SCAR16s and Pmags - 2 issues

[joshua79109]

This is just meant to be helpful for folks like me who had a truck load of pmags prior to getting a SCAR.

The better answer is probably just to buy metal mags. I have a bunch and they all perform perfectly in the SCAR

2 issues I've found:


1 -Drop free: (some do some don't)

I've tested a bunch of pmags now and I cannot find any way to tell what pmags will work and what pmags won't work

Many folks post up stuff that says a certain marking will work or not, but so far I don't find that to be true.


2 - Releasing the bolt from the charging handle

I have old pmags, new pmags, and everything between.

So far none of them will allow the bolt to release by pulling the charging handle to the rear. The pmags work fine using the button to release the bolt, but won't release by pulling the charging handle to the rear. I've not found this issue to be true with any of my metal mags.


I've used a Dremel to work my pmags and they now all perform properly for drop free and they allow the bolt to be released by pulling the charging handle to the rear.

To fix the bolt release issue just copy a metal mag. The pmag is oval shaped at the back of the mag and the metal mag is rectangular in shape. Remove a little of the material at the left of the oval and they perform properly. The oval I am talking about is the point where you would see the primers if the mag were loaded.

Hope this helps

[cjt50]

Just Curious;

Where did you alter the pmags to help them drop free?

You explanation for the bolt open latch mod was spot on!! Did same to mine, works like a champ.

TIA

[jasestrong]

Why not buy the EMAGS they are designed for the SCAR and other types of export rifles designed for the AR type mags.

I think it is a waste of time to tool a polymer mag or any mag when they are so inexpensive.

[joshua79109]

Why not buy the EMAGS they are designed for the SCAR and other types of export rifles designed for the AR type mags.

I think it is a waste of time to tool a polymer mag or any mag when they are so inexpensive.

I have a large number of pmags and they perform well in my ARs and in the SCAR after alteration.

I'd not blame a person for just buying another mag, this post is just for those like me who would still like to make use of the pmags.

Do the emags run reliably in most ARs?

[joshua79109]

Just Curious;

Where did you alter the pmags to help them drop free?

You explanation for the bolt open latch mod was spot on!! Did same to mine, works like a champ.

TIA

I went through a couple of different methods before settling on what I believe is the easiest fix.

I took the SCAR apart so I could see the mags in the mag well. Not all of my pmags needed worked in the same places to allow them to drop free. I could usually tell by looking from the top and bottom where the individual mag would need worked. I usually just had to work the left and right of the mags behind the line that is next to the back of the bullet that they mold into each side of the mag (where is says 5.56X45). If that didn't fix the mag then I would remove a little from the 4 bump outs at the front of the mag (on the left and right sides).

I used my belt sander upside down in a vise some of the time, that was easier in some ways and harder in others. I had to throw a few out due to taking too much material.

Hope this info helps others.

[cjt50]

Thanks, I got some old beat up ones that I will try the drop free alteration on.

Thanks again!

[joshua79109]

I found one person on another site that said his pmags work fine (without modification) as far as allowing the bolt to release by pulling the charging handle to the rear. At this point I believe he said he only tried 2 or 3.


If you have pmags and a SCAR, what have you found to be true with the bolt release by pulling the charging handle to the rear?


I have a few emag questions. I don't have any emags, but wonder if they fixed both issues with the emag or just the drop free issue.

If you have emags and a SCAR, do they function properly and allow the bolt to release by pulling the charging handle to the rear?

Also if you have emags and ARs, do the emags perform properly in your ARs?


I know, I know, I should just buy metal mags. I have a lot of both and am just trying to solve this issue so I can quit thinking about it.


Thank You for any info you can provide.

[SgtStrykerUSMC43]

Are you Gents referring to the bolt going into battery on an empty magazine after drawing the charging handle to the rear (the follower should prevent this) or on a loaded magazine (which it should)?


PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

[joshua79109]

Are you Gents referring to the bolt going into battery on an empty magazine after drawing the charging handle to the rear (the follower should prevent this) or on a loaded magazine (which it should)?


PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

When there is ammo in the mag. That would have been good information to add in the original post.... I expect that everyone can read my mind a little.

There's a difference in the way the pmag is cut and the way a metal mag is cut that prevents the bolt from going into battery by pulling the charging handle to the rear (with ammo in the mag). The bolt will go home by using the bolt release button, but not the CH (without making changes to the pmag).

Every metal mag I've tried works properly from the CH and the bolt release button.

So.... when shooting and the mag is emptied the bolt locks to the rear as it should. Then when the mag is dropped and the loaded pmag is properly loaded into the mag well, the bolt won't release by pulling the charging handle to the rear (no issue with the metal mags). The same is true even if the bolt is locked to the rear using the paddle button. It will release if the bolt release button is used. Once I modify the pmag in the way I describe then it performs properly in every way including the bolt release from the charging handle.

I know I'm not as good as others at describing these things, so I hope that makes sense.

[SgtStrykerUSMC43]

It's clear to me now, and it's absolutely goofy that anybody would design a magazine in such a way to prevent the bolt from going into battery with a loaded magazine through the simple manipulation of the charging handle.

I've never heard of something like this, and I'm glad you came up with a solution Joshua.



Magpul,
Take note...

PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH