Which Autoloading Pistol Has the Least Expensive Magazines?

Glock magazines are very "cost effective". I can buy them for about 15€.

Glock magazines are very "cost effective". I can buy them for around 16€.

Glock and XD magazines are reasonable enough to have several onhand for each pistol. 1911 magazines are cheap enough if you stick to 7 round 'GI type' magazines. Some 1911 magazines retail for about 5 times as much as GI - are they 5 times as good? Doubt it.

Used to be Makarov magazines. Not so sure anymore.

Say NO to Taurus MIL-PRO magazines, for they are $36.95 each~!

If you think the Taurus mags are bad buy some for a SIG X-Five.

CZ mags from MecGar, the best aftermarket maker in the world, for full size or compact, are under $20. I agree, 1911 mags are the cheapest for boxes of used, GI type, used to see them for $5 or less.

Got to be Glock & 1911 surplus.


rcmodel

USGI mags for 1911...usually under $7 for the 7-rounders.

Novak/ACT 8rd 1911 mags at CDNN for $12.99
Glock 13rd G21 mags at NatchezSS for $13.99
Both great for the price!!!

"are they 5 times as good? Doubt it."

Yes they are actually......

Most of the problems I see with 1911's are related to crappy mags...and or....crappy ammo

Are you planning to base your pistol purchase decision on the price of spare magazines?

FN FAL pistol-carbines.

5 bucks a mag!

Browning HP, Beretta 92, and Glock 19

Almost any gun that was sold to police departments in large numbers.

Usually plenty of used mags on the market.

Are you planning to base your pistol purchase decision on the price of spare magazines?

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I've more $$$ tied up in magazines for most of my range 22s than what the guns cost originally.

I like to stuff the mags in Air-Conditioned comfort before going the the range and spend my time shooting instead of standing there in 95+ heat shoot 10, stuff 10, repeat.....

For centerfire, I consider having enough mags to load 50 rounds a bare minimum unless its a safe queen. I do buy some guns I like with little intent on shooting them beyond a function check -- my P08 Luger is the poster child for this.

Similarly, all my regular range rotation guns have had far more $$$ sent down range in ammo than the original cost of the gun.

--wally.

About the only thing I've seen cheaper than Glock mags are "contract" 1911 mags. Run about $7 per mag. Probably have to go through 20 of them to find 5 that work reliably.

XD mags run about $25-$27

Sigs...........roughly about $40

H&K...........$40 or so unless you're talking P7 series mags ($60 each right now when you can find them)

S&W...........lists for $40, but depending on what you're looking for, LE turn-in are nearly new and about half or slightly less.

Kahr............same boat as Sigs and H&K


Glock has spoled many of us, I think.

Kahr............same boat as Sigs and H&K

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I don't endorce ProMags, but the ProMags I got for my Kahr CW9 (6 8-rounders, 1 7-rounder) have all been 100%. Buy from a place like MidWay that has a good return policy. Gets you under $20 each.

"contract" 1911 mags. Run about $7 per mag. Probably have to go through 20 of them to find 5 that work reliably

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Not in my experience. I've only trashed a couple over the years and usually for the follower not locking back no matter what I tried. A few more have needed minor adjustment of the feed lips, but its pretty trivial to see what needs to be done after comparing the good with the bad.


Most every brand double stack magazine has given me far more trouble than the cheap 1911 "contracts".

Usually plenty of used mags on the market.

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But you are taking a gamble, if it needs a new spring you've seriously depleated the savings (not than many of the over-priced factory mags don't have crappy springs -- Para, EAA jump to mind!) and it may be "used surplus" because it doesn't work any more!

Major sticker shock!

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You want sticker shock, get in your time machine and try to buy a Glock magazine in Oct 1994...

--wally.

Used to be Makarov magazines

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Oh, those were the days.

XD mags run about $25-$27

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XD magazines were an even $20 street price, last time I bought.

Are you planning to base your pistol purchase decision on the price of spare magazines?

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Solely? No, but it is a consideration. I like to have a good number of spares, factory made if possible.

Wally, your comments kind of reinforce what I've seen over the years. Non-OEM or off-brand mags tend to be, in the words of Forrest Gump's mama, like a box of chocolates......you never know what you're going to get. I bought some pre-ban polymer Promags for my G19 during the ban. Price was attractive. I have 10 or so of these and they all work just as well as OEM. With that good experience, I bought a few for a Taurus PT92. Not one of them worked reliably in a gun that never experienced problems with factory. Same with Beretta. Haven't tried the Promags for the Kahr. May think about it. I have a K40 I'm itching to break in and carry.

XD magazines were an even $20 street price, last time I bought.

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You're right. Never tried the people at the link you posted. But, I don't buy alot of these and with the shipping cost, it puts them about $22.50 per mag. Still a good price and a bit cheaper than what I can get them for locally, but not enough savings to make me order vs. buying local.

Beretta 92 magazines are very reasonable, are high capacity, and are reasonably reliable.

Probably the best you will do with a modern pistol.

You can get excellent 1911 mags from Metalform and Checkmate for less than $20 each if you don't mind buying in bulk.