Hexmag Or Troy?

Disabled1 · #1 08-19-2016, 09:49 PM

I have always been old school using aluminum AR mags. I am now starting to like the polymer mags more each time I hand load them and shoot them. But, I like the Series 3 MAGPUL PMAGS. And, they are hard to come by at reasonable prices ($10.00 or less). But, I have come across some Troy and Hexmags for less than $11, which I can live with that price. Of course, all of these are 30 rd. mags. How do the Hexmags and Troy mags compare to the MAGPUL PMAGS?

nocents · #2 08-19-2016, 11:14 PM

Gen. 3 Pmags for 10 bucks is a deal...$15 around here for 30 rounders......a local guy has Gen. 2 30 rounders for $10.....ya can't have too many Pmags

.......never tried Troys.....another guy is liquidating old stock and he gave me a couple MASR latest generation 30's to try...and while they function fine...they won't drop free from the magwell without being pulled out...those are $10 each too.....he has a bunch of them

Disabled1 · #3 08-20-2016, 07:47 AM

I found a site named GUNMAGWAREHOUSE.COM that has the Magpul PMAG GEN M3 AR-15 .223/5.56 30-Round Magazine for $12.95 each. I bought 4 of them. Shipping was only $4.99!
Magpul PMAG GEN M3 AR-15 .223/5.56 30-Round Magazine

JaPes · #4 08-20-2016, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disabled1

I found a site named GUNMAGWAREHOUSE.COM that has the Magpul PMAG GEN M3 AR-15 .223/5.56 30-Round Magazine for $12.95 each. I bought 4 of them. Shipping was only $4.99!
Magpul PMAG GEN M3 AR-15 .223/5.56 30-Round Magazine

Prices are creeping upwards. The one caveat is that I don't care what generation of PMAG I buy, so I don't pay attention to the difference in prices between generations.

Few months ago, PMAGS could be had for $7.99 - $9.99. D&H Aluminum GI mags with Magpul Followers could be had for $5.99 - $6.99.

WVSig · #5 08-20-2016, 08:53 AM

Will not buy Troy products so I cannot comment on their mags. Hexmags look ok but when they are so close to Pmags in price why bother.

I ordered some Gen2 Pmags the other day for $9.60 a piece delivered, $96 for 10 from Primary Arms. I don't need covers or Windows so Gen2s work for me.

JaPes · #6 08-20-2016, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disabled1

How do the Hexmags and Troy mags compare to the MAGPUL PMAGS?

IMO, polymer mag = polymer mag. Properly formed box mag, + reliable follower / spring is what makes it good. MAGPUL and TROY are known quantities. I'm not as familiar with hexmag.

Let's search google for an article that ranks higher on the credibility scale than unverified internet opinion. What are the construction differences / external feature between the three that would drive sales.

Hexmag:

Quote:

The feature that sets the Hexmag products apart from the crowd is the drop-in custom color options for the followers and floor plate locks, known as the Hex ID System. Factory followers and locks are a high visibility orange but can be quickly replaced using other colors including green, red, pink, yellow, blue and black. This allows the user to easily identify dropped magazines or to color code for specific ammunition types. Hexmag also provides hex shaped self adhesive grip tape in black and gray for improved grip purchase. The Hexmag has been tested and approved by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA).

Source: American Rifleman | Field-Tested AR Magazines

Doesn't sound so bad.

Magpul PMAG:

Quote:

External features include an over travel insertion stop on the spine, ribbed gripping surfaces, along with front and rear texturing for positive magazine handling and a flared floor plate. Paint pen dot matrix panels have been added to the bottom of the magazine body to allow for identification marking.

Internal features include constant-curve internal geometry for smooth feeding, a self-lubricating anti-tilt follower for increased reliability and a durable USGI-spec stainless steel spring. AR owners have several GEN 3 PMAG configuration options to choose from including magazine bodies with or without transparent windows for keeping an eye on the round count. Select from 10-, 20-, 30- and 40-round configurations in a variety of colors for 5.56/.223 platforms or 10-, 20-, and 25-round models for 7.62/.308 in Black or Sand. The Sand color option uses a polymer that accepts common fabric dyes for custom finishes.

Source: American Rifleman | Field-Tested AR Magazines

Nice. I can dye my mags to match my "My Little Pony" theme urban survival setup. My custom themed AR, Optics, Plate carrier/ tactical rig, and custom BDU can match.

