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Magpul Industries

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Magpul Industries Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustryFirearms
Founded1999 (1999)
FounderRichard M. Fitzpatrick
Headquarters
Erie, Colorado
,
United States
Key people
Richard Fitzpatrick, Mike Mayberry, Doug Smith, Drake Clark
ProductsAccessories, Rifles
ServicesConsulting, Training
OwnerRichard M. Fitzpatrick
DivisionsMagpul Industries Corp., Magpul Dynamics, Magpul PTS
Websitewww.magpul.com

Magpul Industries Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of polymer firearms accessories and concept firearms. The company is based in Erie, Colorado in the United States (though they mark all products with "Made in Boulder, CO"). Magpul Industries takes its name from its first product, an accessory for US and NATO armed forces STANAG magazines that aided users in pulling the magazine out of its pouch, hence "Magpul".

Magpul primarily designs, manufactures, and distributes accessories for the AR-15 and M16 rifles, and it has also expanded into the area of complete firearms design.

Magpul's well known use of plastic materials and user-configurable modules that build upon pre-existing weapon designs has led to the name being used to describe any similar modernized firearms in some parts of the firearms trade press. Any existing weapon traditionally built from steel and wood might be said to be 'magpulized' when it is redesigned along those lines.[1]

History

Magpul Industries Corp was founded in 1999 by Richard M. Fitzpatrick, a Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance.[2] The company has three divisions as of 2008: Magpul Industries, which manufactures firearms accessories etc.; Magpul Professional Training & Simulation (PTS), founded in 2007, which manufactures accessories for airsoft; and Magpul Dynamics, founded in 2008, which delivers firearms training, including instructional videos.[3]

The current CEO is Richard Fitzpatrick,[4] who has taken over since Travis Haley (who also was CEO of Magpul Dynamics) left Magpul to form Haley Strategic Partners.[5]

Opposition to Colorado House Bill 1224

Boulder Airlift

In response to Colorado House Bill 1224, Magpul started giving Colorado residents priority in ordering twenty- and thirty-round PMAGs. Their statement: “In the battle for Colorado Freedoms, support for second amendment rights is being delivered by Magpul Industries Corporation. Fielded in the millions by US and its allies since 2007, the PMAG is the magazine of choice for those defending freedom and democracy around the world…Now, with the ability of Coloradans to purchase new standard capacity magazines in jeopardy, Magpul Industries is working to supply as many as possible to the good people of Colorado. Similar to the Berlin Airlift, the Boulder Airlift will bring much-needed gun supplies to freedom-loving residents trapped inside occupied territory.”

Farewell to Arms Freedom Festival

In response Colorado's magazine ban, the group Free Colorado organized the "Farewell to Arms Freedom Festival" to raise funds for recall efforts against several Colorado politicians involved with its passage[6]. Magpul donated 20,000 magazines to Free Colorado for the event[7]. Of those, 1,500 were given away for free to the first 1,500 individuals over the age of 18 to arrive at the event[8]. The event drew about 3,000 supporters[9].

Chronology

1999: Richard Fitzpatrick develops the original Magpul 5.56 and introduces it at NDIA.

2000: The Magpul 7.62 and Magpul 9mm are introduced.

2001: First Magpul patent, U.S. Patent 6,212,815, is awarded.

2002: First official military order (100 M93 stocks for the USMC.)

2003: Magpul moves out of Fitzpatrick's home to official offices. First employee, (now Chief operating officer) Doug Smith, is hired.

2004: The Magpul Ranger Plate, Self Leveling Follower, and MIAD (MIssion ADaptable Grip) are introduced.

2005: Additional magazine accessories are introduced, as well as the company's second stock; the PRS.

2006: Magpul receives its first official NATO Stock Number, and their products are featured in the movie Mission Impossible 3.

2007: The PMAG 30 (a synthetic magazine for the AR-15/M16 platform), UBR stock, and Masada Adaptive Combat Rifle are introduced at SHOT Show.

2008: The MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) line, Magpul PDR Concept, FSG9, and Magpul Massoud are introduced. Magpul Dynamics is formed.

2009: The EMAG ("Export Magazine"), designed to fit other STANAG 4179-compliant weapons such as the HK416 and SA80 aside from just the AR-15/M16, is introduced, as well as several other products such as the MBUS (Magpul Back-Up Sights).

2010: Magpul wins a bid with the UK Ministry of Defence for 1,000,000 EMAGs to be delivered over a four-year period.[10] Several new products are introduced; including the iPhone Field Case.

