- Location
- East of Home, West of the Rest
So I wandered into the Calgary Shooting Center today (range member, not employee or business affiliate as a disclaimer) and happened to find that they had new pistol mags for sale. New to me anyways, and at least one senior staff member who I will remain nameless to save him any shame. (You hear that N**m, no shame). Because I'm a bit of an AR mag collector, I bought two and figured I'd give them a try, and spread the word.
For those that aren't familiar with it, Kel-Tec produces a 223 based pistol called the PLR16. This is it...
It would appear Thermold has taken to producing mags for this pistol. How the relationship works with Keltec? I have no idea. The magazines are a polymer design, and come in any color you like, as long as it is black. The magazine body is made in a left and right half which has been welded together. It has two blocks, or more accurately ledges, internally on either wall of the magazine blocking the capacity to 10 rounds. It would appear that the follower is placed into one half of the mag before the other half is heat welded together, and the follower is not removable as it won't move lower than the ledges. The floor plate however is removable allowing for easy cleaning of the interior mag should one be so inclined.
Markings on the mag consist of a stamped text on the left side of the body stating "PLR 16 10 RD .223 REM PISTOL MAG", and stamped text on the right side of the mag stating "THERMOLD WILSON, N.C. U.S.A." The floor plate of the magazine states "THERMOLD PAT. NO. 5,329,718".
The mags itself feels solid. It isn't Magpul or CAA solid, but it is more solid than say the second Gen PCV mags of the Beowulf persuasion. I'm hoping that makes sense to most, however I realize some may not have experience with all three of those types. Lets just say the mag is stiff and doesn't compress noticeably much when pinched side to side. Finishing on the mag is a 8/10, with some very minor excess flashing on the seams and a sharp corner or two. These won't affect the function, and likely are an easy remedy by the buyer through a light rubbing, or will likely wear off as the mags are used.
I was fortunate enough to test the loading and capacity of the mags at the store with dummy rounds. The first mag I tested only took 9 rounds, and was tight on the 9th round. The next two mags loaded 10 dummy rounds perfectly, and had some give which would indicate easy closing on a closed bolt. Future range testing will have to come later. The one mag may have been a fluke, but I'd suggest asking to test capacity of each mag before leaving a store with them.
Here are some pictures for comparison and reference. The first picture left to right includes an LAR15 metal mag, the PLR16 pistol mag, and a CAA/ATRS AT15 Gen 1 Pistol Mag.
Floor plate...
Feed lips and follower...
Left side...
Right side...
For those that aren't familiar with it, Kel-Tec produces a 223 based pistol called the PLR16. This is it...
It would appear Thermold has taken to producing mags for this pistol. How the relationship works with Keltec? I have no idea. The magazines are a polymer design, and come in any color you like, as long as it is black. The magazine body is made in a left and right half which has been welded together. It has two blocks, or more accurately ledges, internally on either wall of the magazine blocking the capacity to 10 rounds. It would appear that the follower is placed into one half of the mag before the other half is heat welded together, and the follower is not removable as it won't move lower than the ledges. The floor plate however is removable allowing for easy cleaning of the interior mag should one be so inclined.
Markings on the mag consist of a stamped text on the left side of the body stating "PLR 16 10 RD .223 REM PISTOL MAG", and stamped text on the right side of the mag stating "THERMOLD WILSON, N.C. U.S.A." The floor plate of the magazine states "THERMOLD PAT. NO. 5,329,718".
The mags itself feels solid. It isn't Magpul or CAA solid, but it is more solid than say the second Gen PCV mags of the Beowulf persuasion. I'm hoping that makes sense to most, however I realize some may not have experience with all three of those types. Lets just say the mag is stiff and doesn't compress noticeably much when pinched side to side. Finishing on the mag is a 8/10, with some very minor excess flashing on the seams and a sharp corner or two. These won't affect the function, and likely are an easy remedy by the buyer through a light rubbing, or will likely wear off as the mags are used.
I was fortunate enough to test the loading and capacity of the mags at the store with dummy rounds. The first mag I tested only took 9 rounds, and was tight on the 9th round. The next two mags loaded 10 dummy rounds perfectly, and had some give which would indicate easy closing on a closed bolt. Future range testing will have to come later. The one mag may have been a fluke, but I'd suggest asking to test capacity of each mag before leaving a store with them.
Here are some pictures for comparison and reference. The first picture left to right includes an LAR15 metal mag, the PLR16 pistol mag, and a CAA/ATRS AT15 Gen 1 Pistol Mag.
Floor plate...
Feed lips and follower...
Left side...
Right side...
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