Glock (and HK) Mags--Why the Plastic?

H

HKguy9

New member
Why do Glock (and HK 9mm and 40 fullsize) magazines have plastic around the metal frame? Is there a good reason for this, as all it seems to do is increase the grip circumference for no good reason.
 
In the case of the Glock at least, it is part of the design. It allows the magazine to swell so that it doesn't drop free. The European thing seems to be non-drop free mags. The design of the mags was later altered to allow them to drop free for the US market. The mag catch assembly is also polymer. Use of non plastic aftermarket mags will chew up the mag catch in short order.

Don't know about the HK. But I would assume similar reasoning.
 
The funny thing is that HK decided to go with metal mags for the USP compact.
The result is a slimmer grip...and magazines that don't interchange with the fullsize models.
Biggest blunder HK has made in recent years as far as I'm concerned.
 
I definatly like my Glock 26 mags and my H&K USP .40's mags better than any of my metal magazines...
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Good for you...

But when push comes to shove, a steel magazine will outlast a plastic/polymer one two to one. The weakest link in any detachable magazine fed gun is the magazine. In a Glock, this weakness is enhanced by the plastic magazine.
 
When was the last time you heard of a Glock magazine getting a dented body like a metal mag?
 
Glock pistols, and Glock magazines will outlast any all steel gun/magazine ever made.

Polymer is the future. Steel is the past!
 
:rolleyes:

Glock pistols, and Glock magazines will outlast any all steel gun/magazine ever made.
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Fat chance!

Polymer is the future. Steel is the past!
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Well I doubt it, but if that is the case I think I'll just live in the past!

Don't get me wrong, the Glock is a good gun, but good grief...

It is these people who try to make it out as being a precursor to "The Second Coming" that make me just want to throw mine in the fire and melt it down.

Glocks work...period...I can say nothing else good about them.

As for comparing it to a 1911 or a Browning High Power or a Sig 220, or some other fine firearm...all I can say is that these also work, but they also have beauty, class, and style...three things the Glock will never have in any way, form, or fashion.
 
Polymer is pretty slick, serves as a self-lubricant.

The real reason why Gaston Glock used polymer in his gun/magazine design is because his original background was a plastics/polymer manufacturer. He used what he was familiar with.

Another reason polmer was adopted for a firearm platform is because polymer has very high SUB ZERO temerature resistances. In military application, extreme cold is a big, if not a bigger deal than heat. The Austrians also remember Stalingrad when steel froze to skin, or simply shattered.
 
*caliban looks over at pile of magazines, some steel, some polymer. He scratches his head.*


Polymer magazines are good.
Steel magazines are good.
Having both is gooder. :D

In all seriousness, how many dented/cracked magazines have you seen? I've seen 1 dented steel mag, and no cracked polymer mags. I would say that the likelyhood of either is pretty slim, and besides, magazines are consumables, which is why you should have a lot of them.

My biggest gripe with polymer mags?
They have to be wider than a similar steel one, which results in a fatter grip.

My biggest gripe with steel mags?
They have pointy edges that can get uncomfortable when in your pocket.
 
I will say that even though Glock mags do look a bit thick compared to a steel magazine, Glocks do have the advantage of excellent size to capacity ratio. Look at the G27 mags. 9rds of .40 in such a small magazine. The G30 also holds ten rounds of .45 in a short magazine.

But the answer to your question...of course already answered in the previous posts , is that the metal lining prevents the polymer mag from swelling and will allow it to drop free. You can still find Glock NFML magazines. They run a bit cheaper than FML Hi caps.

Ohh..forgot to add, you can tell the difference betwen the two by looking at the rear of the mags. The NFML have a circular cutout at the top of the mag while the FML have a square cut.

Good SHooting
RED
 
Sundance states that the 1911, Browning Hi Power and the Sig 220 have class, style and beauty. He also states that Glock will never have these attributes in any way, form or fashion.I disagree with his opinion.
I agree with the great philosopher, Bugs Bunny, that beauty is in the eye of the looker.
As for class and style: Many people worldwide will say that Glock has plenty of style and class. I will agree that the Glock isn't a glamor gun but then that is just my opinion. Others will disagree, I'm sure.

By the way, Sundance: I like the 1911, Browning Hi Power and the Sig 220 also.
 
Glock mags do wear out! Anyone that shoots and functions their Glocks alot, just look at the mag catch area on the mag. I bet is is deformed. I love Glocks and hence my user ID. I carry a G26 and a G17. Yes, I also love the mag compatabilty! The polymer mag takes alot of abuse and wear, but they do wear out. I hate the idea of my $100 mags wearing out. The only other wear on them is at the feed lips, which is no more than any other magazine fed weapon. The better the heat treating on a mag the better the life of the feed lips.
 
<sarcasm>Like how those way cool Camaro Z28's have plastic body panels</sarcasm> Plastic is used all over the automotive and firearms industry because it's easier to work with, lighter, and (at least in the automotive industry) more durable than steel. Now, I actually like 1911's and BHP's better than Glocks, but just because a Saturn uses plastic body panels, it doesn't mean that plastic isn't a good material to use in construction of things.
 
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