We describe the realization of a source of Mg atoms in the metastable triplet 3s3p3Pand we report a theoretical model describing the dynamic process of production of metastable atoms via electron impact excitation. Experimental results concerning atomic flux and velocity distribution are reported and compared with the theoretical model; the efficiency of production of metastable atoms was 40%, in good agreement with the computed value, and the velocity distribution showed a dependence from the discharge current close to the theoretical prediction.