2011: The MBUS2 is introduced, and is also featured in promos for the game Battlefield 3.[11] First 100,000 EMAGs of the UK MOD contract are delivered to troops in Afghanistan.[12] Magpul sponsors a truck called "Bam-Bam" in the Breslau Adventure Rallye.[13]

2012: The PMAG 30 Gen 3 is released in fall as a synthetic magazine compatible for all STANAG 4179-type rifles, from AR-15 rifes to weapons that previously would need EMAGs.[14]

Firearms accessories

MaPul magazine sleeves.
Magpul PMAG M16 STANAG magazine
Magpul CTR stock, PMAG and rail protectors in use on a M4 Carbine in Iraq
  • MagPul: Magpul's first and eponymously named product was a simple soft polymer sleeve based on the "paracord loops" that experienced soldiers fabricated and taped to their magazines to allow for easier removal from magazine pouches. The original magpul fit over STANAG magazines, and allowed for operators to easily grasp and draw magazines from pouches and webbing under stress.
  • Enhanced Self Leveling Follower: an improved magazine follower
  • PMAG magazine: an enhanced magazine specifically designed for the M4/M16/AR-15 platform, PDR and ACR, featuring an all polymer, high strength body and anti-tilt follower. As it is designed for the AR platform, PDR and Adaptive Combat Rifle, they will not fit properly in most other STANAG type rifles (ex. IMI TAVOR, BAF SA80, FN F2000).
  • EMAG magazine: a modified version of the PMAG designed to fit all STANAG type magazine wells.
  • AFG/AFG2: An angled foregrip, designed by Chris Costa and Travis Haley of Magpul Dynamics as a "Theory Based Product,"[15] for RAS and RIS rail systems which allows an ergonomic and more natural hold for AR designs to increase accuracy and alleviate fatigue in the shooter's arm and wrist. Because it does not allow a "pistol-style grip" as defined in most jurisdictions, it is legal in many places where vertical foregrips may be classified as restricted features, such as California.
  • Polymer 4x2 Quad-Stack magazine: a casket magazine designed for firearms compatible with STANAG magazines.[16][17]
  • B.A.D. (Battery Assist Device) Lever: a metal lever device that attaches to the standard AR-15 bolt catch and circles under the rifle's lower receiver and into the trigger guard, allowing the right handed operation of the bolt catch with the trigger finger.
  • PMAG 30 Gen 3: Improved PMAG made for use in AR-15 style rifles, as well as European-type STANAG 4179 magazine wells (HK416, M27 IAR, SA80, FN SCAR). Also has a redesigned bolt catch notch for increased bolt catch clearance, an over-travel stop on the spine to prevent over-insertion, and a new slimmer and easily disassembled floorplate.[14]
  • MBUS: Magpul Back-Up Sight, low cost, polymer folding back up iron sights. Can be attached to any MIL-STD 1913 rail.
  • MBUS-PRO: Magpul Back-Up Sight Pro, folding, Melonite-finished all-steel back up sight. Dual aperture, windage adjustable rear and tool-less, elevation adjustable front.

Rifle stocks

  • AR-15/M-16 stocks
    • M93—No longer manufactured under Magpul name
    • CTR
    • UBR
    • MOE
    • ACS
    • ACS-L
    • STR
    • MOE Rifle Stock[18]
    • PRS—Highly adjustable, "Precision Rifle / Sniper", available for the AR-15/M-16 and AR-10 systems.
  • Stocks for other weapons
    • PRS Generation II—Highly adjustable, "Precision Rifle/Sniper" for the G3(PTR-91) and FN FAL.
    • SGA Stock—Adjustable stock for shotguns.

Slings & Sling Mounts

  • MS3: Multi Mission Sling, can convert between one point and two point sling depending on operator preference. Uses the Magpul Paraclip to attach to mounting plates.
  • MS4: Multi Mission Sling, same as the MS3 but uses two heavy duty push button QD sling swivels rather than then Paraclip to attach to standard sling cups.
  • ASAP: Ambidextrous Sling Attachment Point, allows a range of motion greater than 180 degrees, enables ambidextrous weapon manipulation for both left and right handed shooters. It replaces the standard AR15/M16 carbine stock receiver end plate, minimises snagging and facilitates easy transition between shoulders. Compatible with the MS3 Paraclips.
  • RSA: Rail Sling Attachment, allows a sling mount to be added to any MIL-STD 1913 Rail or RIS/RAS. Comes in a QD version too.

Complete firearms

Magpul Masada

Main article: Adaptive Combat Rifle
File:Magpul masada 16fde.jpg
An early Magpul Masada prototype.

