available in translucent or opaque options
- Top of magazine catch is steel
- Non-tilt follower
- Constant curve internal geometry
- Stainless steel spring
- Aggressive texturing on body for positive grip
- Slim body design
- Slide on bottom, easy to dissemble
- Translucent bodies have round count markers
- Designed, Tooled, Manufactured and Assembled in the USA
- MSRP: $21.99 (translucent); $16.30 (opaque).
Final Thoughts
The BlueSheepDog Crew have been really impressed with Lancer products over the last few years. Their AR-15 and AR-10 style rifles incorporate the latest advancements in manufacturing and precision, and their magazines continue to improve. The L5AWM is well-built, affordable, and comes with the added benefit of having traditional steel feeding lips.
We plan on running our L5AWM through some heavy testing, and we’ll let you know how it held up. Based upon what we’ve seen so far we are expecting good things from this magazine.
