Do aftermarket mags work better in blowback PCC's?

TruthTellers · January 29, 2021, 02:47 AM

Since this related to pistol magazines I figure it belongs in the handgun section.

I've found that Magpul, ETS, and even complete mags with no brand name on them run flawless in a couple PCC's I have, yet the ETS mags have had issues in Glock pistols.

I recently received a free KCI Glock 19 mag in an online order SNAFU and it fits into a 9mm PCC I have. I didn't know the KCI mags were metal lined on the inside, which is great as I was going to buy a real Glock mag as I've been having issues with Winchester steel case 9mm not working right when I load them into polymer only Magpul and ETS mags. I have no issues with Tula or brass ammo in those mags, so I figure the Winchester steel prefers a steel lined mag.

Now, I don't want to make this solely a Glock magazine topic, but have any here ever tried aftermarket magazines and found them to work better in a blowback PCC compared to the handguns that also use those magazines?

Also, has anyone had a positive experience with KCI Glock mags?

Nanuk · January 30, 2021, 09:04 AM

I found it the other way with my guns. ETS mags work fine in the pistol, but not the PCC. Factory Glock mags work anywhere.

MarkCO · January 30, 2021, 10:06 AM

ETS will run for a while, then the crap spring needs to be replaced and they will generally run fine in pistols and PCCs. But in general, PCCs are more apt to malfunction than Glock pistols, so yeah, agree with Nanuk, Glock mags are best for the PCCs.

Don P · January 30, 2021, 10:25 AM

One, it sounds like ammo issues and maybe I'm lucky but my ETS mags run like a scalded cat in my PCC's and Glocks

dogtown tom · January 30, 2021, 12:19 PM

A $22 Glock magazine is a bargain compared to a $12 Magpul/ETS/KCI.

Glock mags are notoriously reliable, the Magpul/ETS/KCI are not.
I've owned Magpul/ETS/KCI and they are range use only.

TruthTellers · January 30, 2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogtown tom

A $22 Glock magazine is a bargain compared to a $12 Magpul/ETS/KCI.

Glock mags are notoriously reliable, the Magpul/ETS/KCI are not.
I've owned Magpul/ETS/KCI and they are range use only.

Speak for yourself, I've had zero issues with Magpul Glock mags.

Onward Allusion · January 30, 2021, 05:48 PM

Depends on the PCC, pistol, and/or the aftermarket mag. I've personally never had success in running the Asian mags with Russian ammo. Always had a difficult time loading aftermarket Glock mags by Magpul to full capacity. Magpul Glock mags will bulge and will become non-drop-free fully loaded. Have a TNW survival PCC that takes Glock mags and that one has never failed to eat out of any mag - OEM or aftermarket. Guessing it has something to do with the slow cycle time as a result of its super stiff buffer spring. Gimme OEM any day.

TruthTellers · January 30, 2021, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onward Allusion

Depends on the PCC, pistol, and/or the aftermarket mag. I've personally never had success in running the Asian mags with Russian ammo. Always had a difficult time loading aftermarket Glock mags by Magpul to full capacity. Magpul Glock mags will bulge and will become non-drop-free fully loaded. Have a TNW survival PCC that takes Glock mags and that one has never failed to eat out of any mag - OEM or aftermarket. Guessing it has something to do with the slow cycle time as a result of its super stiff buffer spring. Gimme OEM any day.

Really? I've been thinking of a TNW 10mm carbine and all I have for 10mm mags is Glock brand, so hearing this is not giving me confidence.

dogtown tom · January 31, 2021, 07:24 PM

Quote:

TruthTellers

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by dogtown tom View Post
A $22 Glock magazine is a bargain compared to a $12 Magpul/ETS/KCI.

Glock mags are notoriously reliable, the Magpul/ETS/KCI are not.
I've owned Magpul/ETS/KCI and they are range use only.

Speak for yourself, I've had zero issues with Magpul Glock mags.

I'm not just speaking for myself. There are numerous negative reports on Magpul Glock magazines since they first came out.

You asked for opinions and now that you have a few you say "speak for yourself"? If you just want people to pat you on the back and say "you right" then put "only those that agree with me should respond" in the subject line.

Typical

TruthTellers · February 1, 2021, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogtown tom

I'm not just speaking for myself. There are numerous negative reports on Magpul Glock magazines since they first came out.

You asked for opinions and now that you have a few you say "speak for yourself"? If you just want people to pat you on the back and say "you right" then put "only those that agree with me should respond" in the subject line.

Typical

I've heard of numerous issues with the ETS mags, experienced some myself, so I believe them, but you're the first I've seen have issue with the Magpul mags.

Not saying it's not possible, but it's not common either.

So, specifics my dear boy! What gun(s) were you shooting these mags in?

Onward Allusion · February 1, 2021, 10:38 AM

Let me be the "second" person . . . Magpul Glock mags will have their feed lips wear from use. Not a problem for range use. They also start bulging when loaded to capacity. To the point where they are not as drop-free as OEM. Again, not an issue for range use. Finally, if you have a backstrap plug on your block, Magpul Glock mags may not insert fully and lock because they have slightly bigger floorplate than OEM.

