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It was back at SHOT Show in early 2020 when I hit the Mission First Tactical (MFT) booth and spied a few distinctive AR-15 mags on display. They had colorful images seemingly embedded into the polymer itself rather than painted on or applied via a sticker. I’d gone through the process myself at the time for an article detailing it, now I’ve done it again and can give a durability report on the originals as well.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags

What are they?

The basis of the custom mags is MFT’s Extreme Duty (EXD) 30-rounders.

Tech Specs:

  • 50% Stronger
  • 3x More Impact Resistant than traditional nylons
  • Next Generation Long Glass Fiber Polymer
  • Enhanced Strength & Durability
  • Ribbed front and rear gripping surface
  • Long-life USGI-spec stainless steel spring
  • Four-way anti-tilt self-lubricating follower
  • Flared floor plate
  • Oversized bolt catch
  • Paint Pen dot matrix
  • Tool-less disassembly with double floor plate safety release tabs

The manufacturing method that MFT uses to apply images is still pretty closely held.  “Variable Impregnation Process” is the official term used, and the big takeaway from my discussions with MFT about this procedure is that the image isn’t just on the surface, but runs deeper into the material of the magazine body itself.  It looks like you’d be able to feel the edges of the image, but you can’t. The image really is inside the mag body material.  You can’t scrape it off with a fingernail. There’s an extremely tough (and slightly glossy) clearcoat as well, even on sections of the image that are blank unless you use a transparent background.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
The difference between a transparent background (left) and a black background (right), is the application of the protective clear coating.

I’ll go into the process from the consumer’s side in a second. First, I’ll cover a few reasons one might want custom mags in the first place. There’s bound to be more reasons than what I can come up with, but here’s a quick idea list.

  • Gift for Father’s day/birthday
  • Mags printed to match your rifle’s paint/camo
  • Caliber or Rifle’s name imprinted on mag
  • Groomsman’s gift
  • Unit insignia
  • I have lots of plain black mags.  Now I want one that isn’t.

The process is pretty painless. Go to “https://missionfirsttactical.com/doogma-testing/” and there’s a helpful tool that allows you to upload an image of your choice and adjust the positioning of the image as well as zoom level and background removal.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
Mission First has a helpful online tool that allows you to upload an image of your choice and adjust the positioning of the image on the mag.

The website’s tools are easy to use, though I may wish for a couple more features. One, I’d like the ability to rotate images slightly to match the curve of the magazine. Two, I’d like the ability to click a box and have a standard magwell appear superimposed on the magazine so I can see precisely what will be cut off when the mag is inserted.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
A Mission First mag rocking a TTAG logo.

To avoid copyright issues from other artists, I used a few pieces of my own 3-D rendered art. MFT had their own artist draw up a few variations thereof and included them in the order. (The mags with “The Truth About Guns” company logos will be featured in a mag giveaway soon!)  Besides TTAG logos, Jessica Rabbit and Laura Kinney (X-23) got their own mags. Also shown is the four-year-old mag with Paigeosity’s “Summer Aesthetic” (used with permission). Yes, I like pinup.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
As long as you have permission or own the copyright, you can put virtually any image on an MFT mag, even a pinup or Jessica Rabbit.

I pulled the OG Summer Aesthetic mag out of my shooting bag. It’s been in regular use over the last four years, but is hardly worse for wear. The polymer Mission First Tactical uses for their mags isn’t weak, but it’s still pretty impressive that the image has held up for years.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
Four years of regular use, this mag still looks pretty new.

One aspect that’s pretty impressive is the level of detail MFT is able to get onto these mags.  It doesn’t show up in a lot of the photos, but a good zoom shot can give you an idea.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
One aspect of these mags that’s pretty impressive is the level of detail MFT is able to get onto them.

The mags themselves function properly.  They feed .223 and .300 BLK fine to include heavy subs. The earliest mags from MFT had some issues, the EXD (Extreme Duty) mags have definitely remedied this. That’s including the standard mags, the translucent mags, and these custom mags as well.

If I had one minor quibble about MFT’s custom mags, it’s the same one I had four years ago. I’d love to see a “slick side” mag without cutouts, like Torkmag’s eponymous product.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags
On the right is a Torkmag, who’s slick side design I think would be a great host for MFT’s custom art applications.

