I’ve long been a fan of Mission First Tactical. They aren’t the flashiest company around, nor do they have the biggest marketing budget. They are, however, usually near the forefront of what new in holsters, backpacks, and as we see today, their new line of Extreme Duty Translucent magazines.
Translucent mags aren’t a new item. Steyr’s Aug series has been using them since the 1970’s. Even in the AR platform, semi-transparent mags have been around for years.
The trouble hasn’t been making them for AR’s, the trouble has been how easy it is to break them. Now amidst a slew of new releases, Mission First Tactical brings a new multicolored variety of offerings in this market. How do they fare? Read on.
Tech Specs:
- Quick round count & ammo type check
- Resistant to heat, cold, UV, harsh chemicals, and drop impact
- Military-grade copolymer construction
- Enhanced strength & durability
- Tool-less disassembly with double floor plate safety release tabs
- USGI Spec stainless steel spring
- Four-way anti-tilt self-lubricating follower
- Flared foor plate
- Oversized bolt catch
- Paint pen dot matrix
Colors Available and Recommended Use:
Clear – ideal for all types of rounds
Smoke – ideal for all types of rounds
Yellow – training indicator for blanks
Red – training indicator for marker training rounds
Blue – training indicator for marker training rounds
Purple – an RSR exclusive, please search the web for EXDPM556-T-P
Uses:
I have a nice variety of colors available. I don’t use blanks or marker training rounds anymore, so what other uses do I have? Well, the first that comes to mind is keeping my calibers separate.
These days it’s pretty common for AR owners to run multiple guns, or at least uppers, with calibers ranging from .223, to 300 BLK, to .224 Valkyrie, among many other options that all fit a mil-spec AR-15 mag.
I’m using mine to keep .223 Remington and 300 BLK rounds separated, making it as easy as possible to avoid the dreaded kaboom.
Speaking of safety, MFT has this image on their site showing a great use for the translucent mags…easy visual identification of a lethal accident waiting to happen. You might think it’s unlikely, but such accidents occur in the military, law enforcement, and competition circles alike.
And Abuses:
So do they run?
So far, so good. I ran the clear, smoke, and yellow mags through two different rifles to start with, a V7 Weapon Systems rifle in .223 and a Palmetto State Armory JAKL in 300 Blackout. A couple hundred rounds of each to kick things off, and they ran well.
MFT lists their Extreme Duty mags as 300 BLK compatible, but didn’t specify that compatibility on the Translucent EXD mag packaging. I reached out and had it confirmed that yes, these will run 300 BLK.
I tossed a couple of mags into “review creek” to let them simmer for a while.
I loaded em up and kicked them up and down a gravel road to see if I could convince some rounds to pop out. Then I threw them as hard as I could down towards the shooting range on my property.
That may not be very scientific, but it’s definitely more robust than most range days are going to be.
How did they fare? The polymer didn’t take any damage, though I got a few founds to pop out. Curious, I repeated the test with a brand new Gen3 PMAG, and a GWOT era Okay Industries aluminum mag. The PMAG spit rounds out as well. The metal magazine didn’t. None of the feed lips showed damage or distortion despite being booted over twenty feet, a half dozen times while loaded.
I loaded the MFT EXD red mag back into my V7 rifle, and it ran like a champ for another long range day. Every magazine locked the bolt back on the last round with both calibers tested.
I’d call this a basic durability and function test, and a successful one.
Long Term Success?
In the coming months I’ve got a few more tests I want to subject Mission First Tactical’s Extreme Duty Mags to. I’ll be reporting back in this article with small updates, and a new article if there’s enough of an update to warrant it.
In the meantime, the Translucent EXD mags run $24.99 apiece, and are available now.
Jens “Rex Nanorum” Hammer
8 Responses
H’mm, since I’m now among those with both 5.56/.223 and .300 BLK AR-platform rifles, this idea intrigues me, as the wrong ammo in the wrong barrel can ruin said smaller diameter barrel.
On the other hand, P-Mags are so dead-nuts reliable and cheap, why change?
I use colored rubber bands about a half inch wide that are a tight fit on p-mags. Also Magpul has a see thru mag just not in any fancy colors.
The mags are $20 if you can find them in stock.
For the moment stuck with Magpul 10 rounders and mostly in AICS pattern but the rubber band idea is certainly workable/cheaper. I just know the kind of stupidity people can get up to with almost compatible gear.
I use the bands to differentiate my frangible home defense rounds and either greentips or fmj training ammo.
Makes sense, probably would do a band and no band setup if it was same caliber two options but I have a training prejudice to not look at anything but the target/threat area while reloading that tends to carry over in annoying ways.
No band on defense mags. Band on greentips is where the lower part of the hand grips (pinky/ring finger) the mag for reloads and band on fmj mags index finger and thumb. Very tactile. Bands are really tight and I know they won’t move.
Yeah can’t complain about their AICS pattern magazines. Absolutely amazing for the price and function.