The Glock Magazines Guide: Every Model, Every Capacity, Every Brand
TakTactical Buyer's Guide · Glock
The Glock Magazines Guide: Every Model, Every Capacity, Every Brand
The complete reference for Glock magazines — Magpul PMAG, Shield Arms S15, KCI, ProMag, factory equivalents, and drum mags. In stock at TakTactical, ships in 1-2 business days from our US warehouse.
Quick recommendation: For a Glock 19, get the KCI 15rd. For a Glock 17, get the Magpul PMAG 21rd. For a Glock 43X/48, the Shield Arms S15 Combo turns it into a 15-round pistol. Detailed reasoning below.
Why This Guide
Glock makes 25+ pistol variants across four caliber families (9mm, .40, .45, 10mm) and three frame sizes (full, compact, sub-compact, single-stack). Magazine compatibility is mostly straightforward — same caliber/frame combinations cross-fit — but there are enough edge cases (Glock 17 vs 17L, G42 vs G43, third-gen vs Gen5) that buying the wrong magazine is the most common Glock parts-ordering mistake.
This guide walks through every Glock magazine we stock, organized by caliber and pistol family. We carry Magpul PMAG (the durable polymer option), Shield Arms S15 (the game-changer for slim-frame Glocks), KCI USA (factory-equivalent value), ProMag (drums and high-capacity), and several specialty options.
Part 1: How Glock Magazine Compatibility Works
Glock magazines cross-fit by frame size and caliber. The general rules:
- Larger magazines fit smaller pistols of the same caliber. A Glock 17 (full size) magazine fits in a Glock 19 (compact) — it just sticks out the bottom of the grip. Useful as a higher-capacity backup mag for a carry pistol.
- Smaller magazines do not fit larger pistols. A Glock 26 (sub-compact) magazine is too short to lock into a Glock 19 magwell. Use the larger magazine in the smaller gun, never the reverse.
- Calibers don't cross. A Glock 17 (9mm) magazine will not fit a Glock 22 (.40 S&W). Different feed-lip width and follower geometry.
- Single-stack frames are their own category. Glock 43, 43X, 48, 42, 36 all use single-stack magazines that do not interchange with the double-stack family. The exception is Shield Arms S15, covered separately.
Part 2: Magazine Compatibility Chart by Glock Model
| Glock Model | Caliber | Standard Capacity | Frame Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| G17 / G17L | 9mm | 17rd | Full-size double-stack |
| G19 / G19X | 9mm | 15rd | Compact double-stack |
| G26 | 9mm | 10rd | Sub-compact double-stack |
| G34 | 9mm | 17rd | Competition (uses G17 mag) |
| G43 | 9mm | 6rd | Single-stack subcompact |
| G43X / G48 | 9mm | 10rd factory · 15rd Shield S15 | Single-stack slim |
| G22 | .40 S&W | 15rd | Full-size double-stack |
| G23 | .40 S&W | 13rd | Compact double-stack |
| G20 | 10mm | 15rd | Full-size 10mm |
| G21 | .45 ACP | 13rd | Full-size .45 |
| G36 | .45 ACP | 6-7rd | Single-stack subcompact |
| G42 | .380 ACP | 6rd | Single-stack subcompact |
| G44 | .22 LR | 10rd factory | Training pistol |
Part 3: Magpul PMAG for Glock
Magpul makes polymer-construction PMAGs for several Glock variants. They're lighter, more durable in drop tests than steel-bodied factory mags, and (in our experience) cycle slightly more reliably with off-spec ammo.
- Magpul PMAG for Glock 17 (21rd, Black) — extended-capacity 21-round for full-size G17/G34. The 21rd holds four more than the factory G17 mag without significantly extending grip length. 1,355+ in stock. This is the PMAG we recommend most for Glock owners.
- Magpul PMAG for Glock 19 (10rd, Black) — 10-round restricted-state version. 6,017+ in stock — the most-inventoried magazine in our entire catalog.
- Magpul PMAG for Glock 26 (12rd, Black) — sub-compact magazine for G26. 12-round capacity with a small grip-length extension. 261+ in stock.
- Magpul PMAG D-50 GL9 for Glock 17 (50rd Drum) — the 50-round drum for G17/G34/PCC carbines. Range fun, competition, or extended-capacity defensive use. 909+ in stock.
Part 4: Shield Arms S15 — The Game-Changer for G43X/G48
Shield Arms identified an opportunity: the Glock 43X and 48 are popular slim-frame carry pistols, but their factory 10-round single-stack magazines feel anemic compared to compact double-stacks. Shield engineered a steel double-stack magazine that drops into the exact same magwell — increasing capacity to 15 rounds in the same grip envelope.
