Are Black PMAGs the Most Reliable? - Page 2

rob_s · #21 10-23-08, 15:08

I doubt (hope?) that nobody is all that worried about it, throwing away perfectly good magazines because of it, or even giving it more than a passing thought once they navigate away from the screen or walk away from the computer. I certainly wouldn't advocate throwing away a green Pmag to buy a black one, but then I wouldn't jump on the ditch-all-mags-that-aren't-Pmags bandwagon either, and I still shoot aluminum mags almost exclusively.

Unfortunately (and I've posted this before), I can't shoot at work, at home, sitting in an airport terminal, hanging out in a hotel room, etc. I can, however, kill the downtime on the internet. While time would obviously be better spent bettering out shooting skills, we can't all always shoot due to one circumstance or another. It's probably good in that it gives us a way to share information, but you're probably right that some things have the appearance of being over-analyzed.

I wouldn't let the fact that people post things about which lube is best, or which optic, or which stock, etc. get confused with them being overly concerned about it one way or another.

#22 10-23-08, 15:22

rob_s: Just for your consideration and in there interest of intelligent debate. How many people have obsessed over the little details in The Chart? Quite a few, from what I've seen. My recollection is that you've warned against that yourself by pointing out that it's not a be-all end-all determiner for which gun to buy.

Those same people do obsess about which lube is best will go 18 more rounds or work in 1.3 degrees colder weather, they do obsess about which optic gives truer point of aim for an extra nine yards, etc.

I don't believe we're disagreeing. My only point here was to say that whether one is truly "better" than the other, by all accounts all of the PMAGs currently being manufactured are durable and reliable enough that testing hasn't seen a statistically significant difference between colors.

Avenger11 · #23 10-23-08, 19:33

When I have my first PMAG malfunction, I will be sure to post the color in this thread. Provided this thread isn't archived first.

CarlosDJackal · #24 10-24-08, 00:18

From what I understand, the black PMags help maintain accuracy because the natural frequency it produces perfectly balances out the frequency of an AR-15. Just kidding!!

Actually, what I've heard is that the material used in the the black PMags' tend to have better structural strength than those in other colors but not by much. Whether or not this is true, I have no freaking idea!!

Ridge_Runner_5 · #25 10-24-08, 02:22

I'd get rid of those real quick...the black pmags are full auto and the ATF will come kill you and your dog and your family if they find out...

Deoje · #26 10-24-08, 03:00

You should all send your green, tan, etc pmags to me for proper disposal.

I'm just looking out for your own good.

Avenger11 · #27 10-24-08, 04:36

Black PMAGs are a sign of change...wait...I mean colored PMAGs are a sign of change and people will always find a reason to resist change.

Telperion · #28 10-24-08, 12:32

This is only the beginning of your worries, now your FDE UBR and MIAD will snap off when you need them the most because they are weaker than black. OMG ONOZ!

CarlosDJackal · #29 10-24-08, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenger11

Black PMAGs are a sign of change...wait...I mean colored PMAGs are a sign of change and people will always find a reason to resist change.

Are you racist or something? You need to include "white PMags" in that statement as well.

St.Michael · #30 10-24-08, 14:11

this is just too much! lol someone lock it up fast!

KyAKGuy · #31 10-24-08, 14:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by demigod

The chrome lining on the black mags is thicker.

Wait a min...

I thought it was the parkerizing under the follower that did it??

Now i'm very confused...

KyAKGuy

ETA: In a attempt to be politically correct, shouldn't we be calling them African-American P-mags??

SinnFéinM1911 · #32 10-24-08, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

There is nothing different between the black PMags and any of the others besides color, so I cant understand why anyone would think that they were more reliable.

Out of curiosity, where did you read that at?

Color has a TON to due with the integrity of polymers. Black is, by far the strongest.

The structural make up of polymer is similar to how you would lay out a DNA strand. Black would have the least amount of "holes" (if you will) in the strand. Once colors (or dies) are added to the polymer, the strand would leave holes making it easier for the integrity of polymer to break down when solvents or even gasoline would be in contact.

However, I do not believe in the way these mags are put together it would be a problem. Its good stuff !

chadbag · #33 10-24-08, 15:18

Wouldn't black mags be dyed as well? It would kind of be hard to add color to a black polymer and get anything meaningful.

It could be that the black dye covers up any "unsightliness" of the polymer so that they can use a stronger formulation with more carbon or whatever additives are used to strengthen it since the black dyes or pigment basically cover that up.

I am not in the plastics industry and am just guessing.

Submariner · #34 10-24-08, 15:26

Black PMags are why God inspired Krylon to be invented.

Saginaw79 · #35 10-24-08, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by demigod

The chrome lining on the black mags is thicker.

.87 thicker!

I have both FDE and Black, i can see no difference other than color between them!

tweakmeister · #36 10-24-08, 22:13

Wouldn't it be great if Pink colored plastic turned out to be the strongest.

DocGKR · #37 10-25-08, 02:15

Man, such uproar...

SinnFéinM1911 hit the nail on the proverbial head. Don't you guys remember your polymer chemistry--that big book that you had to study for endless hours in college and those headaches that felt like hangovers, but were actually from the noxious fumes in lab class?

PMAG's are issued in different colors; if you need tan or green mags for your AO, by all means use them. However, if stocking-up on mags, the plain black ones would probably be the best bet. No big deal.

LancerSystems · #38 10-25-08, 07:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweakmeister

Wouldn't it be great if Pink colored plastic turned out to be the strongest.

Funny thing, the cost of the color additives are all different with Reds (pink) being more expensive then most. So pink would cost the most to make.

Heavy Metal · #39 10-25-08, 13:11

I suspect the UV resistance of the black mags to be a bit higher due to greater carbon black content.

I still doubt Rich would sell anything that did not meet his high standards. I feel colored pmags will last the rest of your lifetime with minimal attention.

As SinnFein said, avoid harsh solvents and I will add, keep them out of direct sunlight when you are not actually using them.

Failure2Stop · #40 10-25-08, 13:29

As Sinn and Doc point out the black is tougher than than the FDE, OD, and orange.

HOWEVER- reliability is not compromised unless the magazine is damaged structurally to certain critical areas. Further, the degree of toughness of one over the other is pretty insignificant, especially when comparing metal magazines. I quite literally beat the living dog sh1t out of one FDE Pmag and it kept running reliably even with a big crack down the spine and a piece broken feed-lip. Stickman did the same thing, and then shot it (as in bullets laterally through the magazine), and it still worked reliably.

While demonstrating ungodly robustness, the PMag does not need to be that tough just to be reliable. As long as the mag is not a problem to begin with and it is taken care of it will be reliable. Whatever color floats your boat, buy that one, test the mags, dont shoot at it too many times, and you will be just fine.

In my perspective at least.