Is there any reason to buy anything other than PMAGs anymore? (This is of course not withstanding buying cheap mags for stockpiling.)
They are more durable, actually fit 30 rounds, come in camo-friendly colors, and are soon to have ranger plates.
Now, since I have not used been able to touch mine yet, this is a question to everyone that has.
Has anyone experienced any issue with their mags (other than lower-receiver issues a la S&W) such as mag-pouch non-compatability, distrust of plastic, religious issues, etc.?
The only thing that I have noticed about my Pmags is they tend to have more crap on them when I fire suppressed vs. GI mags, but they clean up. Other than that, they have performed flawlessly.
I too have become I complete PMAG convert. I still use the USGI mags I ended up with from my time on active duty, but as far as new mag purchases they will be exclusively PMAGs. While maybe a dollar or two than say the typical mag you would stockpile for range use of the like, the added features and product quality is more than worth it.
I really like USGI 20 rounders from NHMTG, does the PMAG really have a leg up on them and howso ifso? Also, what is this about:
The PMAG™ features a pop-off storage/dust cover that alleviates pressure from the magazine feed lips, allowing for storage of loaded magazines without risk of feed lip creep that often causes malfunction in standard aluminum magazines.
If I leave my USGI 20 rounders loaded, will I get “feed lip creep” or is this a myth???
While I only have two 20 round Colt magazines with limited use, I have found them very reliable and durable. Now, with my PMAGs I have experienced the same thing with the benefit of (1) carrying “10” (actually 12) more rounds and (2) enhanced durability due to the high quality polymer construction. While durable, a USGI 20 rounder would not have surpassed the PMAG in any of the strength test as shown in the videos on say YouTube.
Regarding the creep of the feed lips… I have numerous USGI 30 rounders that have been used for years, and by used I mean used hard. Visually you can see a little creep in the feed lips but it doesn’t affect function of the magazines. While the PMAGs come with the cover, I think that is more of just the excellent service and development that is evident in the company. One of the guys at MagPul has had a mag fully loaded on his desk for almost a year and the lips have not moved.
Before I get to long winded… the feed lip creep is very plausible (to steal from Myth Busters) but I think in reality you will be ok. If anything, you can use the caps to store the magazines and it isn’t going to hurt anything anyways.
I will never buy another USGI Aluminum mag or C-Prod Stainless mag. I have totally switched to P-Mags…just bummed you can’t get them back into the US once they leave.
On another note, I don’t own a windowed P-Mag. I don’t really see the point of spending the extra $3 on one. They look cool, but really do nothing for me.
I will probably buy a few smoke ones when they come out, but really only for the cool factor.
They certainly seem more consistent in their reliability than aluminum. Out of the twenty I have ALL are good. Out of twenty aluminum mags I generally find an issue with one or two. Others seem to find the same results. The stainless springs may not last as long but they seem to have more tension new anyway so maybe a worn spring won’t matter. The only question I have is long term durability. Will the polymer break down over time, ect. Polymer technology seems fairly mature now so I doubt they’ll be any problem but sometime only time tells. I won’t be buying any more aluminum mags and will stick w/ the Pmags unless something changes.
I have to admit that a good amount of the information I know about them comes from other’s experiences, which I’ve read on the web. Nevertheless I have no reason to doubt other’s experience since it seems to mirror mine.
I am not convinced of so-called feel lip creep in aluminum magazines.
I believe it is mechanical deformation caused by the spring pressure and the inertia of the column of rounds coming to an abrupt stop against the feed lips during the feeding cycle.
I believe it is cumulitive and exacerbated by wear and external abuse of the feed lips.
I still think the PMAGS are the way to go, I just think this aspect of the wear mechanisim of the aluminum magazines is mischaracterized.
I’m sold on the PMAG’s because they’re nearly indestructable. Like my Timex. My only question is how important is using that doggone cover and how do you keep track of yours? Even with that little nagging detail, I think my next bulk purchase will be entirely PMAG’s…
I think one of the best things about the Pmags is that they’ve introduced serious competition to the standard. That means the price of the premium “mil-spec” mags should continue to decline. There is very little wrong with the teflon finished magazines originating from D&H (and getting branded by Bravo Co., DSG, etc) with a Magpul follower and a stainless or chrome moly spring. When the price gets really, really good I’ll be inclined to buy more of them in quantity.
I bought a couple to try and can see no fault with them even though I rarely use a 30 round mag. I’m ordering 10 more for a pre Hillary/Obama investment and as soon as the 20 rounders are available I’ll order quite a few more than that.
I know Magpul doesn’t give release dates anymore but would anyone care to make a guess when the 20’s will hit the market?
Yes, yes they are. PM me and I’ll provide you with my shipping address to which you can send me all of your obsolete GI mags for proper disposal at no charge to you.
I have to agree that the PMag is the next generation of magazine. Having used USGI for many many years and played with the new H&K mags as well as other synthetic magazines, I too have switched over exclusively to PMags. There is absolutely no reason not to. There is NOTHING a USGI magazine can do that the PMag can not do and much better. I have conducted numerous tests on the PMags and they have ALWAYS come out on top. I hope to see Uncle Sam wake up and see the future right in front of them. By switching to these magazines, they could add to the reliability of the weapon system since a vast majority of failures are magazine related. Just my .02