Are drum mags illegal?
Asked by: Pete Rath | Last update: March 25, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (64 votes)
Drum magazines (or high-capacity magazines) are legal federally but banned or restricted in several U.S. states and localities, with limits often set at 10 or 15 rounds, making their legality entirely dependent on your specific location, as laws vary widely, prohibiting purchase, transfer, or possession in certain areas.
Are drum mags illegal in the US?
Drum magazines (high-capacity magazines) are legal federally in the U.S. but are banned or restricted in many states and cities, with limits typically set at 10 or 15 rounds, making their legality dependent on your specific location, so always check your state and local laws before possessing or purchasing one.
In what states are 30 round magazines illegal?
California: Prohibits magazines over 10 rounds. Colorado: Prohibits magazines over 15 rounds. Connecticut: Prohibits magazines over 10 rounds; requires registration of large-capacity magazines owned before 2013. Hawaii: Limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds for handguns (no limit for rifles).
What is the problem with drum mags?
There are MANY reasons not to use a drum mag. First, they are heavy to carry around. Second, they tend to jam, and that is normally at a very bad time. Third, way too often the shooter will try to burn up the rounds, and will actually burn up the gun. The M61a1, for example, has a drum.
Can you have a drum mag?
Are drum magazines legal? Yes! Unless you live in a state with magazine capacity restrictions, drum magazines are legal.
Why Drum Magazines are a Bad Idea
Are there restrictions on owning Glock drum mags?
Federal legal guidelines regarding journal capability don't particularly ban high-capacity magazines. Nevertheless, particular person states and localities could have restrictions. Many states have legal guidelines limiting the capability of magazines that may be legally owned.
Why does the military not use drum mags?
Militaries generally avoid drum magazines due to significant drawbacks: they are heavy, bulky, harder to carry, prone to jamming/reliability issues (especially with dirt), complex to load (requiring tools), and hinder weapon maneuverability and quick reloading, making standard box magazines a better compromise for weight, ergonomics, and battlefield efficiency, despite drums offering higher capacity. For sustained fire, belt-fed machine guns are a superior military solution.
Do drum mags jam easily?
Yes, drum magazines have historically been more prone to jamming than standard box magazines due to their complex internal geometry, strong springs, weight, and sensitivity to dirt, though modern designs have improved reliability, they remain less foolproof, often failing with the last few rounds or when dirty, making them less favored for critical use compared to simple box mags.
What gun is known for jamming?
Guns known for jamming often include early versions of the M16/AR-15 (especially in wet/dirty conditions), the M60 machine gun (due to extraction/latch issues), some cheap .22 caliber pistols like the Zip22 (dubbed the "Jam-O-Matic"), and certain handguns like the Walther P22, often due to ammunition, maintenance, or design flaws. While some classic designs like the 1911 can jam, it's often linked to maintenance or weak ammo, whereas unreliable budget guns suffer more frequent issues.
What is the freest gun state?
There isn't one single "freest" gun state, as rankings vary, but New Hampshire, West Virginia, Arkansas, Montana, and South Dakota are consistently ranked among the most gun-friendly due to permissive laws like constitutional/permitless carry, strong self-defense protections (Stand Your Ground), and lack of sales tax on firearms. Other states often cited for lenient laws include Arizona, Wyoming, Alaska, Utah, and Mississippi, though some recent political shifts in states like Arizona have impacted their rankings.
Can you get flagged for buying too many guns?
Yes, buying multiple firearms, especially handguns or certain rifles in a short period, can get you flagged because Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must report these "multiple sales" to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) (ATF) for tracking illegal trafficking, though there's no federal limit on ownership, and the ATF looks for patterns like buying many of the same gun to spot potential crime. Specific reporting rules apply to handguns (two or more in 5 business days) and certain rifles in border states, potentially leading to ATF or law enforcement follow-up.
Will I get in trouble for having more than a 10 round mag?