Troy Battlemag:

Quote:

The Troy BattleMag is a 30-round box magazine engineered to function with all M4, M16/AR15, HK416 and FN SCAR 5.56/.223 rifles and carbines. Fitted with a green anti-tilt follower, the body is formed from a proprietary military-grade polymer formulated to resist damage caused by impact and chemical or biological agents. The sides are smooth with an aggressive fish scale pattern texturing along the front and back edges for a positive grip in wet or muddy conditions.

The bolstered floor plate is set flush to the body to prevent it from catching on other magazines when riding in multi-mag pouches. The feed lips are reinforced for reliable operation and to prevent them from spreading apart when the magazine is kept in a loaded condition for extended periods of time.

Hmmm... resistant to bio-chem agents. I could really use that. Never know if a Red Dawn will occur and I need my mags to survive a bio-chem attack. Because I don't have a containment suit, I'd be dead but at least my mags would survive.

Source: American Rifleman | Field-Tested AR Magazines

Arik · #7 08-20-2016, 09:12 AM

I use Troy, Lancer, 2nd and 3rd gen Pmag, aluminum Colt mags. Simplest way to explain is ...I just want them to work and be affordable. Have no preference aside of that. I buy Pmags for $12 which is plenty affordable. When a sale on something else comes along I'll be all over it

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Arik · #8 08-20-2016, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaPes

The one caveat is that I don't care what generation of PMAG I buy, so I don't pay attention to the difference in prices between generations.

Same.

BTW Aim has Polish AK mags in stock again

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WVSig · #9 08-20-2016, 09:24 AM

Quantico Tactical has Gen3s no window for $55 shipped for 5 mags plus $10 shipping or $13 delivered which is not bad but if you need a lot of mags or put together a local group buy with friends you can buy an unlimited amount with $10 shipping. If you ordered enough of them you could get it close to $11 a pop.

JaPes · #10 08-20-2016, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arik

Same.

BTW Aim has Polish AK mags in stock again

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Thanks for the heads up.

arnoob · #11 08-20-2016, 10:31 AM

Brownells has 10 PMags on sale for $104.95 at the moment.

30-Round PMAG, 10-Pack, Black : AR-15/M16 223/5.56 PMAG GEN M2 MOE MAGAZINES | Brownells

Tbat · #12 08-20-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disabled1

I have always been old school using aluminum AR mags. I am now starting to like the polymer mags more each time I hand load them and shoot them. But, I like the Series 3 MAGPUL PMAGS. And, they are hard to come by at reasonable prices ($10.00 or less). But, I have come across some Troy and Hexmags for less than $11, which I can live with that price. Of course, all of these are 30 rd. mags. How do the Hexmags and Troy mags compare to the MAGPUL PMAGS?

Personally, I prefer Lancers, Troys, and MagPul Pmags, in that order. Nothing much wrong with any of these three in my opinion as far as polymer mags go. I might give the Lancers and Troys a slight edge, because they don't feel as bulky as the PMags. Really that is my only knock on the Pmags, other than that some generations tend to fit too tightly in some magwells. Of course, aluminum GI mags are usually good to go.

Price wise the Troy Mags and Pmags are hard to beat. You rarely see Lancers for less than $15 to $17 apiece. Although I have gotten some 30 round solid color lancers for about $10 each a couple years back.

I have a few Troy magazines and they have held up well and I would recommend them. People have their opinions about Troy's politics/hiring practices, etc., but the bottom line is that they do make good products. I run their sights on every AR that I have. The only downside I see with the Troy magazines is how their floor plates are held on.

My Troy Mags came with the option of flat floor plates or with pull tabs. They just happened to have the pull tabs installed and I removed them and replaced them with just the flat floor plates.

I could see the potential for problems with the Troy's floor plates if you are the anal type that likes to take stuff apart all the time, even when not really necessary for cleaning (like when a quick swipe with a wet or dry cloth would suffice), as the plastic tabs are soft and don't necessarily look like they would do well with repeated unnecessary disassembly. You know what I am talking about.... like the people who will completely disassemble a Glock pistol, not just field strip it for a normal cleaning, and then complain that the plastic push pins holding it together have worn out and loosened.

