Since I have been doing a lot of testing / vetting of my GLOCK 48 using the Shield Arms 15 round magazines, I was looking to better organize my findings, so I though it may be worthy of it's own thread.
Details:
GLOCK 48 purchased new 9/25/2019
- Black Slide
- Factory "HD" night sights (Square notch rear, which I much prefer over U notch sights)
Modifications:
APEX trigger and connector. (The factory trigger was painful to shoot. My intention was to just replace the trigger, but I figured I'd try the connector as well. It sill puts trigger pull over 5# so I believe this to be acceptable for social work)
Shield Arms metal magazine release
From 3/15/2020:
From 3/22/2020:Finally got to take my 48 to the range with my new S15 magazines. Gun is a more recent black slide model, and the factory option HD sights. Gun has Apex trigger and connector kit, and Shield Arms metal mag catch.
I have two S15 magazines. I put the extra power mag spring in one magazine and left the other as is. I did 300 rounds total, equal amounts per magazine. Ammo was my USPSA reloads using TG and Montana Gold 147 FMJ with a flat point.
Most of the shooting was done freestyle, with several WHO runs at the end. All testing began at max capacity, IE 15+1.
There were no failures to feed, eject, or lock back. Both magazines performed well for function firing.
The magazine with the extra power spring would not fall free when empty at slide lock. The other magazine had no issues falling free when empty. Neither mag will fall free when full, but both fell free down one round (14 in the magazine). The issue with the one magazine may not be spring related. During my next vetting session, I plan on swapping the magazine springs to isolate that one issue.
So far I’m optimistic about these magazines and they’re potential use for carry. I’m still planning on more practice ammo testing, followed by running some premium defense ammo through it. I was even planning the 2K challenge. My concerns at the moment is it seems a bit of a buying frenzy is going on, at least locally, so not sure how that will effect pricing and availability.
TBC...
From 3/28/2020:Another 200 rounds through the 2 S15 magazines. I swapped springs, and at first the mag without the heavy spring (same mag) would not fall free when empty at slide lock. This led me to conclude it's mag body or follower related. However, after some use it did begin to drop free. 500 other flawless rounds, though still FMJ FP reloads. With the current climate, I'm really not inclined to start throwing premium ammo in the mix.
From 4/4/2020:Another 200 rounds in the wee hours of the morning today. Early on that one magazine didn’t drop from slide lock, but later in the shooting it did.
Still shooting reloads, but mixed it up a little using a 147 round nose, versus flat, with a little more OAL. Also changes to some Win primers over the softer Feds, more so to validate the Apex parts.
So that’s 700 rounds into my 2K challenge, and the only issue is a mag dropping free. Slide lock has worked 100% thus far, with both the standard and extra power spring.
If available, I’ll try and pickup 2 more magazines next week. Still need to order up some SD loads, preferably 147 HST. Current environment rules out any local sources.
In my next post, I'll record today's results which include the Chronograph and premium defense ammunition testing...Another 120 rounds through the G48 and Shield Arms magazine. 60 by me and 60 by the wife. The wife was a good test, as she has no grip strength. She managed to limp wrist jam my G34 three times. However, the G48 ran flawless for her, crammed with 15 rounds.
So 820 without cleaning or lubing. I don’t think I’m going to continue the 2K challenge though. I have no issue without cleaning, but no lube part seems, well, not something I should do.
Once I get a box of the good stuff through it, I’m deeming it good to go.
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Originally Posted by SeaSoldier
