By Nicholas Young, CEO and Founder, Desert Tech

Origins of the QMAG-53

The origins of the quad stack magazine concept originated in 2020 as a part of the NGSW (Next Generation Squad Weapon) program.  We were one of the initial contenders for the program because we successfully completed our development contract for the NGSAR rifle program in 2019.  There was a strong desire to move away from belt fed weapons due to their slow reload time and heavy weight, so we proposed developing a quad stack magazine rifle design in our NGSW proposal.  The quad stack magazine would hold at least 40 to 50 rounds in a small handy form factor and feature lightning fast reload speeds.  Although we were not selected to advance in the NGSW program due to minor technicalities in our proposal, we remained unwavering in our belief in the potential of the quad stack magazine and released it in an AR platform (our proprietary Quattro 15 lower receiver) to promote mass adoption of the QMAG-53.

Development History

We launched the QMAG-53 project in mid 2020. We formed an advisory board early on that consisted of military veterans, retired project officers, product managers, and SOF instructors.  We had to ensure we created a product that appealed to real military users and that it would pass the rigorous scrutiny and performance standards required by military programs.  We went through several concepts and revisions prior to getting things to be reliable and durable.  We learned from the mistakes of other companies who attempted to create quad stack magazines in the past.  We thought we had all the kinks worked out of the QMAG-53 in early 2021, so we introduced it to the world. However, when we got our production injection molds finished, the magazines were experiencing a 1% malfunction rate which was not acceptable. We spent the next 18 months root causing the issue and correcting our production tooling. It took three more revisions to be perfect. 

Performance Goals

Our ultimate vision is for the QMAG-53 to replace standard magazines, not just be an alternative option. With that lofty goal we set our sights on building a magazine that performed the same or better than the industry’s leading magazines such as enhanced GI mags, PMAGs, Lancer Magazines, and more. Our initial design goals for the QMAG-53 were clear:

  • 1. Provide reliability and durability on par with the best standard magazines available.
  • 2. Ensure consistent functionality even when debris enters the magazine body, as is common in suppressed fire situations (a challenge other quad stack magazines struggle with).
  • 3. Offer a substantial 210-round loadout with just four magazines (instead of 7) reducing reloads by half.
  • 4. Decrease the overall loadout weight compared to standard magazine configurations.
  • 5. Maintain a lightweight, agile rifle, ensuring maneuverability and versatility.
  • 6. Deliver an exceptional magazine form factor that replicates the feel of using standard magazines.
  • 7. Maintain a length no longer than a standard 30-round PMAG.
  • 8. Ensure QMAG-53s fit comfortably in standard double mag pouches without pushing themselves out.
  • 9. Enable the loading and storage of all 53 rounds in the magazine without overstressing the spring or feed lips.
  • 10. Allow the use of 30-round conventional magazines with a magwell adapter.

Design

We did not repeat the mistakes other companies made and compromise the magazine’s reliability by constraining its design around existing rifle geometry.  Rather than forcing the magazine to conform to the existing AR15 lower receivers, we instead designed the most reliable and simple magazine system possible, then we conformed the lower receiver to the magazine.  This design freedom with the magazine allowed us to:

  • 1. Design a phenomenally reliable magazine with a single follower and spring, mirroring the simplicity of proven double-stack magazines.
  • 2. Optimize magazine feeding geometry for flawless compatibility with mil-spec uppers.
  • 3. Substantially reduce internal friction points to ensure reliable feeding even in the presence of debris, a stark contrast to quad stack magazines from other manufacturers.
  • 4. Enable reliable feeding of longer cartridges with an ingenious alignment of the two ammunition columns. Through the use of a pigeon-toed geometry, longer cartridges that challenge standard magazines like Federal’s Gold Medal Match, load reliably.
  • 5. Reduce magazine length, preserving rifle mobility.
  • 6. Reduce stress during full 53-round loading through a strategic design that prevents overloading. The QMAG-53 is designed to accommodate 55 rounds yet prevent overloading with more than 53 rounds. This ensures the spring and feed lips are not subjected to undue stress when loaded with 53 rounds.
  • 7. Successfully fit 53 rounds in each magazine to allow 210-round loadout to be carried in 4 magazines instead of 7.
  • 8. Keep dimensions within PMAG 30 specifications.
    • The QMAG-53 is 0.77” thicker than the PMAG 30
    • The QMAG-53 is 0.25” thinner than x2 stacked PMAG’s

  • 9. Maintain AR15/M16 reload ergonomics to maximize reload speed.

