FOG HORN

2015
Twobirds Flying Publication

Magpul Industries PMAG 30 AK/AKM GEN M3

Copyright 2015, Towbirds Flying Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Cold Steel Tactical Katana Machete

2015

Magpuls PMAG 30 AK/AKM GEN M3

By: Sal Palma
The first thing that I wanted to examine is
structural stability so I measured the body
width of an empty magazine and compared it to
a full 30 round counterpart. I measured both
conditions at 1.05 inches. So, there was no
expansion of the magazine body.

Earlier in 2015 when Magpul Industries began

shipping their all polymer PMAG 30 AK/AKM
MOE a number of reviewers praised the
company for an outstanding product but
virtually all felt that a steel reinforced version
would better serve the AK community. Unlike
the AR platform, the AK is hard on magazines
especially at the locking lug, which is where
polymer designs are susceptible to breaking.
The polymer PMAG 30 AK/AKM MOE was also
vulnerable to structural failures under adverse
conditions such as cold weather or sharp
impacts, so a steel reinforced version of the
MOE is just what was needed to give the
magazine true combat reliability. Magpul
Industries recognized the need and announced
it would release a steel reinforced version of its
already successful polymer PMAG 30 AK/AKM
MOE 7.62 x 39 magazines.
In November 2015 we were fortunate enough
to get our hands on a couple of the PMAG 30
AK/AKM GEN M3 magazines , which count as
3 U.S. parts under 922r, to see how they do.

One of the shortcomings in the original PMAG

30 AK/AKM MOE design was its failure rate at
the locking lug and front tab. Its all polymer
magazine couldnt take the beating. In its M3
version, Magpul addressed those issues with a
stainless steel reinforced front tab and spine
and a stainless locking lug.

Having been spoiled by the MAGLULA

Company, my next step was to determine if our
MAGLULA would install and function properly
on the M3. Im happy to report that it functions
Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved

Cold Steel Tactical Katana Machete

flawlessly and loading and unloading the

magazine was as you would expect.

Field striping the magazine for cleaning and/or

maintenance was typical Magpul, a snap!

This is due to the constant curve geometry,

Anti-tilt, self-lubricating follower and the flared
floorplate, which aids magazine handling and
disassembly. The next step was to test how well
the magazine fits and functions in the rifle.
All too often, polymer magazines can be
problematic on the AK platform. Users complain
that the magazines wont lock or they wont fit
the magazine well at all. This is a phenomenon
common to the AK platforms.
I tested the M3 magazine in a Bulgarian AK and
on a Chinese AK and in both weapons, the
magazine locked perfectly and feeds without a
hitch. We werent able to get a loaner
Romanian AK but I feel comfortable in saying

2015

that Magpuls PMAG 30 AK/AKM GEN M3

will serve your ROMAK well.

In closing, with its introduction of the PMAG

30 AK/AKM GEN M3, Magpul has addressed
all of the weaknesses in their MOE all polymer
offering. Ive used the M3 and MOE AK
magazines and Id like to convey the following
closing thoughts.
If you are offered PMAG 30 AK/AKM MOE
magazines dont turn them down but if you
want a combat capable AK magazine the
PMAG 30 AK/AKM GEN M3 is the route youll
want to take. MSRP $26.95
Manufacturer Specifications:

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

Copyright 2015, Twobirds Flying Publication, All Rights Reserved