View Full Version : Pmag 30 vs 40
It's that time again to buy a bunch of magazines and I am deciding between Pmag 30's or 40's. I've gotten very comfortable with 30 round mags and don't really use 40's, but the times they-are-a-changing and it seems 40's are becoming more popular, especially with new shooters.
If these will likely go into the closet for the future generation, what would you guys buy? This is strictly for Pmag's...
I'd say 40s are more of a novelty. Added weight and length. Makes carrying them a bit different. I'd buy a few if you want them but personally I wouldn't stock pile them.
SomeOtherGuy
09-09-15, 11:20
Same thoughts as Jaysop. Fully loaded they are heavy and clumsy to use, and just about out of the question for shooting from prone.
It's hard to know what will be considered best in 5-10+ years. I would include some quality aluminum GI mags in your stockpile.
I like the 40 rounders since they hold two whole boxes of ammo. I'm just getting into ARs and they are the only mags I own at the moment so I don't have any 30s to compare.
Me, I'm just gonna keep my eyes open for sales and keep stocking up. Probably buy a bunch more 40s, but I plan on snaging up plenty of 30s, pmag and GI and some 20s also.
40s Clumsy? Nah they don't feel clumsy to me at all. Don't seem abnormally long either.
SomeOtherGuy
09-09-15, 11:39
I like the 40 rounders since they hold two whole boxes of ammo. I'm just getting into ARs and they are the only mags I own at the moment so I don't have any 30s to compare.
Me, I'm just gonna keep my eyes open for sales and keep stocking up. Probably buy a bunch more 40s, but I plan on snaging up plenty of 30s, pmag and GI and some 20s also.
40s Clumsy? Nah they don't feel clumsy to me at all. Don't seem abnormally long either.
Fascinating.
I only use 40's with extensions for 3gun, and they are sweet for that. Rest of the time I use 30's or 10's for bench work. By the way 30's are much nicer and more stable for mono-poding.
fallenromeo
09-09-15, 11:46
I have avoided the 40s because of the difficulty of shooting prone. It is already difficult enough at times to shoot with a 30. The 40s are definitely long and clumsy
Fascinating.
That's funny. Color me stupid but I keep a 20 in the house gun.
SomeOtherGuy
09-09-15, 12:02
That's funny. Color me stupid but I keep a 20 in the house gun.
Yes, you are obviously "stupid." :) You need at least a D60 or a 100rd Surefire. Because Heat.
I keep 30's for the house gun but find I generally prefer 20's for anything that might involve prone or bench shooting. I will monopod a 30 sometimes, but it limits your position options if you are that close to the ground or bench. In timed competition I use both 20's and 30's depending on the stage.
I run 20s and 30s in my rifle. I see the 40 as a novelty mainly but I can see it's utility in 3 gun.
That's funny. Color me stupid but I keep a 20 in the house gun.
this.
I think 30rd mags are the perfect size. But I do like 20rd mags. And I can see the utility of a 40rd mag or 60rd drum though.
I generally run 20s for the ease of shooting from more positions. 30s are a great option as well but I'm not a fan of the 40.
Berserkr556
09-09-15, 18:04
I voted 30 round mags. It's been the standard for a long time and you can even use ALICE pouches to hold the thirties. If I was going to buy a high capacity AR mag it would be a Surefire 100 or 60 at least.
I have a mix of 20s and 30s. I generally prefer 20s for ease of shooting prone.
I haven't bought any 40 round magazines, only 30's and 20's. The 20 round magazines are more user friendly shooting from the bench or prone. Also, I am comfortable using and carrying 30 round magazines for general purpose use and don't have a need for a larger capacity magazine. I store extra loaded 30 round magazines in 30 caliber and 50 caliber ammo cans which would be impossible with 40 round magazines. For me, anything over a 30 round magazine would be a novelty.
PMAG40's worked just as good at the 30 rounders. Yes, they are longer but I am not dropping into the prone anytime soon. I think there are definitely situations where they are handy. 3 Gun could be one.
