If you have ever seen pictures or our military, been to a 3gun competition, or taken a training class, you have no doubt seen a product that Magpul makes. You might not have known it, but trust me, you have. Based out of Erie CO, Magpul industries specializes in making stocks, grips, and other accessories for most of the popular weapons on the market, including the AR-15, AR-10, FN-FAL, and the G3. Though Magpul is best known for their primary product, magazine magpuls. That was until they pushed the envelope again and came out with a viable alternative to the USGI aluminum AR15 mags.
It has long been said that the magazine causes the most malfunctions with the AR series of weapon than any other component. A few years ago, Magpul introduced their anti-tilt followers for the AR-15 magazine. Hailed by many as the best, if not mandatory, upgrade for the AR-15 magazine, these followers increase reliability and eliminate any magazine related problems. They are so good in fact, that many magazine manufactures are equipping their own magazines with Magpul followers from the factory. I believe that speaks for itself. I have never had a magazine related malfunction in my weapon when using a magazine equipped with a Magpul follower. That makes over 6000 problem free rounds. They work that well. With the success of their followers, Magpul looked to fix the other problem with the USGI magazines, the magazine itself.
The Polymer Magazine “PMAG” is a lightweight 5.56 NATO, M-16 compatible magazine. Yes, the same polymer material that Glock, Springfield, and HK have been using to build pistol frames. It’s strong, lightweight, and doesn’t hold heat like metal magazines do. They also feature stainless steel springs for corrosion resistance. Being polymer they are also not subject to rust and corrosion as their metal counterparts are. You can also seat a fully loaded magazine in to a loaded rifle, and not get a feeding malfunction. THIS IS HUGE. As most military personnel are carrying 10-12 mags on them at any given time, being able to load 30 vs 28, give you another 20-24rds, in the space. You ever hear someone say they have too much ammo?
Some of my favorite features include:
* Windows to show how many rounds are currently in the magazine
* Designed to hold 30 rounds with no need to download to ensure function
* Pop-off storage/dust cover that alleviates pressure from the magazine feed lips
* Magpul anti-tilt followers
* The design of the magazine body to hold the rounds in place ( see picture below )
* Available in 3 colors
Enough with the tech specs, how well do they perform?
I’ve been pounding these mags for about 2 months now, including an 800rd carbine class, two 3gun matches, and numerous range trips. They have been 100% reliable the entire time. Not giving me one magazine related malfunction during the entire test period. These magazines were tested in 4 different brands of lowers, and they worked great every time. If I had only two words to describe these magazines they would be: boringly reliable. It didn’t matter what I threw at them, they just worked.
The value aspect is also important as well. These mags have a retail price of $15 for the regular version and $18 for the window version. Yes that is a bit higher than regular USGI mags but let’s look at what you get for the money.
o Anti-tilt follower
o Stainless steel springs
o Storage/Dust cover
o Textured gripping surface
o Locking base plate
Compared to a standard USGI magazine, these are more costly. Though, when you add in a magpul follower, stainless spring, and a magpul locking plate, you are well over the $15 cost of a PMAG. These are a bargain in my book.
CRAZY TESTS!
I went to the range today and put another 90rds through the mags. Once again, they ran just fine. Here is the funny part. Upon finishing the range session I, in my infinite wisdom, somehow placed the magazine on the roof of my truck, forgot it was there, and drove off. Four miles later as I am getting on the interstate, I hear it slide across the roof, and look in my mirror just in time to see it bounce off my bedcover, and disappear over the tailgate. I pull over and walk back to retrieve the mag, expecting to see bits of plastic strewn all over the road. To my surprise, the mag was intact and aside from some scuffed up plastic, they looked ok. The dust cover either came off or was broken on impact, but the rounds were all still in place, with none being expelled during its highway adventure. Astounded by what just happened, I went back to the range and shot the rounds in the magazine, then loaded it up and did it again. IT WORKED! It looks like crap, but it still works.
After talking with a former Navy Seal, and private contractor, the point of heat was brought up. More precisely, the mags resistance to the heat. It was pointed out that many times in Iraq, Kuwait, heck even Arizona, gear is left in a Humvee, often times for hours, where the temperatures inside the vehicle can easily reach 140F. The metal USGI mags don’t have a problem with the heat, but the pmags are made of plastic, and plastic would obviously have a lower failure point. I just don’t know where that is. So with that in mind, I commandeered the kitchen and decided to do some cooking with the Pmag. Two hours at 200F should be enough right? I mean surely if it is going to fail, it will do it at this time. I don’t even think it’s possible for the inside temperature of a car to reach 200F, but that’s beside the point. The Pmag held up to the heat. No warping, no melting, no deformation, no problems. At this point I was hungry, so I put the mag back in the oven and baked some cookies at the same time. Again, with the same results, the Pmags stood up to the heat.
After using these mags, and seeing how they preformed and held up to the abuse I was able to give them, I will be ordering more, and transitioning these to my primary mags for training, competition, and self defense.
MSRP $14.95 non window version
Colors: Black, Flat dark earth, Olive Drab
