Glock mag question

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Slater

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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?
 
My general understanding is that you basically have either the early non drop free or the more current drop free mags (I know this applies to G17 mags). I only have 9mm Glocks, so I cannot comment on other calibers.
 
#5,7, and 8 followers

As noted above, you either have a drop free mag or not.

However, some of my observations regarding G22/23/27 models (.40 cal) are that some of the magazine followers are stamped with the part number 5, 7, or 8. The part number is right on top of the follower when looking at an empty mag.

The one with the #5 follower is not a drop free mag, while the ones with #7 & 8 are drop free. All three followers are different in shape from each other, so I can arguably say that there are at least 3 generations of magazine for .40 cal Glocks.
 
To my experience (mostly 9mm Glocks) the first mags were plastic except the spring and may or may not drop free. The second gen and later are steel lined and are all drop free. There were changes in the followers which brought about the numbers on them.
 
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The biggest difference in Glock mags is the difference between the early mags produced (1986-~1991) which are Non Fully Metal Lined (NFML) (these mags were lined on three of the four sides with metal, which allowed them to swell when loaded and not fall freely when ejected near full capacity (hence the common term "non drop free") and the later (started around 1992 or so I believe) and current design Full Metal Lined (FML) (these mags have metal lined on all four sides and well not swell when fully loaded (hence the common term "drop free"). There is a recent thread on GT that shows (pics) the differences throughout the years of G17 mags. This should help visually:

http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797307&highlight=NFML
 
Then there was the 10-round models made during the 94 CCA.

And then there was the regular capacity ones marked LEO Only made during the CCA.

And then there are the new regular capacity ones made after the CCA expired that are different then the pre-CCA ones. They have two tiny holes near the feed-lips that let you see the steel liner, and different Glock font printing. (Identification of post ban mags?)

And then there was the orange base-plate Training mags.

And the G-17 mag with the flashlight mount base-plate.

And the new ambidextrous mags that just came out with two release notches. One in front for the new guns, on one on the right for old guns.

Probably some more, but that's all I can think off right off hand.

1224.jpg
rcmodel
 
The early Glock mags are non-drop free. Said mags are available for the Glock 17 and 19. The earliest Glock mags are distinguishable by the horizontal bevel near the top of the magazine. They earliest (gen 1) will also not be caliber marked as the first Glocks were all 9mm. Newer ones have a multi-angular bevel. They are also drop free and marked by caliber.

When you eject an NDF mag, it falls out about 1/2 cm and then you must manually pull the remainder of the mag out of the mag well. I look at NDF mags as a stepping stone between heel release and the now common drop free mags (available on most pistols). It provides security against unintentional mag ejections like a heel release, but still allows for familiar thumb-eject positioning.
 
Courtesy of Butch from GT:
MagazineGenerations-rear.gif
MagazineGenerations-side.gif
9mm_Followers-top.gif
3c26afad.gif

Pictures do not include the new 8th generation magazines, which would be the same as #7 but with the 'Ambi' mag catch cut on the front of the tube.
 
New mag with Ambi cut:
07newmags9mm.jpg
 
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