Product Review - Magpul PMAG 10 GEN M3

For a very large part of the country, it may seem silly or unnecessary to own 10-round magazines for an AR-15. One of the key points and selling features of the platform is the greater capacity over older alternatives like bolt- or lever-action rifles. For other parts of the country, a 10-round magazine is all citizens can aspire to own. Whether you live in a gun-friendly state or jurisdiction or a more restrictive one, a 10-round magazine, particularly of a very high quality from a well-respected manufacturer, can be a very useful thing.

Awww. It's like a little baby PMAG!

Magpul has been updating their line of legendary PMAGs (including the gold-standard PMAG 30) with the "GEN M3" treatment. In addition to the features we've all come to expect - like the stainless steel spring, anti-tilt follower, an internal geometry optimized for reliable feeding, and the simplicity of tool-less disassembly - the GEN M3 brings a redesigned and improved bolt catch, an enhanced texture and rib design for superior control in all environments and conditions, and a slimmer floorplate design that lends itself to better compatibility with tight mag pouches. The PMAG 10 GEN M3 is the 10-round variety of this generation.

Why a 10-round magazine, though? Why not (if you can) buy a standard capacity, 30-round magazine? Why not something really fun like a PMAG 40, so I can wait that much longer before changing mags? I see three fantastic reasons - one practical, one contextual, and one subjective.

First, a short, 10-round magazine, like the PMAG 10 GEN M3 is a very practical solution for bench-rest shooting or shooting with the rifle in a rest during scope sighting. A larger, standard capacity magazine can present challenges for bench-rest shooters due to its extension below the bottom of the receiver, and such length may entirely preclude the use of a rifle rest. The minimum extension of the PMAG 10 below the bottom of the receiver means bench-rest positions can be achieved more comfortably. Further, few rifle rests would have a problem with accommodating an AR-15 with a 10-round mag installed.

The next place Magpul's 10-round magazine shines is in the context of hunting. Many areas that permit use of an AR-15 for hunting will caveat that allowance with a restriction on the magazine capacity carried "in" the rifle when in the field. Pairing a PMAG 10 GEN M3 with a Magpul Minus 5-Round Limiter, makes for a great combo for AR-15 hunting. (Hunting with an AR-15, that is. Not hunting for AR-15s. But, let's face it - we're always hunting for another AR-15.)

Finally, and this could just be my subjective opinion, but a 10-round magazine is a great tool to promote - or require - self-control. At the range, it's really easy to burn through 30 rounds of ammunition quickly. (After all, that's what the AR-15 was designed to do.) Shooting with the PMAG 10 GEN M3 injects some intent into my shooting. When target shooting, I can practically a mantra like, "Take your time. You've only got 10 rounds." running through my head. And counting down from "10" is a lot easier than "30".

You may be fortunate enough to live in an area where magazine capacity for your AR-15 isn't an issue. Many of your fellow patriots are not so lucky. However, no matter your situation, shooting style, or application, you can't go wrong with adding a couple of Magpul's PMAG 10 GEN M3 magazines to your collection.

- Matt

Introducing the Monthly Poll!

In lieu of a Product Review this week, we're proud to debut our new Monthly Customer Poll!

We hope that this will be a way to involve our Customers in our business. Over time, we'll be soliciting poll responses to help decide what great product to offer next or find out what kind of outdoor adventures interest you most.

With last week's review of the Lancer L5AWM still in mind, our inaugural poll is: What is you favorite AR-15 magazine?

- Matt

Product Review - Lancer Systems L5 Advanced Warfighter Magazine

Before and after Magpul debuted their venerable PMAG 30 (including the latest generation), AR shooters have sought a reliable and durable magazine that improves upon the standard G.I. mag. Members of the current line of PMAGs are the standards against which others are judged, and many are found inferior in terms of reliability, durability, ergonomics, weight, or a myriad of other reasons. Some, though, are excellent contenders.

With most folks running PMAGs, slap one of these in your rifle,

and people will know that you're a free-thinker.

Relatively new on the scene with a polymer AR magazine is Lancer Systems with their L5 Advanced Warfighter Magazine (L5AWM). Specializing in composites and other "materials-science-based" solutions, Lancer Systems was well-equipped to produce a polymer magazine. Really, "polymer" is a bit of a misnomer; the L5AWM is a hybrid with a combination of materials used in the manufacture of its largest components. Unlike a Prius, though, this is one hybrid you'll be proud to tell you hunting buddies about.

