I’m a SnagMag salesman. No, I don’t work for them and I don’t get freebies either. I buy their products just like everyone else. But I’ve bought a lot of them, I tell everyone about them and I often don’t have one on me because I’ve given it away to someone I meet that isn’t carrying spare ammunition.
Please note I said “spare.” There is no such thing as “extra” ammunition. Extra is what you don’t need. Spare is what you will need sooner or later. Anyway, I have found something I like even more…the NeoMag.
The NeoMag is a small rectangular steel “tray” with guide lips, a magnet and a titanium pocket clip. The NeoMag uses an N35-N52 grade neodymium magnet producing eight pounds of pull at operating temperatures up to 100 degree Celsius. Note: there are “G” model NeoMags wtih two magnets for GLOCK magazines.
As far as durability is concerned, the NeoMag’s magnet could lose 1/100th of its strength in 50 years, so no worries there. Although it never sleeps, rust isn’t an issue either.
The NeoMag’s clip goes on the outside of your pocket, just like a knife’s, and the tray stays on the inside. It holds your magazine in your pocket using the magnet in the tray. It’s just that simple. And it works great.
I used the medium size on an FN double stack magazine and the large version for my Wilson Combat .45 ACP magazines. Because the guide lips don’t wrap all the way around the magazine, the NeoMag can accept either single stack or double stack magazines with the same holder. It can also mount the magazine on either side and up or down inside your pocket.
I tried them in my pocket for a bit, then pulled them out and shook them. With a .45ACP magazine fully loaded, I turned the magazine holder flat towards to floor and shook it vigorously. I could get the magazine to fall out, but that’s what it took to do it.
Walking, jumping, skipping like an idiot…none of those things got the magazine to detach from the NeoMag inside my shorts pocket.
The fresh mag comes out of the pocket quickly, even more easily than it does with my SnagMags. This is no small point.
The less expensive SnagMag relies on a small hook catching on the side of your pocket as you withdraw your magazine (very much like an Emerson Wave on a pocket knife). If it doesn’t catch on the hook…say, if the SnagMag is in the middle of your pocket, you’re depending on the clip being strong enough to stop you from pulling both the magazine and the carrier out during an extraction. That can be a problem.
In contrast . . .
The NeoMag is has a rubber pad underneath the clip. This keeps the clip in place no matter where you place the NeoMag in your pocket. If you need a reason to swap from Snag to Neo, there it is. That said, there are a few more considerations.
Some ammunition magazines have a base plate that juts out an an odd angle. Depending on the magazine’s design a NeoMag-held ammo mag may not sit perfectly flush in your pocket.
Also, some magazine are made of stainless steel. The NeoMag’s magnet is not attracted to stainless. (To be completely sure of compatibility, check your magazine with a common refrigerator magnet before ordering.) NeoMag also makes a version specifically designed for GLOCK magazines.
And the NeoMag will eventually wear the edge of your pocket, but no more or less than a pocket knife.
I have only one problem with the NeoMag. The clip looks like a clip for a pocket knife or multi tool. I conceal carry. I don’t like to announce that I’m armed in any way. I don’t want to look like I’m carrying a magazine, a knife or a tool. I’d much rather the NeoMag clip look like a [fat] clip for maybe a nice pen…an option that neither SnagMag nor NeoMag offers.
NeoMag offers your choice of clip size (standard or extended) and clip color (raw titanium or Cerakoted black).
The NeoMag removes any reason not to carry a fresh magazine…besides the cost. Not to sound like a NeoMag salesman, but how much is your life worth?
NeoMag Magazine Pocket Clip
Price: About $49 retail
Ratings (out of five stars):
Ergonomics: * * * * *
Put it in your pocket and forget it. Until you need it.
Performance: * * * * *
The NeoMag stays in place both before and during ammunition magazine extraction.
Rating * * * * *
The NeoMag works exactly as advertised. It isn’t cheap, but it just might save your life.
Thanks Jon. Always enjoy your reviews. I could definitely benefit from this product.
Theres one other advantage for these over snagmags. Snagmags have a little hook like you mentioned, but the hook is only on one side. That means you have to buy and carry a snagmag based on what side of the body you carry on. These are completely ambi all the time.
One thing Ive noticed that I dont like about my snagmag is the clip can rotate freely and frequently moves while I carry. It can move so far that it loses tension on the pocket. I havent had any issues yet but Id rather the clip not do that. I dont believe that will be a problem for the neomag.
“…the clip can rotate freely…”
Tighten up the rivet a bit with a small hammer and a drive pin punch.
I’ve been carrying a 43 in a pocket holster for a while now. Always carried a spare mag in a Blade Tech on the off side belt. This looks like a viable alternative. Good article.
Love my Neomags. The price becomes a non-issue when you realize they last forever and fit just about any magazine you’d ever carry.
Since they came out some years ago I’ve acquired the small (.380), medium (9mm) and large (.45). I prefer the extended length clip whether it’s needed or not just for that deeper concealment.
The only possible downside I can see is there’s nothing to keep pocket lint and small debris from getting onto the first couple of rounds in your mag but I’ve not experienced any issues with that happening to a level that has interfered with reloads.
I did have somebody ask me if I was carrying a knife because she saw the clip. I have a metal comb with a similar clip in my back pocket all the time so I just said “what this?” and she laughed, I laughed, it went back into my back pocket. The Neomag stayed where it was.
I don’t like these ones. They are bulky and the clip is ugly. I’m not a fan of “deep carry” either. I got a SnagMag. Actually just ordered it after the article you guys posted.
Bulky? No. I have three. They’re tiny. I can’t imagine a less-bulky mag carrier.
I bought one through Springfield when I acquired my SA-35. I like the function of the Neomag a lot. My only complaint is that the pocket clip is so heavy duty and has such tight spring tension that it’s a major ordeal for my arthritic fingers to clip the danged thing to my pocket! I have to use a tool to get enough clearance to snap it over a pocket hem and slide it into position.
Been mentioning them for years here over the alternates presented, nice to see someone took notice. Finally…
I bought 3 SnagMags after reading your article about them and the only thing is the small hook to grab the pocket, about 60-70% of the time, the entire holster would come out… I solved this by adding a 1″ x 1″ piece of grip tape under the pocket clip. That little bit of friction will keep the SnagMag in place every time you draw the magazine
While I like this holster, I see no reason to pay double the price when the SnagMag is amazing
“the NeoMag will eventually wear the edge of your pocket, but no more or less than a pocket knife”
LOL, no – they *shred* pants. Check out the exposed screws directly under the clip that cut into the material. To be fair they do hold mags pretty well – not as well as described here, but even if you’re not being paid to review them they do keep the magazine in place. I don’t think they’re worth destroying clothing for, though.
They’ve never hurt any of my clothes. I’ve been using them for years.
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