- Magpul Industries
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Magpul Industries Corporation Type Private Industry Firearms Founded 1999 Founder(s) Richard M. Fitzpatrick Headquarters Erie, Colorado, United States Key people Richard Fitzpatrick, Mike Mayberry, Doug Smith, Drake Clark, Chris Costa Products Accessories, Rifles Services Consulting, Training Owner(s) Richard M. Fitzpatrick Divisions Magpul Industries Corp., Magpul Dynamics, Magpul PTS Website http://www.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 platforms, and it has also expanded into the area of complete firearms design.
Contents
History
Magpul Industries Corp was founded in 1999 by Richard M. Fitzpatrick, a Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance.[1] The company has as of 2008 three divisions: 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.[2]
The current CEO is Mike Mayberry,[3] who has taken over since Travis Haley (who also was CEO of Magpul Dynamics) left Magpul to form Haley Strategic Partners.[4]
Chronology
- Richard Fitzpatrick develops the original Magpul 5.56 and introduces it at NDIA.
- The Magpul 7.62 and Magpul 9mm2 are introduced.
- First Magpul patent, U.S. Patent 6,212,815, is awarded.
- First official military order (100 M93 stocks for the USMC.)
- Magpul moves out of Fitzpatrick's home to official offices. First employee, (now Chief operating officer) Doug Smith, is hired.
- The Magpul Ranger Plate, Self Leveling Follower, and MIAD (MIssion ADaptable Grip) are introduced.
- Additional magazine accessories are introduced, as well as the company's second stock; the PRS.
- Magpul receives its first official NATO Stock Number, and their products are featured in the movie Mission Impossible 3.
- The PMAG 30 (a synthetic magazine for the AR-15/M16 platform), UBR stock, and Masada Adaptive Combat Rifle are introduced at SHOT Show.
- The MOE (Magpul Original Equipment) line, Magpul PDR Concept, FSG9, and Magpul Massoud are introduced. Magpul Dynamics is formed.
- 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-platform, is introduced, as well as several other products such as the MBUS (Magpul Back-Up Sights).
- Magpul wins a bid with the UK Ministry of Defence for 1,000,000 EMAGs to be delivered over a four-year period.[5] Several new products are introduced; including the iPhone Field Case.
- The MBUS2 is introduced, and is also featured in promos for the game Battlefield 3.[6] First 100,000 EMAGs of the UK MOD contract are delivered to troops in Afghanistan.[7] Magpul sponsors a truck called "Bam-Bam" in the Breslau Adventure Rallye.[8]
Firearms Accessories
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,"[9] 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.
- Polymer 4x2 Quad-Stack magazine - a casket magazine designed for firearms compatible with STANAG magazines.[10][11]
Rifle Stocks
- AR-15/M-16 stocks
- M93
- CTR
- UBR
- MOE
- ACS
- Stocks for other weapons
- PRS - highly adjustable, "Precision Rifle / Sniper", available for AR-15/M-16, G3, FAL, and others.
- PRS Generation II
Complete Firearms
Magpul Masada
Main article: Adaptive Combat Rifle
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 is the barrel, fire control group (trigger pack), and front sight post.[12][13]
In January 2008, the design of the Magpul Masada was licensed to Bushmaster Firearms International and the production version of the Masada is known as the Bushmaster ACR.[14]
The Bushmaster ACR is more expensive and heavier than originally intended.
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.[15] 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 Northern Alliance.
Magpul PDR
Main article: Magpul PDRThe 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-9Magpul 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.[16]
Firearms Design Consultation
Magpul aided significantly in the evolution of the TDI Kriss from a prototype to its finalized production design.[17]
References
- ^ Urie, Heath. "Erie company takes aim at weapons market", "Daily Camera", January 1, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Magpul Industries Corp. "Magpul Brand Family", accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Johnson, Steve. "Magpul Interview: The Masada, firearms industry and internet marketing", "The Firearm Blog", December 22, 2007, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Curtis, Rob. "Travis Haley pops smoke, leaves Magpul Dynamics", "Military Times", January 20, 2011, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Magpul Industries Corp. "MBUS Pops up on Battlefield 3 Promos", accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Ministry of Defence. "Troops in Afghanistan get new lightweight rifle magazines", "Defence news", January 19, 2011, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Magpul Industries Corp. "Magpul sponsors truck in Breslau Rallye June 26th - July 2, 2011 Wroclaw, Poland to Dresden, Germany", accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ ar15com. YouTube - "AR15.Com 2010 SHOT Show - Magpul Dynamics Theory Based Products", January 20, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Johnson, Steve. "Magpul's Quad Stack Magazine", "The Firearm Blog", June 8, 2010, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Johnston, Gary Paul. "Magpul Masada ACWS 5.56mm", "Special Weapons for Military & Police", April, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Crane, David. "MagPul Masada Adaptive Combat Weapon System (ACWS) Makes Its Debut", "Defense Review", January 24, 2007, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Crane, David. "MagPul Masada Rifle/Carbine Becomes the Bushmaster Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR)", "Defense Review", February 22, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Magpul. YouTube - "Magpul Massoud Test Fire", February 13, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Crane, David. "MagPul FMG9: Prototype 9mm Folding Submachine Gun", "Defense Review", February 22, 2008, accessed August 21, 2011.
- ^ Magpul PTS. "TDI KRISS Project", accessed August 21, 2011.
External links
Categories:- Firearms manufacturers in the United States
- Companies based in Colorado
- Colorado-related lists
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