Pistol Reliability When Using Magazines That Protrude Past Grip?

[HGM22]

Are there any reliability issues when using magazines that protrude past the pistol's grip? For example, using Glock 19 magazines in a G26 or CZ 75 mags in a CZ 75 Compact?

I know people say grabbing the magazine of a rifle can cause issues, so wouldn't the same apply to the pistol? For some of these sub-compacts, couldn't a pinky finger resting on the magazine put some undue pressure on the over-sized mag and create the same issue as in the rifle?

 

[GRIZ22]

I've found reliability of using Glock 19 or 17 mags in a 26,17s in a 19, or the 31 rd mag depends on what kind of pressure is put on the protruding part of the magazine by the fingers resting on it. It's totally subjective to the shooter. It works for most but not all. No problems if you use one of those sleeves that go over the extended portion of the mag. No problems using a G21 mag in a G30. The only other experience is with 15 or 20 rd in a S&W 6906. Some people had trobule with the 20s. I found they came from the factory with a lot of grease inside and after that was cleaned out they ran fine. I would carry a 20 rd for a reload for a 6906 then. I carry a G19 mag for a reload when I'm carrying my 26 now.

 

[azrn]

i have had no problems using my g 21 mags with my g 30. azrn

 

[rskent]

Grizz

No problems if you use one of those sleeves that go over the extended portion of the mag.

No pinched fingers?

 

[jmr40]

Glock sells 33 round magazines that protrude several inches below the grip. Never had a problem with them in any Glock. That would include G17, G19, and the G26.

In fact I carry each of those guns with the factory magazine, but only carry the longer G17 mags as spares. I do the same with my G20 and G29.

I can't say about other manufacturers.

 

[Tirod]

The US Army recently noted that using the magazine as a rest would NOT affect feeding or reliability. The biggest issue with mags is the cartridge nose diving when the bolt or slide picks it up and for the most part the follower has always controlled that. Longer rifle cartridges that have to step up the length of the feed ramps on the M4 aren't an issue. Bad magazines and non milspec ammo is the issue.

A pistol usually has an even longer mag well to prevent rocking so it becomes an internet contest among non professionals discussing how much it will affect things. In pistol ammo the ogive of the nose affects things more and why some pistols don't feed certain hollow point rounds well. For self defense it's then a matter of finding what does feed reliably regardless of tribal affiliation.

 

[X-Rap]

The only noteworthy observation I can comment on would be the 10-22 Ruger with the extended mags.
Haven't had problems with factory Glock mags or AR, M1A rifles.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[psyopspec]

No problems with Glocks, modern ARs, or M4s. A USAMU instructor I had the pleasure to train with traced the issues of using the magazine as a monopod to Vietnam-era M14s, which became apocryphal wisdom handed down through the generations by drill sergeants even though it didn't apply to the M-16 series.

 

[Tallball]

FWIW, I have had a Taurus Beretta 92 clone for many years. I bought a 32-round magazine within weeks of purchasing the pistol (I think it was in 1990). I have never had any problems with that magazine. The pistol functions just as well with it as it does with any other. It might help that the grip is large enough that my pinky doesn't press down on the magazine at all.

 

[Warp]

Never been a problem for me...AR with magazine as a monopod, sub compact and compact Glocks with full size magazines...FNS compact with full size magazine...not problem at all

 

[Capt. Ct.]

No problems here.

 

[Pokajabba]

The US Army recently noted that using the magazine as a rest would NOT affect feeding or reliability. The biggest issue with mags is the cartridge nose diving when the bolt or slide picks it up and for the most part the follower has always controlled that. Longer rifle cartridges that have to step up the length of the feed ramps on the M4 aren't an issue. Bad magazines and non milspec ammo is the issue.

A pistol usually has an even longer mag well to prevent rocking so it becomes an internet contest among non professionals discussing how much it will affect things. In pistol ammo the ogive of the nose affects things more and why some pistols don't feed certain hollow point rounds well. For self defense it's then a matter of finding what does feed reliably regardless of tribal affiliation.

The 5.56 and 7.62 are bottlenecked, the nose of the cartridge gets to torpedo into a hole much larger in diameter than it needs. You take a straight wall pistol case and it's being sent into a hole just barely larger than itself, thus any sort of change in the direction it's moving due to outside interference on the magazine and it's likely to cause issues.

 

[C0untZer0]

Sounds like a "case" for the 9mm...

 

[wally]

I know people say grabbing the magazine of a rifle can cause issues, so wouldn't the same apply to the pistol?

I believe people like Clint Smith would say if this is a problem then get your gun fixed!

Any proper AR15 and magazine should work fine using the mag as a "mono-pod" -- not AK robust where you can use the gun and magazine as a T-bar for doing enhanced push-ups, but holding the mag or using it for support shouldn't cause issues.

The double stack, single feed handgun mags should be even less prone to this issue. That said I have an Olympic .40S&W AR that uses modified Glock mags that will mess up with pressure on the bottom of the magazine, but its made by Olympic and the mags needed modification for the mag catch which introduces another tolerance to "stack up".

 

[Panzerschwein]

A properly made magazine spring will not decrease in power.

A longer length means nothing.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

I prefer Glock 17 mags in a Glock 19 -- it avoids pinched palms when slamming a mag in. Zero reliability problems with 10k + rounds shot this way.

 

[Jim K]

I will tell one on myself on the subject. Some years ago, I got interested in bowling pin shooting and decided to buy a 10 round magazine for the 1911. I never noticed that the one I got had no tab to stop the magazine from being inserted too deeply.

So, I go up to the line ready to fight off those evil zombie pins. I had the slide back on the 1911 and at command, inserted the magazine in the well, gave it a solid tap, and ......

The slide wouldn't close. The magazine couldn't be removed. Nothing. So there I am, at the line with an inoperable pistol yet with a loaded magazine. I got the RO's permission to remove the gun to a special work area where it could be operated on safely. About 20 minutes later, I got the gun working again and went back on the line with 7 round magazines. My embarrassment took longer to subside.

What happened was that with no tab at the front to stop the magazine from going in too far (something the front lip of the baseplate does on the normal magazine), the 10-rounder went right up in until its feed lips jammed in the slide, wedging the slide so it wouldn't move in either direction.

I bought another 10 round magazine, this time with a tab. It worked fine, and I now have two more like it. They don't make me a better shot, but at least I don't have to gunsmith a hot pistol on the line.

Jim

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've used extended mags on my XDs and beretta 92. I haven't had an issue with either.

 

[GRIZ22]

rskent, I was addressing reliability as the OP requested.

However, using a sleeve on a longer magazine is also subjective. Some have problems, some don't.

FWIW, my statements are based on my experiences of over 30 years as a LE firearms instructor. When I retired I was the primary firearms instructor for a Federal LE agency with about 200 agents in the office. I routinely was involved in the training of about 500 agents. Many times I was detailed to the agency's national firearms staff for T&E of firearms, ammunition, and related equipment. I was also instrumental in updating and revising the agency's firearms policy when required.

My experience is a bit more than what I heard from Joe and Charlie while we were shooting down at the gravel pit.

 

[herkyguy]

XDS and Sig P238 and I've never had a problem. Both have bumpers on the bottom to fit flush with the grip.

 

[rskent]

Grizz
I only mentioned pinched fingers because magazine extensions and sleeves tend to pinch my fingers.
For me, G17 mags in a G19 or G26 are fine as they are. For me, the sleeve thing is just an unnecessary thing that gets in the way if I want to put the G17 mag into the G17.