Was the The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 the Right Choice?
The The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 promises to increase the capacity of your Glock 19 magazines by five rounds, offering a significant advantage in situations where every shot counts. Manufactured by The Gun Company in collaboration with FACTR USA, this extension distinguishes itself with its screwless design, titanium cover plate, and focus on clean, functional aesthetics. It seemed like the perfect solution to increase my Glock 19’s magazine capacity without sacrificing reliability or adding unnecessary bulk.
As someone deeply involved in both tactical training and competitive shooting, I’m always looking for ways to improve my gear. I needed a reliable and durable magazine extension for my Glock 19 that would allow me to carry more rounds without compromising the pistol’s ergonomics or reliability. I was tired of constantly reloading during training drills, and the added capacity seemed like a game-changer.
Upon receiving the The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19, my initial impression was positive. The extension felt solid and well-made, and the 6061-T6 Aluminum construction instilled confidence. The titanium cover plate with its stonewashed finish and FACTR logomark added a touch of class.
I considered other options like the Magpul GL9 PMAG 15 GLOCK 19 9MM BLACK and the Strike Industries Glock Magazine Extension. Ultimately, I chose The Gun Company extension because of its unique screwless design and the promise of effortless assembly/disassembly. The advertised use of Grade 5 Titanium also caught my attention, suggesting a higher level of durability than some of the polymer alternatives.
My first impression was a mix of excitement and slight apprehension. The extension looked fantastic, but I was concerned about the potential for reliability issues, given my past experiences with aftermarket magazine extensions. I was hoping the The Gun Company‘s reputation for quality would hold true.
Real-World Testing: Putting The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 extensively at my local shooting range. I ran several drills, focusing on reloading speed and overall magazine functionality with the extension. The weather was typical for a spring day – slightly damp with occasional gusts of wind.
Initially, the extension performed well, adding the promised five rounds to my Glock 19 magazine. However, after about 50 rounds, I experienced a few failures to feed, which was concerning. The magazine spring provided felt adequate, but the rounds weren’t consistently feeding into the chamber.
Assembly was easy as advertised, and the screwless design was indeed a breeze to work with. But I did have concerns about the spring’s ability to keep up when under heavy loads. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a warning for the future.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of consistent use, the The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 showed signs of wear and tear. The anodized matte finish on the 6061-T6 Aluminum began to scratch easily. The magazine also grew more unreliable during the extended testing, with failure-to-feed incidents increasing.
Durability was a significant concern. The aluminum body held up well to impacts, but the finish deteriorated quickly. The titanium cover plate, while aesthetically pleasing, didn’t seem to offer any practical advantage. Cleaning was straightforward, but the failures to feed persisted despite meticulous maintenance.
Compared to my previous experiences with Glock factory magazines, the The Gun Company extension was a disappointment. While the added capacity was desirable, the loss of reliability made it a non-starter for serious use. I’d previously used +2 extensions from Glock and experienced no failure-to-feed issues at all.
Breaking Down the Features of The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19
Specifications
-
Manufacturer: The Gun Company.
-
Color: Black.
-
Fabric/Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum.
-
Finish: Anodized Matte. The matte finish looks nice initially but is prone to scratching.
-
Gun Model: Glock 23, Glock 19. Designed for standard full-capacity magazines for these models.
-
Cover Plate: 6Al4V (Grade 5) Titanium cover plate w/ Stonewashed finish and laser-engraved FACTR logomark. The titanium plate adds a premium feel, but its impact on performance is negligible.
-
Spring: Includes extra power 12-coil spring. The spring aims to ensure reliable feeding with the added capacity, but falls short in practice.
-
Compatibility: Only compatible with G19/23 standard full-capacity magazines. It will not work with restricted 10-round magazines.
-
Capacity Increase: Adds 5 rounds of capacity to G19 mags/4 rounds of capacity to G23 mags. This is the primary selling point, but the reliability issues detract from the benefit.
Performance & Functionality
The The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 promises enhanced magazine capacity, but its real-world performance is inconsistent. While the initial rounds feed reliably, extended use reveals a tendency for failures to feed. The ergonomics were good, but the reliability issues outweighed any advantage.
The strength lies in its easy assembly/disassembly, thanks to the screwless design. However, the weakness is the questionable reliability of the magazine when fully loaded. Ultimately, the product fell short of expectations due to its inability to maintain consistent feeding.
Design & Ergonomics
The build quality of the The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 is generally good. The 6061-T6 Aluminum construction feels robust, and the weight is well-balanced. The extension doesn’t significantly alter the pistol’s handling.
The design is user-friendly, with no complicated steps required for installation. However, the anodized matte finish is prone to scratching, which detracts from the overall aesthetic. The absence of screws is a welcome feature, simplifying maintenance and reducing the risk of parts loosening over time.
Durability & Maintenance
The The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 should last a reasonably long time, thanks to its aluminum construction. However, the finish is susceptible to wear, and the magazine spring may require replacement after extended use. Maintenance is simple, requiring only occasional cleaning and lubrication.
The extension is easy to disassemble for cleaning, and no specialized tools are required. However, the reliability issues suggest that the spring may be a weak point, potentially needing replacement sooner than expected. Overall, I was not confident in its long-term reliability.
Accessories and Customization Options
The The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 doesn’t offer many customization options beyond its standard configuration. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing Glock 19 magazines and doesn’t require any proprietary accessories. Compatibility with aftermarket baseplates might exist, but that was not tested.
Given its compatibility with standard Glock 19 magazines, the extension should work with most magazine pouches designed for Glock pistols. However, I did not test it with a wide range of accessory types.
Pros and Cons of The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19
Pros
- Adds +5 rounds to Glock 19 magazine capacity, which could be beneficial in certain situations.
- Screwless design allows for easy assembly and disassembly.
- 6061-T6 Aluminum construction provides reasonable durability.
- Grade 5 Titanium cover plate adds a premium aesthetic.
- Relatively easy to clean and maintain.
Cons
- Experiences failure-to-feed issues, especially when fully loaded.
- Anodized matte finish is prone to scratching.
- May require frequent spring replacement due to increased wear.
- Limited customization options.
Who Should Buy The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19?
This magazine extension might be suitable for recreational shooters who want increased magazine capacity and are willing to accept a potential trade-off in reliability. Those who prioritize aesthetics and ease of assembly might also find it appealing.
However, I would advise against using the The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 for self-defense, tactical applications, or competitive shooting, where reliability is paramount. Individuals who demand unwavering performance from their firearms should explore other options. A must-have modification would be a more robust and reliable magazine spring to alleviate the failure to feed issues.
Conclusion on The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19
The The Gun Company The Gun Co +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 19 presents a mixed bag of features and performance. While it offers a convenient way to increase magazine capacity and boasts a user-friendly design, its reliability issues are a significant drawback. The asking price of $51.99 seems high considering these issues.
Personally, I cannot recommend this product for critical applications due to its inconsistent performance. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your firearm will function flawlessly is worth more than the added capacity. While the design and materials are appealing, the ultimate purpose of a magazine extension is to enhance reliability, and in that regard, this product falls short. Explore other magazine extension options or stick to factory magazines for maximum reliability.
Read the full article here






Leave a Reply