As far as overall quality and reliability, I think most people would put Glock OEM mags at the top of the list. Is there any brand that would be considered a close second (not that there’s a lot of options out there)?
The magpul mags aren’t duty quality but for bulk range use they’re good.
Close second I’d say PMAGS maybe ETS. I do not have experience with ETS though.
I have several thousand rounds through PMAGS and carry one in my G26 exclusively. I have yet to have any feed-lip or spring issues to this point, but I do have about 25 or so of them so it’s not like I’m hammering rounds through two or three of them. Same thing really with the ETS mags, they have always worked while at the range. This includes dropping empty and full on concrete. Neither of them have broken on me, yet.
That all being said, I do prefer factory mags for every day carry, the G26 12-rounder aside because Glock does not make one this nice.
Other than not reliably feeding rough steel cases ammo, pmags are excellent. They seem to have more spring than the OEM mags since they are more difficult to load. I have never gone to duty, so someone can correct me, but I think they are just as reliable with quality ammo. Also, they can be easily cleaned unlike the OEM mags.
Ive owned ETS mags almost from their beginning, they are good to go. I own many of them in different capacities…they are great.
On some of the very first runs they had bad springs. I had one mag with a bad spring, called, they shipped me a new one, no problems since.
I dont like the Magpul Glock mags, ETS are the only one other than factory Ill use.
While I have a decent supply of OEM 9mm Glock mags, I have been impressed with both ETS and Magpul. For normal range sessions, I usually have a mix of all three and all have nearly perfect performance history (it is a Glock platform after all). On top of the reliability, I several different Glock pistols and varied PCCs.
I was an early adopter of the ETS mags and had a few weak springs too. They fixed those in a timely basis and great reliability since. I have had some 3-4 foot drops, some purposeful, where ETS mags will use out a round or two.
Magpul mags are pretty adequate too. That is my EDC in a G26, also thoroughly reliable.
My magpul mags for my G19 have been excellent except in 1 case: steel cased ammo
As I recall they work fine, but loading them was tricky and the rounds rattled. Using brass case has been flawless.
The magpul mags are more susceptible to mud/dirt because the material is fiber glass reinforced polymer. The Glock OEM is steel lined polymer so friction becomes and issue if there is a foreign material in there rubbing between the mag wall and case. To Magpul’s credit, there are easy AF to take apart and clean when that happens.
I keep about 1 PMAG for every 3 OEM Glock Mags. They mix into my range sessions without any hiccups. I would not fret if the ratio were 1:1 PMAG vs OEM. I’d grab one and run it in any “situation”. But then again, I’m just a plinking civilian.
Had another mag issue at a match today. Double feed. Mag related. I’m dx’ing the magpul mags from the match rotation as it’s hurt me in two consecutive matches in different ways.
The mag springs seem noticeably softer and the rounds come out with almost no pressure at times.
My only experience is OEM, MagPul and Korean.
Glock OEM mags have been flawless so far. We went Glock in the early 90s, with many thousands of rounds fired through 9MM, 40 S&W, 45ACP and 1000 or less 357Sig and 10mm.
MagPul, so far so good. Still under 1K. G19 and G26 only. I love the looks and ergonomics of the G26 Magpul mag.
Korean, total POS. Worst Ever - Stay Away.
They rattle in my 24rd factory mags, also.
IMO, the Magpul mags are fine for training (I usually shoot brass). I’ll only use factory mags for carry or matches, though. They have completely different design. I do use a few Pierce (G26,G23) and Vickers (G42, G43) extensions, and they seem fine.
I feel the same way about mags with my Berettas, because the followers are subtly different, which sometimes causes failures to lock back with certain mag types/brands.
Magpul magazines have worked well in my 19’s and 26. No issues with brass cased ammo.
Frankly, I find decent prices for Glock OEM magazines leaving me unmotivated to purchase anything else. If I had to try something different I would probably go for Magpul Pmags based on they’re products reputation
Pretty much this.
I had two well used magpul g17 Mags. They looked normal but the lips would spread and when you fired in twos or burst, they would not feed properly and jam the gun. I noticed while loading the bullets tended to point up higher them normal. I got these Mags with my maxim 9 I did not source them. I feel like glock Mags are cheap enough I don’t need to save money on something I want to carry. I don’t have stockpiles of Mags but I do have plenty.
Magpul is the closest to OEM quality, I’ve never had issues with any of mine.
Magpul. My experience mirrors others here, they’re 100%, less so with steel case. Only problems I’ve ever had.
I’m doing my level best to wear out 2 17 rounders and a 21, as they are training mags. Hasn’t happened yet, they’re still 100%.
Frankly, I think the feed lips will wear away before anything else. I’cm beginning to see the very start of that on 2 of these, but so far ni effect on function.
This is in a variety of pistols.
I have had nothing but good results with the 21 round and 15 round Magpul mags. They run great in my Glock 19 and AR pistol. The 27 round mags have weaker springs. Not as reliable
Glock PMAGs are fine with brass ammo; with Steel Case they can easily start to induce malfunctions - basically there is more friction between the cases and the sides of the magazine, especially when dirty. To the point you can flick off the top round of ammo and count “1 potato, 2 potato” before the next round is in place - which of course causes failures to properly feed.
Magpul told me to clean the mags and then lightly lube them to get better feeding from steel cased ammo - Sorry, “Ain’t Nobody Got Time Fo Dat!”.
I have relegated my Glock PMAGs to training fodder and sold off the majority of the extras I had in storage, because when I can get OEM Glock mags for around $18 (before the panic) to $21 (today), I don’t see the need to save $5 per mag when they WILL cause issues with steel cased ammo.