Magpul announced its latest magazine (the M3) around SHOT Show this year, and the consensus among the writers was that it was a good upgrade and had some great features. But it might not be worth running out and replacing your existing stock of PMAGs. For those looking to stock up, however, it’s the clear choice. Or you could win a couple cases of them for free. And to highlight the clarity of that choice, now that Magpul is finally shipping their new mags, they’ve released a couple of videos of the testing that these puppies went through. Take a peek after the jump to see just how much better than the USGI magazines they are, and indulge your inner testing nerd.
I know I’ve been a little slow on my own magazine testing, but rest assured that a new contender will be added to the ranks. As soon as I get one, that is.
I’m not familiar with P-mags, being a resident of the PRK. But in the one picture I can see it looks as though the P-mag has an open view port down one side. Does this allow dirt into the mag and then into the action?
Standard P-mags no viewing window. Just plain polymer. They make Pmags with the maglevel window down the side, but I think that was covered by a clear plastic? Not sure since Ive always been too cheap to spend 10 bucks more to have a viewing window.
Yep, covered by clear plastic. No open ports.
The price difference is more like $3. I find it useful to be able to check my magazine’s load during carbine classes. It’s not a killer feature, but it’s handy.
I got these and they’re great
http://www.california-ar15.com/magpul-pmag-1030-ar15-pinned-10-rnd-mag-buy-6-get-1-free/
Any 6.8 SPC Pmags?
Not yet, but they are about to announce them. I’d expect a SHOT Show release.
Also, they will only work with LWRC’s proprietary lower.
…which entirely defeats the purpose of the AR being a modular weapons system.
Did someone say 300 AAC Blackout?
I wish they made M1 mags, but i guess that would break form and not be worth the design/tooling costs. Oh well, – except they make a G36 mag, so WTH?
There is not enough room in the standard mag well to have a sufficient amount of polymer for a strong mag, and enough space for the larger SPC case.
drats.I still have many years of serviceability left in my previous gen ones. and I have twelve of them.
Okay, so it’s tougher than a GI mag. That’s been known since soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan started running over them with Humvees just for fun. So what makes the “new” pmag dramatically superior in performance to the previous generation?
I read about these on another site and they too basically said “of course, everyone already knows what makes the gen 3 better than the gen 2; so we won’t go into that”. We do? Not great communication.
From their website updated today
“The next-generation PMAG 30 GEN M3 is a 30-round 5.56×45 NATO (.223 Remington) polymer magazine for AR15/M4 compatible weapons. Along with expanded feature set and compatibility, the GEN M3 incorporates new material technology and manufacturing processes for enhanced strength, durability, and reliability to exceed rigorous military performance specifications.
Modified internal and external geometry also permits operation with a wide range of non Colt-spec platforms such as the HK® 416 and MR556A1, M27 IAR, British SA-80, FN® SCAR™ MK 16/16S, and others. A redesigned bolt catch notch in the rear of the magazine provides increased bolt catch clearance, while an over-travel stop on the spine helps ensure the magazine will not over-insert on compatible weapons.
Similar to the MOE PMAG, the GEN M3 features a long-life stainless steel spring, four-way anti-tilt follower and constant-curve internal geometry for reliable feeding, and simple tool-less disassembly to ease cleaning. In addition, an included pop-off Impact/Dust Cover can optionally be used to minimize debris intrusion and protect against potential damage during storage and transit. Low profile ribs and new aggressive front and rear texture gives positive control of the GEN M3 in all environments, and a paint pen dot matrix has been added to the bottom panel of the body to allow easy marking by the end user for identification. The new, easy to disassemble flared floorplate aids extraction and handling of the magazine while providing improved drop protection, but is slightly slimmer than before for better compatibility with tight double and triple magazine pouches”
The first video says that the mags are filled with dummy rounds during the drop test, meaning they must be unloaded and reloaded before the firing portion of the test. That seems sketchy to me.
Orange – I saw that too and thought the same thing, but now I think that was referring to the weapon being filled with dummy rounds for added weight, its hard to tell by the video
You can see the dummy gun doesn’t have a mag in it when it lands, so unless it’s just got a round in the chamber, I don’t think so.
@Nick:
Polymer mag test results. Now. As in, yesteryear.
The only thing my Inner Testing Nerd needs is a truly high-speed video camera 🙂
Bought 10 of these at the last gun show and tested them all in my Colt. Will be buying 10 more at the next show. It’s made the AR an even better platform.
You bought 10 of the GenM3 mags at the last gun show even though the GenM3 mags aren’t shipping to dealers until November 1st?
I hear that the Gen 3 is more friendly toward the 300 Black Out use than the Gen 2. It has some thing to do with the forward inside rib guides not protruding as much. Can anyone shead further light on this?
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