I6 Magpul PMAG Testing

[KevinB]

Well despite being a vocal complainer about polymer mags (specifically the nigthmares I have of the CF issue Thermold C7/8 mags) However I have been running a Glock for a while - and our Sig552's have polymer mags so - obviously it is possible to build a good one.

A lot of fuss has been made of the Magpul PMag (which I can only guess stands for polymer mag).

So I looked around to find some online and had them shipped out (I'm still in Iraq).

So they arrive and looked good -- I quickly stocked them up with Mk262 Mod1.  They seem to function fine - however I have had some durablity doubt about polymer in a M16FOW mag -- so with that in mind and inspired by the Magpul test videos -- I decided to run one over with the B6 Suburban -- to get the idea of weight - its a 2500 series Burb with a factory B6 Armor package - a 3 ton jack will not lift the damn thing to do a tire change - you need at least a 5 ton or the thing wont budge.

Secondly most testing had been done of EMPTY mags -- (I have my guesses as to why) but an empty mag reliability test really does not do much for me -- since I am concernd about the mag when its loaded - empty its no good to me.

so 28rds of Mk262 Mod1 in a PMag--meets Suburban.
Standby

and it survives -- no rounds even get popped out.

Not satisfied - I get the driver to reverse back over the mag

crunch heard -- well so much for the PMAG
or not

one round ejected - not exactly the 30rd "burst" I expected.

The mag's spine has been cracked -- but it does not appear to be a catostrophic failure -- thus I decided -- well will it work?

Well it shoots...

As you can see minor case deformation occured on the rounds in the mag while it was run over.


and the mag ran during several drills -- ejected easily - and never caused a hickup -- reloaded and used 4 times after it cracked...

I pulled it from my opstock -- but its IMHO very impressive and once more a testament to how Rich and the rest of the gang from Magpul built their stuff.

 

[MG34]

Good review, I take it the rest are in your OP Stock now. I've been looking at these,maybe have a closer look at SHOT 08

 

[HItorMiss]

Very intersting stuff

Might be worth the purchase next time I head over the pond as they wont be illegal there.

 

[RHFC_piper]

Good review.

More gear for my wish list.

Just some questions which have come to mind (for I6);

Any issues related to heat with the polymer yet? softening, bending, warping, etc?  I figured it would take some time in country to see it, and maybe not until the 'hot' season, but it just comes to mind when I think about it.

Any issues from bottom pressure? specifically damage to the bottom plate (if there is one) or bottom of the mag from bumping?  or damage to the feed lips from banging around?

Any rigidity issues? Twisting, torsion, etc.?

What are your feelings on the MagLevel PMAG?  Usefull / useless?  There are other weapons mags which are either clear or have a 'window' to check ammo (Steyr AUG), and I've heard mixed reactions about it.  Just wondering if you've seen / played with these PMAGs (MagLevel) and if you know of any issues related to the 'window'. 

Sorry if I'm asking too many questions... just want to know.


I think the only issue I'd have with these mags, specifically for CF members, is the fact that we tend to shuffle mags around quite a bit; swapping up for full ones, passing off ammo, etc, etc...  That's when things go missing.  It'd be nice if the CF would outfit units with better kit such as this, but with that said, there really isn't anything wrong with the issued mags, so that money could probably be better used elsewhere.
I6, you are in a very unique position; as your gear is your own and doesn't get shuffled back into 'the system'. 
Thanks for the review... good stuff.

 

[KevinB]

My first advice for all CF members is to mark your mags.
1) its the only way to ensure you have ones that work
2) In training you can note which mags had stoppages and N/S ones that crop up 3 times
3) Mags are an expendable store -- they wear out -- and while when we first got issues the alum mags - they where good -- they have been beat to shit in training and operations and a lot need to be replaced.
4) On operations -- marked mags can always be recovered from buddies etc.  - I download mine to 28 since I dont like having to smash the mag in on a tac reload, and I dont want to get someone mags that have been "less cared for".  I also had added Magpul ehanced followers and Ranger plates to my CF mags.

I've left 2 mags (the damaged one and a good one) fully loaded in one of our Suburbans -- it over 46 here already and inside a vehicle - its easily over 55 whe it sits in th sun for a bit -- later when the heat hits the mid 50's - I dont want to thnk what it is inside a car -- my guess is that will tell on how the mags do in the heat.

As far as rigidity -- you can't twist them in your hands -- and I will note I lined up the mag in the weakest way when it was driven over.
 
I'm looking forward to the windowed version (its nice to be able to see how many round you have at a glance)

Gotta run more later
-Kev

 

[ProPatria031]

this may sound pretty irrelevant but  can't help but ask. why does your suburban have snow/ice tries in a desert. as for the mag those look pretty sweet but i have serious doubts that we're gonna see those, seeing as how we just finish bitching about the old ones so they said "fine here are you metal mags", and now we want to go back to polymer.

