Last time I picked up some Magpul AR magazines, I mistakenly grabbed the ones that have the windows in the side. Aside from being able to see the ammo level, is there any real difference between the windowed and non-windowed?
Windowed mags vs. non-windowed
- Thread starter KJackson
- Start date
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Bertfish
Throw bread on me
Not that I know of
Nobody
Ultimate Member
- Jan 15, 2009
- 2,840
The ones with Windows seem to lock up allot.
Go with the ones with Apples on them.
Nobody
Go with the ones with Apples on them.
Nobody
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
If they lock up, just remove them, reload them, and insert them back into the rifle. They will work fine.
jimbobborg
Oddball caliber fan
No, they just charge more for the windowed mags.
copasetic
Member
There is no difference in functionality. However, one does not to be an “operator” or a “mall ninja” to utilize a windowed mag. It is always good to know how many rounds one has in their magazine. Unless you feel having anything but iron sights is also for the “operator/mall ninja” crowd. Let’s make this even more interesting... how do you guys feel about the Lancer clear mags? 
- Feb 17, 2011
- 14,024
RuralRifleGuy
Active Member
There is no difference in functionality. However, one does not to be an “operator” or a “mall ninja” to utilize a windowed mag. It is always good to know how many rounds one has in their magazine. Unless you feel having anything but iron sights is also for the “operator/mall ninja” crowd. Let’s make this even more interesting... how do you guys feel about the Lancer clear mags?
It’s also good if you have 300BLK PMAGs in addition to 5.56 ones. The 300BLK ones don’t have a windowed variety so if you buy them and then only buy windowed ones for 5.56 you can easily tell the difference. Sure you could get FDE mags for 5.56 but some people prefer the black magazines.
KRC
Active Member
The purpose of a "windowed" mag (if the window is at the front), is to allow the loading of rounds with a longer COAL. I can load and fire 224V loads that are 2.340". I have not had any feeding issues with my (homemade) window mags.
Steel Hunter
Active Member
- Nov 10, 2019
- 550
Don't give them any ideas. Next they'll mandate updates and require a reboot after you are almost done with your group.
Slowhand
Pre-Banned
Personally I use the ones with an abacus built in to track my rounds.
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
Some people just don't seem to get it. 
IMBLITZVT
Ultimate Member
Possibly due to their wonderful experiences with Chauchat auto-rifles in WW1.
FYI, the 3006 Chauchat did not have a window mag and it was version that did not work...
The best thing to do is buy metal mags. Plastic sucks and will not last long term. Buy good Colt or Circle K mags and then you don't have to worry about getting with window or without.
My suggestions with any magpul product you are thinking about buying... Pick it up, look at it, put it back, buy another superior brand product of which I guarantee there to be many. That is unless you were that guy who volunteered to play with the Ken Doll of your sisters and you need some accessories like he did and they need to look trendy and pretty and be color coordinated... then go for the magpul accessory. I suggest the M-lok tampon holder... Ok, sorry thats maybe a bit to much but I could not resist... rant over
- Feb 4, 2013
- 28,175
Hmm, MILLIONS of MagPul mags sold and used. Many to combat troops.
Where are all the complaints and issues?
Where are all the complaints and issues?
Disclaimer: when I reference polymer mags in this comparison, I mean pmags and Lancers. If you buy like... promags or ETS magazines, you've got what's coming to you.
I disagree with this as a blanket statement.
First of all, to the best of my knowledge, Colt does not make magazines anymore, if they ever did to begin with. They buy marked mags from Okay Industries. Paying the Colt tax makes no sense. You also don't know if they're going to switch their OEMs, which I would not put past Colt given their history of being stupid.
Second, I disagree on the reliability front. Metal mags go down SO easily. You dent the body in one - which is not that hard if you step on it - and they stop working correctly and are difficult to recover without very specific tools. pmags and Lancers do not suffer from this problem, which is why they are so much more reliable in real world use.
Finally, good metal mags are VERY specific. You named Okay Industries, which is good. So is Brownells. Everyone else tends to be suspect. I watched a dude in a carbine class next to me running metal mags - unusual! - and he had constant problems with them feeding correctly.
There's a time and a place for everything, including metal mags. I do use them on guns with tight magwells. If I was doing most of my shooting is off a bench or I'm babying them, metal mags will probably last. If I am actually running and gunning - which happens with more and more frequency these days for me - there's no way you could make me pick metal over pmags or Lancers.
I disagree with this as a blanket statement.
First of all, to the best of my knowledge, Colt does not make magazines anymore, if they ever did to begin with. They buy marked mags from Okay Industries. Paying the Colt tax makes no sense. You also don't know if they're going to switch their OEMs, which I would not put past Colt given their history of being stupid.
Second, I disagree on the reliability front. Metal mags go down SO easily. You dent the body in one - which is not that hard if you step on it - and they stop working correctly and are difficult to recover without very specific tools. pmags and Lancers do not suffer from this problem, which is why they are so much more reliable in real world use.
Finally, good metal mags are VERY specific. You named Okay Industries, which is good. So is Brownells. Everyone else tends to be suspect. I watched a dude in a carbine class next to me running metal mags - unusual! - and he had constant problems with them feeding correctly.
There's a time and a place for everything, including metal mags. I do use them on guns with tight magwells. If I was doing most of my shooting is off a bench or I'm babying them, metal mags will probably last. If I am actually running and gunning - which happens with more and more frequency these days for me - there's no way you could make me pick metal over pmags or Lancers.
GI mags aren't meant to be long term. They are a disposable item in a war zone. Magpul is much higher quality than my Colt issued tin mags. Why do you think so many troops have purchased magpul instead of using the free GI mags?
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