Deserthunter
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Which version of the Generation 3 Magpup P-mag is the Army issuing for M-4's, with window for round count or the non-window version?
Army use of P-mags
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FL-NC
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I had several different ones in different colors, with and without windows. Still have some. But I have been out over 10 years, and I think ours were purchased by our command, VS being "issued" through normal supply channels. I know our 308 Pmags were unit purchase. Magpull also sent us samples of different versions at different times of the 5.56 mags.
NIGHTLORD40K
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There was a kinda infamous picture of the new CO of the USS Blue Ridge pulling deck security duty recently, carrying an M4 with an (obviously) empty PMAG Window in the mag well.
Of course, they were in an Italian drydock at the time, but it still made the whole thing look like a BS photo op stunt.
Of course, they were in an Italian drydock at the time, but it still made the whole thing look like a BS photo op stunt.
lysanderxiii
Member
The Army has not authorized the Magpul P-Mag for issue, therefore, in answer to your question - none.
Currently the only authorized magazine is the brown aluminum EPM.
The USMC, on the other hand, has switched to exclusive use the Gen-3 P-Mag with the window for all weapon that use that style magazine.
Currently the only authorized magazine is the brown aluminum EPM.
The USMC, on the other hand, has switched to exclusive use the Gen-3 P-Mag with the window for all weapon that use that style magazine.
lightman
Member
For you guys that know a lot about this. What is your magazine of choice?
I don't know a lot about anything, but I like my Okay Surefeed mags better than my P-Mags. I wouldn't say one is more reliable than the other, but I like the more compact size, they go in the magwell easier and release better, and I prefer the aesthetic (critically important).
Ohen Cepel
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I was always fine with the milspec aluminum mags. P-mags are fine but there are some firearms they won't fit in so keep that in mind.
The window feature never did anything for me, personal preference there.
Given how old many of the milspec aluminum mags are out there, and they are still going strong, that is a pretty good sign for them in my opinion. May need a new spring after 40yrs or an updated follower but if not abused they work.
The window feature never did anything for me, personal preference there.
Given how old many of the milspec aluminum mags are out there, and they are still going strong, that is a pretty good sign for them in my opinion. May need a new spring after 40yrs or an updated follower but if not abused they work.
daniel craig
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When I deployed to Iraq in 2011 we were not allowed to use the P-mags. I don’t know if that was an Army thing or just my unit. I hadn’t used one before so I was perfectly fine with the gray metal mags.....as long as they had the brown follower and not the green one....
TTv2
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I'm not sure which they're using, but if you're wondering whether you should get windowed or not, I'm of the opinion that if I need to reload a second time I've got bigger things to worry about than being able to see what how much I've got left in the mag. I say one window mag for every rifle, the rest non window.
It was BS. As the CO, my job was to command the ship, not stand a topside watch. In fact, if a Force Protection incident had happened, I wouldn’t have been able to do my job if I was tied to a watch station. But I don’t expect aviators to really understand that.
army_eod
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Lol. Good comment
NIGHTLORD40K
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He wouldnt have been able to do much of anything with an empty magazine, lol.
Scuttlebutt was that the ship had suffered from low morale under the previous skipper and he wanted to show that he wasnt above doing hot, boring, menial tasks that he asked the men to do.
From what Ive read, though, it did little except prove how silly the CO looked walking around in the sun with an empty rifle while photogs snapped away all around him......
Scuttlebutt was that the ship had suffered from low morale under the previous skipper and he wanted to show that he wasnt above doing hot, boring, menial tasks that he asked the men to do.
From what Ive read, though, it did little except prove how silly the CO looked walking around in the sun with an empty rifle while photogs snapped away all around him......
Ohen Cepel
Member
Charlie98
Member
I actually prefer the non-window. I’ve got a few peek-a-boos, I don’t know if I’ve ever looked at the window in actual use.
If memory serves, there was actually a point where the Army specifically prohibited Pmags, for some reason, even ones purchased privately or by a unit.
If memory serves, there was actually a point where the Army specifically prohibited Pmags, for some reason, even ones purchased privately or by a unit.
herrwalther
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They are not standard issue but are in use. Pmags had a NSN, National Stock Number well before they were officially adopted by the USMC. They have been around a long time in the military. Units with additional funds in the budget will grab up some and issue them out. So long as the standard mags are handed out as well.
https://soldiersystems.net/2017/09/28/army-now-authorized-users-of-magpul-gen-m3-pmag-magazines/
FWIW, the Army also claims that P mags break down in cold weather. Considering I spent nearly my entire enlistment in a mountain warfare unit of some kind, this claim is BS. Even going back to Gen 1 mags.
https://www.wearethemighty.com/migh...he-us-army-and-magpul-is-heating-up-over-ice/
Back on topic, the only P mags I saw were the non windowed version. Namely because I don't think the windowed versions were made yet or had a NSN so supply units could get them easily. I first started seeing them in 2007.
Nature Boy
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There are a lot of items with an NSN, but that doesn't mean you can order them. Every mag we deployed with was the standard issue steel with green follower
lysanderxiii
Member
That's new to me, and fairly new, March 2018.
As to breaking at low temperatures. Did you drop an M4 with a fully loaded magazine 5 feet to a concrete floor so that it landed on the bottom of the magazine after it had cold soaked at -65 degrees F for 6 hours? Because almost all magazines dropped this way failed. The floor plate broke off and it ejected all the rounds. At around -20 F about half broke and ejected the rounds the rest were just cracked. Aluminum magazines were pretty mangled on the bottom after that same test, but you could fire all the rounds.
Some cracked when dropped 5 feet onto a concrete floor when dropped outside of a weapon at low tempertures.
herrwalther
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In actual field testing, I never saw a P mag fail because of cold temperatures. Going as low as -40F. If the Army got them to fail in a controlled setting that is one thing. But in field conditions, not that I saw.
I have used every kind of magazine and follower combination of the standard issued mags up to the EPM . The mags we had when I got out used enhanced brown Magpul followers in gunmetal grey magazines. Almost identical to the yellow Magpul followers you can get at good gun stores. In cross training with my supply guys, it was always explained to me that you can order anything with a NSN as long as you have approval for it. One of the last units I was in messed up the NSN on a requisition form. Instead of whatever they wanted they got some sort of Navy 16 foot antenna way outside our payscale.
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