Tight-fitting (full) Glock Magazines?

[jmb070106]

With the great advice from this forum I recently acquired a Glock 21SF. Today was the first chance I had to get to the range and try it out. At first, I loaded 5-10 rds. in each magazine but as I progressed, I figured I might as well run through some drills with fully-loaded magazines. With 13 rounds in all 3 magazines, I could BARELY get any of them to seat in the pistol. I really had to force the mag into place. Is this normal? This is my first Glock and my past experiences have been with a 92FS, 4506, 5904 and P220 (.45ACP). I've never had so much trouble with magazines! The pistol functions fine but attempting to drop a full mag takes quite an effort too. I'm assuming that this is something that will wear in with time and use?

Thanks!

(p.s. - also soliciting opinions on weapon-mounted lights and aftermarket night sights ).

[Sgt. Slaughter]

First off, remember the Sarge didn't recommend no stinkin' Glock! Having said that - yes. You'll get new mags that are difficult to seat when they're new and full. Take it out and shoot it alot. When you seat the mags, do it with some authority. You'll be okay. (mostly...)

I like Meprolight and Trijicon night sights, but I'm not sure Meprolight has Glock model night sights.

Lights? Check out anything from Insight Technology.

[jwise]

As for the mags, they don't seat well on a closed slide when they're chock full. Lock the slide to the rear, and carry on.

As for night sights, I like Meprolight adjustable target night sights, and Trijicon combat night sights.

As for lights, I am behind the times with my Streamlight M3s, so choose one of the newer LED lights like the Streamlight TLR-1 or X-300 by Surefire.

[leesrt]

Its possible you have the old un-lined magazines. The current mags have a full metal liner to keep them from swelling.

For night sights I prefer Heinnei's slant 8's or mepro's.

[BeerBudget]

Agreed! Slide locked to the rear, take a fresh magazine, and SLAM that sucker in. Instant loaded and hot. When we got issued our new Glocks a lot of folks had similar issues to what you have experienced (along with failures to feed caused by limp wrists).
Would the 21SF be able to use older mags? I thought the point of the SF was a slimmer gun in general.
Oh well. Hates me some Glocks. Won't buy another one. Evah.

[jwise]

The 21SF takes the same mags as the older ones, but only if either (1) the pistol's ambi mag catch has been removed in lieu of a right side only mag catch, or (2) the magazine has been modified to fit a 21SF's ambi mag catch design.

The older 21's will take 21SF mags without modification.

[jmb070106]

First off, remember the Sarge didn't recommend no stinkin' Glock!

Thanks for the tips, Sarge. This wouldn't have happened with a SIG, I know...

[jmb070106]

As for the mags, they don't seat well on a closed slide when they're chock full. Lock the slide to the rear, and carry on.

As for night sights, I like Meprolight adjustable target night sights, and Trijicon combat night sights.

As for lights, I am behind the times with my Streamlight M3s, so choose one of the newer LED lights like the Streamlight TLR-1 or X-300 by Surefire.

Thank you sir. I'll just load the chamber via the magazine as suggested and then re-load the magazine with the "14th" round.

Oh, mine does have the lined magazines...I know, as put a nice slice in my thumb [amateur mode on] loading the mag the first time. You'd think I'd never handled a pistol before

The Streamlight M3 isn't an LED, I take it? 'Splains why they are so cheap now, huh?

Thanks again everyone!

[Sgt. Slaughter]

The M3 is old. Technology has vastly improved the available selection. Many light makers fit their circuitry into the M3 size housing and you will see them advertise that. Keeps people from having to run out and buy another holster. The one big exception is the Xiphos NT which only works in a Serpa holster.

[blackhorse]

Just another piece of info concerning the ambi-safety. It will not ease up with use. While a fully loaded mag will get easier to insert, it will not get any easier to remove. The ambi mag release doesn't work on the same principal as the older one does. I've had my G21SF for going on 3 years now and I shoot it monthly. It's never gotten a single bit easier to remove a fully loaded mag. I've gotten use to it, but it's no easier. And unless you completely modify your pistol, old G21 mags will not work in the SF. The opposite is true, the SF's will work in the old G21.

[Indridcold]

My 21 mags were the same way. If you load the mags and leave them that way for a couple days it should make them a little easier to load. As far as sights go, I have Mepros on my 21, and standard Trijicons on my 30. I prefer the Trijicons. They seem easier to pick up quickly, and the night time glow is a little more noticable over the Mepros, but agian thats my own personal preference. Enjoy your Glock. I love my 21 and the only way I'll replace it is when I pick up a 21 SF like you.

[jmb070106]

Just another piece of info concerning the ambi-safety. It will not ease up with use. While a fully loaded mag will get easier to insert, it will not get any easier to remove. The ambi mag release doesn't work on the same principal as the older one does. I've had my G21SF for going on 3 years now and I shoot it monthly. It's never gotten a single bit easier to remove a fully loaded mag.

Will switching it to a non-ambi release help? I really hate the magazine release operation on this pistol. I'm not a lefty, so I don't really care if the mag release is ambi (it wasn't a selling feature of the gun for me).

[ArkansasFan24]

When we got our G21SF's I was shooting on the range with another officer and found the same problem. While reloading I would slap the bottom of the mag a couple of times because even with the slide back I couldn't really feel the brand new magazine locking into the brand new pistol. That caused one of the range guys to stomp over and spout off something about not relying on the mag to drop the slide.

He and I then had one of those "don't talk about what you don't know" conversations, and I continued shooting, lol. The fact is I don't use the magazine to drop the slide. Anyway, I only bring that up because 1) I find it humorous and 2) we all have the same problem with the fully loaded mags. You picked a great weapon, and I love mine.

Happy shooting.