This is short summation for the use of magazine clamps. Over many years I’ve used these throughout the world.
I initially learned to use these with MP-5s in the early 90s, under Mr. Phil Singleton (retired member of the famed 22nd SAS) who was with HK International training division.
My departmental SWAT team used MP-5s, as an issue weapon. I was assigned the sub-gun for many years as a primary weapon, as an alternate I carried a 12Ga shotgun (my preferred weapon, but that’s another story). I’m still very fond of the MP-5 and enjoy it very much. During this period of time, in my embryonic stage as a SWAT guy, I learned to use the mag-clamps effectively; to rapidly speed reload, and tactically reload (Tac-reload) the little sub-gun. This skill and preference later naturally carried over to my M4 Carbine in the military, and contract work, which I still use to this day.
When traveling for work to different areas, typically I carry a couple of mag clamps. Lots of folks out there in the ether criticize the use of the mag clamps, claiming they will cause malfunctions, slow the process at times, and create more problems than they solve. I wholeheartedly disagree and support the limited and intelligent use of the clamps.
Before proceeding, let’s define what these devices are and what they do…
- What is a magazine clamp? Also known as “Magazine couplers”
A magazine clamp is a device, which attaches two firearm magazines together, allowing room between the two for the magazine port of the weapon you’re reloading to easily go between. Some also off set the magazines at angles of 3-5 degrees. Some attach to the bottom of the magazines and some fit around the magazine bodies.
- What is a “REDI-MAG”
This device is a speed loading system that clamps directly to the lower receiver of any AR-15/M16 rifle or carbine and securely holds a second fully loaded magazine alongside the mag well. The second mag slides in and locks in place to a completely covered housing position.
Magazine clamps can be used and are designed for many types of rifles, we’re relegating this to M4, AR-15, M-16 types. Magazine clamp devices have specific mission application requirements and uses. I find them to be extremely useful, convenient and reliable. “REDI MAG” is an altogether different mechanism than a clamp. These devices stay permanently attached to the firearm, and facilitates the rapid accessibility of a second magazine. It allows you to drop the empty magazine and discard it as you speed reload the fully loaded magazine into the rifle.
Pros and cons of magazine clamps and “REDI-MAGs”
Magazine clamps
PROs
- Allows rapid access, fast loading, natural position and quick non-cognitive location Efficient speed reloads, keep additional ammunition accessible on the weapon at all times
- Under night vision I find this more positive and easier to manipulate.
- Always have additional ammo attached regardless of situation
- In cramped spaces, in hasty positions and or prone this allow fast reloading without moving position trying to into your magazine pouches that you may be laying on or obstructed by your body position.
- Behind cover or in close quarters you can rapidly reload, maintaining position of the muzzle down range on target / threat latitude. Both hands are on the weapon and supporting it, the upper body is engaged controlling the rifle. I find this very handy with large heavier battle rifles, with magazines clamped together.
CONs
- Top rounds and magazine susceptible to dirt and grit, if working in a post as an infantryman or extended field operations, this can expose the side spare magazine to debris and damage. Not recommended for Infantry or those with regular exposure to dirty and or field conditions.
- Increased weight on the weapon, rounds under firing have the potential to push forward in the spare magazine as the weapon recoils. This could cause malfunction and or delay the reload process. I generally have not experienced this but the potential is always there for it to occur.
- It has been reported that the magazine clamps can catch on the dust cover in some circumstance and delay rapid reloading if the magazines are not in the correct position at time of loading or clamping together initially.
“REDI-MAG”
PROs
- Allows rapid access, natural position and quick non-cognitive location
- The magazine is locked securely in place, protected from the environment by a metal hood over the mag against the elements.
- The rounds in the spare magazine stay in position under fire; this is because of the metal hood.
- Keeping additional ammunition accessible on the weapon at all times
- In cramped spaces, in hasty positions and or prone this allow fast reloading without moving position trying to into your magazine pouches that you may be laying on or obstructed by your body position.
