Marines get groundbreaking, unstoppable new rifle magazine

[The Legion]

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2017/01/12/marines-get-groundbreaking-unstoppable-new-rifle-magazine.html

Published January 12, 2017

FoxNews.com

A reliable weapon can be the difference between life and death for those serving in the military.

The Magpul Industries PMAG GEN 3 is a magazine for rifles that ensures the user stays lethal in a fight. More than 20,000 rounds fired? No problem. Still no magazine stoppages. 

Why is that so important? Because every time a stoppage happens with a weapon, it means a lost opportunity to neutralize an enemy combatant. But the even bigger issue is that a stoppage can put the warfighter at risk and even lead to loss of life.  

With AR, M4, and M27 weapons for example, magazine problems are a primary culprit in stoppages. But if a warfighter uses the PMAG, then the risk of stoppage is massively reduced.

The US Marine Corps has made the decision to ensure that all Marines have the best magazine available. Going forward, Magpul’s PMAG GEN 3 has become the official magazine, giving Marines that extra advantage to stay alive and lethal in a firefight.

This is the first commercial magazine adopted as the official standard for the Marine Corps primary service rifle, Magpul explained.

THE 5 COOLEST MILITARY INNOVATIONS OF 2016

Magpul has also introduced the PMAG GEN 3 in the “medium coyote tan” color. The black and medium coyote tan are now the only magazines authorized by the USMC for combat and training. The government-designed EPM USGI (aluminum) magazine will be used only for training purposes.

PMAG GEN 3 Basics

The PMAG GEN 3 would be ideal for the M4, M16, M27IAR (Infantry Automatic Rifle) and M249 SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon). And the magazine works with all types of bullets.

And in spite of tens of thousands of rounds, it won’t melt because of its special advanced material.

The military put the PMAG GEN 3 through years of testing, and thousands and thousands and thousands of rounds. And what did they find? No stoppages.

For example, testing found that even in 20,400 rounds of M855A1— a tricky ammo type— still there were zero stoppages.

Expand / Contract

(Magpul Industries)

How tough is tough?

Both the US and NATO have what’s called “rough handling” testing and Magpul’s PMAG GEN 3 passed all of it with flying colors.

What does mean? It is one rugged magazine. You can use it in extreme cold— as in -60 degrees Fahrenheit cold— all the way through to 180 degrees of extreme heat, and this magazine still cannot be stopped. It is reliable.

HOW SKYDIVING MILITARY SNIPERS HARNESSED TOP OXYGEN TECH ON MOUNT EVEREST

The magazine also easily passed military testing against things like dust, UV exposure and even salt fog. You can also throw whatever dirt and grime is around and it will still outperform other magazine options.

So how does it work?

The PMAG GEN 3 loads from stripper clips. It inserts rapidly on a closed vault with a full 30 rounds. There is a smart over-insertion stop to protect against hard-core magazine changes and drops.

When you’re shooting, there is a handy window that Magpul describes as working like a gas gage. As you fire, it will provide exact data on just how many rounds you have left by a quick glance at the orange coil.

THESE HACKERS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE IN A DISASTER

This magazine drops free, making reload very quick and efficient. There’s a dust and impact cover, but you don’t need it to store the magazine loaded. It is really there to protect against major impact like dropping the mags out of aircraft, for example.

Unlike the USGI aluminum magazine, it is very easy to disassemble to clean.

Dominating the field and winning the Marine Corps contract

In battery after battery of military testing over the course of several years, the PMAG GEN M3 relentlessly dominated the competition. In tens of thousands of rounds, there were zero magazine-related stoppages and it performed better than any other magazine. The GEN M3 was pitted against both government developed USGI and commercial mags— but none could come close to rivaling the PMAG GEN 3’s relentlessly reliable performance.

Magpul is highly motivated to find top-notch solutions for warfighters. Founder Richard Fitzpatrick was Marine Reconnaissance, many at the company served in the Corps, and have children currently serving. This is a company that understands the needs of those serving in the US military and takes delivering excellence extremely seriously.

“Firearm performance is a passion for us at Magpul, whether for military weapon systems or for civilian arms for defense and recreation,” Duane Liptak, Magpul Industries’ product management and marketing director, said. “Very early in the company history, Magpul’s founders identified shortcomings in the USGI magazine, and we’ve been dedicated to making the most reliable magazines in the world because although it may seem like a simple box with a spring, people’s lives depend heavily on this item performing.”

