Magpul = Promag?

[Bailey Guns]

I saw this on another forum. Looks to me like this person is advertising Promag magazines as being made by Magpul. I had a chance to look at one of each side-by-side and they do look similar with a few obvious differences. But the PMag feels more solid and operates more smoothly. So, my question is, is MagPul making the Promag magazines? I have a hard time believing they are but I don't know for sure since various companies often manufacture things for other companies.

[baglock1]

It's possible that Magpul has farmed out some work to the injection molding plant that does promag as well, but my guess is that the similarities are just that. Something that comes out of the die in China will look the same as something injecting molded in the US. The technology is the same. If the look the same, it's far more likely that it's due to design similarities, not manufacturing.

Ultimately, plastic/polymer mags are plastic mags and both designs require ribbing for strength (or her pleasure). If the manufacturing method is the same (I'm 100% sure they are) and the materials are the same (even similar really), then they'll both come out of the mold looking very similar.

[JohnTRourke]

Magpul stuff is all patented and they don't sell their designs. Promag is not magpul

also, magpul manufactures everything in the US. (used to be all in colorado, but well the state fucked that up)

magpul does ridiculous amounts of testing on everything they do. 100's of 1000's of rounds thru mags before they ever get released. As baglock1 says, they look similar, but they aren't.

There's a reason Magpul is the Kleenex of mags.

disclaimer: I don't work for Magpul, but I know someone who does.

[MarkCO]

Something that comes out of the die in China will look the same as something injecting molded in the US.

NOT true.

The technology is the same.

NOT true

Ultimately, plastic/polymer mags are plastic mags and both designs require ribbing for strength

NOT true.

There are wide variations in mold design based on flow properties of the polymers. Even the same mold, same material, can be very different based on the mold parameters, pre-process, melt temps, mold release methods, and maintenance of the mold. There are thousands of base polymers and even within a family, there are differences. Even within a specific brand name of a polymer, there are typically a dozen or more formulations. Anti-oxidants, tougheners, UV inhibitors, fillers, fiber reinforcing, etc. can all be varied to control the material and the product performance.

[Sawin]

There are wide variations in mold design based on flow properties of the polymers. Even the same mold, same material, can be very different based on the mold parameters, pre-process, melt temps, mold release methods, and maintenance of the mold. There are thousands of base polymers and even within a family, there are differences. Even within a specific brand name of a polymer, there are typically a dozen or more formulations. Anti-oxidants, tougheners, UV inhibitors, fillers, fiber reinforcing, etc. can all be varied to control the material and the product performance.

^^Skillzzz.

IMHO, magpul is way too smart to ever consider letting a competitor manufacture their authentic products. What you see in that picture are pmag knockoffs and a reduced quality product from the real thing. I would not pay $20 for the pair of them, much less $20 each.

[Bailey Guns]

I damn sure ain't gonna buy 'em. I was just wondering if MagPul produced them - or licensed Promag to produce them. My guess was it's just a cheap knockoff and the seller either doesn't know it or is trying to pass an inferior product as a MagPul product. Doesn't MagPul produce the Ruger-branded polymer mags for the SR556?

[baglock1]

NOT true.

Actually, it IS true if you consider the caveat that I should've, but didn't include: "All things being equal."

Injection molding isn't an unknown technology. The Chinese can do it just as well as we can and better in some regards. Materials are materials and while the additives can vary wildly, I'd guess that they're are less than a half dozen in each class that make up 90% of all production. Molding varies wildly, but there again, I'd guess most big time manufacturers are getting their molds from a handful of top tier producers. The molds are by far the biggest expense and so that's usually where the majority of development dollars are spent.

With regards to ribbing/design, if the manufacturer wants to cut material and weight, it WILL require ribbing.

Regardless, the bottom line remains unchanged. Just because the ProMags look similar, there is no way to determine if they came off the same manufacturing line (unless the manufacturing placed their markings on both) without resorting to the CSI microscope.

[Mtn.man]

I saw that too BG. Now the post is Gone, cause you called them out on it I guess.

[Bailey Guns]

I saw that too BG. Now the post is Gone, cause you called them out on it I guess.

If it was gone it's back now. I didn't mean to call them out...just curious because I didn't know. I am doubtful, though.

[MarkCO]

Actually, it IS true if you consider the caveat that I should've, but didn't include: "All things being equal."

Injection molding isn't an unknown technology. The Chinese can do it just as well as we can and better in some regards. Materials are materials and while the additives can vary wildly, I'd guess that they're are less than a half dozen in each class that make up 90% of all production. Molding varies wildly, but there again, I'd guess most big time manufacturers are getting their molds from a handful of top tier producers. The molds are by far the biggest expense and so that's usually where the majority of development dollars are spent.

With regards to ribbing/design, if the manufacturer wants to cut material and weight, it WILL require ribbing.

Regardless, the bottom line remains unchanged. Just because the ProMags look similar, there is no way to determine if they came off the same manufacturing line (unless the manufacturing placed their markings on both) without resorting to the CSI microscope.

It may not be unknown technology, but it takes a HECK of a lot more to design a mold than people think. After that, it takes a good operator to control the process. Based on my work, it is clear the Chinese do NOT do IM or BM, or SM as well as what occurs on US soil. Your other guesses would be wrong too.

Some of the best mold machinists are single operation guys working in a small shop and it take a lot of work to find them. There are many other ways besides rib to keep material use down in a good design, but it takes a better designer and better process control.

There certainly are ways to determine quality, and even line parameters.