7Magpul PMAG 30AK/AKM Gen 3

C39V2-9

Right before I received the Century Arms C39V2 test sample, Magpul announced the introduction of the Gen 3 PMAG for the AK/AKM platform. I sent Magpul an email explaining the test gun I had and asked if they were interested in having  PMAG Gen 3 reviewed. Within a week I received the Gen 3 PMAG as well as some Ranger Plates and a magazine coupler.

The C39V2 ships with two MOE PMAGs and they proved to be reliable but most of the rifle review was done with the Gen 3 PMAG to see if it would hold up as well as the MOE.  First of all there is a weight difference, though not great. The MOE weights 6.5 ounces while the new Gen 3 weighs 7.2 ounces. There is also a cost difference, as the MOE MSRP is $13.95 while the Gen 3 MSRP is $26.95.

The difference comes mostly from the steel reinforcements in the Gen 3.

C39V2-8 C39V2-7

You can see here, as the Gen 3 is on the right it has steel reinforcements on the contact areas as opposed to the MOE that do not. I am not sure this would be a large issue but it is nice to see the reinforcements on the contact areas.

I can honestly say we really put the Gen 3 PMAG through the ringer throughout the review. It is worth noting for the 10 weeks or so I was reviewing the rifle and magazine, I kept it loaded to capacity. Over that short period of time there were no changes to the feed lips. You can read the review by following this link 

Here is the video portion, you can tell the Gen 3 vs the MOE as the MOE magazines were coupled together. This will give you a great idea how the magazine performed. I am digging the Ranger Plates as they provided extra area when trying to dig a magazine out of a carrier and the coupler worked well when you want to keep a good supply of ammunition on board the rifle. If you had to grab your rifle in a hurry you would have sixty rounds at your disposal without having to dig around for your spare magazines.

Specifications

The PMAG 30 AK/AKM GEN M3 is an extremely durable, lightweight, high reliability 30-round polymer magazine designed for Kalashnikov pattern rifles in 7.62x39mm (AK-47, AKM, AKS, SIG556R, and others.) It features steel-reinforced locking lugs, removable floorplate, constant curve geometry, and a high-reliability/low-friction follower for the performance and military-grade durability you expect from a PMAG. Magazine counts as three US compliance parts for 922r.
Made in U.S.A.

FEATURES

  • Impact and crush resistant polymer body
  • Stainless steel rear locking lug and reinforced front lug and spine for increased durability
  • Constant-curve internal geometry for smooth feeding
  • Anti-tilt, self-lubricating follower for increased reliability
  • Long life stainless steel spring
  • Ribbed gripping surface and aggressive front and rear texture for positive magazine handling
  • Paint pen dot matrix panels on the bottom of the body to allow for identification marking
  • Flared floorplate aids magazine handling and disassembly yet is slim enough for use with most pouches

By Hunter Elliott

I spent much of my youth involved with firearms and felt the call early on to the United States Marine Corps, following in my father's and his brother's footsteps. Just after high school I enlisted and felt most at home on the rifle range, where I qualified expert with several firearms and spent some time as a rifle coach to my fellow Marines. After being honorably discharged I continued teaching firearm safety, rifle and pistol marksmanship, and began teaching metallic cartridge reloading. In the late 1990s I became a life member to the National Rifle Association and worked with the Friends of the NRA. Around that time my father and I became involved with IDPA and competed together up until he passed away. I began reviewing firearms for publications in the mid 2000s and have been fortunate to make many friends in the industry. Continuing to improve my firearms skills and knowledge is a never ending journey in which we should all be committed. I am also credited as weapons master on a few independent films.

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