First introduced to the public at the 2007 SHOT Show, the Magpul Masada began as an evolutionary upgrade to the AR-15/M16 rifle, but the only parts that retain commonality with the standard AR-15 and M16 rifle are the barrel, fire control group (trigger pack), and front sight post.[19][20]

In January 2008, the design of the Magpul Masada was licensed to Bushmaster Firearms International and the civilian version of the Masada is known as the Bushmaster ACR.[21]

Magpul Massoud

Currently in development, the Magpul Massoud is confirmed as a 7.62mm caliber semi-automatic rifle with possible other calibers (.300WM, .338 Calibers). A prototype has been test fired, and strongly resembles the Magpul Masada.[22] It may use of some of the same parts as the ACR, including stocks and possibly forearms. Details of the operating system are closely guarded, however it is believed to be a short stroke gas piston operation, and use 7.62x51mm NATO 20 round variants of the Magpul PMag. It uses a Mil-std 1913 rail system with monolithic receiver. The name was chosen in honor of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the famous resistance leader of the Afghani Northern Alliance who was killed two days prior to the 9/11 attacks.[23]

Magpul PDR

Main article: Magpul PDR

The Magpul PDR is a conceptual 5.56mm caliber personal defense weapon which utilizes a bullpup design principle. The weapon uses STANAG magazines and fire the same type of ammunition as the M16. The purpose of the Magpul PDR is to better arm support personnel who would normally carry M9 pistols without adding any strain to current armed forces logistics with proprietary ammunition.

Magpul FMG-9

Main article: Magpul FMG-9

Magpul designed a folding 9mm submachine gun similar to the ARES FMG which was first publicly unveiled at the 2008 SHOT Show. The prototype unveiled by Magpul utilized a Glock pistol as the core of the weapon.[24]

Firearms design consultation

Magpul aided significantly in the evolution of the KRISS Vector from a prototype to its finalized production design.[25]

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Steve.[1], "The Firearms Blog", February 24, 2012.
  2. ^ Urie, Heath. "Erie company takes aim at weapons market", "Daily Camera", January 1, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
  3. ^ Magpul Industries Corp. "Magpul Brand Family", accessed August 21, 2011.
  4. ^ Thompson, Allan. "Bushmaster and Magpul Team to Bring Advanced Rifle to Market", "Bushmaster FIrearms Web Page", January 31, 2008, accessed October 10, 2012.
  5. ^ Curtis, Rob. "Travis Haley pops smoke, leaves Magpul Dynamics", "Military Times", January 20, 2011, accessed August 21, 2011.
  6. ^ Free Colorado. Free Colorado. Accessed July 5, 2013.
  7. ^ Patane, Matthew. "Free Magpul Magazines Draw Thousands Ahead of Colorado Ban." 29 June 2013. Accessed 5 July 2013
  8. ^ Patane, Matthew. "Free Magpul Magazines Draw Thousands Ahead of Colorado Ban." 29 June 2013. Accessed 5 July 2013
  9. ^ Urbanski, Dave. "'Farewell to Arms Freedom:' 1,500 High-Capacity Gun Magazines Given Away at Colo. Fest Before Ban Takes Effect." The Blaze. 30 June 2013. Accessed 05 July 2013.
  10. ^ Level Peaks Associates. "Level Peaks Associates Deliver Lightweight EMAG 30-Round 5.56 NATO Polymer Magazines For Use By The British Army In Current SA80 Weapons", October 27, 2010, accessed August 21, 2010.
  11. ^ Magpul Industries Corp. "MBUS Pops up on Battlefield 3 Promos", accessed August 21, 2011.
  12. ^ Ministry of Defence. "Troops in Afghanistan get new lightweight rifle magazines", "Defence news", January 19, 2011, accessed August 21, 2011.
  13. ^ Magpul Industries Corp. "Magpul sponsors truck in Breslau Rallye June 26th - July 2, 2011 Wroclaw, Poland to Dresden, Germany", accessed August 21, 2011.
  14. ^ a b New Magpul PMAG 30 GEN M3 - Thefirearmblog.com, September 26, 2012
  15. ^ ar15com. YouTube - "AR15.Com 2010 SHOT Show - Magpul Dynamics Theory Based Products", January 20, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
  16. ^ Johnson, Steve. "Magpul's Quad Stack Magazine", "The Firearm Blog", June 8, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
  17. ^ Crane, David. "MagPul Industries Developing 4×2 Quad Stack Magazine (5.56mm NATO): Enhanced-Capacity AR Mag (4179 STANAG)", "Defense Review", June 8, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
  18. ^ Graves, Eric. "Magpul Products Sneak Peek", "Soldier Systems Daily", August 6, 2012, accessed October 10, 2012.
  19. ^ Johnston, Gary Paul. "Magpul Masada ACWS 5.56mm", "Special Weapons for Military & Police", April, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
  20. ^ Crane, David. "MagPul Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS) Makes Its Debut", "Defense Review", January 24, 2007, accessed August 21, 2011.
  21. ^ Crane, David. "MagPul Masada Rifle/Carbine Becomes the Bushmaster Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR)", "Defense Review", February 22, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
  22. ^ Magpul. YouTube - "Magpul Massoud Test Fire", February 13, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
  23. ^ Magpul. YouTube - Magpul commenting their video as to the origin of the Massoud name, accessed June 11, 2012.
  24. ^ Crane, David. "MagPul FMG9: Prototype 9mm Folding Submachine Gun", "Defense Review", February 22, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
  25. ^ Magpul PTS. "KRISS Vector Project", accessed August 21, 2011.

External links

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