It seems like almost every news story (video & print) I see showing Marine and Army units in Afghanistan, the M4s and M16s are sporting Pmags. I didn’t hear of a government contract so are these unit purchases or arriving in family care packages? The Pmags all seem to be MagLevels with the window.
During the 20 years I served in the Army, it was hit & miss regarding private purchase duty gear. Maybe things are a little less strict now for combat units?
OH58D
I believe you can buy them through the normal channels, they have NSN’s (I’m just a civ though, so no clue!)
Things are a lot less strict. Speaking from experience, our commander and 1SG let us use whatever magazines, slings, and grips we wanted as long as they didn’t look radically different and weren’t complete crap. Some of it was purchased for us as well.
A Marine I know who deployed earlier this year said that in addition to his issue magazines (7 I believe), he could add extra personally-owned mags to his kit or substitute his own mags for the 7. He felt that 7 mags with all his other gear, weighing in at 90 pounds, was enough so he did not add additional mags.
Maybe it is on a company by company basis?
Interesting responses and info. I had had not kept up to date on this. Sounds like the best proving grounds for this Magpul product is actual combat. Makes me feel a little better now about my little stash of these mags and the ones I use in ranch activity.
Regarding non-issue gear, as a Kiowa driver and troop commander, I always hated the 1911 Colt pistol. Never liked the grip safety. Instead I carried a S&W Model 66 in a shoulder holster with speed loaders. Rank did have it’s benefits.
OH58D
The Marines actually have an NSN for them to procure mags. Many units (or at least the SF team I was with) bought them well before they deployed. Others are coming in care packages, etc… 
They can be procured through the supply system with NSNs.
At the same time, each company has a unit credit card and can purchase PMAGs commercially with their pre-deployment budgets. I have actually paid for a lot of EOTechs in this manner.
Some of us use bought our own, some bought HK mags. Then one day a Pelican case of P-mags showed up. Wish I would’ve waited.
They are available for sale in some PX’s overseas.
There are goverment contracts for P-MAGs in some form or another, I got by blue P-MAGs from a goverment auction.
You got magazines through govliquidation ?
No one cares (customs wise) what you bring in country, so Im certain that the majority are brought over when people deploy. They are also available in PXs on the larger FOBs.
Some units were able to pick them up with discretionary funds for their entire unit.
Rick
even thought they are not standard issue they do have NSN we can order pretty easily as long the brass approves it, especially overseas . usually its one of those items if they do ever have it ,itll be gone the same day.
Seen em at a PX and even a Shopette
My old unit is deploying back to OEF shortly and everyone was issued 7 Black windowed Pmags. Last time only a few of us (maybe 4 or 5) in the whole company had 'em and of course had to pay for them.
I’m glad to see my friends being so much better equipped (Pmags, plate carriers, Multicam, etc) than the last deployment. Too bad their ROE seems to have gotten worse, which I didn’t think was possible
I’ve heard (or did I read it in a book somewhere…
) that you if you throw a paperback or two in the care package with some PMAGs, writing “Books and magazines” in the “Contents” section of the Customs form isn’t being deceitful…
:D:D:D
Nice.
I brought my own, though my supported unit got a case of them in. Frankly, it’s stupid not to have PMags around.
Sounds like the new unofficial/official magazine of choice? Too bad DOD can’t get with the program and get a contract going. What’s the hold up…no government trial program and testing?
OH58D
My guess is NIH.