Army Bans PMAGS and Other Non-USGI Magazines

From a recent report at Military.com

Despite the success of the PMAG, Army officials from the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command issued a “safety of use message” in April that placed it, and all other polymer magazines, on an unauthorized list.

The message did not single out PMAGs, but instead authorizes only the use of Army-issued aluminum magazines. The message offers little explanation for the new policy except to state that “Units are only authorized to use the Army-authorized magazines listed in the technical manuals.” Nor does it say what Army units should now do with the millions of dollars’ worth of PMAGs they’ve purchased over the years.

This move strikes me as odd, not only are there already many Magpul PMAGS and perhaps other commercially made magazines in circulation within Army units, but it’s been shown time and time again that PMAGs are one of the best AR-15/M-16 magazines out there. Don’t take my word for it, many in the military think so as well…

“This just follows a long line of the Army, and military in general, not listening to the troops about equipment and weaponry,” said one Army infantryman serving in Southwest Afghanistan, who asked not to be identified.
“The PMAG is a great product … lightweight and durable. I have seen numerous special ops teams from all services pass through here, and they all use PMAGs. Also, a large amount of Marine infantry here use PMAGS, including their Force Recon elements.”

So what’s the real reason the PMAGS are getting the axe?

Maybe the Army should check out the plethora of PMAG torture test videos out there on YouTube, some even done by soldiers in the field. Here are two videos that showed how the PMAG stood up vs USGI mags. But I’m sure the Army did their own research and torture test and where in no way shape or form influenced by lobbyist or anyone in Washington.