I was wondering which magazines y'all prefer for your M&P sports? I've got a mix of some Magpul Pmag Gen 2s and Hexmags. Both work equally well for me. I'm curious to see if anyone has used the Magpul Pmag Gen 3s and if there is much difference from the Gen 2s? Also, anyone else using the Hexmags? Anyone use metal?

I generally use milsurp metal mags in my AR, 30m round. I can pick them up for about $7/each and replace the follower if necessary for less than $2. They are light, all metal and what the rifle was designed to use. I have never had any problem with one.

Where are you getting surplus mags for $7?

I use Pmags, Troy, Lancer and USGI although those are more expensive

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I've stuck with the PMAG Gen 2's since that is what my rifle shipped with.
The cost is reasonable, especially on sale, and I like the uniformity from the standpoint of both form and function.

I haven't seen a need to purchase the Gen 3's and if I recall correctly, I vaguely remember reading of an issue here or there that some folks were having with them. I'm sure others will be able to provide more on this.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

Local gun shows around here. Last one I went to, 2 weeks ago, had them 4 for $25, $7 for one. I have seen the same vendor at several other shows. I had to replace the followers with anti-tilt followers but that is a minor expense. Bottom line, I am into them for about $8 each. My experience with the polymer mags is mixed. I don't have many and probably won't buy more. I'm not sure, but the metal magazines may actually weigh less than the polymer versions.

Now, AK magazines are a different animal altogether. Still looking for the golden unicorn on those.

Is it better to buy the Gen 2 or 3 PMAG? What's the difference?

I stick to PMags.. They're ~$9 in my area (same as Hexmags) so upgraded USGI mags would be the same just about.. As far as Gen2/3s go, the majority of my 30s are Gen2s and my 10 and 20 round mags are all Gen3s, but if you plan to get an ambi mag release, I'd stick to Gen3s as I had to return my Norgon mag release so I can keep my Gen2s..

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Isaiah 43:1-3

I have Pmags, Lancers, Brownell's, and D&H mags. The D&H mas are suppose to be very good, but they are the only ones that have given me any trouble. The followers were supposed to be anti-tilt, but they still got stuck about half way up.

I have Pmags Gen 2 and Gen 3 magazines in 10, 20 and 30 round magazines, Brownnel's USGI CS 30 round metal magazines with the non tilt followers, and I have some Tapco 30 round Magazines. I like the Tapco magazines the least and they are range only magazines. They have never failed me but for some reason I just like them the least and they seem heavier.

I'm a big fan of PMags. They've never done me wrong. I only have experience with those and a few USGI mags. I haven't had the experience of saying "such and such mags are terrible and I had numerous jams/FTF etc at the range." If I ever ran into an unreliable mag I'd put it out there. PMags and USGI work for me.


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Gen 2s are fine for ARs.

From what I remember, the Gen3s have an additional 'stop' to prevent the magazine from being overly inserted which apparently can happen if you are using them in SCARs and other foreign made rifles that accept AR magazines.

I have PMAG Gen 2's and Gen 3's and I haven't noticed much difference in them to be honest. They have all worked fine but I only have 4.

I buy whatever is on sale. Most of the mags in my rotation are P-Mags. I also have about 36 D&H aluminum mags w/magpul followers. I stocked up on them back in the day when they went on sale for $6 each.

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-John

i have the pmags - 2nd & 3rd gen, the D&H metal, and did recently pick up 2 hexmags. havent had any issues with the pmags or d&H. havent used the hexmags much yet but they have worked fine so far.

i buy the 2nd gen pmags but I also occasionally pick up an extra 10 or 20 rder so get 3rd gen for those as that is what is available.

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Steve

I've been using PMags since they came out and have had zero issues with any of them. Both Gen 2 & 3, in 10-20-30 round in both 5.56 and 7.62.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I have them all. I like the Magpuls the best, but I like the cool look of the Hexmags. The aluminum D&Hs work, but they are my "spare" mags. I've used the Pmags the most always flawless. The other two types I don't use as much, but still peform very well.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

I prefer the GI straight 20 rnd mags. My AR is a M-16A1 clone and the GI 20s and 30s just go right with them

Also prefer the 20s for range shooting off the bench or prone. And the strippers feed smoothly in them.

LOL........It depends on how long you've been shooting ARs.........

I've got "very old" Colt straight 20 rd'ers.....Brownell and other alum mags., even 2 of H&K's "super expensive" steel 30 rd mags.... to Gen 2 & 3 P-mags..............30,20 and 10 rounds...................



20 round mags for when the SHTF....................

30 round mags for TEOTWAWKI................. and.............. LOL......

