Heya folks. Newbie here.
I have 4 gen 4(?) P mags. Bought my sport 2 used. But when I load a full mag, I literally have to ***** slap/ram it in hard or it won't seat.
It was suggested I only load 28 which does help, just wondering if it's a new mag thing or something. I have some gen 3s coming, hopefully they're a little better
Thx in advance

Hate to describe your PM's as junk but that applies to ALL pro mags. They are low quality junk that knowledgeable gunners won't use. Trash them and get some quality mags and your problems will go away and you'll be happy again.

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S&W Accumulator

Magpul PMags are pretty high quality.

That is a common problem with 30 round mags of all kinds with ARs, I expect you will probably see the same thing with the Gen 3s. I first started using PMAGS when I bought Gen 1's prior to going to Iraq in 2008, and have used them consistently for the past 15 years. Getting a 30 round metal mag filled with 30 rounds to seat can also be difficult. with a closed bolt.

I've quit using 30-round mags and starting shooting the old Colt 20-round straight mags like they used in Vietnam. Since I do a lot of shooting off the bench, 20-round mags are easier when I'm using a rifle rest; also easier to load. I like the MagPul 10-round mags too.

Edit: It's not to say that I don't have any 30-round mags. About two years ago I found a deal on Colt 30-round military surplus mags and myself and a friend who owns a pawn/gun shop and I went together and split a purchase of twelve of the Colt military mags. When we recieved them, they looked unissued and brand new.

Attached Images

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Just tape 2 twenty round Magazines together like we did in Viet nam

I don’t have a ton of rounds thru my Sport 2 and some were using 10 round mags but I don’t recall having any issues with a full 30-ct mag. That said I load in the bolt back position which may or may not help load the full mag.
OP, are you loading the full mag with bolt back or is it in battery? I can say I had issues with a Shield that for me (bad hands) needed the slide open to accept the full mag. So perhaps the bolt plays a part on your concern. Just a thought.

When you load those full 30 round mags into the gun with the bolt closed, you are pressing the first round in the magazine down, fighting the mag spring to seat the mag. It seats easier with less rounds because there is less pressure on the mag spring.

Load mags into your gun with an open bolt. The issue should go away.

"Magpul" brand "P" Mags are quality mags. "Pro Mag" magazines are not. Sometimes people get them mixed up as the names are similar.

Larry

Exactly so. P Mags are favored by many soldiers over the metal mags. I like them as well - much easier on the fingers when loading and 100% reliable.

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Or something like that . . .

PMags are MagPul PMags. Nothing to do with ProMags. PMags were the first polymer magazine authorized for use by the military. Arguably the best currently available.

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NRA RSO

Pmags are totally different from promags.pmags are quality when my son was in Iraq he had to watch out for special forces guys who tried to take the Pmags I gave him away.People who don’t use ar15 s for combat or fighting should not tell people what works or doesn’t.

Fixed it. That was easy.
Thx for the tip

Easy fix, thx for the tip

I don’t know if this was covered, but my Magpul PMAGs gen 2 & 3 will load 31 rounds. Tight as can be seating when that full.

When you look at your PMAG from the rear, the top round should be on the right for a 30 round total. My Sport Ii seats 30 rounds just fine with the bolt closed. It is a 2019 model.

I had that problem with the Gen 3 mags, but the GEN 2 mags never had that problem. Got rid of the Gen 3 mags, & only buy Gen 2’s for $10 each. Problem solved. GARY

I presume others have found out too, but often the poly mags don't fit some of the other "takes AR magazines" lesser known rifles. I've got a couple of them - Robinson M-96 & XCR, CETME L and Volquartsen for example.

I wonder why a company that makes a poor product would make their logo look like a company's that makes good products?

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

just a FYI, you can currently buy gen 2 and gen 3 P Mags, and a variant designed to run well in NATO rifles based on using the same mags called an E Mag "While EMAG remains 100% compatible with the AR15/M16 platform, its unique geometry is optimized for foreign-made weapons such as the HK 416, FN SCAR, British SA-80, Beretta ARX-160, IMI Tavor, and others." Gen 2 and Gen 3 can have a clear window for round counting.

I have some Glock pattern P Mags for 9 and 40 pistols too.

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NRA RSO

PMAGs are generally exceptional magazines and are certainly not a "Promag". Have several 20/30 rounders of all generations and nary a problem.

MagPul PMags are pretty much the industry standard.

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STAY ARMED, VIGILANT, SAFE!

I've never had this issue with Magpul Pmags in my Sport, or any other AR. The Pmag is made so that when you have 30 rounds in it, there is still a little room and a little give so that you can get the dust cover on the magazine. The dust cover pushes that top bullet down into the magazine to snap on. When you insert the magazine on a closed bolt, it should have enough give to let the magazine seat.

But, even with Pmags, I tend to ram that magazine in there and give it a good slap to ensure it is seated. Wasn't trained to baby the weapon.

I like how everyone dogpiled on the guy who assumed that the TC was referring to ProMags, despite the fact that such was honestly a safe bet in context, seeing as Magpul P-Mags are obviously good magazines.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Not a mind reader here. I "assume" an individual's response is opinion based on 1st hand knowledge. If I agree or not, it's based on my experiences and knowledge. I "assume" people know what they're talking about. Perhaps I missed it but I never saw an edit, correction, etc to that particular reply therefore I "assumed" it was a reply not in error and was intentionally posted as the member's opinion. The fact he responded within an hour of the OP with his "assumption" speaks to what he felt. I'm still looking for a correction and don't find it. Perhaps you too shouldn't assume he assumed.

NEVER load down, load to capacity! You should be loading with BCG locked back anyway, hit the catch to load. P mags are A1 stuff as far as poly mags go, I still prefer metal, but Pmags have NEVER given me or anyone else I know ANY problems.

Some ARs seat fully loaded mags easy and some don't. Nothing to worry about. AR Pmags are good to go. So are the 20 and 25 rnd AR 10 mags. Most of my mags are USGI aluminum but I have about 50 Gen 2 Pmags as well. I have only had one Pmag that didn't work and that was a used and abused Gen 2 i found off roading. Figured out why it was let there real quick. I filled it with JB Weld, painted it yellow and use it for a vice block when working on ARs.

At least he was correct about Promags. I'm not saying that no one has has success with them but I definitely never did. 👎👎👎

IIRC 2nd generation P mags are pretty much the upgrade replacement for metal AR mags in the AR platform. Per the web site: Gen 3 has "Wide compatibility with most 'STANAG 4179' platforms such as the AR15, M4, M16, SCAR MK16/16S, HK416, MR556, M27 IAR, IWI Tavor, and others."

I've heard a few tales about the Gen 3 mags needing some massaging to fit/function in some ARs. I'd personally stick with the Gen 2s in ARs unless you've got a jones for NATO compatability.

Do you know what a P- Mag is, Mike?
I mean, being so knowledgeable and all.

My home defense ARs are loaded with PMags because I've found them to be utterly reliable.

Curious what the reasoning is.... Used to be standard practice for LE and SpecOp guys to load 28 in a 30 round mag. Haven't run with the high speed low drag crowd for some years now though...I'm fairly high drag these days

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Even older, even crankier....

When in country in RVN we Always Only loaded 27-28 rounds in our 30 round magazines. Have had zero issues with P Mags or any others when loading 27-28 rounds.

Just because that last (31st) round can be forced into the mag, doesn’t mean that it’s supposed to be there. That cartridge just took up the play intended for the bolt carrier when the mag is inserted.
The last round should be on the same side of the mag as the dummy cartridge molded into the follower. That is normally on the right side, but some followers have it on the left; note before loading.

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