I installed them both, read the little card that came with the ranger plates that stated: you could not load but 29 rounds with the ranger plates and green  followers installed, but you could load the full 30 rounds with the mapul followers...

Well I have installed them on six of my USGI mags, and It is a big pain in the ass to get the mag to sit on a closed bolt! I understand it's a tight fit with out the ranger plates, but I was easily able to get my mags with Magpul followers to lock into place without the ranger plates, as soon as I installed the ranger plates the fit was sooo tight I have to take the rifle and squeeze like the incredible Hulk from the top of the carry handle and the bottom of the mag to get it to lock into the mag well.

Is this normal??

yup.

Thank you sir