PMAGs vs PMAG Revision M
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Animal Mother
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This was posted in the Industry forum of AR15.com a few months back...
I myself own over a dozen of the new P-Mags, unfortunately I don't have any of the original versions to compare it to but after looking at photographs I can see that the ridges are less pronounced on the new version and according to some forum members the new design is 0.2 ounces lighter than the previous version. I've had no problems with mine in a DPMS lower.
I myself own over a dozen of the new P-Mags, unfortunately I don't have any of the original versions to compare it to but after looking at photographs I can see that the ridges are less pronounced on the new version and according to some forum members the new design is 0.2 ounces lighter than the previous version. I've had no problems with mine in a DPMS lower.
Interesting.
1. nice addition. Not worth stressing over if you lack it, but a neat feature if you have one with it.
2. Non issue, IMO
3. Non issue.
4. My Pmags drop fine in all of my lowers, and in every lower I've ever seen, though I have heard of some S&W M&P lowers that were tight.
5. This might be a real upgrade, depending on how much of an improvement it is. To be fair, though, I have not heard that impact strength was an issue with the "older" Pmags. Still stronger=better, all else being equal.
Mike
1. nice addition. Not worth stressing over if you lack it, but a neat feature if you have one with it.
2. Non issue, IMO
3. Non issue.
4. My Pmags drop fine in all of my lowers, and in every lower I've ever seen, though I have heard of some S&W M&P lowers that were tight.
5. This might be a real upgrade, depending on how much of an improvement it is. To be fair, though, I have not heard that impact strength was an issue with the "older" Pmags. Still stronger=better, all else being equal.
Mike
TexasRifleman
Moderator Emeritus
Probably some mil-spec document requirement they needed to meet.
I've tried my best to destroy a couple of PMAGs in use and can't get it done.
If the OP doesn't mind, I have a question about the PMAGs and the snap on cover. MAGPUL recommends leaving the cover on (loaded magazines) to push the top round down thereby relieving the load on the magazine lips to avoid deformation due to creep. How about when a loaded PMAG is inserted in a rifle for extended periods? Does the BCG push down on the topmost round (action closed) accomplishing the same thing as the magazine cover?
Out of interest, I have the PMAG 30 model (with window) and the cover doesn't snap onto the base. I'm going to order the PMAG Ranger Plates for mine.
Thanks.
Out of interest, I have the PMAG 30 model (with window) and the cover doesn't snap onto the base. I'm going to order the PMAG Ranger Plates for mine.
Thanks.
Justin
Moderator Emeritus
There were discussions on, iirc, M4carbine.net or Snipers Hide about the PMags breaking when dropped on concrete under extremely cold conditions.
ny32182
Member
None of my PMAGs will drop free from any AR lower I own nor any lower I have seen. I bought half of them one year, and the other half the next year. The second set comes closer to dropping free, but still doesn't. They all readily drop free from my XCR lower.
I will probably get a few of the new ones to try out.
I will probably get a few of the new ones to try out.
briansmithwins
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How?
We tried to bust one when they 1st came out. Short of smashing it with a rock it just got scuffed.
BSW
HorseSoldier
Member
I've broken one of the dozen or more I own -- I think if was from dumping a partially loaded mag onto concrete or gravel during a reload drill. Ended up with the right side feed lip developing a hair line crack (which didn't seem to effect feeding reliability at all before I noticed it and pulled it from use).
This development has led me to believe that PMags are mere mortals and can break from time to time, etc., but they're still my preferred magazine of choice.
This development has led me to believe that PMags are mere mortals and can break from time to time, etc., but they're still my preferred magazine of choice.
ny32182 said:
All of my PMAGs fly out of both Bushmaster lowers when I press the mag release, but then again, so do all of the USGI mags too.
Still no answer to my question regarding the magazine and the BCG?
Is it advisable to leave loaded PMAGs in the magazine well for extended periods? Does the BCG/bolt push down on the uppermost round (action closed) thereby relieving pressure on the magazine lips?normal use. carbine classes. 3gun. reloading drills (on grass though, not concrete. actually, i do vast majority of my reloading drills over a couch so mags drop onto cushions.)
guys, they're plastic. and they're friggin $13. it's just 'stuff'
ny32182
Member
But... but... there is a video of a truck running one over!!
Yes, the carrier presses the rounds down off the feed lips when inserted in the rifle. This allows the space for them to move upward and be fed in the next cycle.
Yes, the carrier presses the rounds down off the feed lips when inserted in the rifle. This allows the space for them to move upward and be fed in the next cycle.
1858- Yes, the bolt carrier depresses the top round in a loaded magazine. With an empty chamber and a loaded magazine in the gun, slowly pull the charging handle back and you can see the top round in the magazine pop up against the lips as the BCG moves off of the top of it.
1. yes, a mag loaded into the rifle will not have the top round pressing against the feed lips, it will be pressing against the bottom of the BCG. In other words, the feed lips will be just as "unstressed" as if the cover was snapped in place.
2. "Out of interest, I have the PMAG 30 model (with window) and the cover doesn't snap onto the base." Yeah, mine either. This is normal.
3. I thought about it a little more after playing with a PMag equipped with the cover snapped onto the floorplate, and I've decided this is a nice feature. Not only does it keep track of the cap for you, it also allows you a bit more "purchase" if you pull on the mag and slip a bit (it may prevent you from completely slipping your hand off and bobbling the mag change), and it can also function as a bit of a pad or buffer if you drop the mag to the deck- the cap is taking the force of the impact, not the floorplate and mag body.
4. I have always used two elderly Thermolds as my mags for doing speed reload drills. I can dump them on the deck and not care. You know? Those stupid things just refuse to die. I can't tell you how many times they've bounced off of concrete. They still work.
