Glock mags feature a tough polymer body that is flexible and strong, and also resistant to deformation, cracking, and corrosion – unlike many steel and aluminum mags.
They are also lightweight, reliable, and fairly easy to disassemble and clean.
Still, there are a few things you don’t want to do with them, at least if you want them to remain smooth-shooting for longer.
Here are four things you don’t want to do with your Glock mags.
Don’t: Store or Shoot Them Dirty
Even though Glock mags are made from corrosion-resistant polymer and are easy to clean and keep clean, don’t let fouling accumulate on the mag body or around the feed lips.
Very dirty magazines with a lot of fouling around the feed lips or inside the mag can gum everything up and make mag charges and drops a lot coarser. In extreme cases, fouling can also cause jams.
Don’t: Attempt to Force in Extra Rounds
Some Glock mags are made with round count indicator holes so you can see how many are loaded. If the mag resists you, it means there’s something wrong inside with the spring, or something obstructing it. Take the mag apart and don’t attempt to force-load extra rounds.
Don’t: Attempt to Use with an Incompatible Firearm
Some Glock mags are cross-compatible, but you still should never attempt to force a mag into a firearm unless you know it is compatible. Also, just because a mag can be used with the same cartridge doesn’t mean it’ll work with two Glocks of the same chambering.
Don’t: Fail to Clean After Dropping in Water, Mud or Sand
It happens, and we’ve all been there. At some point or other, at the range, we’ve dropped a mag in the dust, in the sand, in the mud, or worse, in the water.
Unload that mag and when you get it home, fully disassemble and clean it before shooting it again, or you risk the formation of corrosion, or accelerated wear from sand and dust.
Note: Storing Them Loaded Is Actually Not a Bad Idea
One thing to note that has been observed elsewhere on the internet: it’s actually not a bad thing to store your mags loaded, nor does it ruin them.
Compression cycles, not compression, are what cause mag springs to fatigue. That is, it’s loading and unloading, not just keeping them loaded. So, in other words, you can actually store your mags loaded if you want.
The Importance of Magazine Care
One thing about Glock mags. As reliable as they are, if you never clean them, eventually the mag spring will corrode, which will shorten the mag’s lifespan. Remove the base plate and insert, then the spring and follower after every few rounds, and thoroughly clean and dry them.
Need New Glock Mags?
Have you landed on this page because you neglected some of your old Glock mags just a bit too much?
Are you here because you want to add a few new Glock mags to your range bag?
Either way, you can get them online at Bucking Horse Outpost. They sell a wide range of different mags, as well as ammo. Check them out today and stock up.