Noveske Gen2 lower and Gen3 Pmag compatibility issues

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As promised in another thread, here is the low down on the compatibility issues with the Gen2 Noveske lowers and Gen3 Pmags. This will apply to the Gen3 5/30 Pmags, as well as the newly introduced Gen3 5/40 Pmags.
First pic is the Gen2 and Gen3 Pmags back to back. Gen3 is on the bottom. Note the pronounced "lip" or "stop" on the spine of the Gen3.

Close-up of the spine, Gen3 is on the bottom again.

Here they are from the side, Gen3 is on the top here.

Another angle of the spine on the Gen3, lip is very noticeable here.

Empty Gen2 Noveske lower.

Gen2 Pmag fully seated.

Gen3 Pmag won't fully seat. The "lip" or "stop" on the spine runs into the flared magwell on the Gen2 Noveske lower.

Conclusion? This is not really a huge deal as long as you know about it. I am very certain you could dremel or file the "stop" down and make it work. It is something that you would want to know about though if you were ever using one to defend life and limb, and it's a little disappointing that the 2 will not work together out of the box.
If you have a Gen1 Noveske lower, the Gen2 and Gen3 Pmags will both work just fine.
If you have a Gen2 Noveske lower, the Gen2 Pmags will work just fine.
This issue is just with the Gen2 Noveske lower and the Gen3 Pmags.

As an aside, the Surefire 5/60 and 5/100 mags are not compatible with the Gen2 Noveske lower either.
 
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I can see that being an issue with a number of other lowers on the market as more go with the larger flared magwell.
 
sithinside said:
Isn't there supposed to be an engraving of the chainsaw under the trigger guard?
Click to expand...

You're thinking of the "Chainsaw" lowers. Those are Noveske factory seconds that have a chainsaw engraved on them to denote the fact that they are seconds. To my knowledge there are no chainsaw lowers in Canada.
 
Here's some info (from what I'm told):
Gen II lowers were changed earlier this year for the PMAG GEN M3 in the 4700-4800 serial number range.
Serial numbers 4800 and above will fit without any modification.

(I don't have a Gen2 lower so can't confirm/deny it)...but I have seen pics of a Gen2 with the change to allow the Gen M3 Pmags.
 
Farmboy said:
I can see that being an issue with a number of other lowers on the market as more go with the larger flared magwell.
Click to expand...

Just checked with my ATRS Gen-4 lower and it APPEARS the Gen-3 will work, but I won't know until I get one in. The flare doesn't go lower than a standard AR15 mag well, so the first "lug" on the mag spine is not stuck up into the mag well. Kinda looks like the Cadex ones should work too.
 
Just tried my gen 3s in my noveske Serial # 30XX. Fack you are right it doesn't seat. Well good thing I have like 20 gen 2 pmags and about 20 Steel mags.

I tried them in my FS2000 and they don't work either :(. I guess they are only good for my KAC SR15 and my Tavor.
 
Not to derail a Noveske thread, but Gen3's don't work great in my Stag either. They have some friction when inserting, and won't drop free.

I measured them against some Gen2's that I have, and found them to be almost exactly 0.015" wider across the mag body to the outside of the mag catch tab (or shelf, or whatever.)

They also seem to drag at the back of the mag somewhat; not along the high spine where the rivet is, but rather on the two shelves either side of that.

I suspect I'll need to file and sand them with extreme prejudice to get them to work.

Anybody want to trade me for minty Gen2's?
 
Tried some Gen-3 Pmags today in my ATRS lower and the "over insertion shelf" needed to be trimmed just a teeny bit for it to lock in. You could get it in if you smacked the mag in nice and hard though, but the ambi release was tight after.

Mags dropped free quite easily though, so not sure if the Stag has a tight mag well or not, but definitely needed a bit of trimming on the upper section of the over insertion shelf. Will have to see how the Gen-2 versus Gen-3 feeds, got 3 of each right now before I buy a boatload more!


And I figure this is as good a place for "Gen-3 P-Mag compatibility" as any!
 
Gen 2 Noveske owner here - will not be buying any Gen 3 PMAGS.

Wasn't the stupid Gen 3 PMAG designed to allow it to work in more guns then the Gen 2 mags? Sounds like they blew that one.

A Magpul mis-step - rare as they are!
 
As an FYI...just tried a Gen M3 in my Spikes Tactical Biohazard billet lower (w/ flared magwell)...no issue
 
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