Glock mag question

[Slater]

I'm kind of familiar with the different generations of Glock pistols. But as far as the mags, how many generations are there and what are the differences?

[M4arc]

I'm kind of familiar with the different generations of Glock pistols. But as far as the mags, how many generations are there and what are the differences?

There are three generations of magazines. The biggest difference is the first ones were not full metal lined and would not drop free when the mag catch was pressed. They had to be ripped out. The other differences were mostly around the feed lips.

Check THIS thread out.

[Federale]

There have been lots of changes to the magazine followers though too. You'll noticed a little number on the followers. That denotes the generation. The last batch of 9mm mags were "6", my last .40s were "8".

[M4arc]

There have been lots of changes to the magazine followers though too. You'll noticed a little number on the followers. That denotes the generation. The last batch of 9mm mags were "6", my last .40s were "8".

That's only the version of the followers. The generations apply to the magazine bodies.

[LOKNLOD]

In the full size .45 mag bodies, isn't there also a "4th gen" that includes the dual cutouts for the G21SF's ambi mag release? If I remember correctly, people have seen this style start popping up in the full size 10mm (G20) mags also.

[Federale]

That's only the version of the followers. The generations apply to the magazine bodies.

Well, tell me what the difference is between a version and a generation is. Semantics?

I can't go and order Glock 19 mags with #3 followers anymore, can I? And I've got enough examples of the different followers to say that the followers have changed pretty remarkably over the years.

And one of the "fixes" to the NYPD's "Phase 3" malfunction was to upgrade the followers to the current generation, which at the time IIRC, was #3.

[M4arc]

Yes it is semantics.

When you see Gen 1, 2 or 3 mags for sale it generally refers to the magazine body. 1st gens being NFML and gen 2s & 3s being FML with different feed lip cutouts.

The numbering of the followers always refers to Gen 3 mags starting with 9mm1 (in the 9mms) and working their way up; 9mm3, 4, 6, etc. Yes they've changed significantly but when people refer to generations they are referring to the magazine body. You won't see people saying they are selling Gen 8 magazines because that is what is stamped on the follower. That's simply the current version of follower.

When you order new mags now you get gen 3 bodies but you get whatever version of the follower that Glock is producing now.

[Federale]

Yes it is semantics.

When you see Gen 1, 2 or 3 mags for sale it generally refers to the magazine body. 1st gens being NFML and gen 2s & 3s being FML with different feed lip cutouts.

The numbering of the followers always refers to Gen 3 mags starting with 9mm1 (in the 9mms) and working their way up; 9mm3, 4, 6, etc. Yes they've changed significantly but when people refer to generations they are referring to the magazine body. You won't see people saying they are selling Gen 8 magazines because that is what is stamped on the follower. That's simply the current version of follower.

When you order new mags now you get gen 3 bodies but you get whatever version of the follower that Glock is producing now.

Okay, but when the question is "But as far as the mags, how many generations are there and what are the differences?", then there's just a little more to it than just three generations of magazines, especially since there are so many different iterations of the followers. A generation 3 mag with an original 9mm follower is a magazine that may be a dozen years old.

I'm pretty sure that mention of the followers is significant in answering "what are the differences."

[mark5pt56]

There are three generations of magazines. The biggest difference is the first ones were not full metal lined and would not drop free when the mag catch was pressed. They had to be ripped out. The other differences were mostly around the feed lips.

Check THIS thread out.

The original mags were actually designed to stay in the gun. The G17 was designed for the Austrian military and they wanted that feature. As I understand, the metal lining was at the request of US shooters, because we wanted the drop free capability.

[Renegade]

In the full size .45 mag bodies, isn't there also a "4th gen" that includes the dual cutouts for the G21SF's ambi mag release? If I remember correctly, people have seen this style start popping up in the full size 10mm (G20) mags also.

Those still use the 3rd gen body.