  • 10. Reduce the overall loadout weight by 0.59 lbs, with the extra rounds adding just 10 oz to the rifle’s carry weight, maintaining its nimbleness.

  • 11. Comfortably accommodate and retain the QMAG-53 in a standard double mag pouch. 

  • 12. Create a MIL-SPEC receiver, the Quattro-15, featuring a wide-mouthed magwell AR15 style lower receiver and bespoke mag catch, and bolt stop assemblies. All other dimensions of the lower receiver conform to 100% MIL-SPEC standards, ensuring seamless compatibility with all standard AR15/M16 uppers and other MIL-SPEC components. 

Reliability Tests

Continuous Fire Test

The continuous fire testing had a specific goal: to evaluate the occurrence of stoppages during a rigorous 7,000-round reliability test. This test involved alternating between different ammunition types, fire modes, and muzzle devices. The equipment used included a Mil-Spec Colt Upper with a non-adjustable gas block, paired with a DT full-auto lower, and an OSS Helix 5.56 caliber sound suppressor.

The results of the testing were as follows: Initially, 3,500 rounds were fired in semi-automatic mode without any stoppages. After cleaning the rifle, an additional 3,500 rounds were fired in fully automatic mode, alternating between suppressed and unsuppressed fire. Only one stoppage occurred on average during this phase. Overall, the QMAG-53 exhibited an impressive average stoppage rate of 0.014% (1 in 7,000 rounds). In comparison, the Magpul Gen 3 PMAG, which is a widely used magazine, had a reported stoppage rate of 0.016% (1 in 6,000 rounds). These results highlight the superior performance of the QMAG-53 in this testing scenario.

Adverse Suppressed Fire Magazine Cycles Test

The Adverse Suppressed Fire Magazine Cycles Test aimed to evaluate magazine performance under extreme gas blowback and high bolt velocity conditions. It compared the DT QMAG-53 to the Magpul Gen 3 PMAG and Surefire’s 60-round magazines.

During the test, a fully loaded magazine was fired in full auto until empty, then reloaded and repeated until suppressed gases caused a stoppage. The test setup included a Mil-Spec Colt Upper with DT’s full-auto lower, using an AWC silencer with a high back pressure K-baffle and a non-adjustable gas block.

Here are the results: The DT QMAG-53 endured 12 cycles (equivalent to 636 rounds) before experiencing a stoppage, which was easily cleared by racking the bolt. In comparison, the Magpul Gen 3 PMAG endured 8 cycles (equal to 240 rounds) before a stoppage, also easily cleared. The Surefire magazines, however, failed after just 2 cycles (equivalent to 120 rounds), with their followers becoming permanently seized inside the housing. This required complete disassembly and cleaning. Notably, this same failure occurred consistently across all six Surefire sample magazines tested.

Durability Tests

Drop Tests

In the Drop Tests, three magazines were tested: the QMAG-53, PMAG, and Lancer. The goal was to evaluate their durability through drop tests, which included both fully loaded and 50% loaded magazines.

The results showed that the QMAG-53 successfully passed all drop tests without experiencing any failures.

We created a 1-minute video about the drop-tests.

Vehicle Run Over Test

In the Vehicle Run Over Test, the QMAG-53 displayed remarkable durability by enduring multiple run-overs on asphalt by a large pickup truck without sustaining any damage or failures.

Exposure Tests

Chemical Resistance Testing:

In the Chemical Resistance Testing, the magazines were subjected to a range of harsh substances, including cleaning chemicals, sunblock, degreasers, bug sprays, and acetone, for extended durations. Remarkably, they showed no signs of damage or issues.

Sun & Heat Exposure Testing:

In the Sun & Heat Exposure Testing, fully loaded magazines were left exposed to direct sunlight in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Impressively, they remained fully functional without any problems.

Availability & Purchase Options
To get your hands on the game-changing QMAG-53, explore our range of options, including the Lower Receiver Kit and Loadout Kit, available on our dedicated landing page: www.deserttech.com

Experience the future of magazine technology with the QMAG-53—where innovation meets performance!