Redi-mag question
 

Is anyone running a Redi-mag on your weapon? I leave soon for Astan and am looking for options on carrying a mag with me at all time's for when I don't have to have my kit on.

Thanks in advance gentleman.

Not a fan, adds weight and changes the balance of the weapon adversely.

Why not just drop a spare into a pocket or a belt pouch, if you think you need more than 30 rounds to get the job done?

TR

See, and I thought about the weight issue. I was also looking at the spare mag holder that you wear on your belt. Can you recommend a company TR?

Our SWAT team here uses them on most of their M4's. They like them, and for plainclothes work I looked at putting one on mine since I'd likely only have whatever ammo is in/on the weapon. What stopped me was the electronic gun rack in my vehicle. The RediMag makes it too wide to fit. I don't expect I'll encounter many problems in LE that require more than 30rds. I just like having a spare mag for remediation of any mag fed weapon. My pants belt is pretty full already. For now I just suck it up and keep an extra mag in my car.

Agree with TR about the balance, and they do now offer a lighter version (not sure how much of a difference it makes - mfg claims 25% reduction). I don't think it's something you can't get used to. Look at all the various accessories we put on our rifles these days. Weight can get up there quickly. If you can tolerate it, more power to you. But at $165+ that's an expensive experiment IMO.

One last issue is your manual of arms. If you are used to hitting the left side of the weapon with your palm to release an open bolt on a reload, you will have to modify how you do that because the RediMag will be in the way.

Well I got interested. so I looked. http://www.ar-15.us/Article_Detail.p...tent1249281022
For $85 bucks you get a system that gives you a mag that you have to drop, remove and insert. All the while it's out in the open. And the empty isn't dropped, it's thrown to the ground -- so if you want to keep it you have to bend over . . . and look for it.
Looks like a lot of money for something an ammo pouch does for the price of issue without the 'out in the open' part and the 'empty mag ending up on the ground' part.

Whatever happened to the old tape two (or three) mags together with $0.08 worth of electrical tape? But you still have the problem of what to do when it's empty.I'll go one further then TR . . . if you can't get the job done with 30 . . . Maybe you ought to ask for a SAW.:D

But, check out that pimped ride! Oh, and he speaks Australian. Enjoy.
(I'm not messing with you.)

El Cid,
Thank you for the pointers, I was just looking at the Redi Mod the other day and it looks like a good set up, but the other day I read on another thread that they are having problems retaining a mag. As for the weight I'm shaving it down little by little in other areas ie I'm running an Aimpoint micro instead of there m4 comp or an ACOG. And I'm also spending alittle extra time in the small arms repair room after work.:lifter

It's easy enough to just take a issue molle single and just put it on your belt or just take a mag and put it in a back pocket on the side you load from, always worked for me and im not spending money on anything either.

"Cast or Tab"
"Scout out"

At what point have you defeated the idea of having a "carbine" by installing 10lbs and $1,000 worth of high-speed shit?

Dozer is right about asking for the SAW.

Personally, I would advise being familiar enough with your gear that you can do a speedy reload from a vest pouch that keeps your remaining magazines clean and handy. Especially if you are not going to be spending all of your time in a defensive position.

I know of some uniform LE's that have had a discreet pocket sewn into the thigh area of their duty pants that is designed specifically to carry a 30 rd AR mag.

Thanks Guys,
I'm just going to run a kydex mag holder on my belt for when I'm putting around the FOB. Thats really all I needed was a spare mag for when I wasn't wearing my kit.

I use a Blade-Tech Mag pouch on a 1.5" drop extender (so it clears my armor) on my 2nd line.

It works well for my needs.

OMMV.

Crip

the idea is to give you a faster reload. if you're not in dire need of a fast reload, don't use the redi-mag'd mag, pull from a pouch.

as to the dropping of the mag- nothing says you have to let it drop free, not any more so than with any other reload. but since the purpose is for end-game situation reloads, and since most guys train to drop empties anyway, its sort of moot. some will drop both mags at the same time- you can just grab both mags, hit the release, pull down, move over, push up and seat the fresh mag, and drop your empty in your dump pouch.

the difference between the redi-mag and taping or mag-cinching mags together is that the redi-mag protects the top of the mag. it keeps the top round from walking forward, which invariably happens to taped mags, and keeps sand/dirt/debris out of the mag.

the weight issue is an offset, like all things. some guys run redimags on mk18/CQBRs- defeating the purpose? no- the purpose of the shorty is primarily better maneuverability, not weight. and with that package, the weapons' already really well balanced- adding an extra 1lbs in the center really isn't noticeable. its gonna be up to the individual to decide if sooper-fast reloads are worth turning a 8lbs loaded weapon into an 9lbs loaded weapon. it is, for some.

obviously you still need to be familiar with your LCE.. the redi-mag isn't trying to replace training, it's just trying to shave a few milliseconds off a mid-fight reload.

don't discount this option.. it's a really good tool for some people in some situations.

for the record, i don't use a redi-mag. ;)

Ben:

No offense intended, but do you have some time on an two way range that you have not mentioned?

I see a lot of game gear hung on rifles that may, or may not be practical for combat.

I have not seen any SF guys using a Redi-Mag on a rifle in ten years or so.

Has anyone seen them in theater?

TR

if the words i post don't qualify themselves, i won't post them. you'll never see me post something that would require a resume to validate- and if you do, please call me out. having said that, respectfully, do you disagree with my assessment of the value of the redimag?

i agree 100% that a lot of guys are putting things on their guns that are not only of limited value, but end up detracting from function. and i would fully agree that the redimag itself can fit into that category. my point is only that it shouldnt be passed off as worthless. it's not, to those who use them effectively.

I have already stated my position on the Redi-Mag. For tactical use by a soldier, and given the alternatives, IMHO, it is worthless. Based on my limited experience, a belt or vest carry is preferable.

If I wanted to know how to build a 1/2 minute rifle, I would ask a gunsmith.

I would not ask him if I should use a Redi-Mag or a vertical foregrip.

Your profile and intro say nothing about the units you have served in that would tend to validate your opinion. If your professional thing is tricking out carbines for someone, you need to qualify your comments with a validation of who is using your gear or what you have done that makes your opinion about the gear of value to a soldier. Otherwise, it disappears into the background noise of personal opinions by non-combatants, which innundate so many other websites.

Your opinion is as valuable as your experience makes it.

Who do you know who is using a Redi-Mag that makes it a validated option for a soldier?

TR