Yes, you can get in trouble for possessing a magazine over 10 rounds, as it depends heavily on your state and local laws, with many states like California, New York, and others banning them, while federal law doesn't have a universal ban, but some states have ongoing legal challenges to their bans. Penalties vary from fines (infractions) to jail time (misdemeanor or felony), and can include confiscation, so it's crucial to check your specific jurisdiction's laws regarding possession, sale, and manufacturing.
How many bullets can you legally carry in a handgun?
The following states have implemented capacity-based magazine bans: California – 10 rounds, Colorado – 15 rounds, Connecticut – 10 rounds, Hawaii – 10 rounds, Massachusetts – 10 rounds, New York – 10 rounds; New Jersey – 10 rounds (previously restricted to 15 rounds); Vermont – 10 rounds for rifles and 15 rounds for ...
Did Biden pass gun legislation?
The bill was signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 25, 2022. It was the first major federal gun legislation to be passed since the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994.
Why are drum mags illegal?
Drum magazines, and other high-capacity magazines (HCMs), are illegal in some places because they allow shooters to fire more rounds before reloading, increasing the lethality of mass shootings, and research suggests bans reduce shooting frequency and fatalities, though their effectiveness is debated. Laws vary by state, typically banning magazines over 10 or 15 rounds, driven by their common use in mass shootings, like those in Las Vegas, Parkland, and Uvalde, which fuels legislative action to curb gun violence.
Is an M4 better than an AR-15?
Neither the M4 nor the AR-15 is inherently "better"; they're different tools for different users, with the M4 being a military select-fire rifle (full-auto/burst/semi) and the AR-15 being its civilian, semi-automatic-only counterpart, differing mainly in legal features like fire control and barrel length, making the AR-15 ideal for civilian customization and sport, while the M4 is built for military combat effectiveness.
What gun do Navy SEALs carry?
Navy SEALs use a variety of specialized firearms, but their iconic sidearm for decades was the Sig Sauer P226 MK25, known for reliability in harsh conditions, with newer operations seeing the adoption of the Glock 19 as well. Their primary rifles often include the M4A1 Carbine, specialized variants like the MK18 CQBR, and the MK17 SCAR-H for heavier rounds, while machine guns like the MK46/MK48 and precision rifles are also standard.
What are the drawbacks of using a drum mag?
Drum magazines have significant drawbacks, primarily being heavy, bulky, and less reliable than standard box magazines, leading to poor ergonomics, difficult handling, slower reloading, potential jamming, and greater cost, making them impractical for dynamic situations despite their high capacity. They also have complex internal mechanisms, making them harder to clean, and if dropped, the extra weight stresses the construction, potentially leading to breakage.
Why do glocks always jam?
Dirty or Poorly Maintained Gun
In addition, a gun that is not properly lubricated can experience friction that can cause jams. To prevent this, it's important to clean your Glock regularly using a quality gun cleaner and lubricant.
What is the 80 20 rule in drumming?
The 80/20 rule in drumming (Pareto Principle) means focusing your limited practice time on the 20% of skills that yield 80% of your musical results, identifying the main obstacles holding you back, and prioritizing foundational elements like timekeeping, groove, and sound over learning everything. It's about efficiency, finding your biggest roadblocks (like playing in time or improvising), and attacking those specific areas for maximum improvement, making practice more productive and less overwhelming.
Will 12 gauge stop a bear?
The 12 Gauge: Most Popular and Proven
Slugs—particularly rifled or sabot slugs in a rifled barrel—deliver the penetration and knockdown power needed to reach the vitals of a mature black bear. Slugs are also a popular choice for their deep penetration and stopping power.
Do SEALs prefer Glock or SIG?
The Glock 19 is largely preferred and celebrated by Navy SEALs, in large measure because it performs much better in salt water. The Navy SEALs regularly operate in such environments, and a more durable sidearm greatly enhances the operational capacity and range of missions.