Please, school me on Glock magazine extensions.....

[MIL-DOT]

After nearly trading my G26 yesterday, I just went and installed a +2 mag extension that I stumbled across in a parts drawer, and REALLY like the feel of the pistol more than I ever did .
I previously avoided the mag extensions because I felt they increased the pistol's bulk too much ( I like to pocket carry), and instead installed these new replacement mag plates from GAP Enterprises....
http://www.concealablecontrol.com/about.html
They're a great product that adds a bit of leverage without lengthening the pistol handle, and I was happy with them until trying out this +2 extension .
I'm 99% positive this extension is a Glock-made part (came free with a mag order from CDNN years ago) and am looking into putting something similar ( if not identical) on another magazine or two, but as always, research leads to more questions.
I found that some extensions come with an inner piece, not like the extra flat plate that lines the regular base plate, but kind of a box that the spring nests into.
When I installed this +2 plate, I left out the flat,inner plate that came stock on the factory mag, and don't think this extension ever came with anything else, but I'm not positive, so I could be missing an important part.
Can I expect any probalems having installed this +2 extension all by itself, with no other internal piece ?
I've heard of the Pierce extensions, but I've read numerous complaints that they don't add the extra rounds that are claimed. I've read about Sherer extensions, but have read more than a few complaints.
CDNN has some generic extensions really cheap, and some claim they work fine.
I'm mostly inetrested in increasing the grip area, but I figure I might as well get a little extra round capacity if I'm going to go to the trouble.
As always, any advice whatsoever is muchly appreciated.......

 

[jc57]

I bought both the Pearce +2 and +3 mag extensions for my G26. I usually carry it with the +2 extension, as it gives just enough extra grip to make the gun really comfortable.

I can only get one extra in the +2, and 2 extra in the +3, so as you mentioned, not everyone gets full amount claimed.

The Pearce mag extensions do come with a separate inner locking floorplate piece along with the outer floorplate.

I also purchased one of the 12-round Glock factory mags. It does carry the extra 2 just fine. It doesn't add any texturing or attempt at an extra finger groove, it's more of a smooth extension with a slight indentation in the front that might serve for an extra groove. You can see a picture of it here, on the Midwayusa web site (which is where I ordered it originally). http://www.midwayusa.com/product/39...n-4-glock-26-9mm-luger-12-round-polymer-black

But it's the full magazine, not just the extension.

Pearce also sells +0 extensions that just add the finger extension with no capacity.

 

[jmr40]

I would rather not use them, but it is a personal preference thing. If they are factory they work just fine. I prefer to use the standard size mags made for the guns, but carry only G-17 mags for spares and usually use only the G-17 or G-18 mags when at the range.

I own the 26, 19 and 17. I keep one standard size mag made for the 26 and 19 in the guns. I have a ton of extra 17 mags along with a couple of 33 round G-18 mags. The 33 round mags are kept loaded with FMJ for casual plinking at the range. Some of the G-17 mags are loaded with FMJ, others with the same HP ammo I carry.

This way I can have the benefits of a smaller gun for carry and have an extended grip and more ammo capacity if I want. By using only G-17 mags as spares I will never try to stick a shorter G-19 mag into a G-17 or a G-26 mag into the G-19 during a stressful situation.

This system works for me, but lots of other guys like the +2 extensions. I don't dislike them, I just like my system better.

 

[MIL-DOT]

Thanks , jmr, I was already thinking along those lines. I sold my G17 a couple years ago, but intentionally kept one of the 4 magazines because I knew it would fit in my G19 and G26, should the need arise.
And thanks jc, I was already checking out those G26 mags that came with the 12-round capacity, and they're only $29.99 at CDNN.
Does anyone know if the Glock 2+ extensions are supposed to be used with that little piece that cradles the spring in the bottom of the mag? I ditched the inner plate from the stock mag, since there was no hole in the 2+ extension piece for it to lock into. I just compressed the spring and stuck it on, appears to fit well. It looks like some company's extensions are supposed to have it, but I'm not sure about the Glock extensions. I can't see it really being an issue, but who knows.

 

[GlackAttack]

It will fit, but that "little piece" that cradles the spring is what allows you to relieve the spring pressure when you want to take it apart to clean it. Without it, you will have a hell of a time pushing that spring up to slide the extension off..

