Magpul has released their 2016 catalog for download. Click here to download (PDF, 48meg).
Tag Archives | Magpul
Good Gear: Magpul MOE 1911 Grip Panels, TSP
I have owned several 1911s over the years. At one point, I was shooting and carrying them exclusively (until I got tired of the maintenance as my yearly round count increased). Eventually I sold them all and moved into Glocks – a soulless gun that I have never loved like a 1911 but that I appreciate for its workman like performance. Last year, I decided that I needed at least one 1911 in the collection for old time’s sake and to stay proficient. It also seemed like a good reason to try Magpul’s affordable 1911 grips.
I like my handguns to have fairly aggressive texture. Texture can help make up for injury diminished grip strength, aids recoil control, and helps deal with sweat/mud/blood/gun oil. I chose the MOE 1911 Grip Panels with Magpul’s TSP texture. The TSP texture is excellent. It’s pointed trapezoidal (TSP stands for Trapezoidal Surface Projections) texture elements are as aggressive a texture as you will find on a factory produced item. The TSP texture, along with the somewhat angular cross section (more of a triangular cross section than a typical half circle) of these grips does a great job of locking the 1911 in your hand.
Polymer, while a little low-rent in perception, is actually a great material for grip panels versus something like wood or G-10/micarta. Durable polymer allows for aggressive texture at a low cost, light weight, and without being as grabby to your covering garment as something like G-10. Magpul’s polymer always seems to hold up well and, while the grips aren’t quite as sharp as they were a year ago, they are still very aggressive. 1911s are heavy to begin with so saving a little weight in the grip is a welcome feature, as is the low price.
The overall design of these grips is excellent, especially the deeply dished out magazine release relief that is molded into the grip. There is no texture in this area so your thumb isn’t abraded as you move it to the mag release. It is deeply dished out from the back of the grip all the way to the front which should allow a wide variety of hand sizes to more easily access the magazine release without shifting their grip much.
I don’t typically like to talk about looks but on a classically handsome gun like the 1911, it is bound to come up. These grips look great on the right gun… to me, at least. They are going to look a little strange on a classic, blued Gold Cup but they look right at home on a modern, “tactical” 1911. I mostly don’t care how they look since they offer the function that I want at very affordable price.
I already own a pair of excellent micarta grips but, if I didn’t, I would have a hard time justifying the price of them over these Magpul grips. These are truly functional grips and a very affordable price. Put your fancy wood grips in the safe for special occasions and pick up a set of these.
Check out the Magpul MOE 1911 Grip Panels, TSP.
Magpul Magazine Monday
Magpul just rolled out several new magazines that will be available in Spring of 2016.
The magazines include the PMAG 21 GL9 and PMAG 27 GL9 magazines – 21 and 27 round respectively capacity Glock 9mm magazines. Pistol caliber carbine users everywhere are giving each other high fives.
They also introduced the new PMAG 20 AK/AKM MOE magazines. As a fan of 20 round AK magazines, this is music to my ears and hopefully there will be a metal reinforced PMAG 20 AK/AKM Gen M3 version to follow.
Finally, they introduced the long rumored PMAG 30 AK74 MOE for 5.45 chambered AKs.
Magpul DAKA Pouches
One of the coolest things about watching Magpul is that their big ideas have never been limited to just firearms and related accessories. The new DAKA Pouches are a prime example. On one hand, it would be easy to write them off as just a zippered pouch not unlike the ones you used to store your pencils inside your Trapper Keeper. On the other, there is a level of refinement and innovation built into this pouch that assures us that Magpul is still Magpul even as they venture further and further from firearms.
Check out all three sizes of the DAKA Pouches at Magpul.
From Magpul:
The Magpul DAKA Pouch, designed to bring organization to the dusty, dirty, and muddy world we work and play in.
Made from polymer infused textiles that are welded on all seams and use a genuine YKK® water resistant zipper. The construction methods and materials used mean that these pouches are at home in hard use applications like tool storage or bulk storage of your reloaded ammunition as well as lighter duties like organizing your personal electronic accessories. Although these pouches are not 100% water proof (read submersible…) they will keep your items dry under most wet weather situations making them a great choice for most outdoor adventures.
Made in the U.S.A.
Features:
- Large Pouch size 9″x13″
- Reinforced polymer fabric with anti-slip texture
- Welded construction creates permanent impenetrable seals
- YKK AquaGuard® water repellant zipper
- 550 paracord with heat shrink tubing for enhanced grip, even with gloves
- Paint pen dot matrix debossed into body for identification marking
- Carabiner attachment points
Coming Soon: Magpul MOE SL-S Stock
Magpul continues to beat us over the head with new products leading into SHOT Show 2016 and that is one beating we will all happily take. Their latest announcement is the MOE SL-S Stock – a new version of the MOE SL that has battery storage functionality. Other notable features include a slimmer design than most stocks with battery tubes and ability to fully collapse on a Vltor A5 length tube. It is great to see the preeminent AR-15 stock maker designing stocks around the excellent A5 system.
This looks like a great addition to the growing MOE SL line.
From Magpul:
The storage-capable version of the flagship Magpul MOE SL™ carbine stock, the MOE SL-S (Storage) Stock is a direct replacement buttstock for AR15/M4 carbines.
The sleek profile, dual-side release latches, and waterproof battery tubes make it the slimmest storage tube stock available. The SL-S provides an enhanced cheek weld and true, O-ring sealed, 10m waterproof storage area desired by many, but fits it into the narrowest package possible to allow a more upright head position and minimize bulk. A rolled toe and angled rubber butt-pad are optimized for use with body armor, and an ambidextrous QD sling swivel socket is included. A unique leaf-spring tension system provides a solid fit on mil-spec receiver extensions, with slightly less friction than the original SL. The MOE SL-S is the most intuitive, comfortable, and efficient storage stock available.
Made in U.S.A.
Features and Specs:
- Mounts on mil-spec sized carbine receiver extension tube (not included) from manufacturers such as Colt, LMT, Ruger, S&W, SIG, and others (please see the note below)
- Two water-resistant battery storage tubes located on the left and right sides of the stock
- Each tube will store up to two (2) CR123A lithium or AA batteries
- Tubes are accessible from the rear in any stock position via hand-removable, o-ringed rubber plugs that are waterproof to 10 meters
- Sloping cheek weld combines a slim profile with user comfort
- Dual-side release latch provides easy adjustment while remaining anti-snag
- Premium chrome-silicon lock spring provides positive locking and long service life
- Internal anti-rattleleaf spring minimizes wobble on receiver extension tube
- Rubber butt-pad offers an anti-slip surface and increases impact protection
- Rollover on the toe allows for easier shoulder transitions and better fit when using body armor
- Compatible with Magpul ASAP®, ASAP® QD, and other receiver-mount sling attachments
- Sling Mounts
- Rear – Integral push-button QD swivel sling mount accommodates up to 1.5″ swivels (ambidextrous)
- Rear/Bottom – 1.25″ sling loops