I have no experience with Hex mags so I will leave you to other peoples opinions on those.

crracer_712 · #13 08-20-2016, 09:41 PM

I have one HexMag, only had one issue with it upon the first use, about the 4th or 5th round, it failed to push the following round up far enough to catch a round, but that seems to be a one time occurrence, although I don't use it much. I have tons of Gen2 and they've never failed. Only Gen 3 Pmags I have are 10 rounders. I've seen the Troy mags on sale for ~7 bucks when buying in quantity of ten, but never did order any to try. I too have a MASR mag and it functions fine in any of my AR's

crracer_712 · #14 08-20-2016, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disabled1

I found a site named GUNMAGWAREHOUSE.COM that has the Magpul PMAG GEN M3 AR-15 .223/5.56 30-Round Magazine for $12.95 each. I bought 4 of them. Shipping was only $4.99!
Magpul PMAG GEN M3 AR-15 .223/5.56 30-Round Magazine

I've used them before without issue.

crracer_712 · #15 08-23-2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crracer_712

I have one HexMag, only had one issue with it upon the first use, about the 4th or 5th round, it failed to push the following round up far enough to catch a round, but that seems to be a one time occurrence, although I don't use it much. I have tons of Gen2 and they've never failed. Only Gen 3 Pmags I have are 10 rounders. I've seen the Troy mags on sale for ~7 bucks when buying in quantity of ten, but never did order any to try. I too have a MASR mag and it functions fine in any of my AR's

Had this hexmag out last night. Out of thirty rounds, it failed to lift two (at random).

wurger · #16 08-23-2016, 04:19 PM

Short answer, Pmag.

If you really want to use Hexmags, get a single first and make sure it works in all of your AR rifles. Hexmags don't work in a lot of rifles.

crracer_712 · #17 08-23-2016, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crracer_712

Had this hexmag out last night. Out of thirty rounds, it failed to lift two (at random).

Decided to try Hexmag tech support online, sent them an email about the issue I'd had with that lone hexmag magazine. Within an hour they had replied to my email asking for photos of the magazine, providing two photo of what they wanted pictures of (the follower and I assume some production date stamp on the side). Took the photos and sent to them, replied back within an hour again saying they were sending me a new Series 2 magazine, has orange follower and butt plate button. Said I would swap out my red parts if I wanted.

Pretty impressive service. Looking forward to trying it out and if it's the real deal, they can be had for less than Pmags of which I have several dozen.

Westie1 · #18 08-23-2016, 11:10 PM

Got one of the hexmag 10/30's with the orange follower. Haven't used it much, but no issues with feeding or locking the bolt open. If gunmag warehouse gets the 6packs back in, just may have to order some. Price for the 6pk makes them about 1/2 the cost of 10 rd'ers out here.

.41fan · #19 08-24-2016, 03:45 PM

I run Troy's in my AR, no issues, good price. Magpul products are fine as well but the price difference Between the two can add up depending on how many. I buy Troy or aluminum when on sale but also figure in shipping costs for online and taxes for local.

weaver37090 · #20 08-30-2016, 07:52 PM

I have found the Hexmags to be right on par with the Pmags. I like that you can change the follower and bottom plate colors. It helps me keep my different ammo straight.

SouthernArmsCompany.com

crracer_712 · #21 08-30-2016, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crracer_712

Decided to try Hexmag tech support online, sent them an email about the issue I'd had with that lone hexmag magazine. Within an hour they had replied to my email asking for photos of the magazine, providing two photo of what they wanted pictures of (the follower and I assume some production date stamp on the side). Took the photos and sent to them, replied back within an hour again saying they were sending me a new Series 2 magazine, has orange follower and butt plate button. Said I would swap out my red parts if I wanted.

Pretty impressive service. Looking forward to trying it out and if it's the real deal, they can be had for less than Pmags of which I have several dozen.

Got my replacement Hexmag, series 2, works great, no issues so far, tried in 4 different riffles.

Bozz10mm · #22 08-31-2016, 07:13 AM

Okay, so here's a deal for you on 30 round, windowed Pmags.
$10.95 with coupon code LABORDAY. Limit 10.

Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4 Window GEN M2 MOE (Black) - MAG570-BLK - Primary Arms

Hoov · #23 08-31-2016, 08:33 AM

Back to the OP's original question, why do you need Gen3 Pmags? Unless you are running something exotic, why spend the extra money for something you will never use? I don't care for the Troy mags, i have seen too many issues. Though, mine does make a great training mag now that I think of it. In my neck of the woods, and our store, we charge $11.99 for Gen2 Pmags. Gen3 run a couple bucks more.(There is a price difference on the wholesale level.) Haven't tried the Hexmag. I have tried the Daniel Defense. They work, I don't know who makes them and 8 extra dollars for two more rounds? Meh. In short, stick with something that works. The Magpul have a NSN number so that should tell you something. Oh wait, that whole lowest bidder thing...