:cheers:

 

[KevinB]

Its an All Terrain tire with runflats.

  WRT the mags - I'm not suggesting the CF change - I posted this as something informative.  I was issued my first metal mag for the C7/C8 in the CF in 1995 - so I would not say that it is "just finished" either. 

 

[1feral1]

hey Kev, what you did here in a matter of minutes would cost the gov't $1000's in some test lab. Good review.

For those that don't know, Australia's F88 Austeyr FOW uses a transparent sythetic 30rd mag, and they are as durable as hell! No fading, no denting, and passed a vehicle run over test back in the 1980's prior to adoption.

When I was in Iraq, sus mags in theatre were met with a drop saw to ensure they would not go out on any missions. Mags are expendable, and replacements were never EVER an issue.

Stay safe Kev, and put all that good $$$$ to a happy use on your safe return, you've earned it. 207 days in Baghdad was enough for me!


Cheers,

Wes

 

[KevinB]

Wes - roger that.
Now even the vaunted Hk "high relibility mags" are having noted problems in the US SOF circuit -- vaunted trainer and former Delta MSG Larry Vickers is now recommending the PMags - and so is Pat Rogers.  That said I am not using them in the COLD. 

 

[Big Red]

+1, the HK mags gave me some difficulties and I've since ditched them in favour of the tried and true c products tarted up with the magpul follower and ranger floorplate.

 

[1feral1]

Wes - roger that.
Now even the vaunted Hk "high relibility mags" are having noted problems in the US SOF circuit -- vaunted trainer and former Delta MSG Larry Vickers is now recommending the PMags - and so is Pat Rogers.  That said I am not using them in the COLD. 

I don't know if you're in Murder City or not, but if you make it into the IZ, on Saturday nights its Salza Night at the Liberty Pool. There is three pools if I remember correctly, the cool water is quite refreshing, so pack some Speedos (ha) and a towel, and remember in Baghdad, even the western fat chicks are porn stars!! It was crowded the times I was there.  ;D

So send SITREP and or AAR.... Out

Wes

 

[ProPatria031]

Its an All Terrain tire with runflats.

  WRT the mags - I'm not suggesting the CF change - I posted this as something informative.  I was issued my first metal mag for the C7/C8 in the CF in 1995 - so I would not say that it is "just finished" either. 

Ya but you know how slow Canada is on this stuff and that's probably what they would say if we asked for polymer mags

:cheers:

 

[KevinB]

I don't know if you're in Murder City or not, but if you make it into the IZ, on Saturday nights its Salza Night at the Liberty Pool. There is three pools if I remember correctly, the cool water is quite refreshing, so pack some Speedos (ha) and a towel, and remember in Baghdad, even the western fat chicks are porn stars!! It was crowded the times I was there.  ;D

So send SITREP and or AAR.... Out

Wes

Well I fly back tomorrow  :'(  - so we shall see if the mags in the 'burb are still good to go --
Thankfully my loc is not the IDF hotspot anymore -
 

 

[COBRA-6]

+1, the HK mags gave me some difficulties and I've since ditched them in favour of the tried and true c products tarted up with the magpul follower and ranger floorplate.

Aluminum or stainless steel ones? I bought a bunch of their lanced SS 5/30 rounders and they seem good to go...

 

[Big Red]

Steel ones.

 

[KevinB]

Still going strong

Travis Haney (made famous by the BW sniper vid of '04 Najaf- but now hired by the USMC to do training) has over 30,000 rds thru 20 of his - and one has more than 6k thru it.
  Only issue was two he took on a cbt dive - that rusted when he left then loaded for 2 weeks after the salt water exposure

 

[COBRA-6]

Kev, what are you running on your first line?

 

[KevinB]

1st Line
TT Belt (which I want to replace with either a Crye Blast belt - or ATS/Lightfighter's new belt)
TT 3pistol mag pouch
Maxpedition Utility
6004 (w/MFS Strider)
DBT Frag pouch

2nd
CIRAS M
Paracelete M4 pouches
Endom Bomb IFAK
DBT Smoke
DBT Banger
DBT Frag
BHI Admin
VIPIR strobe
TT MBITR

TC2002
SF Lip Light
Peltor ComtacII's

 

[COBRA-6]

perfect, thanks! have you posted pics of the rig here or on other boards already? I'm trying to figure out some options...

 

[KevinB]

Over on Lightfighter's Stud Board - "Show you fighting loadout"


but I am a big mouth so...

Also with my lite rig. Soft armor - and a DBT Plate Carrier