The result is a Glock 43X or 48 that holds the same number of rounds as a Glock 19, but in a thinner, lighter pistol. This is one of the most-popular Glock accessory upgrades sold in the US today.
- Shield Arms S15 Combo (3-Pack, 15rd, with Steel Mag Release) — the recommended starting bundle. Three S15 magazines plus the steel mag-catch replacement (required for reliable function with the steel-bodied S15). 676+ in stock. This is the bundle most G43X/G48 owners buy.
Important: Shield Arms S15 magazines work best with the steel mag-catch replacement that comes in the combo. The factory polymer mag catch will wear faster against steel mag bodies. Install the steel catch before using the S15 magazines.
Shield Arms Magazine Extensions for Full-Size Glocks
For G17/G22 (full size) or G19/G23 (compact), Shield Arms also offers +4/+5 round extensions that screw onto factory or PMAG bases:
- Shield Mag Ext +5/4 for G17/G22 (Red) — adds 5 rounds to 9mm, 4 to .40.
- Shield Mag Ext +5/4 for G19/G23 (ODA) — same concept for compact G19/G23.
- Shield Magazine with +5/4 Extension for G19 (Black) — complete extended magazine assembled.
- Shield Base Plate for G19 +5 (Black) — just the extension floorplate. 282+ in stock.
- Shield S15 +5 Extension (Red) — extension specifically for the S15 magazine, converting 15rd into 20rd.
Part 5: KCI USA — Factory-Equivalent at Better Prices
KCI manufactures Glock magazines to factory specification at a lower price point than OEM. We've tested them extensively — feed-lip geometry matches factory, springs hold pressure, drop-free function is reliable. Best choice for range/training magazines where you want quantity over the small premium of factory branding.
9mm
- KCI Glock 9mm 15rd (Black) — the volume seller. Fits G19/G19X/G23 (with 9mm conversion) and any double-stack 9mm Glock. 425+ in stock.
- KCI Glock 9mm 17rd (Black) — full-size G17/G34. 486+ in stock.
- KCI Glock 19 9mm 10rd — restricted-state version. 359+ in stock.
- KCI Glock 43 9mm 6rd — single-stack G43 magazine.
- KCI Glock 9mm 50rd Drum — 50-round drum for full-size 9mm.
.40 S&W
- KCI Glock .40 S&W 15rd (Black) — full-size G22. 110+ in stock.
- KCI Glock .40 S&W 13rd (Black) — compact G23. 145+ in stock.
- KCI Glock 22 .40 S&W 10rd — restricted-state. 109+ in stock.
- KCI Glock 23 .40 S&W 10rd — compact restricted. 45+ in stock.
Part 6: ProMag — Drums and High-Capacity Specialties
ProMag specializes in extended-capacity and unusual-configuration magazines. They're known for drums and oddball calibers where factory Glock options are limited.
- ProMag Glock 17 9mm 20rd (Polymer, Black) — extended 20-round 9mm option, slightly cheaper than the Magpul PMAG 21rd.
- ProMag Glock 17/19 9mm 50rd Drum (FDE) — FDE-finish 50-round drum for full-size and compact 9mm Glocks. 89+ in stock.
- ProMag Glock 20 10mm 50rd Drum (Black) — 50-round drum for G20 10mm hunting / bear-defense use.
- ProMag Glock 21 .45 ACP 40rd Drum — 40-round drum for full-size G21.
- ProMag Glock 44 .22 LR 25rd (Black) — extended 25-round .22 LR for the G44 training pistol.
- ProMag Glock 36 .45 ACP 10rd (Polymer) — extended capacity for single-stack G36.
- ProMag Glock 36 .45 ACP 7rd (Polymer) — standard 7-round G36.
- ProMag Glock 28 .380 ACP 15rd (Black) — extended .380 magazine.
- ProMag Glock 48 9mm 20rd (Blue Steel) — 20-round single-stack option for G48 (alternative to Shield S15 if you want a polymer-bodied extended mag).
Part 7: Other High-Capacity Options
- Global Ordnance Glock 17 33rd 9mm (Black) — 33-round extended stick magazine. Same form factor as the factory G18 mag. 239+ in stock.
- Nine-Reloaded for Glock 9mm Adapter — speed-loader / reloader adapter for Glock 9mm magazines. Saves thumbs when loading 15-17 rounds.
- Nine-Reloaded for Glock 17/19/43X/48 — universal reloader for Glock 9mm including single-stack and Shield S15 variants. 28+ in stock.