 

[MIL-DOT]

Aah, ok, thanks, I feel like an idiot for missing that, should've been obvious.
And, now that my brain is (presumably) working, I can see the reason that some of these inner pieces are kind of box-shaped rather than being flat. The walls of the piece would keep it properly oriented in the mag body (flat) when applying pressure to the spring during disassembly.
But, in my case, the extension I have doesn't have any hole in it, so unless I bored one myself ( which may not be a bad idea), the inner piece would be doing nothing.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Extensions for Glock magazines have a nasty habit of becoming disconnected from the magazine and dumping all the contents at the feet of the shooter.

If these are magazines you use for defense then I suggest you do not install ANY magazine extension. Leave the Glock magazines stock and don't fudge with them.

 

[rcmodel]

What he said!!

If I were you, I would load the mags and throw them on the carpeted floor hard a few times and see if they puke thier guts out.

My +2's all did, and went in the trash the same day I bought them!

rc

 

[GlackAttack]

^ happened to me once too.. But it was on the Glock 18 33 round clip I use in my G34. I had 33 rounds scattered accross my living room haha. The 33 round mag comes with the +2 installed, but I guess I could replace it with a flat baseplate.. Thanks Shawn, I sort of forgot it did that on me.

There must be a fix for this issue..

 

[WinThePennant]

I bought the Pearce +0 extensions for my G26. Love them. I haven't had any problems, and I don't expect that I ever will.

I went with the +0, by the way, because I wanted the spring to have the same pressure as before. I've heard some people say to stay away from the +1 or +2 extenders because they can jack up the spring. I'm not sure if that's true. Honestly, I don't feel undergunned with 10 rounds of 9mm so it's not an issue.

 

[Hk Dan]

I have extensive experience with extensions through USPSA. The GLOCK, Pierce, and Schrer are junk. You should go with awson or Arredondo, which completely surround the mag and slide down over the top. The others WILL pop off on you eventually/ It got so frequent that the other shooters started calling it the "speed unload". Now, I was shooting 600 rounds a week and 100 in matches, so you may have some time beore you have a problem, but you will have a problem. The Pierce +0 have been bulletproof on my G27, but they are the only ones.

 

[coalman]

I often run the Pearce PG2733 on my G26. Gives me 11+1 and a place for my pinky. Adds so little length to the grip that IWB does not really matter to me. The inner sleeve is a must IMO. I much prefer shooting my G26 with the extension. I've had Glock +2s, and have owned Pearce PG39s as well. I have a few PG26s laying around, they work as well as the PG2733, and would be my choice in 10rd mag states. I prefer the PG2733 grip and the +1 is a big bonus IMO. Pre-window G26 mags offer a better fit in the gun with less gap below the grip. I have flat G26 10rd mags, too, and mostly use a G19 mag as my CCW spare, and also have G17 mags an an option. IMO, that's what's great about the G26 as a 9mm CCW: grip and mag options.

 

[g_one]

What I use is technically a magazine 'extension' but it doesn't extend it vertically or add any capacity - it adds a perpendicular extension to help you hold on to the gun better. I have big hands (not sausage fingers, but larger than average hands) and I think these things are one of the greatest mods someone can make to a subcompact glock.

http://www.concealablecontrol.com/about.html

 

[bergmen]

I have extensive experience with extensions through USPSA. The GLOCK, Pierce, and Schrer are junk. You should go with awson or Arredondo, which completely surround the mag and slide down over the top. The others WILL pop off on you eventually/ It got so frequent that the other shooters started calling it the "speed unload". Now, I was shooting 600 rounds a week and 100 in matches, so you may have some time beore you have a problem, but you will have a problem. The Pierce +0 have been bulletproof on my G27, but they are the only ones.

Yes, the Pearce +0 extensions are excellent, no problems so far (but I don't shoot nearly as much as you do). These are on my G36 mags:

Dan

 

[SEE IT LIKE A NATIVE]

I tried the pierce extentions on my G30 after a month or two , one of the mag extentions fell off and dumped the mag contents and spring on the ground ! Kevin

 

[WinThePennant]

Are the Pearce extensions failing because they weren't installed properly?