Magpul AR magazines

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Jrsmith

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I picked up some Magpul magazines (30 rnd, polymer) for my new Smith and Wesson M&P 15.

While messing with them I've noticed they don't latch in the gun. I can pull em out without pressing the magazine release. Its tough, but they come right out. In addition, the release does not do anything in regards to ejecting the magazine. The mags seem to enter fully, and feed fine but I'm worried about them loosening up during use. Anyone have similar issues and/or have a solution short of sending them back to MidwayUSA and trying something new?

Thanks
 
This is a known issue with some of the S&W AR models that are out of spec. In some cases they have offered to modify the firearm for owners that want to use them, but the rifle likely is the issue, not the mags. Do some googling, you'll find more.
 
My S&W has the same issue. If you don't mind it, you can file a small amount off the Pmags (the AR's mag well corners are a little too rounded off for the Pmags which causes the interference...the Pmags ribs which are right at the bottom lips of the mag well can be filed a slight amount which won't affect their performance but will allow them to fit and lock into the mag well.) I did this on my Pmag and it appears to work fine now...I'm still mad at S&W for making a rifle that won't readily accept one of the most popular types of magazines out there. Shame on them!
 
The newer Smiths don't have the problem. As stated you can either modify your rifle to take them (not what I'd recommend) or modify the mags. Or as someone else said you could just stick to USGI mags but that's no fun.
 
The newer Smiths don't have the problem. As stated you can either modify your rifle to take them (not what I'd recommend) or modify the mags. Or as someone else said you could just stick to USGI mags but that's no fun.
Click to expand...
Interesting. This sounds like the rifle is out of spec (as was said), and I think I would rather return the rifle to spec condition than alter the magazines. I know this violates the "modify the cheap" part rule of gunsmithing (for instance, when tweaking the receiver/barrel interface on an older Ithaca 37, the smith should be grinding on the barrel, not the receiver), but in this instance it is the spendy part that is "wrong". Is there a problem with function/durability of the lower or parts with doing the conversion?

Thanks,

Mike
 
If you want to modify the rifle I'd suggest going to AR15.com and asking them. DANO should be able to point you in the right direction.
 
I'd have S&W do it. They're the ones who made an out of spec rifle.

Mike
 
I gotta agree with Coronach; S&W put out an out-of-spec lower. I'd pretty much expect to get one that is in spec, and would push back on them for that...
 
I'm pretty sure they won't do it. They'll say it works with USGI mags and that's what it's supposed to work with.
 
This is the first I've heard of a S&W receiver being out of spec, and if its a known issue I guess its possible, but I've never seen *any* AR, of any brand, from which PMAGs will drop free. There is no doubt in my mind that the Pmag is dimensionally larger than USGI.

My Pmags don't fit as tightly as described in my ARs, but they do not drop free from any rifle I've ever tried them in except my XCR.

When I hit the mag catch on a PMAG in an AR, they drop about a quarter inch and are easily pulled out. I pull all mags out as part of my normal reloading procedure, but if I didn't, this would be a problem.
 
That's not what was said on Arfcom, but I may have missed something, and they may have changed their tune.

If so, that's asinine. Just because it will work with USGI mags doesn't make it spec. There are, obviously, other mags out there besides USGI mags, and those mages are designed to fit in milspec receivers.

I'd pitch a royal fit, but I would also do it as much for my own amusement as to get my rifle fixed.

Mike ;)
 
ny32182:

I've tried all 6 of my PMAGS in my Lewis Machine & Tool AR and they all drop free.

I've tried all 6 of my PMAGS in a USAF M16A2 and they all drop free.

They do indeed drop free in ARs built to military spec.
 
I've tried all 5 of my Pmags in my 3 LMTs, my buddy's RRAs, Bushmaster, and probably a couple more that I don't recall, and they have never dropped free from any of them...
 
I don't know what to tell you. The only rifles I've tried are the M16A2 and my own LMT and it works fine for me.