10 round mags for "everything else"!!!!!!!

I was puzzled at first by TEOTWAWKI but I impressed the heck out of myself and figured it out before asking WTHOEDTM.
Jim

You have questions? They have answers...

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642-1, M&P15 TS

WTH is "OEDTM" ???????

I'm no code talker but I'm guessing "on earth does that mean".

(I can't use the others I came up with or Phil will yellow card me. )

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642-1, M&P15 TS

This thead has turned acronymilicious.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

That is what happens when you have a bunch of military/le/fire/ems personnel "around" each other.

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Isaiah 43:1-3

Roger that!...I mean 10-4!...

And I still prefer the Papa Mike Alpha Golf for my Mike & Papa 15 Tango Sierra

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I've got 3 ARs, 2ea RRAs and a M&P15 Magpul MOE Mid Special Series. Each AR has it's own set of 10 mags. My RRA middy uses grey aluminum C-Products GI mags I got 14 years ago that still work well, my RRA A4 uses black C-Products GI mags that are some 12 yrs old and work well and my S&W uses PMAG gen 2s which also work well.

IIRC on that "Oscar"... "Alpha Charlie" Forum...... C-Products mags........ were greatest thing since sliced bread..... then they were junk.......

Same the the H&K mags............

I ordered a couple of AR15 Belt Mag holders online and they came with 2 free 30rd Metal mags that according to the print stamped on the each are made in Israel..
I half expected them to be junk but surprisingly they are well made and have performed flawless thus far in my sport 2..
I have 3 P-mag Gen 2's as well ...

In my experience investigating a variety of international arms and munitions related matters over the years I have found that the Israelis take the manufacture of firearms and related materials seriously and don't produce junk. It makes sense when you consider how important the industry is to their nation's security.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I suspect they are E-Lander mags made by IMI for the Tavor rifles. I have 2 15 rounders in the mail that I ordered for bench work.

I've got a buttload (couple hundred maybe?) of "rainy day" 30-rd USGI aluminum that I renewed with Perma Slik G and no-tilt followers but I prefer to use 20-rd. I've got a stack of 70's era Colt 20's that I don't use because of the rarity and through the years, I've been carrying vintage "Adventure Line" 20's for actual use.

Ran across ASC and I tried a few. Bought 8 gray aluminums and total shipped came to about $11 per mag. I like 'em. Nice smooth spot welds and since they are curved, they use current design no-tilt followers. About .5" longer than straight 20's. Old "Adventure Line" mag is shown at bottom for comparison.

Pmags gen 2 and hexmag here. I like being able to change the color of the follower and base pad release of the hexmags. I use the green to ID mags loaded with 62gr green tips. Standard orange for 55 FMJ and red for defensive rounds.

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M&P9/9C/Shieldx2/Sportx2/15-22

I stated earlier in the thread that I had PMag Gen 2 and Gen 3 magazines, Brownells USGI magazines, and a few Tapco 30 round magazines. I just ordered another twenty 30 round Gen 2 PMags as they were on sale and so far they have been bullet proof when it comes to use. I also have ten 10 round Gen3 Pmags and I have Ten 20 round Gen 3 PMags. I like the shorter PMags for range work and the 20 round PMags for home defense as I like the way the rifle balances better then with a 30 round magazines.

What did you pay on sale? I'm looking to pick up 10+ Pmags.

I think Tapco mag run well. Never a misfeed or jam in my m&p15.

$6.99 from Miss auto arms.

No issue with 2nd or 3rd gen pmags but aluminum seem to fail me.

I bought 10 on sale for $10.97 each at Gun Mag Warehouse and after ordering them I found a place that had them for sale for $8.97 but I can't find their website again. Anyway I ordered 10 from that company also.

Public Safety Advisory: Tread lightly in Arkansas! That is all.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

I got pmags, but want metal. A guy I work with has 4 20rd mags, and no rifle. I'm picking them up today and give my 30rd pmag to my brother (he bought an AR yesterday).

I've been using the P-Mags since about 2008 and have had no problems with them. They are used with my Noveske 5.56 and my LaRue OBR.

One benefit with the plastic P-Mags is that when your see a crack in the feed lips you know they have now become "expendable". With USGI metal magazines, the feed lips may spread and lead to malfunctions, but the condition is something that you cannot look at and diagnose.

Either is GTG, just be certain that you buy quality.

JM2c.

Joe

Thanks Fyimo.

If anyone is looking, Western Sport has Gen2 PMAG 30's for $8.95 ea. plus $7.95 flat rate shipping. Thought that was a pretty decent deal.