View Full Version : new Springer Precision Firebird 30 round Magpul PMAG coupler
Robb Jensen
02-14-09, 06:36
I just got my PMAG coupler the yesterday from http://www.springerprecision.com/
It's a pretty nice coupler which couples two 30 round PMAGs.
I like coupled mags for shooting prone in competition. If gives a little more stable shooting position while prone. The design is pretty neat it simply replaces both bottom plates. You continue to use the locking inserts from Magpul. I could see this coupler also working well for the Magpul B.A.D. if you don't like or have a Redi-Mag/Redi-Mod. I know some people are probably worried about the rifle working with the magazines being even/flush. I had 2 PMAGs coupled together with a Mag-Cinch and duct tape and have never had any failures with them like that.
I haven't shot these mags in this coupler just yet but I don't predict that I'll have any problems.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/gunpics/couplerandcolt001.jpg
Derek_Connor
02-14-09, 07:55
Rob,
What advantages do you think these couplers have over the other style, older couplers?
Robb Jensen
02-14-09, 17:47
Robb
What advantages do you think these couplers have over the other style, older couplers?
The mag bodies can't flop around or cant inward/outward like with other couplers. Also one mag body can't shift within the coupler like with others and cause rifle stoppages. The Firebird is rock solid.
kaiservontexas
02-14-09, 17:53
Thanks for the review. I was never impressed by coupling magazines together, but I do see it has filling a niche. I never thought about coupling my PMAGS together, but if I want a coupler your review pointed me in the right direction.
NCPatrolAR
02-14-09, 17:59
Robb,
got any pictures with the mag in the gun?
Robb Jensen
02-14-09, 18:05
Here's some pics of the mags w/coupler installed on my 10" SBR.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/coupler.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/coupler2.jpg
Robb Jensen
02-15-09, 10:32
So you can see from the pics that the coupler holding the mags at equal height shouldn't cause any ejection problems.
Derek_Connor
02-15-09, 12:19
So you can see from the pics that the coupler holding the mags at equal height shouldn't cause any ejection problems.
Do you think Springer has properly filled the niche of people who dont want to buy the redimag?
I saw that this is $42, and the BFG Redi-Mod is $174 now...so approx $130 dollars
I could see this being a good thing for people who dont want to dedicate an AR to a redi-mod..
ETA: Rob, did you Moly Coat your can?
Robb Jensen
02-15-09, 12:52
Do you think Springer has properly filled the niche of people who dont want to buy the redimag?
I saw that this is $42, and the BFG Redi-Mod is $174 now...so approx $130 dollars
I could see this being a good thing for people who dont want to dedicate an AR to a redi-mod..
ETA: Robb, did you Moly Coat your can?
I think the Springer PMAG coupler would be a great a competitor. Or it would be good for a policeman issued an AR as long as it would fit his rifle rack in his cruiser. I either situation the end-user won't be shooting tons of rounds like someone would in a class where they'll be using a lot of different mags coming out of mag pouches etc. I'm certain it'll be compatible with the B.A.D. which I plan to mount on every AR I have that it'll fit on. I hope it'll fit on my Tactical Innovations billet lower but it might not.
I did Norrells moly resin my can. From the factory it had the SCAR-armor gray color. I scratched it up so I sprayed it flat black Norrells which is how you saw it in class. A few weeks ago I sprayed it FDE with Norrells moly. It's holding up pretty well but will likely burn off with time, but I can always just sandblast it and spray it again. The same stuff has held up really well on my AAC Cyclone but it doesn't get nearly as hot as my M4-2000.
Derek_Connor
02-15-09, 12:55
roger, good job on the can.
That peaks my interest meter that you think the springer coupler might be able to compete with the BFG Redi-mod...
Might just have to get one...
trunkmonkey
02-15-09, 13:35
What does it weigh?
Robb Jensen
02-15-09, 13:50
What does it weigh?
I'll throw the coupler on my digital scale at work tomorrow but it's about 5-7oz just guessing. It's made of aluminum.
EvilSpeculator556
02-15-09, 16:18
I would recommend leaving the dust cover on the Pmag that is not being used. Therfore you won't loose ammo or have a partial ejected bullet hanging out of your mag when you try to reload. You can easily get the dust cover off by gripping the mag normally for a reload and by sliding the back edge of the mag on the magwell edge until you pull the dust cover off. These couplers would be good for that bump in the night problem and not enough time to throw on your vest.
bluepythons
02-15-09, 16:53
Would this coupler work with 20 rounders as well. In our squad racks we are a little cramped for room so having 2 20's might be better. I also thought coupling a 20 and a 30 would be a good idea. Having the 20 in the gun and the 30 on the side.
