In case anyone else wasn't aware of this. I wasn't.
Apparently not all BCM lowers are compatible with M3 PMAGs. I just completed a build using a BCM lower. When I took it to the Range I realized that I could not fully seat any of the Gen3 PMAGs I brought. The issue is that this version of the PMAG has a tab on the spine of the mag to prevent over insertion. On this lower that tab prevents the mag from being fully inserted.
I e-mailed BCM about it, and their response was that this sometimes happens with their lowers, and I should only use mil-spec mags with their "mil-spec" lowers. They claimed that there are no tight controls on this area of the lower.
The issue that I take with their answer is that M3 PMAGs are mil-spec in that they have been issued an NSN (1005-01-615-5169) and are approved by the Army and the Marine Corps. In fact the mags I was using were issued to me, and are what all my teammates use in our Colt M4s with no issue. I have also never had issue using these mags with my DD rifles or guns built on Spike's lowers.
Live and learn. I'll stick to Colt and Daniel Defense, or even Spikes lowers when I want to build something.
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