Magpul Pmag Gen 2 vs Magpul Pmag Gen 3

[Woodman90]

From a dimensional standpoint is there any difference between the following:

Magpul PMAG 20 LR/SR Gen M3, 7.62x51 magazine and the previous Magpul Gen M2/Mag243?

The reason I ask, is that my Smith & Wesson M&P 10 came brand new with the Mag243 and I have problems with some ammo. I run into feeding problems with cartridges (of the same caliber obviously) that are longer in length. See attached pic for clarification. Cartridge on the left is the one I was having feeding problems with. It is .308 PMC 147 grain factory ammo. Cartridge on the right had zero issues and is .308 American Eagle 150 grain factory ammo. From the pic can you see any differences? Cartridge on the left is slightly longer overall (I didn't run down to my shop for calipers and an exact measurement). It was physically touching the front wall of the magazine and was under tension while feeding. I shoot only factory ammo and have zero issues with any cartridges that are of the shorter length, but have a constant failure to feed with the longer cartridges.

So before I run out and spend more money on the Gen M3 magazine is there going to be any difference in performance? I see the Gen M3 works for ammo with an overall cartridge length of less than 2.820", but I can't find the specs for the Gen M2 which is what I have. My hope is that the Gen M3 will work where my Gen M2 does not.

I've sent an email to Magpul, but with the Holidays it may be a bit before they can reply. Anyone else have this issue? Thanks for your help.

 

[Jack07]

I haven't heard of any length changes in the gen 3 mags so far, but as far as changes I think they only thing they did was redesign the outside by reducing the thickness of the horizontal ribbing, changed the floorplate, and added a few checker marks for grip.

My opinion on the new floor plate design change was MP's way of preventing people from doing the custom cut down magazine jobs that were easy to do on the older mags. The horizontal ribbing made it possible to cut down the mag to a 20 or 10 rounder and then use the ribbing to slide the floorplate back on.

They then came out with a 10 rounder at the same time to tap into that market, and get their 20 rounder market back up as well.

BTT: Have you tried the longer rounds in a metal .308 mag? It seems that if MP had lengthened there new mags on the M3's it would cause fit/drop issues.

 

[rojodiablo]

Is all that PMC the same length?
That seems pretty unusual for anything 'normal/ spec' to not fit in most any magazine, especially a Magpul unit.

As to G2-G3, I do not think they went any physically longer front to back, lest they start sticking in the magwells.

 

[Woodman90]

I haven't heard of any length changes in the gen 3 mags so far, but as far as changes I think they only thing they did was redesign the outside by reducing the thickness of the horizontal ribbing, changed the floorplate, and added a few checker marks for grip.

My opinion on the new floor plate design change was MP's way of preventing people from doing the custom cut down magazine jobs that were easy to do on the older mags. The horizontal ribbing made it possible to cut down the mag to a 20 or 10 rounder and then use the ribbing to slide the floorplate back on.

They then came out with a 10 rounder at the same time to tap into that market, and get their 20 rounder market back up as well.

BTT: Have you tried the longer rounds in a metal .308 mag? It seems that if MP had lengthened there new mags on the M3's it would cause fit/drop issues.

I don't have any metal mags to try. I have the 20 round Magpul Pmag that came with my rifle new. I bought two additional mags at that time, but they are also the Gen 2 Pmag. They are still new the wrapper, but definitely the same mag at least part number wise.

 

[Woodman90]

Is all that PMC the same length?
That seems pretty unusual for anything 'normal/ spec' to not fit in most any magazine, especially a Magpul unit.

As to G2-G3, I do not think they went any physically longer front to back, lest they start sticking in the magwells.

Unfortunately I have a couple hundred rounds of the PMC, but what I have looked at is all the same length. It was purchased new in the box.

I also have CBC Magtech 147 grain 7.62x51 that is also the same overall cartridge length as the PMC. It also fits very tight front to back and the bullet tip rubs on the front magazine wall just like the PMC. It too is under tension and has the same feeding issue.

 

[azureoval]

I had some feeding issues of my own today with my stock ASC 10 round mag with S&B and PMC ammo and this thread got me to do some measuring. I don't know if this helps but...Each with two samples
SSA HPBT = 2.780 and 2.787
S&B 147 gr FMJ = 2.777 and 2.772
Herters = 2.777 and 2.78
Amer. Eagle = 2.689 and 2.69

As you can see the Amer. Eagle was the lone shorty of the group. I am getting some new Magpul 10 rounders Monday and will be back at the range Wed. and will be sure to bring more than two types of ammo this time. I want to try that short Amer. Eagle in my ASC mag now.
Josh

 

[Little Creek]

I have an M&P 10. I have only tried Power Point 150 grain PSP. I have both the Gen 2 and the Gen 3 Magazines. I believe Magpul has gone on the record as saying the Gen 3 Magazines is so much better than the Gen 2 that they are discontinuing the Gen 2. I also believe the OAL of 308 ammo is 2.80, so if the Gen 3 will hold ammo that is 2.82 OAL and that is an improvement. I also believe they have gone on the record that the Gen 3 is designed to feed the 7.62 (175 grain) Long Range M118 Ammo.