Elite Tactical Systems is getting into the Glock business!
(Editor’s note: This article was a submission from freelance writer Max Slowik)
Elite Tactical Systems is now in the Glock magazine business. After months of build-up, their translucent polymer magazines are now available for popular 9mm Luger Glock pistols, with other model and caliber magazines in the works.
Originally expected to debut earlier this year in April, the trick to durable polymer Glock magazine bodies took longer to perfect than projected. Better late than never, these magazines are hitting the market just in time, hot on the heels of Magpul’s Glock PMags.
These magazines cost less than OEM Glock mags by about $5 for the base models and have see-through mag bodies that let users easily check their current round count. The polymer magazines are also flexible and can withstand the abuse that would trash a standard mag.
The polymer is UV-resistant and immune to rust and many corrosives and isn’t prone to warping over time when stored loaded. But one of the coolest things about these mags is that they’re compatible with existing Glock floorplates and magazine extensions.
Their debut line-up is solid, including a 10-round Glock 26 mag, a 15-round Glock 19 mag, a 17-round Glock 17 mag and two extended 9mm magazines, a 31-round magazine and a 22-round magazine. ETS also offers capacity-limited 10-round Glock 17 and Glock 19 magazines.
What do you think of these ETS mags?
The long 31-rounder is ideal for Glock-compatible pistol-caliber carbines and the 22-rounder was developed specifically for USPSA Limited Division competitions. These magazines are also nice for anyone looking to push their handgun capacity, and the 22-round magazine is a solid option for home defense or as a backup carry mag.
The standard-capacity mags have a suggested list price of $16.99, putting them in-line with Magpul’s new line of polymer Glock-compatible magazines. The extended mags run $22.99 and the blocked mags $17.99. Buyers can pick up all of the mags directly from ETS, and even at full price, they’re more affordable than factory mags. Like with most gun accessories, in-store prices are expected to be a few bucks less, making them even more appealing.
Early in development ETS also announced their plans to follow with a “TapLoader” variant designed to purposefully trip the side stop lever on insertion, automatically releasing an open slide and chambering a round, sparing the shooter an extra action to send the slide home.
ETS got its start making AR-15 magazines and pretty quickly earned positive marks for their strong design and handy features. At these prices their Glock mags are worth checking out, even just for range time giggles.
I agree with Mark, about being happy to see some competition in the Glock mag. area. Personally, I am not thrilled about these magazines using existing Glock magazine floor-plates. I think the glock magazines are a real pain in the butt to to disassemble. I know that Gaston Glock is a smart man, but I think he should have used the already existing and the tried and tested method that is seen in just about every other kind of magazine floor-plate. The type used by Browning, Sig, Beretta, etcetera. Those magazines all work great, and it is so easy to take them apart for either cleaning or magazine spring replacement. But some people, think that they are so smart that they have to re-invent the wheel. Just my opinion.
Now to keep waiting for those Springfield XDM mags ….
Who is the manufacture of the ar in this photo ???????????
That is not an ar in the photo. It’s built on the ar type platform. If you noticed it is a .45 caliber and the ammunition in the photo’s look to be .45 double stacked ammunition. I can’t tell you the weapon at hand though. When I find it, i’ll post it for you. Neet looking firearm.
The magazine in the photo has “9mm” stamped on the bottom!
I’m really happy to see some competition in the glock -magazine market finally – especially in the 30 rounders. Hopefully these guys will fill the pipeline to bursting over the summer so the next election panic won’t be quite so painful for new shooters. The 22 rounder might be a nice upgrade for HD nightstand guns if it proves to be reliable.