Gotm4, would you mind trying that coupler with a 20 if you have one or if you know off hand if it will/won't work. Thanks! Probably going to just end up ordering one, they look pretty cool.
Dave
Ridge_Runner_5
02-16-09, 01:17
Looks pretty cool, lots of people will like it...but I honestly like my Ranger Plates and this would negate that...guess I'm just SOL...
There is a post about this from the company on TOS and the manufacturer stated that this would not work on the 20 round PMAG (if my memory serves me correctly), but I think they mentioned that they are working on it. You could call Springer to verify.
Robb Jensen
02-16-09, 12:17
As mentioned it will not work with 20 round PMAGs.
It's weight is 4.1oz.
bluepythons
02-16-09, 14:24
Thanks for the info guys, I will drop a line to them direct.
trunkmonkey
02-20-09, 16:32
very nice mag coupler. as solid as can be. Just got mine today.
Mike from Texas
02-22-09, 13:54
Finally! It's pricey but at least there is one available now. I can't believe Magpul hasn't built one to fit their own mags yet. :rolleyes:
1BadBushmaster
02-22-09, 14:11
Here's some pics of the mags w/coupler installed on my 10" SBR.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/coupler.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/coupler2.jpg
I am wipping the drewl off my chin.................
Tag for home - to view the pics.
Littlelebowski
02-25-09, 12:59
Who's this "Robb" guy and why do you keep stealing his mags? Is he cool?
Mild Necropost:
Got one in today. Liking it so far. If there were a 'Redi-Mod' version of the Firebird that shaved some weight off (open walls, lightening holes in the middle) and you could make this a serious Redi-Mag contender.
Now if we could just get a BAD to market, life would be sweet.
http://www.ttellc.net/fun/pws1s.jpg
Even though I'm just getting the rough edges off of practicing with this setup, its VERY fast.
Robb Jensen
04-27-09, 05:34
It is very fast. I beat USPSA GrandMaster Dave Olhasso on the rifle then pistol stage at the Topton 3gun match a week ago. I placed 2nd on that stage.
The stage called for shooting four paper target on the left, mandatory rifle reload, then four paper targets on the right, drop the rifles magazine and clear the chamber and transition to handgun. So using my coupled PMAGs I loaded 9 rounds in the right magazine and 7 in the left one. I shot the four paper targets on the left, switched to the left side mag of the coupler shot the remaining 8 rounds, the bolt locked back and I dropped the mag and transitioned to handgun.
The rifle targets were full sized IPSC targets at 15 yds and the pistol targets were 10-12 full size pepper poppers at 40yds.
ETA: Springer Precision is now making a coupler that works with 20 rounders as well and is item #: SPPmagcoupler2030
The coupler for two 30 round PMAGs is item #: SPPmagcoupler
It is very fast. I beat USPSA GrandMaster Dave Olhasso on the rifle then pistol stage at the Topton 3gun match a week ago. I placed 2nd on that stage.
Congrats & well done!
ETA: Springer Precision is now making a coupler that works with 20 rounders as well and is item #: SPPmagcoupler2030
The coupler for two 30 round PMAGs is item #: SPPmagcoupler
That's the one in my picture there too. I had a GREAT video with M855 on one side and some M193 on the other. Stupid corrupt SD card and we lost it.
The only thing that I don't like is that it replaces the floorplate so it cannot be quickle removed from the coupler while still being ready.
What if someone made one for the new m version(with the dust cover that clips to the floorplate) where you set the may in the coupler and then somehow cliped the dustcover to the bottom to lock it in place?
The M PMAG's dust cover is interesting in a neat, gimicky sort of way. Regardless, I care more about reducing the number of steps in my AR's manual of arms (therefore increasing the speed of its use), than I care about where to store my dust cover.
Magazines are commodities, they wear out, break and lose parts.
I picked one up these for the 30 rounders and used it at the Blue Ridge Mountain 3 Gun Championship. It functioned well. It was nice when I had a stage in which needed to go prone for shots out past 200 yards. It provides for a very stable platform and a quick mag change when needed. If I need more than 30 rounds and don't need to go prone, I usually use my Nordic P-mag extension that will hold 45 rounds, but this is much too long for me shoot well when going prone.
