ICYMI: Magpul Gen 3 AK mags (steel reinforced)

[Dave_M]

Price point is right on par. These days any quality new mags sit around that mark. You can go cheaper if you're interested in undicking old surplus mags (which doesn't interest me any longer).

I'll give these a shot, as at least I shouldn't immediately pop the rear lug (or in the case of US Palm mags, distort it enough to render it useless).

[jamesavery22]

Thanks for all the pics and posts Duane. Are the outer dimensions of the reinforced AK mags exactly the same as the original? I found the original mounted "higher" in the receiver than any other Ak mags. No issue, just curious.

[SPQR476]

Feeding and interface geometry will be pretty much identical, which was one of the reasons for doing the MOE first. One notable exception is that the front lug on the MOE is larger/longer since it is all poly...gives it pretty darned good strength for and unreinforced mag. This size is what causes issues with some hand guards like AMD and Romy G forends with the built in vert grip, but the strength was worth it to us. You can easily trim the nose of the MOE mag to fit with those firearms, if desired.

The GEN M3 will have a smaller front "nose" because of the reinforcements and not have the interference issues.

[jamesavery22]

Thanks Duane. Sounds awesome. Will the size of the rear locking lug be the same? Would like that to be a hair larger.

[m4brian]

Got a few on the way - I'll likely be in for more. Thank you sir!

[Phlipper]

In 20+ years of shooting AKs I've owned comm bloc bakelites (cool look but fragile, ime) and steel mags from every country that ever made them. I haven't seen anything in that time that would move me off Tapcos for the range and 3-gun with plenty of comm bloc steel for the zombie hordes/civil unrest/nuke/etc. Never warmed to the US Palm thing, and never saw myself paying for Circle 10s. My old beat-up Tapcos have run forever with spring changes. But these new jobbies have me reaching for my debit card. Excellent design, decent price, and (by all accounts) outstanding execution. Thanks for listening, Magpul!

[Moose-Knuckle]

In 20+ years of shooting AKs . . . never saw myself paying for Circle 10s.

Back in 2000 to 2002 Bulgarian Circle 10 7.62 "waffles" could be had for $8.99. And 5.45 mags in black, fire brick red, and brown were going for under $5, all brand new never issued.

I still have unopened boxes of mags . . .

For you guys who missed out on those days the new Magpul mags will be a God send. Let's keep our fingers crossed that we don't see any bans after '16 so Magpul can evolve these mags like they have the original PMAGs. Would love to see these new AK mags made with the Sand material in 7.62 and 5.45.

[Uprange41]

Let's keep our fingers crossed that we don't see any bans after '16

On the contrary, keep them moving to make sure we don't see any bans.

[SteyrAUG]

This is why:

I've seen and heard the doubt about reinforced vs unreinforced feed lips, and I don't want there to be any misconception that we're trying to half measure the reinforced magazine. Believe me, we've tested this. We'll have more videos and such on the way for the Gen M3, but here are two that illustrate what I'm talking about. This is a Bulgy circle 10 on the left, which is, as I've said, a very good mag. Anti-tilt follower, steel on the lock ups, good geometry, etc. on the right is the PMAG AK MOE unreinforced magazine. Both mags are fully loaded with Wolf ammo. The MOE mag was dropped twice from six feet onto concrete to get the crack you see in the photo, only slightly visible from the rear where it's at, and only really noticeable when you pull it apart. Mag holds rounds and feeds 100% like this. The circle 10 mag on the left was dropped once from six feet. The left feed lip is bent to the point that it will not allow a round to be fully inserted to the rear on that side. This mag causes a stoppage every other round...the right side still feeds, the left, not so much. This is pretty consistently what you see. Yes, if the insert hasn't delaminated and raised an edge, and if the supporting polymer isn't cracked, you may be able to bend the reinforced mag back and get it to function to some degree. It will never be as good as it was new. If you're in the middle of it, and you drop your mag from 6 feet somewhow, (twice in the case of the MOE mag) which mag would you rather be faced with putting in your rifle to continue immediately?

While I understand your explanation I really don't plan on dropping any mags on the feed lips while loaded and it is my "non professional" opinion that steel reinforced feed lips will ultimately outlast polymer magazines that don't have them, just as your Gen 3 steel reinforced AK mags will likely outlast your MOE AK magazines given comparable wear and tear.

Maybe I just am still traumatized by those damn Zytel MAC 10 magazines from the 80s.

All that said, I'm excited about the Gen 3 AK mag and plan to buy more than a few as soon as they are available from my supplier. I already have more than enough SHTF AK mags and I doubt I will be subjecting the Gen 3s to anything they can't handle. Gen 3s seem like the perfect "regular use" magazine.

And if you do ever produce a Gen 4 with steel reinforced feed lips, I'll buy a bunch of those as well.

While we are at it I'd just like to say a few things like HK 33 / 93 and MP5 / HK94. I know you guys did G36 mags but you could really own the clone market if you wanted to. At least your magazines would work, unlike those Korean pieces of crap. Given that 33 and MP5 magazines typically sell for $50 or more I think the market is yours for the taking.

[JaketheSnake]

Hopefully this forces others like kvar to drop prices on bulgy circle 10 magazines.


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