OEM Glock vs Magpul Glock Magazines
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy are going to compare OEM Glock and Magpul Glock magazines. These two types of magazines are incredibly common and are utilized by shooters in various firearms. Casual shooters and professional end users alike employ OEM Glock magazines or Magpul Glock pattern magazines. We are going to delve into the various traits and features of both magazine types in addition to other considerations. Without further ado, let’s go over OEM Glock and Magpul Glock magazines.
OEM Glock Magazines
Like the name suggests, Glock magazines are designed for use in Glock handguns and other firearms which accept these types of mags. Like Glock handguns, magazines of this type typically utilize a considerable amount of polymer in their construction. Of course, necessary parts such as magazine springs utilize steel in addition to the liners present in factory Glock magazines from Generation 2 onward. The combination of these materials provides shooters with a reliable magazine which still remains lightweight, especially when compared to metal magazines. Glock produces magazines in a wide range of capacities and various colors.
Magpul Glock Magazines
Magpul is a well-known producer of magazines and firearm accessories. In addition to producing products for use with AR-15s and AKS, Magpul also offers Glock pattern magazines. The company’s Glock pattern magazines are part of the company’s GL9 product line. Like their other magazine offerings, these magazines utilize a durable polymer construction. This construction allows the unit to be both lightweight and rugged. Despite their non-OEM nature, Magpul GL9 magazines have established a positive reputation among shooters. In fact, many manufacturers, such as Shadow Systems, include Magpul Glock magazines with their pistols. Like Glock magazines, Magpul offerings are available in various sizes and capacities.
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Color Options
When it comes to color options, shooters will find that OEM Glock magazines come in a wider range of different colorways than their Magpul counterparts do. Unlike their AR-15 and AR-10 PMAG offerings, Magpul only offers their Glock pattern magazines in black. By comparison, OEM Glock magazines are able to be had in multiple color offerings. Glock manufactures magazines in black, coyote, olive drab green, and flat dark earth colorways. In short, one has more color options with factory Glock magazines.
Serviceability and Ease of Maintenance
Both types of magazines are user serviceable and have straightforward disassembly processes. Between the two offerings, the Magpul Glock pattern magazines notably have an easier disassembly process than their OEM counterparts.
Factory Glock magazines feature a standard takedown procedure requiring a base plate retainer needing to be depressed with a tool. While this tool is depressed, users must then squeeze the sides of the magazine to ensure that base plate retaining notches allow the plate to be removed. If retention notches are not depressed, one will encounter resistance and run the risk of damaging or breaking these tabs. Once these tabs are depressed, the base plate can be removed and the magazine’s contents can be removed.
Magpul Glock pattern magazines do not require this additional step of depressing retaining tabs. This means that users do not need to worry about potentially damaging retaining tabs and notches. Simply depress the base plate retainer and remove the plate and magazine internals.
Caliber Offerings
As far as caliber offerings go, Glock factory magazines come in more options than Glock offerings do. Presently, Magpul Glock pattern magazines only cover 9mm offerings. OEM factory Glock magazines are available in each caliber supported by Glock handgun offerings. This is to say that Glock magazines are available in .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 10mm Auto, and .22 LR. At the end of the day, shooters have more options in the way of Glock factory magazines than they will with Magpul Glock pattern mags.
Price of Magazines
When it comes to price, shooters will find that Magpul Glock pattern magazines are cheaper than their factory counterparts. This is typically the case with magazines as factory offerings tend to usually be pricier than aftermarket magazines. OEM Glock magazines are notably more affordable than factory magazines for other firearms made by companies such as HK, Beretta, or Sig Sauer. While factory Glock mags are relatively affordable when compared to the factory offerings from their competition, they are still pricier than Magpul offerings. Cheaper and more affordable magazines make it easier for shooters to stock up on magazines. Due to this fact, many shooters stock up on Magpul GL9 magazines for training use or to supplement existing stocks.
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Track Record
Both magazines have proven to be reliable with a wide variety of end users. Everyone from casual shooters to professional end users have utilized magazines of either type. Additionally, both Glock and Magpul have established themselves as reliable and proven members of the industry with quality products. That being said, when it comes to track record, nothing can beat the factory OEM magazines offered by Glock. Glock has designed and developed these magazines for as long as they have been involved in firearms production.
Magpul Glock pattern magazines have been available for a fraction of the time that Glock has spend developing and producing pistols and corresponding magazines. As such, factory Glock magazines have a longer track record of reliable service than Magpul Glock pattern magazines. This is not to say that Magpul Glock magazines are subpar or less reliable by any means, they just simply have not been around as long or have the history of service that OEM magazines do.
Can’t Go Wrong with Either Option
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with either option. Both OEM Glock and Magpul Glock pattern magazines have been utilized by a wide range of shooters throughout the years. As mentioned earlier, Magpul Glock pattern magazines are often included in place of OEM Glock magazines with clones of Glock pistols. This is to say that these magazines are trusted by manufacturers and shooters alike for their reliability and performance. Shooters employ both magazine types in various pistols or pistol caliber carbines for everything from plinking to defense or competition.
Conclusion
All in all, both magazine types represent a good option for shooters. Users of Glock handguns, Glock clones, or pistol caliber carbines are well served by either type of mag. Shooters can expect reliable and consistent performance regardless of whether they run OEM Glock mags or Magpul GL9 magazines. We here at True Shot Ammo carry both types of mags in addition to our inventory of ammo for sale. Our inventory of ammunition for sale spans popular calibers and gauges like 9mm, .223, 12 gauge, and .22 LR. Whether you want to buy magazines or buy bulk ammo, we have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