CONs
- Must exaggerate the press of the magazine release, change your shooting grip with the right hand to push the release further through the lower, to activate the discharge of the spare magazine.
- The REDI-MAG is more difficult to use smoothly and at time cumbersome.
- Increased weight to depress the magazine release; because of the weight of the spare magazine on the side of the weapon.
- Possibility of malfunction due to extra weight of magazine on the weapon. I have not experienced this, but there is the potential.
- Somewhat slower to magazine change, difficult to tactically reload, causing fumbling when attempting retaining the removed magazine.
I’m sure you can think of more PROs and CONs
Historically many militaries, soldiers, Police and others have used Mag clamps and or hasty make shift attachments of magazines. This is neither an uncommon practice nor anything new.
Interestingly enough the German Army during WW2 fielded an MP40 / I “Gerat 3004”, these were modified MP40s to hold in place two magazines. The magazine loading port slid and locked to facilitate a rapid reload, without ever removing a magazine. This was intended for building clearing CQB operations during street fighting. Few were produced, but they were manufactured in very limit quantities. The idea was to facilitate a rapid magazine change in close quarter, so the shooter didn’t have to dig into pouches or delay the process under fire.
Mag-Clamps:
Some of the new designs of Magazine clamps require specific magazines to attach them correctly, do your research before buying these clamps.
Magazine clamps are no longer generic, as in days of old. The previous metal standard Colt type AR-15 and M4 magazine clamps just snapped on, and held in place under friction. These were made of metal and typically attached to the bottom. These are still made, but less available.
The most popular designs are made by Magpul, and are made specifically for their thermal mold mags. These are also plastic, unlike the old designs which are steel. They must be screwed on to the body of the magazines.
“MagLink” is a coupler for PMAG 30 and 40 round AR/M4 magazines. This allows you to attach two magazines together. The “MagLink” features a two-piece bolt-on design and durable, lightweight reinforced polymer construction. (McCollum, 2019 )
REDI-MAG:
closed-top design protects the spare mag from rain, dirt, dust, and debris and prevents the top round from jumping forward under recoil. Independent release system lets you drop the spare mag and the mag in the weapon separately to allow tactical reloads and greater flexibility in clearing malfunctions.
Installation requires no permanent alterations to receiver or mag well. Designed for mil-spec receivers. May not fit custom billet receivers. Machined Aluminum model offers lighter weight and a hinged mounting bracket for easier attachment to your rifle.
My experiences using these devices
Combat operations
- During convoy operations, when assigned to the turret mount machinegun. They gave me rapid access to the extra mag for a fast reload when working in the turret. While working the turret you have restricted access to the chest harness and extra gear bouncing around. Having the magazine attached to the carbine rifle gave me at least one fast reload in case of an emergency. The carbine supplemented the primary machinegun in case it went down. Also we routinely use the carbine rifle in congested tight and small streets, for coverage in tight quarters around the vehicle.
- DA operations, raids or searches on target for fast first reload. I typically loaded it prior to the operation only, carrying the double magazine in my ruck or gear protected if walking or in a lot of dust prior to the operation.
- Rocket attack middle of night, running to the bunker with your rifle. The rifle is next to the bed. I want at least two magazines if not another attached to grab and go. I also had a chest rig with my handgun and extra magazines on it for this kind of stuff. But the rifle was always with it next to my bed, so if our compound was invaded, or we had intruder’s inside, I could instantly grab my rifle and put down fire as required. If everything goes to hell in a hand basket I want at least an extra magazine with the rifle, grab and run.
- Going back and forth to the shower, latrine, working out in the gym and or chow on a small FOB / COB. You don’t typically wear full gear and or plate carriers’ back and doing your daily routine on a protected compound. But the weapon is loaded, slung and an extra magazine attached. Most often you sling the rifle; grab a towel and your shaving kit with your rifle and off you go.
