Let’s begin with the elephant in the room. Magpul is the undisputed owner of this subsection of the industry. Magpul mags work well. They’re reasonably priced. But they have real competition now, and in order to compete with the behemoth Magpul has become, you have to do something truly unique.
Hexmag came on the scene a few years ago during the height of the magazine shortage. After Sandy Hook, there were very few AR-15 magazines on the shelves in stores. Some of the big-box retailers began importing some magazines of dubious quality. Makers like Tapco and Thermold which had, to that point, made what most considered entry-level magazines, quickly found willing buyers. And a host of new companies jumped on the bandwagon.
One of those companies was Hexmag. Here are five reasons why Hexmag magazines are gaining in popularity.
1. The Hexmag Hex
The Hexmag product launch was simple. The polymer magazine was easy to hold, thanks to the honeycomb shape hex pattern that gives the company its name.
It is both tactile and good branding. The name is easy to remember, and the mags work well.
2. The Hexmag Hex Provides Strength
When I first felt an empty Hexmag, I was pleased to find that it was strong and light. Yet the plastic didn’t feel brittle.
3. The Hexmag Hex Holds Stickers
I’d originally hoped that the texture would be like old-school grip tape on a skateboard, but it is more rubbery. These little jokers can be put all over the magazine and they come in sheets that are pre-cut. You peel and stick. It is easy and provides even more of a tactile grip for pulling a mag out of a holster or out of the gun. And, they come in matching or contrasting colors.
4. Speaking of Colors
The Hexmag magazines come in the most common AR colors. Green, black, tan, and grey are all readily available. This is handy for those who like to accessorize their AR-15s like Barbie dolls. I am morally opposed to accessorizing, though I will admit that I once color coordinated a holster for a gun. If that’s your thing, you can get pretty colors.
5. The More Important Colors
The best part, in my book, is the way that the mags have color coded followers and tabs in the floor-plates.
Heading out to the range with a bunch of steel-cased 5.56? Keep it color coordinated. Have a couple of mags of nice hollow-point .223 you don’t want to waste on that cardboard bad guy? One glance at your mag will tell you, assuming you are organized enough to stick to a system.
I’ve been running Hexmags for three years and I’m a fan. They work great and are readily available. That may be why some of us picked them up in the beginning, but I wouldn’t use them at all if I ever found one that failed me. And I haven’t.
A six-pack will run you less than $50. That’s a steal.
