PMAG Grip - Let's get a grip

The Magpul PMAG magazine is one of the most popular and widely used. However, many find that the grip texture is not as robust as it could be. There are options to improve that, and I review a few of them in this post.

2/6/20253 min read

Many firearms and accessories, such as magazines, come with a textured surface. Most of the time, the texturing is similar to sandpaper or grit. I like having a textured surface like this on firearms, especially where the support hand thumb rests.

With my dry hands, these surfaces help play a role in using firearms and mag reloads. Many AR platform magazines have a textured surface for a more positive grip, but some are insufficient.

One example is the common, tried, and true Magpul PMAG (Gen 3). Although it has a raised surface in a block-like pattern, it's not grippy enough for me. So, what do I do when bored and have material lying around? Invent something! I have a very creative and active mind and enjoy inventing things.

For our outside basement stairs, I used this slip-resistant adhesive tape: https://amzn.to/4jMZLp5. Using a piece of heavy cardboard, I made a cutout pattern for the length and width of the tape. I then set the cardboard on the step where I wanted the tape and sprayed contact glue. I took a strip of this tape and laid it on the glue. That was over four years ago, and not one has shifted or peeled up.

The Solution!

Perform the following at your own risk!

I had extra tape, so I decided this would work well as a textured grip for the magazine. The challenge was cutting the tape into these pieces for each of the squares on the PMAG.

Art supplies to the rescue! Sort of.

Using tracing paper, I traced each unique shape of the PMAG. I cut the tracing paper shape and traced that onto a piece of stiff cardboard. Then, I used the cardboard shape as a template to cut the textured tape.

It's essential to clean the space where the tape will go with rubbing alcohol or a suitable cleaner. Once I had every shape and quantity cut, I applied the cut pieces to the spaces in the PMAG. The adhesive backing on the tape is very strong.

The Results are In!

This picture includes the tracing paper, cardboard, tape cutouts, and the finished PMAG.

I have a few PMAGs with this tape, as in the picture, and have used it for a few years. None of the tape has come off, and has worked great for a positive grip. However, someone who tried my rifle with this mag at the range commented that it might be too grippy.

The Alternative

Yup, as it says, there's an alternative, but not as grippy as the traction tape mentioned above.

Stippling

"Stippling" is creating a pattern simulating varying degrees of solidity or shading using small dots. I've done stippling to some firearms and magazines. Stippling usually involves a soldering iron with a patterned tip for firearms and accessories like magazines. The pattern is then burned into the item, but what is happening is the item is melted to the pattern.

I tested two different stippling patterns in these pictures on the same PMAG. One side is the typical dot pattern, and the other is serrations. For the patterns, I use the OTDefense (https://store.otdefense.com/collections/stippling-products) tips, which I purchased a long while ago. You can buy them individually or in kits.

I like the side with the serrations over the dot pattern, if you're curious.

For the soldering iron, I highly recommend one that has an adjustable temperature setting. Most of the time, these are soldering irons made for woodburning. I use a woodburning tool for stippling.

This is the woodburning tool: https://amzn.to/4gzo8no I have. It includes a chisel tip I used on the PMAG in the above photo.

Stippling does come with risks, as you are modifying the structure of the item, and it can't be undone. PMAGS are great for testing and are cheap. Unless you burn straight through the mag, it can still be used. I haven't tried, but they may still be usable with holes in them.

Important Note: Although you test a pattern with one item, that does not mean it will be exactly the same on another. The outcome of stippling one plastic/polymer over another is based on the composition and hardness of the plastic/polymer.

Tape

Many will use grip tape on their firearms, magazines, and hockey sticks. One example is: https://amzn.to/4hoM4v7. Though I have this tape, I use it for other things, but I have not used it for firearms or accessories. Although many say it works well, it is not permanent and has a low cost.

I hope you found this article helpful or interesting.

Remember:

  1. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction.

  2. Treat all guns as though they are loaded.

  3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

  4. Always be sure of your target and what's beyond it.