Are your PMAGS made before or after July 2007? Magpul has a recall on PMAG bodies made before June '07.

My PMAGS were all made after July '07.

It has come to the attention of Magpul Industries Corp that a number of users have experienced feeding problems with their PMAGs due to unusually tight magazine bodies. The primary symptom is sluggish follower response, or snagging when loaded with more than 20 rounds. These issues are a result of dimensional changes occurring after the PMAG left the Magpul factory, and only affect the PMAG body. Other PMAG components such as the follower, lock plate, floor plate, and impact cover are unaffected.

Improvements in the manufacturing process have resolved this issue on all PMAGs dated 7/07 and later. Although this issue affects only a very limited number of PMAGs, Magpul will replace all PMAGs dated 6/07 and earlier. To determine your PMAG’s date of manufacture, check the round date code on the upper half of the left side of the PMAG (see image). The arrow points to the month of manufacture, and the year is in the center. If you are unsure of your PMAG’s performance, we encourage its replacement.
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Nah, they are post recall...

They are bigger than USGI's. There is no doubt about it... they don't drop free from rifles that drop USGI's.

In my opinion, *depending* on the mag dropping free as part of your normal reloading procedure from a pure reliability standpoint is a sketchy practice anyway, since you never know when you might run into a mag that is dimensioned a little differently from the others.
 
I'm with ny32182, I don't remember ever seeing drop-free magazines as any kind of guarantee or feature of the AR.

The fact that Magpul made their original product, and their name comes from, a product designed to "Pull Mags" out indicates that drop free isn't actually that common.

About half my AR magazines drop free in about half of the lowers and I don't consider it a flaw in either one.

I have a pile of PMags, post recall, and they all work flawlessly in several makers ARs.
 
They are bigger than USGI's. There is no doubt about it... they don't drop free from rifles that drop USGI's.
Click to expand...

Unless it's a rifle I touch, evidently. There's no doubt about it. They drop free on the rifles I use.

I drop magazines when I do quick reload drills. While holding a new magazine in my left hand, I press the magazine release with my right hand and allow the old magazine to drop free.

The USGI aluminum magazines I own have Magpul followers and Magpul rubber baseplates.

The rubber baseplate absorbs the impact of the fall. My aluminum magazines hold up well.

As for the Smith & Wesson M&P15, I would send it back to the factory under warranty as others have suggested.
 
I've never seen *any* AR, of any brand, from which PMAGs will drop free.
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Interesting.

I have seven new PMAGs. I just tried each of them in four LMT lowers, four DPMS lowers, one RRA lower, and three Lauer (LCW) lowers. Empty, they dropped free in all twelve lowers.
 
Always modify the cheapest part.

I had this same issue of the mag not seating fully with my Olympic Arms receiver. It was made sometime around 1992.

All you need to do is file the magazine just a tad.

The lower pic with the red arrows shows where the PMAG was clanging into the receiver. The upper pic shows another mag, that has been filed just enough to allow the mag to work without hassle.

I sure as heck wouldn't be shipping-off a rifle because it won't work with PMAG's.

The PMAG is good product. Some specimens don't play well with some rifles right out of the wrap. Get smart. Fix it!

magpul-1.gif

My PMAG's were part of the first batch (marked 04/07). In addition to not fully seating in the Olympic receiver, they also did not want to drop-free right out of the wrap. I tried them in Colt, Olympic, and Fulton Armory receivers. Same problem not dropping-free in all of them.

I set the mags aside for about a month. During that time, they actually shrunk! Just enough to now drop free of all the rifles I tested them in earlier.

If all this gives you heartburn, don't buy PMAG's!

If you don't mind learning a new product, I think you will find the PMAG to be WAY TOUGHER than any of those aluminum can "G.I." mags.

PMAG drop free test.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-GgnuUvDp8


Figure it out. Test it. Decide for yourself.
 
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