How to load ammunition into an AR magazine

This brief photo collection will illustrate how to load .223 (or 5.56 ammunition) into an empty AR magazine. Although the illustrated AR magazine is from a Smith and Wesson M&P 15T AR rifle, this information also generally applies to all other AR style rifles.

Click on any of the images to enlarge them.

Loading ammunition into an empty AR magazine is fairly straightforward. The Smith and Wesson M&P 15T can use 5.56 or .223 ammunition. In this example, .223 ammunition is used.


Start off by placing the magazine in one hand with the rear of the magazine facing the palm of your hand. Then get a .223 cartridge in the other hand.


Place the cartridge on the top of the magazine as illustrated below.


Now push the cartridge straight down into the magazine. It should snap in with minimal pressure.


Now get another cartridge and place it a little to the right of the initial round of ammunition on top of the magazine.


Now push this second round of ammunition down into the magazine just like the first. It should move down with a minimum of pressure.


The top of your magazine should look like this. The ammunition offset slightly and one cartridge off center and on top of the other.


Continue loading the magazine with a left-right combination. Place a cartridge slightly to the left on top of the magazine and push down. Next place a cartridge slightly to the right on top of the magazine and push down. Then place a cartridge slightly to the left on top of the magazine and push down.


Continue until the magazine is fully loaded or you have loaded the number of cartridges you require. This next overhead photo shows how the magazine will look as it is almost fully loaded with ammunition.


Loading an AR magazine with ammunition is not difficult. I personally find it easier than loading most handgun magazines.

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