The idea of carrying more than 30 rounds in an AR-15 isn’t anything new. Several companies have tried to engineer a variety of solutions that provide additional capacity to support AR-15 pattern firearms. The demand  for these types of solutions certainly exists out there. For example, besides the previous few DOD solicitations, top level competitors are always looking to save time by eliminating magazine swaps.

Enter Desert Tech: The QMAG-53 & Quattro-15   

In the past, Utah-based Desert Tech actually had some extra-capacity magazine concepts under development. Originally, these prototypes would be meant for use in their latest bullpup, the Desert Tech Wolverine. Given the Wolverine’s design, implementing this concept magazine was just not going to work without sacrificing the advantages of the system. 

Instead, Desert Tech deemed that its best course of action was to design and develop their own extended-capacity magazine. In order to stay both successful and reliable with their design, Desert Tech ended up designing the QMAG-53 magazine.  And then—Desert Tech developed a unique lower receiver that could accept the QMAG-53’s wider profile. The result, available from Desert Tech as a complete firearm (rifle or large-format pistol), is known as the Desert Tech Quattro-15.

It’s worth introducing the QMAG-53 before moving onto Desert Tech Quattro-15 itself. After all, Desert Tech designed it first, then the Quattro-15 corresponding lower receiver. The QMAG is a 53-round polymer magazine created with robustness, reliability and ease of loading in mind. 

Beyond the fact that Quattro-15 lowers are designed to feed from QMAG-53s, Quattro-15s  were also developed to deviate as little as possible from the tried-and-true AR-15 standard lower. This is why the Quattro-15 maintains the same general controls, but with the added feature of a right-side bolt catch. Quattro-15  lower receivers also take standard AR-15 pattern trigger assemblies. Desert Tech even created an adapter that could accept standard AR-15 pattern magazines. In my Quattro-15 lower, I run a Wilson Combat M2 ETU two-stage trigger, a mil-spec buffer tube, a Sprinco white buffer spring and a PWS H2 buffer. My furniture comes from Magpul and my safety is a Radian Talon unit.  

How Much Ammo Do I Need?

When Desert Tech had me run their prototype Quattro-15, it initially seemed a solution in search of a problem. Carrying 50-60 rounds in a single AR magazine is not a new idea. It just never caught on all the way. Even drum magazines are only marginally popular. Many shooters including myself simply don’t like their heft and added weight in comparison to standard 30 rounders.  Yet, certain drum mags still have a bit of a following amongst competitors.  

After thorough hands-on testing, my interest piqued in the QMAG-53 and the Quattro-15. It was Desert Tech’s approach that convinced me to change my mind. Because they designed the QMAG magazine first and then the Quattro-15’s lower receiver second. Compatibility and feeding issues between the two were addressed from the beginning. The end result was a 53 round magazine that is shorter than a standard magazine. It’s also  wider but not enough that  it feels differently than a regular magazine during shooting (except for the extra 23 rounds). It wasn’t until after witnessing  several thousand rounds fly downrange across several configurations, the QMAG and Quattro-15 seemed to solve a couple of problems many have been working on for years. In fact, I was so thoroughly impressed that I made it part of my go-to inventory. 

The Equipment List

During my initial testing, the magazine and lower combination showed general advantages. It also stood out in a big way in two specific use cases: competitive shooting and entry/tactical law enforcement work.

I took care of the necessary paperwork and registered my Quattro-15 lower as an SBR (short barreled rifle) so I could carry out my evaluations while using my Primary Weapons MK 107 with a 7.75 inch barrel.  Its compact size  is about perfect for entry or home-defense. I set it up with an Aimpoint Duty RDS, a SureFire Mini Scout Pro and a PWS two-port brake with a Dead Air Lazarus 6 suppressor mounted on the end. 

For competition shooting, I used my Caracal Nexus upper with a LW handguard and Proof Research 18” barrel. This upper sported a Leupold’s VX6 HD 1-6 LPVO sitting on Zero Delta scope mount. A Holosun 509T was mounted via an Arisaka Mount at 1 o’clock.  

QMAG-53 & Quattro-15 Testing  

During several years of competing in 3-gun and action pistol matches, I learned that the one constant required to win is time.  Failures like stoppages are time killer. At a high level match, a single stoppage can ruin your top-10 finish in the blink of a moment.  Therefore your firearms must work, period. Winning entails absolute reliability. Reloads also take time and must be planned–avoided if possible. This is why increasing magazine capacity makes so much sense to stay competitive. 

Depending on the type of match you’re shooting, it’s always best to plan reloads between target arrays and usually while moving. Top competitors also do everything they can to avoid reloads from slide lock, especially during a string because they slow you down. To be clear, we’re talking about contests where delays by fractions of seconds can cost you placing in a top spot. For example, average shooters take 1.25-1.50 seconds to perform a slide lock or empty load slide forward reload, and that is hard to make up during a stage. String a couple of those together and your time is toast. 

When it comes to tactical entries, many of the same considerations also carry over.  Reliability is critical, because there is no next stage to make up those shots. In this world, losers don’t drop in rankings, they tend to get severely injured or killed. Because the AR-15 America’s rifle, it’s also realistically what a tactical entry team would be armed with. You can get things done with standard-capacity magazines, but that 53-round QMAG magazine all but ensures there will be no magazine change on an entry. If that unlikely high-round  threat engagement does happen, those extra 23 rounds in the QMAG are solid insurance.  

Range Time With The Quattro-15 & QMAG-53

First things first, does this system work? Yep it sure does.

Beyond the PWS and the Caracal, I also tested other piston and direct-impingement AR-15 upper receivers. These included products from LWRCI, LMT and Daniel Defense. Their barrel lengths ranged from from 7.75 to 20 inches; all worked fine. Most uppers were tested using the QMAG-53 and others with the standard magazine adapter. I had no issues. 

I also tested my Mantis Blackbeard X system with the adapter in place, and it also worked fine. 

Ultimately, the Quattro-15 and QMAG-53 combination provides a strong level of versatility without deviating from the AR-15’s manual of arms. A routine upper-receiver swap allows me to switch from my PWS MK107 entry setup  to the Caracal competition upper. The QMAG-53 easily loads to the last round and also fits in most double magazine pouches, including my PIG plate carrier. When I’m kitted up, QMAGs do not interfere with gear or either of my arms from any position. 

I found that I couldn’t do your “typical” tactical reloads. I also couldn’t hold two magazines in one hand at the same time. QMAG tactical reloads should be approached like Kalashnikov reloads: remove the magazine in the gun, place or drop it and insert a new magazine. However, with 53 rounds onboard, reloading this way may actually be a rarity.  

Closing Thoughts

During the course of training, these magazines were dropped continuously on concrete, gravel, rock, sand and dirt surfaces. They seem to be impervious to damage, and nothing can stop them. At one point, I inadvertently left a QMAG-53 sitting on the the back of the truck. It fell off while the truck was underway at 40 mph. Witnesses tell me it bounced several times before stopping, and this magazine still appears to work great.  My QMAGs also worked well in the mud, snow and dust of Arizona. Shooting wise, I had no issues with running them suppressed, unsuppressed, dirty or clean. I think the Quattro-15 and the QMAG-53 are as or more reliable than anything else on the market today. 

Whether you want or need the extra capacity in a single magazine is a personal decision. If you’re interested, take a serious look at this lower receiver and magazine combination. I predict you’ll see top-level competitors field these products from Desert Tech. For now, my own Quattro-15 is mated to my PWS MK107. This setup will be my primary teaching rifle at Gunsite Academy. It will come especially handy for use in the indoor simulators. The rest of the time I plan on keeping it close by.