US Army bans PMAGS

DARKSTANG said:
So now i have to buy 30 more of those too? Ah man! So they are combining tech in regards to the E-Mag and the PMag to create something better?
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lol, so it would seem. Yes, the M3 will (eventually) replace the standard PMAG and EMAG. Here's the full list of features:

The next-generation PMAG 30 M3 is a 30-round 5.56x45 NATO (.223 Remington) polymer magazine for AR15/M16 compatible weapons. Along with expanded feature set and compatibility, the M3 incorporates new material technology and manufacturing processes for enhanced strength, durability, and reliability to exceed rigorous military performance specifications.

Modified internal and external geometry also permits operation with a wide range of non Colt-spec platforms such as the HK® 416 and MR556A1, M27 IAR, British SA-80, FN® SCAR™ MK 16/16S, and others. A redesigned bolt catch notch in the rear of the magazine provides increased bolt catch clearance, while an over-travel stop on the spine helps ensure the magazine will not over-insert on compatible weapons.

Similar to the standard PMAG 30, the M3 features a long-life stainless steel spring, four-way anti-tilt follower and constant-curve internal geometry for reliable feeding, and simple tool-less disassembly to ease cleaning. In addition, a included pop-off Impact/Dust Cover can optionally be used to minimize debris intrusion and protect against potential damage during storage and transit. Low profile ribs and new aggressive front and rear texture gives positive control of the PMAG 30 M3 in all environments, and a paint pen dot matrix has been added to the bottom panel of the the body to allow easy marking by the end user for magazine identification. The easy to disassemble standard flared floorplate provides drop protection and aids extraction, but can be replaced by the optional PMAG Ranger Plate for increased handling or slim-line internal floorplate for improved compatibility with most double and triple magazine pouches.
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Remember so long ago I asked you if you were ever going to get those PMag40's in? I wish Magpul wouldn't put things out there and not complete them. Maybe they are waiting to finish this new technology before they make those. I still want to buy a crap load in 40 for my stuff. It will increase my exercise weight when. I'm out and about. Lol!
 
Northman999 said:
IMO, this is not unusual for the military.

A strong push for everyone to use the same kit is basically standard, and it sounds like they are just going back to that.

And I'd expect that the suppliers of the standard issue mags were creating a ruckus behind the scenes too; no doubt they have contracts they want honored.

The CF is way more anal than the Americans about this stuff BTW, at least when I was in. Being caught using anything not standard issue was chargeable at the time, and guys were being charged with everything from using Norwegian winter sweaters in the field (instead of our crappy CF sweaters), to wearing civilian white tube socks (instead of our thick wool socks in +30 degree heat) for general duties while in batallion. Hopefully things have gotten better for our troops since then...
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Completely agree. The British army is just as anal. Although issued kit was getting better as I left.

I think that if the equipment works then why not use it. But at the same time, a line needs to be drawn. For instance I had to see American marines turn up in afghan with freaking skateboard helmets (no not the spec ops ballistic one) a actual skateboard helmet. That is dumb. But mags.... Why the hell not really.
 
The term one man one kit is the way it's thought of and that kit is what is to be issued. However the civies in procurement and the armchair commandos who don't even use the individual kit they're giving us should be set aside and the infantrymen should be working there procurring the goods or at least approving it. Some of the new stuff is retarded like an "ARCTIC" Parka thats friggin green ... shouldn't something with the name "Actic" be white? Or the super uber "Tac" vest we get? We actually put man hours into designing a friggin Tac Vest when there was umpteen different manufacturers producing the stuff ... Just call up Eagle or TAG or Blackhawk or or or or .... and just buy the stuff off the shelf. Seems like a pretty simple concept ... oh wait it's Federal Gov't, OK, I retract my statement.
 
blaxsun said:
Magpul is coming out with a new M3 PMAG which addresses all the minor issues that the PMAG had in the SCAR, Tavor, etc. (enlarged notch in the rear) as well as compatibility issues with the HK416, SA-80, etc. It's entirely possible this will become the new standard after extensive testing and when available.
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Glad I waited!!! :D. I'll have to check out the new and improved ones. Right now I don't have any Pmags and I sure won't buy any until these issues are worked out.
 
blaxsun said:
Magpul is coming out with a new M3 PMAG which addresses all the minor issues that the PMAG had in the SCAR, Tavor, etc. (enlarged notch in the rear) as well as compatibility issues with the HK416, SA-80, etc. It's entirely possible this will become the new standard after extensive testing and when available.
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This could be another reason for the decision, not all of these mags are Stanag compatible.
 
Epoxy7 said:
Glad I waited!!! :D. I'll have to check out the new and improved ones. Right now I don't have any Pmags and I sure won't buy any until these issues are worked out.
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I have to say, for AR's the PMag seems to be the best for feeding that I've used. If the metal mags get bent they don't bend back, unlike the PMag. I'm abusive to mags too. I've broken a lot of metal mags, for sure. I'm clumsy. Lol! But I will be picking up the new and improved mags, for sure.
 
