Glock G43 extended magazines?

[Jaywalker]

Are there any extended magazines that would work reliably?

I carry my G43 sometimes in my pocket and plan to carry it also on my belt under certain circumstances. When it's in a belt holster an extended magazine would be nice, but a standard six-round magazine would fit better in my pocket. (A G43X or G48 won't work for me for pocket carry.)

(Note: For those interested in the circumstances in which a belt holster makes sense for me and not a pocket holster - traveling. When I'm traveling I need my pockets for many things that I would not need if I were just going to the corner store. Also, going to the corner store I can slide the holstered pistol in my pocket and be gone, while threading a holster and magazine makes sense to me if I'll be wearing it all day.)

[BigT]

Haven't found one yet I trust, best results I've had have been with the tango down ones. But I've seen an issue or two there.

I've had issues with multiple TTI ones.

[Jaywalker]

Haven't found one yet I trust, best results I've had have been with the tango down ones. But I've seen an issue or two there.

I've had issues with multiple TTI ones.
Thanks. I'll stick with the standard ones.

[inkslinger]

I use the Tango Down ones on my g43. As of yet, I haven’t had any issues, but I admittedly don’t shoot it a lot. In my g19 I just use larger magazines. I do have some TT and Taylor Freelance extensions on M&P magazines. They will almost always cause my slide to auto forward which I am not a fan of. They only get used for training because of that.

[TC215]

My agency has tested every kind of extended G43 magazine out there, and none of them functioned perfectly.

I talked to a Glock LE rep about it, and he said if they could figure out a way to make G43 extended mags reliable, they’d be building them themselves.

[Jaywalker]

My agency has tested every kind of extended G43 magazine out there, and none of them functioned perfectly.

I talked to a Glock LE rep about it, and he said if they could figure out a way to make G43 extended mags reliable, they’d be building them themselves.
Pretty definitive. Thanks.

[BigT]

I talked to a Glock LE rep about it, and he said if they could figure out a way to make G43 extended mags reliable, they’d be building them themselves.

That's exactly what the factory says

[Bucky]

Check out the mag extension made by Ghost. Unlike all the others, the Ghost is literally a mag extension, as opposed to a hollowed out base pad. I’ve thoroughly vetted the two I have, and have had no issues. I use it as my reload magazine, as not only does it get two extra rounds, it seats easier due to the added length.

[Sanch]

Can glock or someone third party make a 6 round mag that works Reliably with a glock 48? Shortening up a g48 mag. Then we can take g48, cut down the grip to take those new mags, and put a 43 upper on it to make a G43Y. And it will work with the new 6 round flush mags and also 10 round glock 48 factory mags.

[Up1911Fan]

I personally find it hard to believe that Glock can make reliable mags for the 17/19/26 but can't make an extended mag for the 43.

[vcdgrips]

Can't v Won't re Glock making a reliable extended mag.


Juice v. Squeeze



43 v. 43X and 48 (more capacity=a different and additional gun)

[ViniVidivici]

We have 3 G43 mags with Vickers-Tango Down +2 extensions (they do come with longer springs, of course).

All have been reliable. HH6 carries the gun with one in, I wouldn't let her if I didn't trust it.

As I continue to read about this issue, it seems to be very hit and miss....dependent on individual guns.

For that matter, so is the general reliability of the G43, albeit to a lesser extent.

[Navin Johnson]

What would be the down side for Glock to make reliable extended magazines?

[Sanch]

Supposedly the 43 has weird stacking that makes longer mags not reliable.

The downside, if they could do it, is cannibalizing g43x sales. Because you already have a 43 and could just buy a longer mag with some kind of grip adapter and it’s a 43x.

Personally, I kind of look at the 43 as a don’t even get to reload gun in a fight. Use your 7 rounds and do something else. It’s like a snubby for me but I shoot snubbies like crap and I don’t appreciate them being easier to conceal so that’s what the 43 is for me.

[BigT]

Yeah I mean Glock famously hate money...

Making an extended mag isn't difficult.

Making an extended mag that works with ball isn't really that difficult.

Making an extended mag that works with a variety of ammo in a variety of guns is more challenging.

[Navin Johnson]

Supposedly the 43 has weird stacking that makes longer mags not reliable.

The downside, if they could do it, is cannibalizing g43x sales. Because you already have a 43 and could just buy a longer mag with some kind of grip adapter and it’s a 43x.

Personally, I kind of look at the 43 as a don’t even get to reload gun in a fight. Use your 7 rounds and do something else. It’s like a snubby for me but I shoot snubbies like crap and I don’t appreciate them being easier to conceal so that’s what the 43 is for me.

A 43 with an extended magazine will still never be a 43x unless capacity is your only measure of a carry gun....

[Joe Mac]

My agency has tested every kind of extended G43 magazine out there, and none of them functioned perfectly.

I talked to a Glock LE rep about it, and he said if they could figure out a way to make G43 extended mags reliable, they’d be building them themselves.

I've had the same conversation with multiple reps. They even admitted to testing every aftermarket extension at Smyrna, to see if anyone had cracked the code -- nope. Apparently the semi-stagger of the cartridge stack, when combined with an effectively lengthened mag body, results in rounds tilting at unhealthy angles.

Before hearing this from our LE reps, I spent too much money testing different extensions with high round counts of carry ammo. If you haven't had a malfunction with your extension of choice, keep shooting...you will.