Mike
2. "Out of interest, I have the PMAG 30 model (with window) and the cover doesn't snap onto the base." Yeah, mine either. This is normal.
3. I thought about it a little more after playing with a PMag equipped with the cover snapped onto the floorplate, and I've decided this is a nice feature. Not only does it keep track of the cap for you, it also allows you a bit more "purchase" if you pull on the mag and slip a bit (it may prevent you from completely slipping your hand off and bobbling the mag change), and it can also function as a bit of a pad or buffer if you drop the mag to the deck- the cap is taking the force of the impact, not the floorplate and mag body.
4. I have always used two elderly Thermolds as my mags for doing speed reload drills. I can dump them on the deck and not care. You know? Those stupid things just refuse to die. I can't tell you how many times they've bounced off of concrete. They still work.
Mike
shattered00
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I have an LMT lower and my PMags (not revision M) do not come out of the magwell when the mag release is pushed and the magazine is empty even if I sling the rifle downward.
Hopefully the revision M will alleviate this so that no more sanding is needed.
Hopefully the revision M will alleviate this so that no more sanding is needed.
I wondered if they were designed to do that, as I was fiddling with them, seems like constant snapping them on and off though will eventually break the tabs on the covers.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
As it turns out, I just received some Revision M PMAGs recently. I compared them to my earlier PMAGs (04/07 model) and here are the changes I noted:
1. The Revision M PMAGs are longer than the 04/07 PMAGs. I presume this is so you can load 30 rounds but still be able to seat the magazine with the bolt carrier forward.
2. The feed lip cover on the M PMAG is much more aggressive and secure than the 04/07 cover. You need to apply some force to either snap the cover on or remove it. The 04/07 cover flips off with just thumb pressure pretty easily and occasionally comes off unintentionally. In addition, you can snap the M cover on the baseplate.
3. The M PMAG has a reinforced spine on the back of the magazine.
4. The ridges on the M PMAG are less pronounced than the ridges on the 04/07 PMAG. Additionally, the plastic used in the M PMAG seems less glossy and more matte (tough to photograph with the iPhone)
5. The M PMAG has a different shaped floorplate than the 04/07 PMAG.
6. Compared to the 04/07 PMAG, the M PMAG has a slightly smaller follower and the ridge in the front of the magazine that fits in the groove in the nose of the follower is gone. It looks like the M PMAG follower is designed to give a little more tolerance for debris - if I remember right, this change is prior to the M revision; but after the 04/07 design.
I've attached some pictures comparing the two magazines. The M PMAG is on the left in all of the pictures; and in the picture of the followers, the M PMAG is the top magazine.
1. The Revision M PMAGs are longer than the 04/07 PMAGs. I presume this is so you can load 30 rounds but still be able to seat the magazine with the bolt carrier forward.
2. The feed lip cover on the M PMAG is much more aggressive and secure than the 04/07 cover. You need to apply some force to either snap the cover on or remove it. The 04/07 cover flips off with just thumb pressure pretty easily and occasionally comes off unintentionally. In addition, you can snap the M cover on the baseplate.
3. The M PMAG has a reinforced spine on the back of the magazine.
4. The ridges on the M PMAG are less pronounced than the ridges on the 04/07 PMAG. Additionally, the plastic used in the M PMAG seems less glossy and more matte (tough to photograph with the iPhone)
5. The M PMAG has a different shaped floorplate than the 04/07 PMAG.
6. Compared to the 04/07 PMAG, the M PMAG has a slightly smaller follower and the ridge in the front of the magazine that fits in the groove in the nose of the follower is gone. It looks like the M PMAG follower is designed to give a little more tolerance for debris - if I remember right, this change is prior to the M revision; but after the 04/07 design.
I've attached some pictures comparing the two magazines. The M PMAG is on the left in all of the pictures; and in the picture of the followers, the M PMAG is the top magazine.
Attachments
If you open up the mag, the ridge isn't gone completely, but it is smaller.
Personally, I'm not noticing any difference in difficulty removing the covers. It may be the age of your original Pmags (either use, or they changed the design between then and my 10/08 batch). One difference I do notice with the covers is the new ones have a small plate which fits into the gap in the front of the magazine. Probably seals against dust better, and it will prevent the top round from going forward quite as far as the original design, if the mag is shaken or dropped. Also, the new cover no longer say "REMOVE BEFORE USE."
RockyMtnTactical
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So, when did the new PMAG's start shipping? Anyone know?
Bartholomew Roberts, clearly from your pictures the PMAGS that I bought a couple of months ago are not the M PMAGs but they're not identical to your older PMAGs either. There are a few differences so maybe they're a model between the two versions that you have. Either way, all of them fall right out of my Bushmaster lowers when the mag release is pressed.
Kind of Blued
Member
About 45 seconds into the first time I used a P-Mag, I thought "Why didn't they design the floorplate to hold this clippy-cover thing when I'm not using it?"
Yes, if you're reading, I will take a job with you Magpul. I'm local and punctual.
Yes, if you're reading, I will take a job with you Magpul. I'm local and punctual.
gvnwst
Member
Not a clue, i found i have one, got a few at a local match i went to. Then my order from just before the obama election came in (yeah, months to wait) with a old style mag. The new one is a lot nicer in feel and the dust cover clipping to the bottom is a BIG plus.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
Although the pictures show it poorly, the M PMAGs are also marked M7 directly above the "09" marking and the older date code stamp.
IndianaBoy
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- Jan 3, 2005
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- 1,551
I just received an order of PMags, some of them show M7 and some of them show M8 above the date code.
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