It fills a niche for me and does what I need it to do. Very well built.
ITW FastMag, Magpul PMag and Springer Precision Firebird centric videos:
Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMeQ7sIhqqM
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQdQK5TBxns
how about the "issue" of recoil and uncovered rounds popping out?
eta:
oooh i see in this video this guy keeps the covers on the pmags.
Razorhunter
05-14-09, 14:17
I am wipping the drewl off my chin.................
Yeah I dig this SBR myself, always have. However, it would REALLY look great with an ALL FDE MIAD, and a FDE Gunkoted receiver though.:D
Razorhunter
05-14-09, 14:17
http://www.ttellc.net/fun/pws1s.jpg
Even though I'm just getting the rough edges off of practicing with this setup, its VERY fast.
Which muzzle device would this be?
Which muzzle device would this be?
He custom made it himself out of an M-60 flash hider. Cool eh?
tr1kstanc3
04-15-10, 12:46
These have been out for some time now so how have they been holding up? Any issues to report?
Robb Jensen
04-15-10, 13:11
These have been out for some time now so how have they been holding up? Any issues to report?
Holding up well. No issues. Brownells now carries them too.
I see two problems with this over the Redi-mod.
1. You have to use different mag pouches.
2. You can't "top it off" by putting a fresh mag in the secondary position.
tr1kstanc3
04-15-10, 14:25
Holding up well. No issues. Brownells now carries them too.
Thanks.
MG Lincoln-
Have enough users determined that the secondary magazine that is not inserted requires the dust cover during sustained fire?
Lucky Strike
04-15-10, 14:48
I don't have anything to add on this coupler but I've had Springer Precision do work on two of my XD's (he specializes in XDs) and the work is not only amazing but he's got some of the best customer service around. I dont' think I've ever had an emailed question take longer then 6 hours to get a response.....his alltime record is responding to an email within 2 minutes.
I don't have anything to add on this coupler but I've had Springer Precision do work on two of my XD's (he specializes in XDs) and the work is not only amazing but he's got some of the best customer service around. I dont' think I've ever had an emailed question take longer then 6 hours to get a response.....his alltime record is responding to an email within 2 minutes.
Scott is good people and you're right about his customer service.
I still have the mag coupler in my wish list on Brownells. I want to try one out, but the price is a little high for what it is.
I see two problems with this over the Redi-mod.
1. You have to use different mag pouches.
2. You can't "top it off" by putting a fresh mag in the secondary position.
I think those arguments are a bit overstated. The main benefit of a Redi-mag is the same as that of a (any) coupler: you have access to a fresh magazine RIGHT NOW.
The drawbacks for most couplers are the expense of adding them to all magazines and rounds bouncing forwards under recoil.
This coupler hasn't shown the drawback (for me, anyways) of bouncing rounds, and I don't intend to get one for every PMag I own. Just the ones I grab first.
The Redi-mag addresses the flaws of most couplers, but forces you to learn a new manual of arms in return. The additional benefit of being able to top it off relates back to that change in manual of arms. I don't feel like having to relearn how to charge my carbine after a reload. And I can't imagine that in a gunfight, I'm going to be worried about loading my Redi-mag so I'll have another fresh mag AFTER I've expended two. As a civilian, the chances of me shooting more than even one magazine at a bad guy are statistically insignificant.
For a soldier going out to shoot bad guys, clearly this is an inferior solution to the Redi-mag for the reasons you mentioned. For the average joe or cop, this is a far superior solution in my estimation.
I argree with all of Subzero's post.
PrivateCitizen
04-16-10, 18:06
What about clearing double feeds, etc?
Isn't the recovery compromised by having the mags like coupled this? Or is this stable enough?
I learned you usually strip and drop/discard a mag with a double feed to the deck (try recover it later?), clear the malfunction an reload from stores?
Seems under that scenario you drop an extra mag if the malfunction is on the first.
Not being contrarian, just genuinely curious.
You'd have to retain your coupled mags as opposed to retrieving a freshy from pouches.
Again... possibly a compromise, but if you have extra mags on your body anyway, you could ditch the coupled mags just like a single mag.
Couplers are beneficial when you DON'T have an extra mag stored near or on you.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.