Lancer Systems describes the L5AWM as the perfect blend of the "reliability of a steel magazine, the durability of a polymer magazine and the weight of an aluminum magazine." The top of the magazine's extremely durable polymer body is tightly embraced by a permanently attached steel feed lip assembly hardened to remove any concern of the crucial feeding interface losing dependability from long-term, loaded storage.

The bottom portion of that polymer body - the area of the magazine protruding from the rifle when loaded - is enhanced with some aggressive stippling to make manipulating the magazine worry-free - even with the greasiest, dirtiest, slimiest hands. I'll admit that I had concerns with the relative "smoothness" of the polymer body compared to other polymer magazines, but that stippling allows for a very sure grip. Running through the body of the magazine is a stainless steel spring pushing a non-tilt follower.

If you need more texture than is found on the L5AWM,

I'm not sure how you turn door knobs or hold onto anything.

To be sure of our thoughts about this magazine, we sent Nick out to the range to get a feel for the L5AWM in action. I was hoping for an insightful review, but his report was pretty boring. Rounds loaded easily into the magazine. The magazine seated firmly into the rifle. Rounds cycled flawlessly out of the magazine and through the rifle. The bolt was positively held open after the last round. The magazine dropped smoothly out of the rifle with the magazine release. I really don't know what I expected, but perfect function without failure or hang-up is a great kind of "boring" to me.

A lot of companies have tried to cash in on the success of others. Magul struck gold with their entry into the polymer magazine market, but that type of success has eluded many other companies. The Lancer Systems L5 Advanced Warfighter Magazine is different. It capitalizes on some very smart and novel features to separate itself from the pack. Is it a revolution of the polymer magazine? Maybe. Is it a refinement? Probably. I can tell you with all certainty, though, that it's a really great magazine.

- Matt

Product Review - Bravo Company BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle

Being located in northwest Florida, we're surrounded by military bases, airfields, forts, and other installations. Over the years, each of us has gotten to know a lot of our neighbors in the armed services. One fellow, at a recent gun show, gave one of the best endorsements I've heard for the Bravo Company BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle; he slyly said that it would be a shame if the charging handle "fell out" of his service rifle, and the armorer had to replace it with one of these. Wry humor about misplacing government equipment aside, such a comment from an American warrior in a shooting job speaks to the respect and admiration professionals have for this product.

If you want to know what's good on a car, (try to) ask The Stig.
If you want to know what's good on a rifle, ask an American soldier.

When it comes down to it, the stock charging handle will get the job done, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Either hand can operate the stock charging handle, but the shooter has to significantly re-position the rifle to do so, because it needs to be pulled straight back with even pressure on both sides of the handle. Dainty fingers are not a requirement for operating an AR, but "sausage-ier" digits or gloved hands could slip off the stock handle; also, the stock handle doesn't allow much room for manipulating the handle around an optic. These aren't problems with the BCMGUNFIGHTER.

I've had a BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle on my AR for a while - specifically, the "Mod 4" model. It was one of my first upgrades, and I've never looked back. Installation, even for an AR newbie, was a snap; if you can clean your AR (Pro tip: Clean your AR sometime.), you can install this charging handle. Replacing the stock handle, the BCMGUNFIGHTER allows for quicker and easier one-handed operation as it's designed in a way to allow asymmetrical manipulation. With the shooting hand still in place, the shooter can charge the rifle without having to move it far from being shouldered. The enhanced latch also provides a lot of real estate for getting a good hold on the handle for bigger or gloved hands or if interference with an optic is a concern.

The "Mod 4" model of the BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle

The BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle comes in a variety of sizes for the AR-15 including a fully ambidextrous model. Our favorite variant is the "Mod 4" model because it's the just-right "Mama Bear" size compared to the near-standard "Mod 5" or the even larger "Mod 3" ("Papa Bear"-sized) model. All are machined from 7075 T6 Billet aluminum alloy and sport a hard coat anodized finish.

You may not have to lace up your boots and go to work with a rifle, but you can trust the opinion of the brave professionals who do. Service men and women know what they want in a tool that their very lives depend on, and they want the Bravo Company BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle.

- Matt