[TC215]

I've had the same conversation with multiple reps. They even admitted to testing every aftermarket extension at Smyrna, to see if anyone had cracked the code -- nope. Apparently the semi-stagger of the cartridge stack, when combined with an effectively lengthened mag body, results in rounds tilting at unhealthy angles.

Before hearing this from our LE reps, I spent too much money testing different extensions with high round counts of carry ammo. If you haven't had a malfunction with your extension of choice, keep shooting...you will.

I was told the same thing.

[Navin Johnson]

I know nines run best with a staggered mag due to taper.....

But it makes one wonder how close to the edge of function even the factory mags are?

[Warped Mindless]

Rumor has it that Shield Arms is making a flush fit 43 mag that will have more capacity.

[msstate56]

I posted a while ago about my agency’s experience with 43 mags. We are all issued a 43 as a bug. Every time we shoot quals I see plenty of malfunctions up and down the line. 24 different guns with every manner of extension on the market. None work reliably. So far the “best” has been the 9 round ETS magazine. They generally feed reliably, but fail to lock my slide back over 50% of the time. I will only carry and recommend factory 6 round mags for carry.

I think the “A” answer would be for them to scrap the 43 as is, and just make a shorter grip 43x. But I doubt that ever happens.

[Navin Johnson]

I posted a while ago about my agency’s experience with 43 mags. We are all issued a 43 as a bug. Every time we shoot quals I see plenty of malfunctions up and down the line. 24 different guns with every manner of extension on the market. None work reliably. So far the “best” has been the 9 round ETS magazine. They generally feed reliably, but fail to lock my slide back over 50% of the time. I will only carry and recommend factory 6 round mags for carry.

I think the “A” answer would be for them to scrap the 43 as is, and just make a shorter grip 43x. But I doubt that ever happens.

Just for clarity do they all run with factory mags?

A 43x compact grip would be kewl......I have a 43x that I like much but am waiting to see if this will happen.

[Willard]

Every time we shoot quals I see plenty of malfunctions up and down the line.

Is this true with factory magazine with no extension/adapters?

[msstate56]

Most people are running extended mags of some type because it speeds up the qual (less reloading). I’ve noticed that when using the factory 6 round mags there are far fewer (I won’t say none) malfunctions. I honestly can’t think of any I’ve had with 6 rounders. Anyone that’s spent time on a police Qual line knows that most of the malfunctions are not “the gun’s” fault.

[RAM Engineer]

I think the “A” answer would be for them to scrap the 43 as is, and just make a shorter grip 43x. But I doubt that ever happens.

I've thought this would be best ever since the 43X was released. Then you have a whole slimline system: Long slide/short slide, 10 round grip/7-ish round grip, 7-ish round grip with 10 round extended magazine, etc...

Plus add a miniature MOS system while you're at it.

[ECVMatt]

I have an ETS 9 round mag and it has worked 100% of the time with 150 rounds of WWB 115. I know this doesn't work for you, but when I need 10 rounds I switch to my 48 frame. I am not sold on the Shield Arms mags yet, so I stick with my 10 rounders.

In terms of making 9mm's work in a single stack magazine I think back guns like the P08, P38, C96, 225 and the list can go on and on. I think single stacks 9's have been pretty well vetted. Why it is difficult with the Glock 43 seems a mystery to me.

You might give the ETS mag a go. They are not terribly expensive and might be a good option.

[BigT]

I have an ETS 9 round mag and it has worked 100% of the time with 150 rounds of WWB 115. I know this doesn't work for you, but when I need 10 rounds I switch to my 48 frame. I am not sold on the Shield Arms mags yet, so I stick with my 10 rounders.

In terms of making 9mm's work in a single stack magazine I think back guns like the P08, P38, C96, 225 and the list can go on and on. I think single stacks 9's have been pretty well vetted. Why it is difficult with the Glock 43 seems a mystery to me.

You might give the ETS mag a go. They are not terribly expensive and might be a good option.


A list of guns generally famous for liking FMJ...

[ECVMatt]

A list of guns generally famous for liking FMJ...

Well that's true. I was thinking old school, but there is also the Smith 39 series (I've had great success with my 3913), HK P7M8, the various Sigs, 225, 239, 938, Kahrs, even the lowly Star M43 Firestar.

Right or wrong,I think that when people think 10 rounds in a compact Glock they go to the 43x or 48. I understand the need for a quality 9/10 round Glock 43 magazine,but it looks like the market has yet to support it.

[SmokeJumper]

I've got a few thousand rounds through some G43 mags with the Tangodown Vickers +2 extensions with zero issues, these include a new spring and baseplate. A colleague from another agency has been shooting and teaching within his agency with two earlier G43's and the Vickers +2 without issues. I've seen the ETS mags fail to lock back on quals or practice on the range. TT's seem to have issues all across the board, been seeing them fall apart on impacts on the ground, but I'm not running them on my guns. I've heard good things on the Shield Arms extensions for the full size Glocks, their S15 mags run fine in my new G43X, but only 500+ rounds through them thus far. Just my experience though

[M2CattleCo]

I'm gonna pile onto the six round mantra.

The 43 is a true single stack and the tapered case just doesn't fare well with a very long stack as the top round wants to tip down and the rim wants to lock into extractor groove of the next round down. It makes it more sensitive to bullet ogive shape than a double stack.

Glock fell into the same trap as the 9mm 1911 with the 43.

[Chuck Haggard]

Weird.

My G43 has been 100% through hundreds of rounds with Tango Down Vickers base plates, and the Ghost extensions.