If you have any inclination toward spicing up the aesthetic of your rifle, or that of a friend, definitely check out Mission First Tactical’s custom mags. They also offer custom imagery on EDC dump trays, holsters and wallets.

Since a photo is worth a thousand words, here’s a couple more!

The southern Oregon duo, V Seven Weapon Systems and Noveske. I just need a SMOS and I can complete the set.

Mission First Tactical Custom Mags Mission First Tactical Custom Mags

Check out more articles from Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer or visit him on Instagram @Rexnanorum.

 

Is your mag hungry and needs to be fed? Check out Ammo To Go, the ammunition retail sponsor of TTAG gun reviews and simply a cool online place to fulfill all your ammo needs.

 

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32 COMMENTS

    • “Has pictures of his mother and sisters on his mags.”

      Mom’s kinda hot, I’d tap it…

      *Snicker*… 😉

    • At first I asked why this would be a thing that would have so much effort put into development. Then I read your comment and realized it’s a mix of because they can, why the fuck not, and it’s fun. Wonder if they can do 10 rounders with wildly offensive graphics (by NY liberal standards).

  3. My first thought is “You gotta be kidding me.” Then again, someone must buy this crap, or they wouldn’t make it.

      • If it ends up that Hunter gets his 2A rights back because his rights were violated, I would buy a mag with his ugly mug on it.

        (A certain dunce that pollutes this fine forum would probably want the picture of Hunter’s junk on it…)

  4. Most of my mags are Magpul. Never a problem with them. A have a few MFT mags & never noticed an issues. But now my AR is on vacation in Indiana. I do NOT put BS decorating on my gats🙄

    • I have to agree with you. If ever used in a defensive situation your firearm needs to look so mundane as to not bring attention to itself. Bad enough that they may go after the type of ammo that you are using.

  6. Wow! Let’s put pictures of cra.c.kw.h.or.es and pro.st.itu.tes on our magazines!

    Uh … no.

    • This comment amuses me.

      Writer “You can put literally any picture you want, here are some examples”

      Johnny “Using exactly your images? Uh …. no.”

      Lol

  7. Polymer mags are no good. You cant cut them down the middle and fry eggs and bacon on them.

  8. Do they make 200 shell magazines with the girls pictures a little younger, like 9 or 12.

  9. The more stories that come out I’m finding the Biden family are some really really sick people.
    Its getting pretty bad when you have to apologize to Mohamasandwich the Goat fckr on what a fcked up president we have.

  11. If it floats your boat fine but no bling here. In fact I once purchased a packaged stripped lower Anderson receiver and when opened it had the imbedded Don’t tread on me snake gadsten logo in white outline on the mag well. I used a toothbrush and Aluminum Black to scrub the white off, turned out looking very nice.

  13. Was cleaning out a closet and found a old Guns magazine from 2012. In it was an ad for your own customized dust cover for your AR15.
    To each their own.
    I am waiting for one of our enemies to develop a chemical weapon that turns all these Polymer stuff into mush.

  14. Actually I can think of one practical application of this, have the grains of the bullets or ammo type printed on the mag and only load that ammo in that mag.

    • Acrylic paint.
      I’ve got some of my mag bottoms painted. 1-2-3-4.
      I rotate my magazines it makes it easier.

  15. Okay, I missed the scroll and tab the first time around. I kinda, sorta see that, but I, and a few guys I worked with, would consider even that poor taste. Just let a magazine be a magazine.

  16. Wow the level of FUD is harsh on here. I bet you all drive stock bare bones cars with steel rims and painted a practical color like tan. Dont want the police to ever accuse you of street racing because you have something a little risque, like an aftermarket air filter or tinted windows. Come on people, you like guns! They are badass and a lot of fun, its ok to live a little. I dont know maybe go wild and crazy and try chocolate syrup on your vanilla ice cream!

    • Moodock, my old P.O.S. Chevy is green. It has a stainless Ruger GB model with a factory folding stock on back floor board 24/7 w/spare mags. Except when it has to carry a Galil, or an HK-91, or… Which Fudd do you speak of?

    • Oh, Moodock, we’ve never conversed. I was the po-po before I retired. I was not concerned with the color of a subject’s vehicle. However, if they wanted to attract unnecessary attention with loud music, pipes, speed?, What’s your hurry? Oh, Mom’s on her way to the hospital? I’ll be right back with some paperwork for you to sign. Nothing wrong with maintaining a low profile and telling the truth.

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