Glock 19 Mags

The KCI mags are supposed to be manufactured to Glock factory specs. They are/were made in Korea under a licensing agreement with Glock. They were originally made for the ROK police and military.

But every study (not "report") I've seen has shown that, while they are almost as reliable as factory mags, they do fall a little short.

Some folks reported that the followers were/are more prone to tilting -- making them jam when loaded to full capacity. Others have reported that the springs were thinner and lighter than the factory springs, resulting in failures-to-feed.

BOTTOM LINE: They are plenty adequate as "range mags." But I don't know of a single person who carries "seriously" who would trust them for "social" use.

These mags have been around for years, and were always cheaper than Glock factory mags. But they have never been cheap enough to entice me into ordering any.

Good question

I've always credited it to the generous feed ramp

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Kinda off topic a little bit, but I think it's a fair question. It's a given that Glock factory mags are consistently some of the best out there. OTOH, one frequently hears criticism of other factory mags. For example, although my Kahr CW45 has run fine w/ it's factory mags, I've read of many who have had issues w/ them. How much of the Glock gun's enviable record for reliability do you think may be attributable to the excellent Glock factory mags?

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Good question -- for which I have no answer. Because I truly don't know anyone who has ever used any mags other than those made by Glock.

I know some Beretta mags are supplied by a vendor (I don't think Beretta could supply all the mags the US military needed when the Model 92 was selected). I don't know who makes Kahr's mags. (and I, too, have had to send a Kahr (PM9) back -- twice).

I know mags are critical in many 1911's (with McCormick & Wilson mags considered by many to be "the best"). I presume that Gaston may have figured he wanted control over QA/QC processes for his mags (and no doubt wanted to maximize his profit).

I think there's more to the Glock mags than just springs. I normally replace the factory mag springs (when they finally wear out) with Wolf or ISMI springs (because they last longer). I've never seen a reliability issue with Glock mags after swapping to after-market springs.

In my experience, followers seem to be a bit more critical than springs (assuming the springs aren't too weak). Lots of AR-15 mags had problems, prior to the development of anti-tilt followers, as did the first two generations of M&P mags.

I've never seen a reliability issue with Glocks after installing after-market parts such as connectors, slide locks, trigger return springs, striker springs, guide rods or firing pin safeties.

So I suspect that some of the "reliability" really comes from a simple, robust design, with relatively few moving parts, that is is intended to provide "combat accuracy" (which means it's not built to super-precise tolerances).

I think any gun built to very precise tolerances will be more finicky when it comes to after-market parts, including mags. Then, anything that is slightly out-of-spec can cause a problem. Some custom 1911's are hand-fitted. So swapping parts from one of these guns to another may cause problems.

Swapping parts from Glock to Glock, or M&P to M&P, or Beretta 92 to Beretta 92 is unlikely to be an issue.

The foregoing is a long-winded way of reiterating my initial comment -- "I don't know". I'd love to hear from someone who does.

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Speaking of Glocks, I got a new Gen3 Glock 19 today for $499.

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Son of a bitch. New or used? I paid $529 for mine almost 3 years ago. Did you buy just the gun? Mine was new, came with case, two 15 round mags, cleaning kit, and 100 FMJ rounds.

He has a FFL and a gun biz on the side. I contacted him about a 17 an he said he had a 19 in stock but couldn't get a 17 at the moment.

In today's market, that's a good deal.
(Only better deal is LEO/mil discount.)

Congrats.

I couldn't believe it when he told me the price. I couldn't type back yes fast enough.

Where'd ya get that? This is my next purchase. Looking at buying later this month.

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It is brand new. With 2 mags. Buddy deal kinda thing.

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Makes me feel a little better.

Funny story. This was my first purchase from a local gun store when I first moved to town. I had to pay $100 upfront because they had to order it. The price was the same as Academy and I wanted to support the local guy so I waited a few days. He called me when it came in and I go to pick it up in a state of what I can only call giddiness. He takes it out of the case and lets me check it out and everything is good, so I pack it back up and leave. Well about the time I put my car in reverse I realize I still owe the guy about $450 I went back in and he asks me what's wrong. I say, "Oh, I just thought you might want the rest of your money." He was so surprised at my honesty that he gave me the 100 rounds for free

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to good people.

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Amen to that