Of all the handguns available today, GLOCK pistols consistently remain one of the most sought-after choices around. GLOCK’s pistol lineup consists of several unique models specialized to suit different individual needs and applications, which has garnered them a sizeable reputation for their utility.
Regardless of which GLOCK pistol you choose, each one requires a compatible magazine. If you’re new to firearms, a magazine is a critical component that holds and feeds ammunition into the firearm during cycling.
However, the designs and compatibility of GLOCK magazines can vary quite drastically. Because of this, choosing the right one can be a challenge, especially when there are so many options to pick from. Below, we’re looking at the various magazines available for GLOCK pistols, their differences, and their compatibilities:
Understanding Magazine Types
Before getting into the intricacies regarding the interchangeability and different manufacturers of GLOCK magazines, it’s critical that you understand the types of magazines GLOCK pistols use. Regardless of their caliber, GLOCK pistols use either a double-stack or single-stack magazine. Both options come with their own benefits—something we go in-depth on in our guide, “Double-Stack vs. Single-Stack”—but below is a summary of their attributes to get you up to speed:
Double-Stack
Used on popular GLOCK pistols like the GLOCK 17, GLOCK 19, and GLOCK 19x/45, double-stack magazines are wider than single-stack ones, allowing the rounds to be staggered side-by-side to achieve a greater carrying capacity. The capacity of each magazine depends on the size and caliber it’s designed around, but double-stack GLOCK 9mm pistols can have a standard capacity of anywhere from 13 to upwards of 19+ rounds.
Because of their higher round capacities, double-stack GLOCK pistols are favored for everything from concealed carry to competitive and duty applications. For instance, their double-stack pistols like the GLOCK 17, GLOCK 19x/45, and GLOCK 22 have been fielded by both Military and Law Enforcement groups, while pistols like the GLOCK 19 and GLOCK 26 have long been considered some of the best concealed carry handguns available.
Single-Stack
Featured prominently in their Slimline pistol series, single-stack magazines are constructed so that rounds are stacked vertically—one on top of the next. Compared to double-stack magazines, single-stack ones are much thinner, making them perfect for pistols with slimmer frames, such as those designed for concealed carry.
One noticeable drawback of this magazine design is their reduced capacity, but this doesn’t mean that single-stack GLOCK pistols aren’t worth considering. Their slimmer frames make them ideal for concealed carry, and depending on the model you choose, there are a plethora of extended and specialized magazines available for their slimline pistols.
Which should you choose?
Ultimately, finding out which pistol type you should use comes down to your own needs and preferences. For everyday carry, single-stack GLOCK pistols like the GLOCK 43 and GLOCK 43x/48 are preferred by many since they’re slimmer. However, it’s possible to conceal a larger pistol by properly dressing around it. A good belt, proper fitting clothes, and the right holster go a long way in improving your ability to conceal a pistol.
For the most part though, double-stack pistols are generally preferred for home-defense, competition, and duty applications. Their larger frame sizes allow users to better grip the pistol, while their greater magazine capacity makes them much better suited for such applications. Regardless, you won’t be hard-pressed to find a pistol that meets your needs, as GLOCK manufactures a wide array of pistols designed to suit all applications.
Which GLOCK models have interchangeable magazines?
Although there isn’t a universal magazine for GLOCK pistols—many models use interchangeable magazines, depending on the size and caliber of the pistol you choose.
9mm double-stack GLOCKs like the GLOCK 17 and GLOCK 19 share the same magazine profile, meaning a 17-round magazine designed for the GLOCK 17 will fit and function in both the GLOCK 19 and GLOCK 26, since they use the same magazine profile. This same idea applies to all other double-stack GLOCK pistols as well—so long as they share the same caliber and are long enough to reach the magazine catch, they can be used with no issues. Shorter mags, like the 10-round magazines that fit flush within the GLOCK 26, can’t be used in taller pistols like the GLOCK 19 and GLOCK 17, so if you plan to interchange your magazines, it’s paramount that you make sure they’ll fit and function within your pistol.
Still, if you opt for a larger magazine, the bottom of the magazine will protrude out of the bottom of the grip. Fortunately, GLOCK offers an assortment of magazines that come with a built-in GLOCK mag extension that extends both the grip and the magazine capacity.
Even further, you can also opt for a dedicated extended magazine as well. When most enthusiasts hear the phrase “extended magazine” they usually think of the large 33-round magazines used in 9mm carbines that use GLOCK mags, but they can also be used in standard GLOCK pistols as well.
GLOCK Magazine Variants
GLOCK OEM Magazines
GLOCK OEM Magazines are, by far, some of the most popular and widely available magazine options, renowned for their overall reliability and durability. Constructed from high-strength polymer, they’re tough enough to withstand use in all applications, and they’ve seen widespread use by civilians, Law Enforcement, and Military Groups globally. GLOCK also produces a vast assortment of magazine options for their pistols, ranging from standard flush fitting magazines to dedicated extended magazines—regardless of whether they use a single- or double-stack design.
Plus, with the release of their Gen 5 pistol design, they revamped their magazine designs, so they now come with an enhanced orange follower, and a larger floorplate for a better grip when pulling them out of your pistol, or out of a mag pouch. These newer Gen 5 magazines are compatible across all GLOCK generations too, so long as their caliber and size matches your pistol.
Aftermarket Magazines
Although OEM magazines are generally favored by most, there’s also an assortment of aftermarket magazine options to pick from as well. Brands like Magpul and Shield Arms are among the most popular aftermarket magazine brands, with both producing incredibly high-quality options.
Magpul, for instance, is well known for crafting durable polymer magazines, and their PMAG GL9 magazines are compatible with all full-size, compact, and sub-compact 9mm GLOCK pistols that use double-stack magazines. They are constructed from high-strength polymer, use a specialized anti-tilt follower, and have a flared floorplate like Gen 5 OEM magazines. Plus, they have a dot matrix on the floorplate as well for easy magazine identification.
Shield Arms specializes in making metal magazines for the GLOCK 43x and GLOCK 48. On their own, the GLOCK 43x/48 utilize a single-stack, 10-round magazine made of polymer. Shield Arms magazines are made of metal—they’re able to maintain optimal rigidity while having thinner walls to create more space within the magazine. This extra space allows the S15 to have a double-stack design, increasing its total capacity to 15 rounds instead of 10. Even better, they fit flush with the frame too, and they offer mag extensions as well, extending their capacity to 20 rounds.
Conclusion
Sifting through the vast assortment of GLOCK magazines can be a bit daunting if you’re new to the platform, but if you take the time to learn the basics of the pistol magazine designs, and the compatibility between each pistol model, you can easily choose the right one.
For most, GLOCK OEM magazines are the best option. Not only do they offer the best fitment and compatibility possible, but they’re also relatively inexpensive, and there is a wide array of options to pick from, ranging from standard flush-mount magazines to extended ones too.
Still, this doesn’t make aftermarket magazines a bad choice either. Depending on your purpose, they can substantially upgrade your pistol’s performance. Options like the PMAG GL9 from Magpul are a budget-friendly alternative, constructed from high-quality materials, while others like the Shield Arms S15 can dramatically increase the GLOCK 43x/48’s round capacity.
Ultimately, you have no shortage of magazines to choose from. As such, we highly recommend taking time to research all your options to make sure that they’re compatible with your pistol and have the features you want.