- Shield Premium Mag Catch for G43X (RH, DLC) — heavier-duty steel mag catch with DLC coating. Required upgrade if you're running steel-bodied S15 magazines on a G43X/G48.
Part 8: Three Complete Glock Builds
Glock 19 EDC · ~$120 in mags
5 magazines = a serious concealed-carry rotation.
- 5× KCI Glock 9mm 15rd ($75)
- 1× Magpul PMAG for G17 21rd (as backup/range mag) ($20)
- 1× Nine-Reloaded loader ($20)
Glock 17 Duty · ~$180 in mags
Full-size patrol pistol with high-capacity options.
- 4× KCI Glock 9mm 17rd ($60)
- 2× Magpul PMAG for G17 21rd ($40)
- 1× Magpul PMAG D-50 GL9 50rd Drum ($80)
Glock 43X / 48 EDC · ~$200 in upgrades
Single-stack carry pistol upgraded to 15-round capacity.
- Shield Arms S15 Combo (3× 15rd + steel mag release) ($110)
- 1× Shield S15 +5 Extension (Red) ($30)
- Shield Premium Mag Catch G43X DLC ($35)
- 1× Nine-Reloaded for G17/19/43X/48 ($20)
FAQ
Do all Glock 9mm magazines fit all Glock 9mm pistols?
Almost. All double-stack 9mm Glock pistols (G17, G19, G26, G34, G45, G47) share the same magazine well and accept G17/G19/G26 magazines (larger mags work in smaller pistols; smaller mags don't fully seat in larger pistols). The single-stack 9mm Glocks (G43, G43X, G48) use their own dedicated magazine — not interchangeable with the double-stacks.
Are KCI or Magpul magazines as reliable as factory Glock?
For range and training, yes — both KCI and Magpul are reliable enough that you'd never notice a difference in normal use. For carry/duty, factory Glock magazines have decades of military and law enforcement service backing them — that's the safest choice. Magpul PMAGs have excellent track records and are widely accepted for duty use. KCI is best reserved for training rotation rather than carry.
Is the Shield Arms S15 worth the upgrade for a G43X/G48?
For most owners, yes. The S15 turns a 10-round single-stack into a 15-round pistol in the same grip envelope. The trade-off is: steel-bodied magazine is heavier than polymer, requires steel mag-catch replacement (included in the combo), and Shield magazines have a 5-second longer learning curve to load efficiently. Most G43X/G48 owners who try the S15 don't go back to factory.
What's the difference between a Glock 22 and a Glock 23?
Both are .40 S&W. The G22 is full-size (15-round capacity), the G23 is compact (13-round capacity). Other than size, they share the same operating mechanism. G22 magazines work in a G23 (they extend slightly below the grip); G23 magazines don't fully seat in a G22.
My state has a 10-round limit. What do I order?
For all 9mm full-size and compact Glocks: KCI Glock 19 9mm 10rd. For .40 S&W: KCI Glock 22 or 23 10rd specifically. For single-stack G43X/G48: factory 10rd (the S15 in 10rd configuration is also restricted). Restricted states include CA, CO, CT, MA, NJ, NY, VT, WA, HI and certain municipalities. TakTactical will not ship over-capacity magazines to restricted states.
Do drum magazines actually work reliably?
Modern drums (Magpul PMAG D-50, KCI drums, ProMag) work well for range use and are reasonably reliable. They're heavier (a 50-round 9mm drum holds 1+ lb of ammo), can interfere with bench-rest shooting positions, and the loading process is slower than a stick magazine. For range fun or extended training sessions, drums are great. For defensive carry, stick with stick magazines — they're more reliable, easier to conceal, and faster to manipulate.
Can I use a Glock 19 magazine in my PCC carbine?
Most modern 9mm PCC carbines (Ruger PC, MPX, Scorpion, B&T) accept Glock magazines via dedicated lower or magwell insert. The Magpul PMAG D-50 50rd Drum is particularly popular for PCC use — high capacity, reliable feeding, and significantly cheaper than dedicated AR-pattern 50rd magazines.
Do you ship internationally?
TakTactical ships within the United States only. All orders ship in 1-2 business days from our US warehouse. Free shipping on orders over $99.
Need a Recommendation?
Glock magazine compatibility has more edge cases than any other pistol family. If you're not sure which magazine fits your specific Glock — Gen 3 vs Gen 5, slimline vs double-stack, factory vs MOS slide — contact us. We carry the full Glock magazine catalog and can usually confirm fit within an email or phone call.
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(954) 487-9799 · info@taktactical.com
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