While working hard on the set of the Hot Shots 2013 Calendar shoot in Los Angeles last night we got a look at the updated Magpul M3 magazine. Magpul's Drake Clark was on hand to explain some of the changes to the magazine since it was first revealed at SHOT Show 2012.
The major stand out in the updated M3 is the updated floor plate that slides on from the front. Instead of designing two floor plates, Magpul will ship the new mag with a floor plate that bridges the gap between the original M3 design we first saw at SHOT and the slim floor plate they intended to offer as an accessory. The new floor plate, as seen in the above photo, has a proper lip to grab onto while still being slim enough to slip in and out of a mag pouch. So for all you shooters who expressed outrage at the thought of having to pay for a slim floor plate, the updated floor plate replaces both earlier versions. There will be no "slim" floor plate.
In addition to the features of the M3 magazine as listed below, Clark teased one more piece of the M3 magazine that has yet to be seen. He wouldn't say more, except that it would be a surprise.
Clark stressed that Magpul used the M3 as an opportunity to push past a simple PMAG update and address every aspect of polymer magazine design from mold flow analysis and material selection to feature development, all with the focus on improved durability and reliability. The M3 moniker will be used to describe a class of products that feature technology Magpul discovered and applied first in the M3 magazine and will be seen in future magazines of different capacity and calibers.
Other features of the M3 include:
- Newly formulated polymer that is many times stronger than the current PMAG formulation
- Increased strength results in stronger feed lips and stronger spine
- HK416, SA80, SCAR and ACR compatibility
- Overinsertion stop that prevents damage when driving home a full mag on a closed bolt
- dot matrix for marking
- Improved ramps above and below the magazine catch
- Improved grip surface on the front and back of the mag
- Improved follower and lock plate that interface to under full spring compression to prevent damage or misalignment of follower
The M3 is undergoing final testing and Magpul hopes to have the magazine available for purchase by 4th quarter, 2012. Magpul will continue to produce the PMAG and EMAG alongside the M3 magazine.
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