Let’s Dive into Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine
The Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine is a 10-round magazine designed for the Smith & Wesson M&P Compact chambered in .40 S&W. ProMag boasts a construction of heat-treated blued-steel, coupled with their proprietary TECHNAPOLYMER components, and an anti-fatigue spring promising longevity and reliability. At a price point of $29.89, it aims to offer an affordable alternative to factory magazines.
My need for this type of product usually stems from a desire for increased magazine capacity or having spare magazines for training and competition. The need for a reliable magazine is paramount. I wanted an alternative to factory magazines that wouldn’t break the bank but still offer dependable performance.
Upon unboxing, the magazine feels solid, though the blued-steel finish doesn’t quite match the higher-end coatings I’ve seen. The TECHNAPOLYMER baseplate and follower seem reasonably durable. The initial impression is of a budget-friendly magazine that hopefully won’t compromise on function.
Compared to factory S&W magazines or those from Magpul, the ProMag feels slightly less refined. I ultimately chose this magazine because of its price and the allure of a lifetime warranty, hoping it would prove to be a reliable, cost-effective solution. My first impression was cautiously optimistic, hoping the performance would justify the savings.
Real-World Testing: Putting Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine at my local shooting range during a standard practice session. The range offered a variety of targets and distances, perfect for assessing magazine functionality. The weather was clear and dry, typical for Southern California.
Initially, I experienced several failures to feed within the first few magazines. The rounds seemed to nose-dive upon chambering, requiring me to manually rack the slide to correct the issue. This was frustrating and concerning, especially considering I rely on my M&P Compact for personal defense.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several more range trips, the reliability of the Pro Mag magazine didn’t improve significantly. I continued to experience occasional failures to feed. The magazine spring seemed weak compared to my factory magazines, contributing to the feeding issues.
After about 200 rounds, I noticed some wear on the feed lips, suggesting the metal wasn’t as durable as I’d hoped. Cleaning the magazine was relatively straightforward, but the polymer baseplate felt flimsy during disassembly. Ultimately, the Pro Mag magazine didn’t live up to my expectations and didn’t outperform my factory magazines.
Breaking Down the Features of Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine
Specifications
The Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine is designed specifically for the Smith & Wesson M&P Compact chambered in .40 S&W. It boasts a 10-round capacity, adhering to capacity restrictions in certain states. The magazine body is constructed from heat-treated blued-steel, while the baseplate and follower are made from ProMag’s proprietary TECHNAPOLYMER.
The .40 S&W caliber delivers significant stopping power, making it a popular choice for self-defense. The 10-round capacity strikes a balance between firepower and compliance. The steel magazine body contributes to durability, while the polymer components aim for cost-effectiveness and smooth feeding. The lifetime warranty from ProMag offers some peace of mind.
Performance & Functionality
The primary function of a magazine is to reliably feed ammunition into the firearm’s chamber, and unfortunately, the Pro Mag magazine fell short in this crucial area. I experienced several failures to feed. This unreliability makes it unsuitable for self-defense or competition use.
The magazine’s weakness lies in its inconsistent feeding, likely due to a combination of a weak spring and potentially subpar feed lip geometry. While the price point is attractive, the performance doesn’t meet the standards required for reliable operation. The overall performance failed to meet my expectations.
Design & Ergonomics
The Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine features a standard magazine design, mirroring the dimensions of factory S&W M&P Compact magazines. The blued-steel body provides a decent level of durability, but the finish is prone to scratching. The magazine is comfortable to load, though the spring tension feels weaker than factory magazines.
The polymer baseplate, while lightweight, feels somewhat flimsy compared to the steel baseplates on premium magazines. There isn’t a significant learning curve to using this magazine, as it operates similarly to other magazines of its type. The build quality isn’t exceptional, but it’s adequate for the price.
Durability & Maintenance
The heat-treated blued-steel construction aims for long-term durability, but the finish shows wear relatively quickly. The polymer baseplate is a potential weak point, as it could crack or break under stress. Maintenance is straightforward, requiring only occasional cleaning with a brush and solvent.
Given the issues I experienced with feeding and the wear on the feed lips, I don’t expect this magazine to last as long as a factory S&W magazine. While the lifetime warranty is a plus, the inconvenience of frequent malfunctions outweighs the potential long-term savings. Frequent malfunctions reduce the value significantly.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine doesn’t offer any specific accessories or customization options. It’s designed to be a straightforward replacement or spare magazine. It is compatible with standard magazine pouches designed for the S&W M&P Compact pistol.
Aftermarket baseplates designed for Glock magazines are not compatible with this ProMag magazine. The lack of customization options isn’t a major drawback, as the primary concern is reliable functionality. The lack of accessories doesn’t impact its core function, just limits options.
Pros and Cons of Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine
Pros
- The Pro Mag magazine is relatively inexpensive compared to factory magazines.
- It is compatible with the S&W M&P Compact .40 S&W pistol, offering a readily available alternative.
- ProMag offers a lifetime warranty, providing some level of assurance against defects.
- The magazine provides a 10-round capacity, adhering to restrictions in some jurisdictions.
- It can serve as a range magazine, if you don’t mind the occasional malfunction.
Cons
- The magazine suffers from inconsistent feeding, leading to malfunctions.
- The overall build quality feels less durable than factory S&W magazines.
- The TECHNAPOLYMER baseplate feels flimsy and may be prone to breaking.
Who Should Buy Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine?
The Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine might be suitable for casual range shooters who prioritize cost over absolute reliability and are willing to tolerate occasional malfunctions. It is useful if you need to meet a minimum number of magazines for a class or training and want the cheapest option.
However, this magazine should not be used by anyone relying on their firearm for self-defense or law enforcement, as the risk of malfunction is unacceptably high. Individuals seeking dependable performance should stick with factory S&W magazines or those from reputable aftermarket manufacturers like Magpul. A must-have modification would be a stronger spring, though I didn’t attempt to modify the test magazine.
Conclusion on Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine
Overall, the Pro Mag Smith / Wesson M/P Compact- 40 .40S/W Pistol Magazine falls short of expectations. While the low price and lifetime warranty are attractive on paper, the inconsistent feeding and questionable durability undermine its value proposition. The $29.89 price tag doesn’t justify the risk of malfunction in a critical situation.
I cannot recommend this magazine for anyone who relies on their firearm for self-defense or professional use. Investing in reliable factory magazines is a far better investment in the long run. Don’t compromise on reliability – choose quality over cost when it comes to magazines.