Why are PMAGs superior to aluminum USGI mags?
The goal is to convey firsthand knowledge and advantages of providing the Magpul PMAG compared to presently supplied aluminum magazines.
M4/M16 magazines depend on accurate feeding lip shape (angle) to correctly deliver cartridges. Depending on bullet form and open armor piercing tip, M885A1 ammunition reduces reliability throughout all versions of aluminum magazines, except the most recent federal supplied tan or blue leader aluminum magazines. The only magazine that preserves the proper shape and has been demonstrated to boost dependability with M855A1 is the Magpul PMAG. Recent Marine Corps studies back this up. The PMAG is the number one device that Soldiers will invest their cash in before the deployment, owing to its greater durability.
Discussion
The M4/M16 FOW is indeed the finest carbine/rifle organization globally, and nearly all the rifles are handled among our friends. A simple glance at almost any level 1 squad on any of our friends reveals that they like and utilize the M4 over their military-style rifle. The system’s dependability is essentially determined by two factors: enough lubricant and clean, fresh magazines. The latter is mainly a coaching issue, whereas the other has been a source of aggravation for end customers for more than 50 years.
The magazine
The magazine’s role is to retain the 5.56 mm shells and promote positive firing into the barrel’s port. To achieve this, the nutrient lips must be at a particular angle and spaced away to keep the cartridges in the magazine. At the same time, the spring is tensioned and reveals the cartridge’s perfect angle to the barrel as the screw continues to push the cartridge forward out of the magazine and into the barrel. Modern aluminum magazine feed lips are fairly flexible during typical usage, learning, and maintenance, changing these crucial dimensions. Minor distortions will cause failures, and also, most Troops will not notice these deflections if they have a problem and carefully study the magazine.
Moreover, the primary issue M855A1 (which superseded the M855 “green tip” in 2012) necessitates a more accurate feeding inclination depending on the exposed harder penetrator tip. If the angle is too shallow, the projectile tip will halt on the front edge of the recipient ramp, resulting in a malfunction. In training and while deployed, I experienced feed failures with this round and new tan leader aluminum magazines. The issue persists with the most recent blue chaser aluminum magazine, designed to alleviate M855A1 feeding concerns. Only the usage of PMAGs reliably solves the issue.
PMAG VS USGI: Why is the USGI a clear no?
Bending feed lips and cracks are some of the reasons for switching from aluminum magazines. The aluminum USGI mags could be rendered inoperable by making a minor dent in the body or bending the feed lips. Of course, pmags can crack, but they are considerably less vulnerable to the minor dents that all mags can get and must be pounded on to break.
Long before they were standard issue, special forces and line troops were open to purchasing pmags. In addition, the new Army “improved performance magazine” stinks. To avoid M855A1 from artificially inflating their feed ramps, the Marine Corps now mandates the use of gen m3 pmags. The Army is lagging, most likely because they are disappointed that the all-metal EPM failed so spectacularly. However, they recently bought approximately 13,000 pmags presumably, so their deployed troops wouldn’t have to use poor mags.
