AR-15 Magpul magazines

D

Deserthunter

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It there validity to claims that AR-15 Magpul magazines develop issues over time and time is their biggest enemy.? Put another way, do these magazines tend to have function issues in the long term? Any observations?
 
I don’t leave most of mine loaded long term, and those I DO leave loaded have the “dust caps” in place. Some of my Pmags would be 10-12yrs old. Mags are consumable items - I wouldn’t leave a mag loaded and unused for years, as I believe a rifle should be shot, and it just makes sense to run through mags to make sure the ones you need are running right when you need it - and make sure the ones NOT running right get a terminal case of boot heel when they need it.
 
armoredman said:
Define "long term"? I have been using P-Mags for probably 5 years without issues, however, I got in to ARs late in life. I have heard that if you wish to store your P-Mags loaded long term, the usually supplied snap top is the best way to relieve pressure on the feed lips.
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Armoredman, may question is based on what some critics have alleged and they did not define "over time." But to not beg your question, I would say two to three decades or more. I'm simply trying to determine if their negative comments on P-mags is accurate or valid in some instances. Personally, I have had no issues with P-mags.
 
From what I gather, it seems some critics allege plastic/polymer magazines deteriorate over time and the spine on P-mags may crack over time when loaded with no impact/dust cover. No definition of time duration provided. I know of no documentation.
 
kwb377 said:
I've read anecdotes that the feed lips on 1st Gen PMags can spread if left loaded for extended periods of time. I've got several early P-Mags from when they first came out (along with 2nd and 3rd gen versions), some have been left loaded and unused for years with no ill effects.
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That's encouraging and good to know. Thanks.
 
I have early Gen 1s, later Gen whatevers...all kept loaded in an ammo can...for years.

Never had one malfunction yet. Everything I've read..tells me keeping them loaded doesn't hurt a thing. Keeping them unloaded, doesn't hurt a thing (other than not being loaded a ready IF needed in a hurry)...what does cause wear...is use. Constant loading and unloading (ie..using or unloading to put back in storage) weakens the springs. The bolt carrier stripping rounds wears and weakens the feed lips. That's normal for any magazine.

Keeping them loaded, and stored at room temperature out of sunlight...doesn't hurt them.

I also believe I've read that from Magpol themselves...

How long have I had some of these mags? Not real sure..but at least 10 years for some of them..and they are kept loaded and ready...otherwise, they are useless.
 
I don't use Magpul magazines very much anymore. I have had more issues with Magpul than other magazines, especially issues with them not locking in reliable and feeding issue with bullets other than FMJ. I was a very early adopter of Magpul magazines, my first gens went back once for replacement and then, those same magazines, I had to send the bodies back for new ones. I had bought them that early. I was a big fan at first and have slowly used them less and less. For 556 I want all aluminum magazines, my favorite being Okay and old NHMTG magazines. For 300 BO I really like Lancer and D&H, my subsonic loads will not feed from 556 magazines. Most of my AR are in cartridge other than 556 so that plays a role too in my case.
 
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I think the oldest plastic mags are Steyr AUG mags. I do t know if they have plastic feed lips, I'm not an aug expert, but some research in that direction might be informative.

But if I was looking for a forever mag, I'd probably be looking for steel mags. Maybe something like the c products one. Or the hk maritime mag. I've got m1 carbine mags from WWII that still work. (And some that don't. Steel isn't magical)
 
Megawatt maker said:
How long have I had some of these mags? Not real sure..but at least 10 years for some of them..and they are kept loaded and ready...otherwise, they are useless.
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This sounds a bit logically paradoxical. If they’ve been loaded for over 10 years without use, how useful have they really been?

I’ve never understood the logic of the proposition to keep so many loaded mags on hand that there are too many mags to be regularly utilized - and frankly, so many that they couldn’t be carried at once. What civilian scenario could arise with no notice which would dictate such a high round count to require more than a handful of mags, AND which ALSO occurs without opportunity to retreat or regroup to load more if so required? Sure, when race riots were a couple blocks from my house - with a couple of weeks’ worth of notice - a few years ago, I loaded a few extra mags, but I can’t find sense in having thousands of rounds in loaded mags for long periods.