The new curved 20 round pmags are really nice for general purpose use.
The standard capacity 30s are great for "monopod" prone and stacking deep.
For general purpose a 30 round pmag, or 30 round usgi mag for that matter is more useful in most situations.
Do 40s have a place? Yes. 3 gun being one, and if one puts a little thought into things, there are other places that they can be of use too. Hell, when I used to run my Eagle Universal Chest rig, the side pouches that were on there were perfect for a ATS medical insert on one side, and one or 2 40 round mags with Magpuls on the other. That said, 30 round mags, and 20s make much more sense 99% of the time. Which is while I have a handful of 40 round mags and other "high" capacity mags, and hundreds of others.
For general use I prefer 30s, but they are also what I'm most familiar/have the most muscle memory with. If I know I will be bench shooting or in the prone often at the range I prefer 20s due to their being short like me. In what may seem odd to some, for zeroing purposes I use 10s.
ColtSeavers
09-09-15, 22:23
Voted 30. There is little if anything you are giving up using a 30 rounder. You can shoot from the bench, shoot from prone, shoot from bizarre unconventional positions, mounting and dismounting, climbing, rapelling, etc. etc. etc.... If it can be done, it's been done a million+ times by now using a 30 rounder.
I voted 30 because I think the Gen M2 is a better magazine for an AR than the Gen M3.
I would buy a plastic mag for generational storage.
I voted 30 because I think the Gen M2 is a better magazine for an AR than the Gen M3.
I would buy a plastic mag for generational storage.
What, in your opinion, makes the gen 2 / moe a better mag?
I stick with/stockpile 30s, but keep a few 20s for bench shooting and because it's the biggest mag that will fit in my SBR in its tennis racket case.
I've only shot a friend's 40s (and 60) a few times but don't see a real advantage to it that offsets the additional length and weight plus the fact it won't fit in standard closed mag pouches.
I picked up a few 40's earlier this year but quickly realized I prefer the 30's so I sold the 40's.
556BlackRifle
09-10-15, 01:41
I voted for the 30 round p mags but I like the 40 rounders and have a few of them. If you run and gun they are great till you need to hit the dirt. Twenty and thirty rounders seem to be a better all around mags for most users.
I've got 4 40 rnds magazine, 4 20 rnds magazine, 2 10 ends magazine and 2 Surefire 60 rnds and a crap load of 30s, and the sin a 100 rnds Beta magazine. I think that they all have a potential use situation. If I was in a defense position the Beta magazine Surefire and 40 Pmag would be good. Assault the Surefire and 40 Pmag. or competition. I got the 10 rnds Pmags for hunting and range use. It freaks out the traditionalists less. I have 2 of 20 rnds loaded with tracers. Obvious use... Should have bought a few cases of it. I did carry 3 20 rnds magazine for Duty use. one in rifle and 2 as reloads. Fit in rack without me banging my elbow all the time. Plus could carry in back pocket easy. So it depends on the situation that you are planning for. Many years ago in a unit I was in we carried a few 20 rnds magazine loaded (not in ammo pouch) with live during training and 30s with blanks. In ammo pouch. m16a1 days. So stockpile quality magazines that you find at best cost. I've still got 30 rnds AL. magazines from late 70s-80s that work like brand new.
That's funny. Color me stupid but I keep a 20 in the house gun.
Ya know, I do too.
When you get down to it "have a mix" seems to be the way of most. Maybe mostly 30's with some 10's, 20's, and 40+ for specific need times.
I run 30's only. As others have said, the 40's seems like more of a novelty.
It makes no sense to me too have a golf bag of ARs for every occasion and limit yourself to one magazine type. I really like my 40 rounders. I find them easier to insert into the mag well and I can load them anywhere from one to forty rounds. The 40 rounder is what I keep in the HD AR. They are proven to be reliable. The downside is that they are too long for bench work when sighting in or doing accuracy testing.
