Sometimes factory OEM magazines just don’t cut it. Whether you’re after increased magazine capacity, or just trying to get better ergonomics for faster, smoother reloads, aftermarket magazine base plates can do a lot to add to the style, function, and longevity of your firearm and its magazines. Today we’ll talk about a couple of reasons you might want to upgrade some of your factory pistol and rifle magazines, with some aftermarket magazine base plates.
Increased Capacity
A lot of the newest micro compact 9mm handguns out there get an extra two or three rounds in each magazine from a lot of aftermarket magazine base plates. These can come in handy as a higher capacity magazine for use at the range, or as a solid backup option if you carry around a spare magazine. Extra capacity is always good, especially when you can conceal it, so often it's great to have one factory magazine as your carry mag, and carry a backup with an extended base plate.
I primarily use magazine extensions for when I’m training at the range. This is simply so I can get more reps in before needing to reload all of my magazines. My Glock 45 MOS is getting this treatment next with the replacement cost being relatively cheap if you buy secondhand Glock 17 magazines and upgrade them with aftermarket base plates.
Improved Ergonomics
Some of the most common pocket pistols and compact carry guns have grip lengths that are too short for people with bigger hands, an easy solution to this is to add a magazine extension base plate which will typically come with a couple of extra rounds. Suppose extra rounds would put you in legal trouble. In that case, there are also +0 options available which add some extra grip length for better reloads and better grip ergonomics, but don’t add any additional rounds.
Breathing New Life Into Old Mags
We touched on this briefly before but one of the best ways to get some good new-ish magazines is to get some used magazines. Frequently law enforcement trade-ins and gunstore bargain bins will have old scuffed-up magazines that need just a little bit of TLC to get back in working order. New base plates and a new follower can go a long way in helping keep your supply of magazines topped up and looking fresh.
Easier Maintenance
One thing I loathe about OEM Glock magazines is how difficult they are to take apart. If you shoot suppressed, with dirty ammo, or just in high volumes, your magazines will eventually get gummed up with fouling, dirt, oil, etc. Taking apart your magazines for cleaning is made a lot easier by a lot of aftermarket Glock magazine base plates. Instead of a proprietary Glock magazine disassembly tool, aftermarket Glock magazine base plates typically disassemble using a combination of plungers and common firearm tools like torx or hex tools. So while base plates might be a visual or capacity upgrade, they’re also a great way to make sure maintenance isn’t a headache.
Many More Uses
There are a lot of other small benefits to getting your magazines fitted with aftermarket base plates. One other benefit we haven’t mentioned yet is the durability of your magazines is often increased with these bigger, beefier metal magazine base plates. Whatever reason you might need them for, aftermarket magazine base plates typically come with one or two extra benefits as well - so they’re at least worth trying out. If you’re looking for a great selection of Glock, Smith & Wesson, or SIG magazine base plates, you can check out everything that Tyrant CNC has here.
