I bought a 10 round Gen 4 the other day (5.56), just because and I've heard people talk about these tabs on the top.  When are you supposed to use them?  When it's loaded?  Not loaded?  Only long term loaded?

It's a dust cover.

Mine go in the trash.

Yea, as stated, it's a dust cover.  When gunslingers go downrange and spend long periods of time in the field, gunk can build up around the feed lips and cause issues.  You can keep them or toss them, won't help or hurt you.

For those who are concerned with feed lips spreading when left loaded... the "dust cover" pushed the rounds down and take the tension off the feed lips.  Some use them for storing loaded magazine for long terms.

Just curious, are you referring to Magpul mags? And is there a even newer version than the Gen 3 now?

thats what i use

Yes and yes.  I don't think any other brand mags call them "Pmags".   And yes, they have a Gen IV now.  I only bought the Gen IV because it was a 10 rounder and I specifically wanted a 10 rounder.  I didn't see any Gen III ten rounders.  Not even sure if there is a thing.  If I bought 20's or 30's, I might be more compelled to buy a Gen III.  I think the Gen IV's might have more of a chance of being tight in an AR, because they're made for more than one type of gun.   At least that's how I remember that conversation going last time I had it.  I usually use USGI mags.  Because I have want I want in that regard.  Although having a few pmags can't hurt.  

It seems like a stupid extra step to use that clip thing and I hope it's not really considered a necessity.  A friend of mine said he had a USGI split and this helps with that.  I'm like, really?  A USGI split?  I guess it's possible.  Never saw that before.  But I've definitely not seen it all.  Nor have I run any  of mine all that hard.   He must've used his a lot.  

There is no such thing as a gen 4. What you have is a gen m3



And no the covers are not needed for storing loaded. Just an extra bit of insurance.

Where are you seeing these Gen 4 mags? Gen 2 mags are "colt pattern" and fit MOST AR15. The Gen 3 is the newest (unless there is a magical Gen 4) that is compatible with HK pattern AND Colt pattern mag-wells. Pretty sure you are talking Gen 3 mags.

I'm not buying any more till the Gen V's come out.  Crap, I buy a hundred, then they get the update, sell, buy a hundred of the update, sell, next update.  I'm thinking the Gen 5 will have all the bugs worked out of them.

gen 2 are made for AR15, gen 3 are made for a compromise for multiple 5.56 platforms, there is no gen 4.  dust covers are dumb.

This always gets posted but magpul says its unnecessary



 

 
Uh, no.


M3 are the current generation.  

Sorry about that.  I guess I didn't look at the package well enough.  I could've swore there was a 4 in there.  I'm getting old.