Mission drives the gear. Buy the magazines that best suit your purposes. I've got a few 30 rounders but as the cost of 40 rounders isn't much more than the 30s, I figure I might as well grab a bunch of them as well
daddyusmaximus
09-10-15, 08:25
The 30 rounder is the best all around mag. Never tried a 40, but you don't see many ammo pouches for them anyway, so that ruins it. If you can't be mobile with them they are useless to me. I even sold my Beta mags because I didn't need the weight anymore.
PatrioticDisorder
09-10-15, 08:45
30s for general use, 40s to make videos to post to social media to piss off liberal friends and family.
TexasAggie2005
09-10-15, 08:46
My uses are as follows;
20rd = bench shooting and hunting
30rd = home defense / serious use
40rd = fun shooting
What, in your opinion, makes the gen 2 / moe a better mag?
Easier to lock in with 30 rounds on a closed bolt, no incompatibility issues due to the over-insertion stop being designed for non-AR magwells, never had second round crossing up problems with a Gen M2/RevM, the dustcover is stowable on the bottom of the mag (if you use 'em).
The Gen M2 just seems like a more well though out refined magazine despite it being the older variant.
30 rounders as a general rule. I carry a 20 in the truck because, when it is stowed under the seat, the mag doesn't extend any further than the grip already does. I do have spares stashed that are 30 rounders though.
BatteryOperated
09-10-15, 12:07
Unless you have a loading device 40's are a PITA. I also stick with 20's and 30's.
As a side note I scored some Strike Industries EMP-5 5rd extensions and slapped them on my 40's. Now in 3gun I go to the line with 45+1. I don't need to reload much now. I still use 30's for those prone stages though.
I can't get the 20's out of my TACOs fast enough- nothing to grab on to. But I have quite a few 10's and 20's for hunting and bench work. 30's work for everything and I have the most of. I bought a few 40's and will buy at least one D60 when they are released and the hype dies some.
Stack the 30's deep and buy whatever else you want when money allows.....
jester61701
09-11-15, 08:13
Doesn't anyone Belt Feed? ; )
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I put my belt on a diet. It's getting so fat, it doesn't fit around my waist anymore
jester61701
09-11-15, 08:44
I put my belt on a diet. It's getting so fat, it doesn't fit around my waist anymore
Classic!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have several 30 rounders and 6 40 rounders. I like both but use the 40's for 3 gun. Saves on time waisting reloads.
3 40's in my car in a chest rig along with 3 30's on the belt. If I need to grab and go and no idea when I will be able to resupply I'll grab as much as I can and go. Otherwise, it's 30's.
40 is just too long, can't afford any new pouches:(
Beat Trash
09-12-15, 09:27
I don't shoot 3 gun, so I don't have a need for them in any type of match setting. I might see owning one or two of them as a novelty, but the extra length is a bit too much for my needs. Especially if going prone.
Not to mention that in Ohio, any magazine holding over 30 rds is considered by state law to be illegal.
PatrioticDisorder
09-12-15, 09:39
I don't shoot 3 gun, so I don't have a need for them in any type of match setting. I might see owning one or two of them as a novelty, but the extra length is a bit too much for my needs. Especially if going prone.
Not to mention that in Ohio, any magazine holding over 30 rds is considered by state law to be illegal.
I thought Ohio did away with that restriction?
Berserkr556
09-12-15, 10:53
Yes that restriction has gone the way of the dinosaurs. They changed a few others as well.
I thought Ohio did away with that restriction?
As I'm sure everyone else here has already stated, 30 rounders FTW.
Holds enough ammo to get the job done regardless of application, they're freakin' everywhere right now, so ease of acquisition at low price, and compatibility with literally any and all M4 magazine pouches you could possibly buy.
40's- if you have the spare money after blacking out on 30 round freedom sticks, then sure, get a few either as novelty/competition mags, or to flip during the next election panic.
That being said, I may have to get a D60 for the hell of it...:cool:
Surefire 60 rd.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.