The moment TFBTV contributor and Senior Writer Alex Capps stated he doesn’t use PMAGs, I swear I heard a collective gasp from the Modern Sporting Rifle crowd. Blasphemy! How dare one not worship at the alter of Magpul and drink the kool-aid?!? Or, at the very least, worship lesser gods such as Lancer, ETS, Hexmag, etc, etc, etc.

While I will cede that the PMAG Gen 1 was to be improved upon and that PMAG’s may not be compatible with all Modern Sporting Rifles (which there is a reason the FN2000 is on and off again, but I digress…), the PMAG is the gold standard by which all other magazines are measured. Literally, read an AR magazine review and its impossible not to compare a PMAG, and its rise to the top is not just because of clever marketing.

Why I choose PMAGs:

No more bent feed lips, dents, or dings.

• One of the biggest benefits of the PMAG in my mind is the utter lack of bent metal. Yes, they will snap given sufficient applied force but when one goes bad, it goes bad permanently. I know many a service member who got what likely was a good USGI magazine only to find out in the middle of a fight or range evolution that found it bind up, kink, feed incorrectly, or otherwise malfunction due to dinged stamped metal that would otherwise not phase a PMAG.

Ammo Count

• Standard PMAGs do not have this advantage, but all the various window versions do. I dont like guessing on remaining ammunition.

Lighter Vs. Steel Magazines

• Alex showed a select example of what was likely an aluminum bodied magazine. PMAGS are lighter than the USGI steel magazines. There is a reason the UK MOD switched from megal magazines to EMAGs for the L85. Weight was one of the largest factors.
• I, for one, will never use aluminum magazines. Weaker than steel (just look to the Ford vs. Chevvy commercials going on now as an example).

Aftermarket

• If one shoots competitively in anything other than a “stock” class, a higher capacity magazine is an absolute must. Sorry, but USGI is only made in 30 or less rounds and if one brings up the Surefire, I have some stage times with Surefire malfunctions to show you… PMAGs are offered in 30 and 40 rounds from the factory with numerous aftermarket extensions.
• We can of course also look to Ranger Plates and other add-ons as well.

Handling Sand

• Metal magazines are a drag on bullets. Adding sand makes it even worse. Drag makes magazines malfunction. PMAGs handle sand better in my experience.

Constant Improvement

• Alex speaks to the various generations as if that is a bad thing. If anything, it shows how quickly companies can react to feedback. The Generation M3 features over-insertion stops and is fully compatible with the HK series weapons. I dont see any stops on USGI…
• Plus, who uses a SCAR anyways? 😉

Quieter

• I can often shoot with some battle-rattle and a nearly empty magazine “sproings” as badly as an AR buffer tube. I know it does not relate to function, but dag-nabbit, its annoying.

Colors!

• 90% of being tacticool is looking the part. USGI magazines are boring old black and or grey.

Well, there you have it. Take it or leave it.

Praise be to Magpul!