What’s next for Magpul? For civilians, there will be some very big reveals at SHOT Show next week. To find out first, download the latest Tactical Talk and meet a former Marine Corps fighter pilot who will give you an exclusive peek at some of the exciting news.

[Ronald_55]

Interesting, but are we sure the journalist is not a Magpul employee? Lol It sounded like he read all the sales pitches and used them to build his story. 

So the Marines will now be using the same mag I can buy. We will see how that works in real combat. I am not a fan of the windowed mags. Just another way to get crap in the mag to cause "stoppages"

[DaveTN]

Good for them.  

I’ve been using PMAGS for years with no problem. I hope they can now step up their production without leaving us with a shortage.

It’s always good to see an American company hit a home run.  

[Omega]

Umm, pmags have been in use in the Army, at least in SpecOps, for years. They even have a National Stock Number, which was in use at least 3 or 4 years.  The MC is just now getting these?

MAG210-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black, with window): 1005-01-576-5164
MAG210-FDE (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, FDE with window):1005-01-616-4902
MAG210-ODG (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Green, with window): 1005-01-591-6157
MAG211-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black): 1005-01-576-5159
MAG211-ODG (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Green): 1005-01-591-6162
MAG233-ODG (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 40-Round, Polymer, Green): 1005-01-591-8124
MAG556-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black, with window): 1005-01-615-5169
MAG557-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black): 1005-01-628-5106

[bud]

.

Edited April 26, 2017 by bud

[Sam1]

16 minutes ago, bud said:

Straight from the Magpul Advertising Department's floor, to Fox New's door.

Good on Magpul. Gotta love an American business success story.

pretty much why everyone likes Glock, they have the best marketing department of any gun manufacturer.

 

[bud]

.

Edited January 14, 2017 by bud

[Garufa]

13 hours ago, Omega said:

Umm, pmags have been in use in the Army, at least in SpecOps, for years. They even have a National Stock Number, which was in use at least 3 or 4 years.  The MC is just now getting these?

MAG210-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black, with window): 1005-01-576-5164
MAG210-FDE (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, FDE with window):1005-01-616-4902
MAG210-ODG (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Green, with window): 1005-01-591-6157
MAG211-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black): 1005-01-576-5159
MAG211-ODG (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Green): 1005-01-591-6162
MAG233-ODG (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 40-Round, Polymer, Green): 1005-01-591-8124
MAG556-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black, with window): 1005-01-615-5169
MAG557-BLK (Magazine, Cartridge, 5.56mm, 30-Round, Polymer, Black): 1005-01-628-5106

I think the point is PMAG's are now the standard issue mag for the USMC.  Is that the case with other branches?

 

Edited January 13, 2017 by Garufa

[DWARREN123]

I never had a problem with the old GI 20 and 30 round mags. Always worked when needed.

I do not like the window, as said a entry point for crap.

[Dolomite_supafly]

6 minutes ago, DWARREN123 said:

I never had a problem with the old GI 20 and 30 round mags. Always worked when needed.

I do not like the window, as said a entry point for crap.

You do realize that "window" is not open to allow crap in right? It has a clear PLASTIC window.

[Omega]

7 hours ago, Garufa said:

I think the point is PMAG's are now the standard issue mag for the USMC.  Is that the case with other branches?

 

As with many things, there are some politics, even in this.

http://kitup.military.com/2012/05/army-stands-ban-unathorized-pmags.html

http://www.guns.com/2012/05/26/us-army-improved-magazine-pmag-ban-tan-is-the-plan/

I remember the whole CLP vs Militec-1 when I was in,  even though boots on the ground gave the thumbs up to Militec-1 vs CLP, the DOD still banned its use.  Luckily for us we had a good stock, sent for free by the mfg after NSN requisitions for it were changed to CLP.  Idiots!

[Handsome Rob]

When the hell did 'combatant' become 'warfighter'??

Is it suddenly a freaking video game?!

[gun sane]

I suppose Magpul could advertise it as Perfection, but that word seems to be taken.
 

[Danger Rane]

The funny thing is, a lot of the guys have been using these anyway for a few years, either purchased out of pocket, sent over in care packages, or as Omega noted issued by the unit in some instances. Now that they will be an issued item that everyone has the guys will want to move on to whatever the new hotness is. Military logistics lags so far behind technology sometimes that's its ridiculous.