I voted Promag just because they are still in business here 30 years later, and somehow they keep getting people to buy their craptacular magazines.

There is only one magazine I would blindly trust in a Glock besides a Glock magazine, and those are made by Mec-gar. I have a couple of them and they have been 100% reliable so far. I do not trust Magpul Glock mags as anything but range mags.

 

The Ruger Glock clone comes with Magpul mags, so I guess they are considered OEM. I wonder if they are more reliable than Glock OEM mags in their clone.

 

In the GlockTalk thread on the best aftermarket magazines, most users lean toward Magpul PMAGs as the top choice they’re affordable, reliable, and close to OEM quality, especially for range use. ETS magazines get mentioned for their clear design and lightweight build, though some question their long-term durability. Other brands like KCI, ProMag, and Amend2 come up, but opinions on reliability are mixed. The general consensus is to stick with OEM mags for carry or self-defense and reserve aftermarket options for range days or backups. Full discussion here: GlockTalk Thread.

 

Shield Arms S15 for the 43x. I like them and after 1K plus through one 43x using them I haven't had any issues with them.

I have also tried a PSA mag in my non-molested 43x and it worked, but has the mag bulge when fully loaded, so it is a no go.

I tried the Magpul mags on a couple other pistols just to try them, G17/G45, and I like the OEM mags better. Not looking to cheap out and the magpuls offer no advantage to using the OEM mags so those went into an ammo can forever. For some reason being able to see the rounds in the back of the mag makes me happy.

 

Glock mags are pretty cheap, i see no reason to buy aftermarket mags. Mags are the semi auto weak link. Trying to save less than $10 a mag seems penny wise. You can get factory glock 17/19 mags for about $16-$17 each in some bulk like brownells sells. Magpul, what $15?

 

Glock mags are pretty cheap, i see no reason to buy aftermarket mags. Mags are the semi auto weak link. Trying to save $10 a mag seems penny wise.

Aftermarket mags are good for attending schools. You learn what works, and how it works. When they get dirty, over filled, how they drop under pressure, how long they go before not pushing up on the last round, how hard to insert if fully loaded, if they function for feeding, if they fall apart when hitting concrete, how they fit and extract from the mag pouch....how to do failure drills...good data...
Then you will know if you can use them for other things.

There was a time I could buy Korean mags for ~$10, and Glock mag internals (followers, baseplates) for cheap-- not anymore. I would replace the internals and springs and have a near OEM for about $14.

 

Most people choose Magpul for the brand recognition, and their products covering AR guns, as well as the cool
/trendy name. I think it's a brand and logo penetration.
They are not metal lined like OEM, and there are posts here about follower issues. I have a few Magpul mags for Glock, and AR, and AK - I don't recommend for AK, and I'm meh on the gen2AR. Meh on the Glock.

I use and like KCI, formerly made in S. Korea - and used by the SK military (along with SGM, another similar SK company). KCI are metal lined, and very close to OEM clones in construction. Now there is KCI-USA - they also make AK, and AR mags - that I think are nice mil- spec quality.
P80 (yes, THAT company that was selling 80%) was briefly making what looked like KCI mags, but labeled MADE in USA. I ordered a few, and they looked like KCI mags.

None of the aftermarket mags have springs that look like Wolf gunsprings - so I buy a bulk pack of Wolf mag springs, and if I feel the mag spring getting weaker, I change them out easily.

(BTW S. Korean sourced military AK47 mags are my favorite. They are cheapest, all metal, they fit every AK I own without and mods or grinding, and they drop free without help. FYI)

 

Is SGM better or worse quality than KCI?

What Korean brand AK mags do you like? I think there are a few. The ones labeled RWB somewhere in the stock or UPC number have weak springs and require filing down to get them into some magwells.