This post comes from PM Soldier Weapons.
The Army has begun fielding the new 5.56mm 30 round Improved Magazine that delivers a significant increase in reliability for the battle-tested M16 and M4 weapons systems. Bolstering the already high reliability ratings of the M16/M4 systems, the Improved Magazine effectively reduces the risk of magazine-related stoppages by more than 50 percent compared to the older magazine variants. Identified by a tan-colored follower, over 500,000 of the improved magazines have been fielded to units in Iraq, Afghanistan and in the U.S.
“With the improved magazines, we’re taking weapons reliability up another notch,” said LTC Chris Lehner, Product Manager Individual Weapons. “By incorporating a heavier, more corrosion resistant spring, along with a new follower design that does not tilt inside the casing, our engineers were able to develop a magazine that presents a round to the weapon with even greater stability. Increased magazine reliability results in overall improved weapon system performance.”
Currently, there are three different types of magazines in the supply inventory that can be identified by the color of the follower. The new, improved magazine follower is tan. Magazines with a green follower are strong performers and are acceptable so long as they are serviceable, but should be phased out from the force as the improved magazines are received. The oldest magazines have a black follower and should be turned in to supply sergeants.
“Soldiers can remember it like this: ‘Tan – is the plan. Green – start to lean. Black – take it back,’” said LTC Lehner. “While the improved magazines increase reliability to an even greater degree, the new magazines by no means reduce the importance of Soldiers keeping their weapons clean and lubricated appropriately for the environment. Also, Soldiers must be proficient on conducting immediate action (SPORTS) if their weapon has a stoppage.”
A significant portion of the system reliability gains are the result of the redesigned follower. The new follower incorporates an extended rear leg and modified bullet protrusion for improved round stacking and orientation. The self-leveling/anti-tilt follower minimizes jamming while a wider spring coil profile creates even force distribution. The performance gains have not added weight or cost to the magazines.
The Army’s goal is to field approximately 7,000,000 improved magazines for the Army’s fleet of M16 and M4 weapons. They are currently free issue for deploying units and those in theater. Future requirements will be met in pre-deployment CONUS fielding. Starting this month, all weapon fielding events will include improved magazines. All units operating in either OEF/OIF theaters should contact their chain of command if they have not already received their improved magazines. The Improved Magazines are available in the supply system now for replenishment and can be requisitioned under the NSN 1005-01-561-7200.
To ensure the magazines that are in the system are up to standard, PM Soldier Weapons will be making a magazine wear tool available this fall that eliminates guess work when it comes to identifying unserviceable magazines. The tool will enable armorers and supply supply sergeants to precisely gauge whether the separation between the magazine feed lips are within specifications – a critical parameter for magazine performance.
Feed Lips Wear Tool
To see more pictures of the wear tool and the new improved magazine, visit the PEO Soldier Flickr page.
About Project Manager (PM) Soldier Weapons
Established in 2002 as part of Project Executive Office (PEO) Soldier, PM Soldier Weapons ensures that U.S. Army Soldiers have overmatch in individual and crew served weapons capabilities on the battlefield. PM Soldier Weapons supports Soldiers through the development, production, fielding and sustainment of current and future weapons systems, ammunition, and associated target acquisition/fire control products. As a result of PM Soldier Weapons’ efforts, Soldiers are equipped with products that enhance both survivability and lethality, and benefit from continuous improvement programs. For more information, please visit our website.
Nothing like a solution that was solved years ago by MagPul. Go PEO Solider! The Short Bus of weapons development!
Wow. PEO soldier spent how much money to invent something that has been available commercially for years. Brilliant.
What a waste of resources. COTS.
There were over 500,000 “commercially available “improved followers fielded in Iraq and Afghanistan 5 YEARS AGO!
Field testing results were similar to this new one, yet the quasi government agency that had the job of fielding the new follower wouldn’t even test any commercially available options.
Government procurement is now less about “effective gear for the troops” and more about employment for those in the system.
How much R&D/T&E money did they just waste? Just buy MagPul PMAGs for crying out loud!
Great, there’s a new follower and a feed lip gauge. PMAGs already had that. The magazines’ dust covers also measure feed lip wear (and being polymer magazines, it would happen less often). These “improved” magazines will still have the same body-strength issues being made of metal, right?
When they dent, they get dx’d.
It would be nice if they had people with knowledge, experience, and sense in charge of soldiers’ equipment.
I’m not even going to start on that video…
Thanks for following our blog.
Yes, there are some good “Commercial Off The Shelf” (COTS) products and
technologies out there. Our engineers were able to adapt certain follower and
spring designs into our existing aluminum magazine casing.
Having an aluminum magazine is important to the Army for two reasons. First,
aluminum magazines have been exhaustively tested and are known to be
functional in a wide range of extreme environments. Second, aluminum magazines
are known to be compatible with all the chemicals that our Soldiers carry on
them. For example, bug spray can actually damage certain plastics.
That said, as we pursue our mission of continuously improving Soldier gear, we
are planning to develop an approved product list in 2010 for those COTS
magazines that meet the full military specifications.
Thanks again for your comments!
Re Mr. Dawson’s comments –
[1] I began putting the Magpul followers in my USGI aluminum mags when they recommended by various gunfighters who had extensively tested them. Forgive me if I tend to go with the opinion of men who have taken the gear into harm’s way rather than the word of guys in a lab. Compared to the green follower, my malfunction rate decreased to virtually no malfunctions caused during feeding. Any subsequent malfunctions could be attributed to the weapon drying out as in the lubrication had burned dry.
[2] Once the Magpul Pmag hit the market I again listened to those who used the gear and then tried it myself exhaustively. In Afghanistan my first two mags were Pmags, the one in the gun and the go to mag. A Pmag is not only more durable than the USGI aluminum mag but it is much more quiet when bumped into things – especially at night when sound carries further.
[3] Mr Dawson side steps the issue with a general statement that bug spray can actually damage certain plastics. He didn’t specifically say that it would damage the Pmag. Presumably the plastic from which the new follower is made is resistant to the deteriorating effects of bug spray…
[4] Aluminum mags are functional in a wide variety of environments yes, but drop a half loaded mag and it will land on the feed lips and then it is done. Don’t trust your life to it.
The aluminum mag is the weak link in the M16/M4 weapons system.
Not sure of the purpose of the video as it is a simulation and is compared to nothing…
The Feed Lips Wear Tool is a good idea. Every platoon sergeant should have one if not every squad leader.
It’s funny that PEO has seemingly no idea of the vast array of technology that’s far ahead of them. Look PEOs, rather than trying to recreate the wheel, just buy what we ask for ie Eagle Industries plate carriers, not KDH; HK416, not more M4s, Crye uniforms, not UCPD; hiking boots, not construction boots; arcteryx rucks, not MOLLE etc etc etc. You guys waste more money on crap we don’t even use it just breaks my heart and all of our wallets. I probably have spent well over $5,000 through the years buying kit that I know will work and that I would trust my life on. If this office belonged to a free-market system you’d be begging for a bail-out.
How is this message disseminated to the end users? We deployed in September but none of our armorers or supply personnel have heard anything about this. The only reason I found it was by researching better quality magazines to purchase for myself.