Question about polymer mags in AR15

[12Pump]

I've heard that when using polymer mags in a Ruger 9mm carbine, the metal magazine catch wears away at the part of the mag that it engages with to hold it in place.


This got me to wondering about whether the same issue exists when using polymer mags, such as from Magpul, with an AR15. Does the AR15 have a metal magazine catch that wears away the mag catch groves on Magpul magazines?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Might be an issue for the feral gangs wandering the rad-wastelands in 100 years, but highly unlikely you'll wear out a P-Mag in our lifetimes.

 

[Riomouse911]

You’re more likely to have a P-Mag start to split on the seam than wear out from the mag catch. (Our office had three P-mags do that over the years.)

I haven’t seen any undue wear on my 17 and 33 round Glock mags from my Ruger PC9.

But, I have seen 15-round metal aftermarket magazines in a Glock 43X start to chew up the plastic mag release. That combo definitely needs the aftermarket metal mag release.

Stay safe.

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve had the most failures with Aluminum mags than anything else, and more with any metal mag than with P mag, hex, or 2A mags. Can’t say anything good about AI pattern Magpul mags, but Magpul P-mags are about the gold standard for AR-15 mags.

 

[JDGray]

If your P-Mag starts wearing, pony up $10 and get you a new one...

 

[herrwalther]

I have Gen 1 Pmags that I went overseas with...12 years ago that are still fine and still get used. Not sure about other makers.

 

[CapnMac]

pony up $10 and get you a new one

Peaked about $17 last year, and back down to $14 a month ago. But, barring financial calamity, we could see a sawbuck again, soon enough.

 

[JDGray]

Peaked about $17 last year, and back down to $14 a month ago. But, barring financial calamity, we could see a sawbuck again, soon enough.

They did go up a bit
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/magpul-pmag-gen-m2-moe-ar-15-223-5-56-30-round-magazine.html

 

[herrwalther]

Peaked about $17 last year, and back down to $14 a month ago. But, barring financial calamity, we could see a sawbuck again, soon enough.

My LGS is selling MFT mags for $12 each the last time I breezed through there. Doubt I can put them through the same long torture testing my Pmags have gone through. My last 6 or so aluminum mags failed on me so they got tossed and replaced. Normally I don't like throwing out anything firearm related but they needed to go.

 

[MistWolf]

They did go up a bit
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/magpul-pmag-gen-m2-moe-ar-15-223-5-56-30-round-magazine.html

When pimping $10 Magpul mags, make it clear you're talking about M2s, not M3s which are an improved version.

 

[Skylerbone]

https://www.mysmokinguns.com/products/magazines-magpul-mag557-blk-873750006178-3449

$9.99 for Gen III. If you’re buying Magpul it outta be from these guys. Yes I am a return customer.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My preference is for the GI mags, but I have plenty of the Magpuls and Lancers in reserve.

 

[sarduy]

There’s nothing wrong with Polymer magazines in AR

 

[JDGray]

When pimping $10 Magpul mags, make it clear you're talking about M2s, not M3s which are an improved version.

I have never paid more than $10 for any gen P-Mag. That link was a result of a few second google search...

 

[MistWolf]

I have never paid more than $10 for any gen P-Mag. That link was a result of a few second google search...

It’s very uncommon to find 3rd Gen MagPul mags for $10. They usually go for $14 - $20

 

[FL-NC]

I was given some of the first Pmags (2 of them) before they were available to the general public when I was on active duty. They still work just fine.

 

[BreechFace]

It’s very uncommon to find 3rd Gen MagPul mags for $10. They usually go for $14 - $20

See @Skylerbone Post #11

 

[md7]

Pmags are good kit. I use them, along with assorted usgi (NHMTG, Okay, Center, and D&H) and they’ve all worked well.

Someone gave me an MFT poly mag a few years ago. I’ve literally beat on and wrung that dude out. It also works fine.

 

[JDGray]

See @Skylerbone Post #11

Thank you! Just need to do your homework

 

[MistWolf]

See @Skylerbone Post #11

Thanks to you and Skyler for the link. But it's still not common to see Gen3 mags for $10. Grab'em while you can

Never mind- Shipping is a flat $14.99. Which means you gotta buy quite a few mags to get them close to $10

 

[Skylerbone]

Thanks to you and Skyler for the link. But it's still not common to see Gen3 mags for $10. Grab'em while you can

Never mind- Shipping is a flat $14.99. Which means you gotta buy quite a few mags to get them close to $10

I hadn’t noticed the shipping as I was purchasing optics at the same time. Outstanding Eotech deals now and again.