I like Pmags for the most part, but if you look at Magpul's website or any of the catalogues, nowhere do they claim to meet the MILSPECS.

I've seen some extreme cold testing and drop testing and lots of fails on PMAGS. Splits around the back behind the lips are the first to appear.

I'm not a fan of the aluminum USGI, but they pass every test in the manual at least once.

Afganistan is only one battlefield. We need to operate with mags in the arctic, in the jungle, in the desert, in chemical environments, and so on.

We need them to be resitant to Dust, sand, salt water, UV, DEET, chlorine, and being stored loaded for long terms.

We sort of owe it to ourselves, if we go in harm's way or send people in harm's way, to do all of the testing we can.

I suspect that the Magpul fails one or more of the military tests - an NSN does not mean it passed or got certified.

I bet they eventually will meet the specs and replace the aluminum, but we need to get the mags we need, not the ones we want.
 
C77 said:
I like Pmags for the most part, but if you look at Magpul's website or any of the catalogues, nowhere do they claim to meet the MILSPECS.

I've seen some extreme cold testing and drop testing and lots of fails on PMAGS. Splits around the back behind the lips are the first to appear.

I'm not a fan of the aluminum USGI, but they pass every test in the manual at least once.

Afganistan is only one battlefield. We need to operate with mags in the arctic, in the jungle, in the desert, in chemical environments, and so on.

We need them to be resitant to Dust, sand, salt water, UV, DEET, chlorine, and being stored loaded for long terms.

We sort of owe it to ourselves, if we go in harm's way or send people in harm's way, to do all of the testing we can.

I suspect that the Magpul fails one or more of the military tests - an NSN does not mean it passed or got certified.

I bet they eventually will meet the specs and replace the aluminum, but we need to get the mags we need, not the ones we want.
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The voice of reason strikes :)

agree 100%
 
C77 said:
I like Pmags for the most part, but if you look at Magpul's website or any of the catalogues, nowhere do they claim to meet the MILSPECS.

I've seen some extreme cold testing and drop testing and lots of fails on PMAGS. Splits around the back behind the lips are the first to appear.

I'm not a fan of the aluminum USGI, but they pass every test in the manual at least once.

Afganistan is only one battlefield. We need to operate with mags in the arctic, in the jungle, in the desert, in chemical environments, and so on.

We need them to be resitant to Dust, sand, salt water, UV, DEET, chlorine, and being stored loaded for long terms.

We sort of owe it to ourselves, if we go in harm's way or send people in harm's way, to do all of the testing we can.

I suspect that the Magpul fails one or more of the military tests - an NSN does not mean it passed or got certified.

I bet they eventually will meet the specs and replace the aluminum, but we need to get the mags we need, not the ones we want.
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This answer will not make you any friends...but it is bang on.
 
No doubt one of those rules that will only be enforced in places like KAF. Out in the COP's about half the Americans are using PMAG's, either unit purchase or private purchase. I bought some myself as 4/10 of my issued mags had screwed up feed lips. Most of the problems with issued mags stem from the Military treating $7 dollar pieces of metal as irreplaceable pieces of equipment.
 
critter928 said:
lol, mine did too just reading that. Images of melting my cam-stick with my bug juice with memories of numb lips are flashing through my synapses at a rapid rate! Thanks. ;)

And C77 is bang on.
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Sounds like some familiarity. This might be a dumb question, but did you guys ever face a T-flash wrapped in jam, peanut butter or rice? Lol, when defending our hill at Meaford in Ontario while facing off with some US troops(friendly war games) we tossed some rice grenades down the hill with a little jam and peanut butter wrapped in freezer bags. As you all know, when your on exercise there is few chances if any to take a shower. All we heard from our trenches was: "stupid Canadians!" Lol! Mess with the best get sticky with the rest! Ha ha ha! Don't mess with Canada!
 
It will be curious to see how much of an improvement the M3 PMAG is over its predecessors. At least the benefit for us is that when available, it will work in any AR (including the MR223, maybe FS2000...?) and should at least resolve the minor issues in the Tavor.
 
C77 said:
I suspect that the Magpul fails one or more of the military tests - an NSN does not mean it passed or got certified.
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A very simple, logical and well written response. Much better than my ramblings.

Magpul did indeed fail an Army test back in 2009, it had issues operating in the extreme cold and wouldn't reliably function at -60.
 
DARKSTANG said:
Sounds like some familiarity. This might be a dumb question, but did you guys ever face a T-flash wrapped in jam, peanut butter or rice? Lol, when defending our hill at Meaford in Ontario while facing off with some US troops(friendly war games) we tossed some rice grenades down the hill with a little jam and peanut butter wrapped in freezer bags. As you all know, when your on exercise there is few chances if any to take a shower. All we heard from our trenches was: "stupid Canadians!" Lol! Mess with the best get sticky with the rest! Ha ha ha! Don't mess with Canada!
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Yikes. If the rice wasn't cooked I would have charged you for doing that. At a minimum it would never happen again under my watch. It makes the Captain in me extremely angry to think that someone could have been blinded over some lols. :eek:
 
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