Personally, for SD purposes, I rely on nothing but OEM or Mec Gar. Yes, I have a good number of aftermarket Glock mags (Asian military, Magpul, & KCI) for RANGE use.

Onward Allusion · February 1, 2021, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Really? I've been thinking of a TNW 10mm carbine and all I have for 10mm mags is Glock brand, so hearing this is not giving me confidence.

Never had a problem with the carbine. It's the 9mm version. My guess is that they don't change the buffer spring for different calibers - 357/40/10mm/45, hence the close ejection of the spent case.

dogtown tom · February 1, 2021, 02:41 PM

TruthTellers

Quote:

I've heard of numerous issues with the ETS mags, experienced some myself, so I believe them, but you're the first I've seen have issue with the Magpul mags.

You must not have looked very hard because Magpul recognised a problem five years ago: https://www.facebook.com/magpul/post...8732774139072/

Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=magp...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Quote:

Not saying it's not possible, but it's not common either.

I'm the first with an issue and you also believe its not common?

Its SO COMMON that its not really a secret that Magpul Glock mags are "range use" only on nearly every gun forum.

Quote:

So, specifics my dear boy! What gun(s) were you shooting these mags in?

Glock 26/19/17/17L

January 29, 2021, 02:47 AM	#1
TruthTellers Senior Member Join Date: October 22, 2016 Posts: 3,887	Do aftermarket mags work better in blowback PCC's? Since this related to pistol magazines I figure it belongs in the handgun section. I've found that Magpul, ETS, and even complete mags with no brand name on them run flawless in a couple PCC's I have, yet the ETS mags have had issues in Glock pistols. I recently received a free KCI Glock 19 mag in an online order SNAFU and it fits into a 9mm PCC I have. I didn't know the KCI mags were metal lined on the inside, which is great as I was going to buy a real Glock mag as I've been having issues with Winchester steel case 9mm not working right when I load them into polymer only Magpul and ETS mags. I have no issues with Tula or brass ammo in those mags, so I figure the Winchester steel prefers a steel lined mag. Now, I don't want to make this solely a Glock magazine topic, but have any here ever tried aftermarket magazines and found them to work better in a blowback PCC compared to the handguns that also use those magazines? Also, has anyone had a positive experience with KCI Glock mags? __________________ "We always think there's gonna be more time... then it runs out."

January 30, 2021, 09:04 AM	#2
Nanuk Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2005 Location: Where the deer and the antelope roam. Posts: 3,082	I found it the other way with my guns. ETS mags work fine in the pistol, but not the PCC. Factory Glock mags work anywhere. __________________ Retired Law Enforcement U. S. Army Veteran Armorer My rifle and pistol are tools, I am the weapon.

January 30, 2021, 10:06 AM	#3
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	ETS will run for a while, then the crap spring needs to be replaced and they will generally run fine in pistols and PCCs. But in general, PCCs are more apt to malfunction than Glock pistols, so yeah, agree with Nanuk, Glock mags are best for the PCCs. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

January 30, 2021, 10:25 AM	#4
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	One, it sounds like ammo issues and maybe I'm lucky but my ETS mags run like a scalded cat in my PCC's and Glocks __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

January 30, 2021, 12:19 PM	#5
dogtown tom Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 3,078	A $22 Glock magazine is a bargain compared to a $12 Magpul/ETS/KCI. Glock mags are notoriously reliable, the Magpul/ETS/KCI are not. I've owned Magpul/ETS/KCI and they are range use only. __________________ Need a FFL in Dallas/Plano/Allen/Frisco/McKinney ? Just EMAIL me. $20 transfers ($10 for CHL, active military,police,fire or schoolteachers) Plano, Texas...........the Gun Nut Capitol of Gun Culture, USA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pELwCqz2JfE

January 30, 2021, 05:48 PM	#7
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Depends on the PCC, pistol, and/or the aftermarket mag. I've personally never had success in running the Asian mags with Russian ammo. Always had a difficult time loading aftermarket Glock mags by Magpul to full capacity. Magpul Glock mags will bulge and will become non-drop-free fully loaded. Have a TNW survival PCC that takes Glock mags and that one has never failed to eat out of any mag - OEM or aftermarket. Guessing it has something to do with the slow cycle time as a result of its super stiff buffer spring. Gimme OEM any day. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying

February 1, 2021, 10:38 AM	#11
Onward Allusion Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2009 Location: Back in a Non-Free State Posts: 3,133	Let me be the "second" person . . . Magpul Glock mags will have their feed lips wear from use. Not a problem for range use. They also start bulging when loaded to capacity. To the point where they are not as drop-free as OEM. Again, not an issue for range use. Finally, if you have a backstrap plug on your block, Magpul Glock mags may not insert fully and lock because they have slightly bigger floorplate than OEM. Personally, for SD purposes, I rely on nothing but OEM or Mec Gar. Yes, I have a good number of aftermarket Glock mags (Asian military, Magpul, & KCI) for RANGE use. __________________ Simple as ABC . . . Always Be Carrying