ProMag FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine Review

The Good, the Bad & the Real of the ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine

The ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine promises a significant increase in firepower for the FN FAL rifle platform. This is achieved through a high-capacity polymer magazine designed to feed .308 Winchester ammunition. It’s an intriguing proposition for those seeking an extended magazine capacity, and ProMag is a known entity in the aftermarket magazine space.

I’ve been a FAL enthusiast for years, appreciating its robust design and historical significance. However, the standard 20-round magazines always felt limiting, especially during extended range sessions or tactical training scenarios. I was looking for a reliable high-capacity solution to reduce magazine changes and improve overall efficiency.

Upon receiving the ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine, my initial impression was a mix of curiosity and slight apprehension. The polymer construction felt lighter than expected, though the overall size was undeniably imposing. The build quality appeared decent, but I reserved judgment until after field testing.

Compared to standard steel FAL magazines, the ProMag offering promised greater capacity at a potentially lower cost. I considered other aftermarket options, including modified drums and extended steel magazines. However, the polymer construction and price point of the ProMag magazine made it an attractive option worth exploring.

Initially, I was excited by the potential for increased firepower, but also cautious about potential reliability issues often associated with high-capacity magazines. The proof, as they say, would be in the shooting.

Real-World Testing: Putting ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine to the Test

First Use Experience

I tested the ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine primarily at my local outdoor shooting range. The range offered a variety of distances and shooting positions, allowing me to assess the magazine’s performance under different conditions. I also included some basic drills involving rapid magazine changes and simulated movement.

The magazine was tested in relatively dry conditions, with temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. While not extreme, these conditions were representative of typical range days. I intentionally avoided overly dusty or muddy environments for this initial test to focus on feeding reliability.

The initial loading of the magazine proved somewhat challenging, requiring significant thumb pressure to compress the spring and seat the rounds. Once loaded, the magazine seated firmly into the FAL’s magazine well with a positive click. The first few firing strings went smoothly, but I experienced several failures to feed after about 20 rounds.

The failures were characterized by the bolt overriding the cartridge, indicating potential issues with magazine spring tension or cartridge alignment. This early malfunction was concerning, but I continued to test to see if the issue would resolve itself or worsen.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of intermittent use, the ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine‘s reliability remained inconsistent. I experienced failures to feed in roughly 10-15% of the firing strings. This made it unreliable for serious tactical use.

The polymer magazine body showed no significant signs of wear and tear, despite repeated loading, unloading, and magazine changes. However, the feed lips seemed to exhibit slight deformation over time.

Maintenance involved occasional wiping down with a dry cloth to remove dust and debris. I avoided using lubricants on the polymer body, fearing potential degradation. Regular inspection of the feed lips and magazine spring is recommended.

Compared to the reliable performance of standard steel FAL magazines, the ProMag offering was a disappointment. While the increased capacity was appealing in theory, the recurring malfunctions made it unsuitable for anything beyond casual range use.

Breaking Down the Features of ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine

Specifications

• Manufacturer: ProMag

• Magazine Capacity: 50 Rounds

• Caliber: .308 Winchester

• Gun Model: FN FAL

• Material: DuPont Zytel based polymer

• Follower: Injection molded

• Spring: Heat treated chrome silicon wire

The 50-round capacity is obviously the key selling point, offering a substantial increase over the standard 20-round magazines. The polymer construction reduces weight compared to steel magazines, potentially improving handling and reducing fatigue during extended use. However, the choice of polymer also raises questions about long-term durability and resistance to extreme temperatures.

Performance & Functionality

The ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine‘s primary function is to reliably feed .308 Winchester ammunition into an FN FAL rifle. In my testing, it failed to consistently achieve this goal. The failures to feed significantly impacted its overall usability and reliability.

The magazine’s strength lies in its potential for increased firepower. Its weakness is its inconsistent feeding, which undermines its practicality. While the polymer construction may offer some weight savings, this benefit is overshadowed by the reliability issues.

Unfortunately, the magazine did not meet my expectations for reliable performance. The high failure rate made it unsuitable for any serious application where reliable feeding is crucial.

Design & Ergonomics

The ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine features a simple, functional design. The polymer body is relatively lightweight, though the overall length of the magazine makes it somewhat unwieldy.

The build quality appears decent at first glance, but the long-term durability of the feed lips is questionable. The weight is lighter than a comparable steel magazine, which could be beneficial for some users. However, the ergonomic impact of the extended length is a drawback.

There is a slight learning curve associated with loading the magazine due to the stiff spring tension. Otherwise, the magazine is relatively user-friendly, functioning similarly to standard FAL magazines in terms of insertion and removal.

Durability & Maintenance

The polymer construction should offer good resistance to corrosion and general wear and tear. However, the long-term durability of the feed lips is a concern. The stiff magazine spring may also be prone to fatigue over time.

Maintenance is relatively simple, requiring only occasional cleaning to remove dust and debris. Disassembly for thorough cleaning and spring replacement may be possible, but I did not attempt this during my testing.

Accessories and Customization Options

The ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine does not come with any specific accessories. There are no readily available customization options for the magazine itself.

It is compatible with any FN FAL rifle designed to accept standard FAL magazines. However, due to the ProMag magazine’s unique dimensions and potential reliability issues, compatibility with certain magazine pouches or carrying systems may be limited.

Pros and Cons of ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine

Pros

• High capacity (50 rounds) offers increased firepower and reduces the need for frequent magazine changes.
• Polymer construction is lighter than steel magazines.
• Relatively inexpensive compared to some other high-capacity options.

Cons

• Inconsistent feeding and reliability issues.
• Potentially questionable long-term durability of feed lips.
• Difficult to load due to stiff magazine spring.

Who Should Buy ProMag Polymer FN Fal .308 50-Round Rifle Magazine?