Saw this article, but I have some doubts about the claims?Pmags seem to run about $20 lately, those TangoDown units at $25 are probably the next best thing, but I think many people will buy 5 Pmags for the price of 4 "ARC".
I won't suggest that the ARC mags are not better. Just that the sand seal part seems sort of like a gimmick. To actually be effective, wouldn't it also need a real seal? Something like a soft silicone bead that would seat up against the bottom of the mag well? And it does nothing to keep sand out of the the big gaping hole called the ejection port!
If I can get some, I'll be happy to try them, heck I'd probably be happy with them if they work (and I presume they do). But seriously at some point innovation for the sake of change is not really very effective. Sort of like a digital toaster for $200. Sure, its timer is more accurate than the old style, but the toast still pops out the top and tastes the same.
Tango Down’s Advanced Reliability Combat magazine ‘Sand Seal’ tackles M4 dust problem
Magazine highlights SHOT show gear
By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Feb 7, 2009 8:30:58 EST
There may now be a way to keep dust from entering the M4 through the magazine well.
Tango Down’s Advanced Reliability Combat magazine has a special lip designed to seal up the well when locked into place; a squishy gasket called a “sand seal” shuts out even the finest dust found in Afghanistan, said Tango Down president Jeff Cahill.
The new magazine is the result of four years of work with U.S. Special Operations Command to develop a magazine for the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle. SCAR was designed to use the same size magazines as the M4.
The magazine was one of thousands of tactical and hunting products on display at the 2009 SHOT Show in Orlando, Fla., from Jan. 15-18. The show was an opportunity for companies to launch new products such as guns, knives, optics, body armor and individual tactical gear.
Here is a look at the new combat magazine and two other items from the show aimed at improving critical soldier gear:
MAGAZINE FOR CARBINES
The sand seal is not the only new thing about Tango Down’s polymer magazine.
“It’s a modular design that has never been done before,” Cahill said; It’s made up of two parts. The portion that goes into the magazine well is straight, while the exposed portion is curved. The parts are bonded together so they won’t come apart, Cahill said.
The design eliminates the friction that occurs when other continuously curved polymer magazines are inserted into the straight well; this lets the magazine drop smoothly from the weapon when you push the magazine release button; the ARC magazine also has no removable floor plate for increased strength, Cahill said, explaining that you can’t take it apart.
For cleaning, Tango Down has included slots in the follower to let dirt escape. You soak it in hot, soapy water, rinse it and let it drain.
It became available at TangoDown in late January for $29.95 each. There will also be a civilian version, without the gasket, for plinking on the range. It’s $24.95. The magazines will come in desert tan, dark earth brown, foliage green and clear.
Magazine highlights SHOT show gear
By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Feb 7, 2009 8:30:58 EST
There may now be a way to keep dust from entering the M4 through the magazine well.
Tango Down’s Advanced Reliability Combat magazine has a special lip designed to seal up the well when locked into place; a squishy gasket called a “sand seal” shuts out even the finest dust found in Afghanistan, said Tango Down president Jeff Cahill.
The new magazine is the result of four years of work with U.S. Special Operations Command to develop a magazine for the Special Operations Combat Assault Rifle. SCAR was designed to use the same size magazines as the M4.
The magazine was one of thousands of tactical and hunting products on display at the 2009 SHOT Show in Orlando, Fla., from Jan. 15-18. The show was an opportunity for companies to launch new products such as guns, knives, optics, body armor and individual tactical gear.
Here is a look at the new combat magazine and two other items from the show aimed at improving critical soldier gear:
MAGAZINE FOR CARBINES
The sand seal is not the only new thing about Tango Down’s polymer magazine.
“It’s a modular design that has never been done before,” Cahill said; It’s made up of two parts. The portion that goes into the magazine well is straight, while the exposed portion is curved. The parts are bonded together so they won’t come apart, Cahill said.
The design eliminates the friction that occurs when other continuously curved polymer magazines are inserted into the straight well; this lets the magazine drop smoothly from the weapon when you push the magazine release button; the ARC magazine also has no removable floor plate for increased strength, Cahill said, explaining that you can’t take it apart.
For cleaning, Tango Down has included slots in the follower to let dirt escape. You soak it in hot, soapy water, rinse it and let it drain.
It became available at TangoDown in late January for $29.95 each. There will also be a civilian version, without the gasket, for plinking on the range. It’s $24.95. The magazines will come in desert tan, dark earth brown, foliage green and clear.
I won't suggest that the ARC mags are not better. Just that the sand seal part seems sort of like a gimmick. To actually be effective, wouldn't it also need a real seal? Something like a soft silicone bead that would seat up against the bottom of the mag well? And it does nothing to keep sand out of the the big gaping hole called the ejection port!
If I can get some, I'll be happy to try them, heck I'd probably be happy with them if they work (and I presume they do). But seriously at some point innovation for the sake of change is not really very effective. Sort of like a digital toaster for $200. Sure, its timer is more accurate than the old style, but the toast still pops out the top and tastes the same.