Keep a handful of mags loaded and regularly practice with them - have another couple of handfuls of mags ready to be loaded if society begins to deteriorate into anarchy. But apply some reasonable boundaries to the imaginary dragons which might darken your door.
 
I loaded a few 62gr hp on 10rnd stripper clips and with a spoon I can load a couple of mags quickly so I only have a couple of spare mags loaded with each AR in my house, the ARs in the safe are stored without loaded mags. I have metal mags that have had rounds in them since the 70s but they have been cycled a few times a year (original 20rnd Colts and Okay).
I've heard of the lips allowing rounds to spit out and unload, I've also heard of the follower tilting and freezing up, I've not had that problem with any of my plastic or metal mags
 
Varminterror said:
This sounds a bit logically paradoxical. If they’ve been loaded for over 10 years without use, how useful have they really been?

I’ve never understood the logic of the proposition to keep so many loaded mags on hand that there are too many mags to be regularly utilized - and frankly, so many that they couldn’t be carried at once. What civilian scenario could arise with no notice which would dictate such a high round count to require more than a handful of mags, AND which ALSO occurs without opportunity to retreat or regroup to load more if so required?
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Very true! But reminds me of one of my old mags, a 15 rounder for my first HK USP. I hadn't intended to leave a bunch of loaded mags but somehow a couple got tossed in a box when I was moving from my hometown for the first time. That same advice applies; somehow that box didn't get seriously explored again for almost two decades! In fact, when I happened upon the mags they were loaded with the original Black Talon rounds! Normally one might strongly consider retiring mags kept loaded for twenty years, especially a USP mag that is all plastic including the feed lips. But for a goof I took em them to the range and put a hundred rounds through them. Both worked fine! Still, I number my USP mags with a silver sharpie and I probably wouldn't use them for CCW now, but they seem none the worse for the wear.
 
I have three types of mags, new never used, range mags, and loaded and ready to go mags.

I’ve only got Gen 2 and newer PMAGS and have never had a problem with them. I’m load 30 round mags to 28, and all Glock mags (PMAG’s or OEM) down one.

I keep this box tucked away just because. It was loaded in early 2019 and I’ve not shot any rounds since. I will start pulling a mag or two out and running them to see if there are any issues, and will post results. All were mags that I’d lightly used to ensure functionality.

ETA: none of these mags were stored with dust covers as they should have been, so it will be interesting to see how they function. I’m also planning to swap out the 62gr green tip with 55gr FMJ, another reason I’ll be shooting these up.

But based on the purpose of this box, it would matter little honestly, as long as the ammo goes “bang”. Glock mags are all 147gr FMJ FN

C34B3504-E306-407D-8D1C-9748F5862F9B.jpeg

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019LIO7V4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
 
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Varminterror said:
This sounds a bit logically paradoxical. If they’ve been loaded for over 10 years without use, how useful have they really been?

I’ve never understood the logic of the proposition to keep so many loaded mags on hand that there are too many mags to be regularly utilized - and frankly, so many that they couldn’t be carried at once. What civilian scenario could arise with no notice which would dictate such a high round count to require more than a handful of mags, AND which ALSO occurs without opportunity to retreat or regroup to load more if so required? Sure, when race riots were a couple blocks from my house - with a couple of weeks’ worth of notice - a few years ago, I loaded a few extra mags, but I can’t find sense in having thousands of rounds in loaded mags for long periods.

Keep a handful of mags loaded and regularly practice with them - have another couple of handfuls of mags ready to be loaded if society begins to deteriorate into anarchy. But apply some reasonable boundaries to the imaginary dragons which might darken your door.
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Because it's simply better to have, and not need, then to need and not have.