- Meeting with locals and or tribal leaders. We may drop our plate carriers and or rigs during the meeting, but the rifle is always next to me to grab. I want a fast magazine change and the ability to put out fire fast as possible without trying to get into my plate carrier or body armor rig. Occasionally I carried a 100 round drum magazine for this purpose as well. I want to be able to put out fire at a high volume; we’re mostly outnumbered in meetings and locations in very remote isolated areas. A very small supporting element is positioned outside and about 50-100 yards away.
Executive protection / PSD
- While working in armed executive protection details for a head of state and private clients we are often armed with M4 type rifles. We run two magazines on every gun, in the vehicles at all times. By policy, and the cultural dictates, you can’t wear plate carriers or spare magazines in public in many civilized nations. Nor does your client want to see that. No one person is always accessible to the rifles, you may be driving, doing an advance and or out of the fight and wounded. There are typically two long guns per vehicle, and four personnel. The guns need a magazine attached for anyone that has it or picks it up. Extra magazines are in the vehicles in bags, but you may need that extra magazine right now; you don’t want to be digging around too much to reload.
- In secured housing at night going back and forth to the shower, latrine, working out in the gym and meals. You don’t wear gear and or plate carriers doing your daily routine on a protected ranch or home. The weapon is typically unloaded, and an extra magazine attached. It stays your room when with the clients or pre-positioned in a restricted area. You don’t walk around a guarded compound or beach house carrying rifles and wearing body armor. Most often the chamber of the rifle is empty or you only have one attached in the REDI-Mag on the side with an empty magazine port. These procedures vary from client to client, geographical location and laws of the local host nation. Most often I’m wearing shorts, a Hawaiian shirt or t-shirt and a handgun under stuffed in my waist band.
Law Enforcement SWAT
- High risk transport operations when riding in small vehicles, room is hard to come by and you’re working in a small space with gear all over you. An extra magazine on the rifle is very handy.
- Security operations inside court houses and static locations. Many times we couldn’t have gear all over us but we could have rifle concealed in bags. This is great place for an extra magazine attached.
- Building searches and or warrants an extra magazine on the gun is a plus, if you’re plain clothes this is a big bonus, or you hand a rifle to a fellow officer he / she now has an attached magazine as they typically won’t have a plate carrier or extra gear.
Match shooting / competing
- I typically use Mag clamps when shooting “man against man”, steel plate competitions. Even better if the competition requires a short string, and a mandatory reload. I only use a magazine clamp for this, never a REDI-Mag. The REDI-MAGs are too slow and cumbersome. If given the choice I prefer the Magpul thermal mold magazines, with their proprietary clamps. You can use the old metal magazines, they are fast, don’t paint them (paint or tape causes them to stick and not break free when released) and wipe them completely clean on the outside before using them in the competition. I down load the magazines before the competition, to about 15-20 rounds per mag, they seat faster. Of course the completion will dictate a low round count most often, so this is very manageable and feasible. The bottom metal mag clamps can also cut your palm and hands if not attached properly. I find I can shave off at least a 10th of a second on my reload when using the magazine clamp. Leave the gun up and down range, practice mag off mag on, while keeping the gun up and down range in the direction of the targets.
Home defense
- Fast attached extra magazine for the rifle, under your bed or in closet to grab and go, in your underwear.
These are a few of my experiences, I’m sure you can figure out some ways to better use them or not.
Conclusion
Magazine clamp devices and the REDI-MAG have a certain place and useful application in specific situations. I highly recommend the use of magazine clamp devices; I believe they are an invaluable tool in specific situations, not all. Try them out and train with them before you pass judgement. They may or may not be for you; have an open mind.
Be safe, take care and God bless.
REFERENCES
Ian McCollum (2019 ). Forgotten Weapons . Retrieved from MP40/I : https://www.forgottenweapons.com/submachine-guns/mp40i-dual-mag/
Links
MAG-PUL
REDI-Mag
Multiple clamps of all types
Brownells
https://www.brownells.com/magazines/rifle-magazines/magazine-couplers-amp-holders/index.htm