Glock Mag Compatible: Handguns, Sub-Guns, and Rifles

Glock magazines are just about the most universal and popular handgun mags on the planet. Just like Glock handguns, the magazines have earned their own reputation. Now it’s easy to find not just handguns, but sub-guns, carbines (PCC) and other firearms that are Glock mag compatible. In fact, seeing the phrase “Glock compatible magazines” is often highlighted as a feature on many PCC firearms. That’s not to mention all the low and high-end Glock clone companies out there.

People often look for firearms that are Glock mag compatible because they already have Glock mags. Universal mags for many of your guns is an appealing idea. I’m an excellent mediocre carpenter and, since red is my favorite color, I buy Milwaukee tools. However, I also bought them because they have a big line of tools that use the same battery. They offer the “tool only” version for those who already have the charger and plenty of batteries.

This concept is somewhat similar in the gun world. If someone has plenty of Glock mags and 9mm ammo, why start over? Buy a gun that uses Glock mags and you’re ready to hit the range. My agency issued AR-15 style rifles to deputies so they could use the Glock mags on their belt for extra ammo. For populated areas, a short rifle platform in a pistol caliber was needed. It only makes sense to go with something that uses the same magazine and ammo as our handguns, right?

Glock mags and 9mm ammo

While Glock makes handguns in a lot of different calibers, 9mm is by far the most popular. Especially when jumping to different platforms, 9mm Glock mags have become the standard. There are also a lot of companies making Glock cloned magazines like Magpul, ETS, KCI and more. I won’t get into all the different magazine brands today, but here are a few of my favorite guns using Glock/Glock clone mags.

Glock 49 MOS

It would only be fitting for a Glock to be listed among favorite handguns that are Glock mag compatible. Glock handguns all look the same but come in different sizes and calibers. The G49 is one of Glock’s newest models and it has quickly become my favorite. A blend of the G19 and G17, the G49 is basically a G19 frame with a G17 length slide on top. It has a modified slide that uses a G19 guide rod and recoil spring, but it shoots great. I have always preferred the grip size of the G19, but I like the longer slide length.

 

It has a removeable optics plate and comes with multiple plate adaptors to fit the most popular footprints for micro-optics. It fits G17 holsters and, of course, uses 15-round mags and up. If you don’t like the short grip/long slide combo, there’s the traditional G19 or G17 models. Glock also makes a G45 model, which is a G17 grip with G19 slide. Either way, it’s hard to beat the reliability of a Glock pistol and there are a ton of holsters and accessories for them.

Black Rain Fallout PCW

One of the smoothest shooting AR-15 style pistols I own is the Black Rain Fallout PCW. Built around the popular AR-15 platform, this 9mm AR Pistol has a four-inch barrel and, of course, is Glock mag compatible. The SB Tactical telescoping arm brace makes it compact and easy to carry in a backpack or keep in a vehicle. This Cold War Grey PCW has a Cerakote finish and M-LOK slots on the handguard’s sides. It uses mil-spec AR-15 parts including the charging handle, trigger, safety selector, pistol grip, and more.

I recently mounted the Holosun SCRS-RD-2 on it, which is a great match. For those who own and are used to shooting AR-15 rifles, a 9mm version is a great choice. The gun’s feel, controls, and function are the same. Black Rain Ordnance has a great selection of 9mm weapons in the AR-15 platform. Note: Check with state and federal laws before using arm-brace attachments on a pistol as there has been pending court litigation.

PSA PX9 AR-15

Palmetto State Armory makes a lot of budget friendly guns and the PX9 is a great budget 9mm PCC. I’ve put a lot of ammo through this gun over the years and it’s still shooting great. Just like the Back Rain, it’s built on the AR-15 platform with most parts mil-spec. It accepts double stack 9mm Glock mags or any Glock clone mag. I’ve used KCI, ETS, Magpul, and other brands in it without any problems. If you really want to have some fun, try the Magpul D-50 GL9-PCC drum in this thing. It sits flush in the magwell and keeps the ammo coming.

PSA offers a lot of PX-9 configurations including different barrel lengths, colors, arm brace attachments, and more. If you can find them in stock, they also offer a PX-9 Custom AR pistol in bronze finish with flip-up sights and a Sig Romeo 5 optic. These, however, sell out fast, so you must grab one when it’s available. For the price, a PSA AR pistol in 9mm is hard to beat.

Henry Homesteader

Getting outside of AR-15 style weapons and moving a little more classic, the Henry Homesteader is what I would call simple. Sometimes less is more and a simple rifle made to shoot right out of the box is refreshing. With a fitting name, the Homesteader is just what you would picture kept in a truck while working cattle or in the cab of a tractor. It’s also a great gun to sling over your shoulder on a hike or just for keeping around the house for home defense.

The Homesteader comes with a 5 and 10-round magazine so you can shoot it right out of the box. However, when purchasing, Henry offers one of three options for a replacement mag well. You can select a Glock, Sig Sauer P320, or Smith & Wesson M&P mag well. Of course, I chose the Glock version because I have a lot of Glock magazines and other guns that are Glock mag compatible. The Homesteader is a great shooting gun with a nice wooden stock and handguard. It’s simple, but that’s what makes it perfect.

Ruger PC Carbine

The Ruger PC Carbine is another rifle platform like the Homesteader, but has a few more options for customization. First, you can choose from several configurations. This includes a traditional style synthetic or AR-15 style telescoping stock. An AR-15 style handguard with M-LOK slots is also available for those who want more of that “tactical” look to it. I chose the model 19115, which is one of the tactical versions.

Like the Homesteader, the PC Carbine has a side charging handle that can be moved to the other side for right or left-handed shooters. The model I selected has a rear ghost-ring sight and front blade sight. One of the most unique features of the PC Carbine is a quick detach feature for the barrel assembly. With just the push of a button and short twist of the handguard, the barrel comes off. This makes it great for storing or carrying in a bag. Switching the mag well out for a Glock compatible one was simple.

MPA (MasterPiece Arms) Defender

Okay, I know this is a novelty gun, but it just kept catching my eye in the gun store. Every now and then you just want one of those guns. You know the ones you don’t really plan to use, but they’re just fun to shoot and look at. When I picked it up at the gun store, the guys jokingly told me not to rob the local 7-Eleven with it. It resembles the more popular Mac-11 and has several accessories available from MPA. I switched out the lower frame to a Glock compatible one and added a handguard with picatinny rails.

While I still refer to this as a novelty gun, I will say I’ve been completely surprised out how well this thing shoots. Everyone at the range wants to shoot it, so it’s had a lot of use. It’s never malfunctioned and, with a laser, it’s easy to use at close quarters. With a light, laser, and sling; this could make a great little home defense gun or something to keep in the vehicle. I did some sling tension shooting with it using the iron sights, but I prefer to just shoot if from the hip with a laser. It’s fun, small, and works with Glock 17 or larger mags.

One Mag, One Caliber, Lots of Guns

I like just about every type of gun out there in a wide range of calibers. But, it’s also nice to have a selection of firearms chambered in the same caliber that use the same magazine. Because Glock mags are so popular, there are a ton of choices in capacity and style. It makes training on the range cheaper than using an AR-15 or other big calibers. In addition, it also saves money when it comes to buying magazines. I don’t like having a gun with only one or two mags for it. When the gun uses Glock mags, I can buy the gun and that’s it. I have ammo and magazines ready to go at home. If you are looking for another gun that uses Glock mags, these are some great options to check out.