Simple fact is, an unloaded magazine is a useless magazine. Just the same as an unloaded gun. You can threaten with an unloaded gun with empty magazine, but if the bluff gets called..you are SOOL.

I'm not even sure how many mags I have. I do know there are many, and all stay loaded. The time required to load a magazine varies with practice, and when under stress, can really vary.
I've eliminated that time and stress for myself and those who MAY need to use those magazines with little or no notice.

Since it's well determined that, in fact Magpul magazines are in fact, top shelf, have been tested more extensively than any of us on this forum by both Magpul themselves and countless real world operators from many nations all over the world, in all conditions, and its been stated both by Magpul and many of those professional "end users" that one really can leave a Magpul mag fully loaded for very extensive periods without worry of failure in any way...provided they are not stored in direct sunlight for long periods (sunlight is the ONE enemy of polymer that will break it down over time), they will remain reliable as can possible be made.

So, you ask me, in a round about way, why I would want to store all my mags fully loaded....I counter by asking WHY NOT?
 
Megawatt maker said:
WHY NOT?
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Varminterror said:
If they’ve been loaded for over 10 years without use, how useful have they really been?
Click to expand...

Again, your paradigm is a logical paradox.

Keeping as many mags as can be used within the context of use makes sense. Keeping so many loaded mags on hand that you 1) forget how many you have, and 2) don’t have currency of use with the mag to know it functions properly is not utility, it’s just hoarding.
 
I have a few PMags and overall recommend against them for the most part.
I have left one loaded for a decade. No issues.
I have also kept Okay Surefeeds (or NHTMG) loaded for a decade. No issues.

The only .223 magazine I've ever seen eject rounds when tapped/dropped were PMags.

The old 20 round straight PMags were by far the most unreliable magazines I've ever seen.
I know they redesigned them but I question how they came to market at all.

I have seen PMags get feedlip damage from reloaded ammo, but there is a qualifier there. If you do not shoot reloads, its a non-issue.
If you do reload but tumble your brass its a non-issue. The cause is that the rough edges from the rim on reused brass.

The government says they are fragile at very low temperatures.

But on the positive, most of these are not real life issues. Don't drop the magazine, and if you do, pick up the 3 or 4 rounds that eject.
The current 20 round magazines are fine.
Proper reloading will not damage the magazine.
If you shoot 300 AAC these magazines will let you feed reloaded ammo with 30 carbine bullets -which are cheap. This is because of the feedlip being thicker than metal mags.
These are very reliable.
They are cheap.
Their company is one of the few that really held their ground over politics (ironically by surrendering their ground).

For 300 AAC shooters I highly recommend them.
For 223 shooters I recommend Okay Surefeeds.
 
Varminterror said:
Again, your paradigm is a logical paradox.

Keeping as many mags as can be used within the context of use makes sense. Keeping so many loaded mags on hand that you 1) forget how many you have, and 2) don’t have currency of use with the mag to know it functions properly is not utility, it’s just hoarding.
Click to expand...
Context of use?

I would need a crystal ball to predict that. Seeing how I like to be prepared for the worst at all times, I have enough to equip every member of my house, my extended, my closest friends and my neighbors, if needed, which is enough to cover any emergency that may arise..up to and including Russians dropping on parachutes.

That's not hoarding, that's prepared for all contingency I can think of...and maybe some I can't.

Far as function, they are Magpuls...they just work.

End of story
 
I have never had a problem with them loaded for extended periods of time but they are not 50 years old either. magazines are a wear item any way Just have enough for each weapon.
 
Magpul mags are 12 bucks on Palmetto State Armory. That's dirt cheap. However, I've never had any issues with mine and they get used alot. Absolutely nothing wrong with Magpul mags.
 
I don’t look at magazines as long term storage containers.

I keep my bulk 5.56 rounds on stripper clips in ammo cans.

I figure I’ll get at least heads up on any imminent apocalyptic event and can load every PMag I own in less than 5 minutes. If I don’t get that heads up it wouldn’t matter anyway ;)
 
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