In Reversal, Army Bans High-Performance Rifle Mags

Military.com ^ | May 25, 2012 | Matthew Cox

[Timber Rattler]

The Army has ordered that soldiers may use only government-issued magazines with their M4 carbines, a move that effectively bans one of the most dependable and widely used commercial-made magazines on today’s battlefield.

The past decade of war has spawned a wave of innovation in the commercial soldier weapons and equipment market. As a result, trigger-pullers in the Army, Marines and various service special operations communities now go to war armed with commercially designed kit that’s been tested under the most extreme combat conditions.

Near the top of such advancements is the PMAG polymer M4 magazine, introduced by Magpul Industries Corp. in 2007. Its rugged design has made it as one of the top performers in the small-arms accessory arena, according to combat veterans who credit the PMAG with drastically improving the reliability of the M4.

Despite the success of the PMAG, Army officials from the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command issued a “safety of use message” in April that placed it, and all other polymer magazines, on an unauthorized list.

This seems to be a complete policy reversal, since PMAGs are standard issue with the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and they have been routinely issued to infantry units before war-zone deployments.

[rawhide]

[JudgemAll]

Why is there something I do not like about this “ban” language, “Zero tolerance” etc... sounds like another crazy stupid para-militaro liberal fascist monopolist attitude.

[rawcatslyentist]

Or that slush fund like spending go to something useful instead of our coffers.

[norton]

Sitting here on the edge of dotage I can't remember the mark or number that changed but the UK SMLE had a semi detachable magazine with a cut off allowing for single shot use well into the 20th century. The idea was that multiple rounds were a reserve for use only when authorized and in dire straits.

Also, IIRC (see above at "dotage"), US infantry in the Spanish American war were still carrying black powder trap doors. Cavalry, Rough Riders and Buffalo Soldiers, were armed with new, smokeless, 30-40 Krags at Kettle/San Juan hill.
Oh, and Gatling Guns.

[Gabrial]

I was too young to pay attention to AARP when Hillarycare was being kicked around.

Now it's a different story.

I cut up their last mailing, packed it into the postage paid return envelop said sent it back to them.

I have not heard boo from them since.

[Gabrial]

Sorry, posted on wrong thread.

[Dogbert41]

Magpul has given the M16 platform another 30 years of service life.

Oh wait...

[Dogbert41]

“Soldiers from B Troop, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, had been issued PMAGs before deploying to Afghanistan in 2009. On Oct. 3 of that year, they fought off a bold enemy attack on Combat Outpost Keating that lasted for more than six hours and left eight Americans dead. Some soldiers fired up to 40 PMAGs from their M4s without a single stoppage.”

Yeah, I can see these guys swapping those out for aluminium mags.

[doorgunner69]

Matter of time before that practice i forbidden as well.

[Chode]

mags were never a problem with a 20" barrel, the problem in Nam was the dirty powder

from what i've read is, the problems really started with shortening the barrel... timing was effected and it cascaded from there to opening the gas port that led to extraction failures that led to stiffer extraction springs that led to broken extractors and locking lugs along with faster bolt speed that led to failure to feed because the bolt was outrunning the magazine spring that led to stiffer mag springs, that in turn, led to more failure to feed problems

[Java4Jay]

ping

[Timber Rattler]

Will do! Thanks for the tip, Joe!

[Sarajevo]

Never had much of an issue with military steel mags during my time in. I did try out the early thermoplastic mags and found that they tended to split along the spine in extreme cold weather.

This brings a couple thoughts to light:
1. Some occifer was looking for a bullet on his OER, or

2. Given current budget cuts, someone decided that the less expensive, but just as reliable issue mags were easier on the budget.

[Squantos]

Issued these pmag 30 maglevels right now and they work in my personal bushmasters, colts, S&W, SIG variants of the AR and a Hk 416 I use on occasion :o)

http://store.magpul.com/product/MAG210/2

I also have the older Pmag 30’s without the “window” and they work well also . I shoot three gun as a hobby and use the same mags.

Some older plastic mags were crap as stated about the canooks issued mags back when ..... Whatever YOU buy, test, try and put a few back for 120 day plus rotation test for reliability.

Lots of gun gremlins can blame the magazines. Reliability recipe is key.

Stay safe !

[SuperLuminal]

Homophobic mags clearly cannot be forced on our new-age troopettes?

[familyop]

"I smell Surefire at play here as well. not sure as to the reliability of the new 60 & 100 round magazines they sell..."

"60 & 100?" Well, that's it. I'm a fire-and-maneuver dinosaur, with memories of using precious cover and avoiding any one position for more than a couple of seconds.

Oh, to be having all of that excitement and adventure with endless rounds and infinite rates of fire allowing for more wonderful junk food in my gut and plenty of rest during combat. ...preferred twenty-round mags instead of thirties, too, because they allowed for a lower profile when needed. ;-)

[Little irony and silliness there. I'll leave the excitement and adventure to younger folks of this magical age. I never once beeped with that fancy version of Army-issued laser tag equipment that we used and never ran out of blanks. In police and security work past, my silver tongue, handsome smile, forgiving nature and blessings from above kept me alive.]

[familyop]

Another catfight over consumerism and debt/revenues. As for civilians, he/she who lacks ingenuity tries to make up for his inabilities with brand names, and enough government dollars will buy any brand name desired.

[paratrooper82]

Officiously, my unit uses regulation issue mags in our m4’s, unofficially, my unit still has our magpulls.

Screw the mussy in the WH!

[American in Israel]

I pray every day that we see another military man in the Oval Office...

I think we will, his name is Putin.

[Kickass Conservative]

A friend of my Brother was a Cop years ago. He carried a .38 Revolver which was the standard issue service pistol, but he had a .45 Colt in his Briefcase.

The Brass thought the .38 was sufficient for the job, but the guys doing the heavy lifting knew better. You don’t bring a Pea Shooter to a Gun fight.

Our Service Members have it all figured out while their Bosses are clueless. I guess nothing changes.