Magazines
Having the right magazine with you at the range makes all the difference since it allows you to spend time Shooting instead of wasting time reloading.
Here's the type of magazines that we like for Shooting and why we like them:
- Magazines for Small Handgun (S&W Shield & Shield 2.0)
- Magazine Extensions for Small Handgun (S&W Shield & Shield 2.0)
- Magazines for Large Handgun (92FS)
- Magazines for Small Caliber Carbine (Walther HK MP5 A5)
- Magazines for Folding Stock Pistol Caliber Carbine (Uzi)
- Magazines for Short Range Pistol Caliber Carbine (995TS)
- Magazines for Pistol Caliber Carbine (CA94)
- Magazines for Low Recoil Pistol Caliber Carbine (Kriss Vector)
- Magazines for Pistol Caliber Carbine with Red Dot Sights (CZ Scorpion)
- Magazines for AK Pistol Caliber Carbine (KUSA KR-9S)
- Magazines for Small Caliber Multi-shot Rifle with Red Dot Sights (S&W 15-22)
- Magazines for Pistol Caliber Multi-shot Rifle with Red Dot Sights (Stag-9 & Colt R6430)
- Magazines for Large Caliber Multi-shot Rifles with Scopes (Stag-3 & Colt R6550)
- Magazines for Large Caliber Multi-shot Rifle (Norinco MAK-90)
- Magazines for Tactical Semi-Auto Magazine-fed Shotgun (Panzer Arms AR-12 Pro)
- Note: click on any photo to enlarge it
Magazines for Small Handgun
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield & Shield 2.0 - 9mm
Magazines for the 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield & Shield 2.0 come in both 7 and 8 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for small handguns are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since the Shield is a relatively new firearm all of the magazines that we have were manufactured by S&W. We have a variety of both 7 and 8 round magazines since the 8 round magazines have a small extension (e.g. 1 finger tall) that makes the firearm a more stable shooting platform and therefore more accurate – but the 7 round magazine makes the firearm more concealable. You can buy these magazines at smith-wesson.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for the 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield & Shield 2.0 come in both 7 and 8 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for small handguns are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since the Shield is a relatively new firearm all of the magazines that we have were manufactured by S&W. We have a variety of both 7 and 8 round magazines since the 8 round magazines have a small extension (e.g. 1 finger tall) that makes the firearm a more stable shooting platform and therefore more accurate – but the 7 round magazine makes the firearm more concealable. You can buy these magazines at smith-wesson.com or your local gun shop.
Magazine Extensions for Small Handgun
Hyve Technologies M&P Shield & Shield 2.0 9mm+2 Magazine Extender
For normal every day carry, and USPSA type shooting, we use a 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield for a variety of reasons. But one of the features that makes it a great mid-sized carry gun also limits its capacity; the magazine size. In the stock 9mm Shield you can get both 7 and 8 round magazines. But when the number of rounds counts it would be nice to have a few more. Of course one of the solutions is to carry spare magazines. But now there is also another option – a 2 round magazine extension for the 8 round Shield magazine built by Hyve technologies. The Hyve extension replaces the footplate on the stock 8 round magazine and increases its capacity to 10 rounds while retaining the lines of the Shield’s grip. The extension is machined from anodized aluminum and comes in either black or 6 other colors to fit your preference. In addition to manufacturing extensions for the 9mm Shield, Hyve is also currently making extensions for the .40 and .45 caliber Shields and for the Glock 19, 23, 26, 27, 33, 36, 42 and 43. You can buy these Shield magazine extenders at the Hyve Technologies website or potentially at your local gun shop.
For normal every day carry, and USPSA type shooting, we use a 9mm Smith & Wesson M&P Shield for a variety of reasons. But one of the features that makes it a great mid-sized carry gun also limits its capacity; the magazine size. In the stock 9mm Shield you can get both 7 and 8 round magazines. But when the number of rounds counts it would be nice to have a few more. Of course one of the solutions is to carry spare magazines. But now there is also another option – a 2 round magazine extension for the 8 round Shield magazine built by Hyve technologies. The Hyve extension replaces the footplate on the stock 8 round magazine and increases its capacity to 10 rounds while retaining the lines of the Shield’s grip. The extension is machined from anodized aluminum and comes in either black or 6 other colors to fit your preference. In addition to manufacturing extensions for the 9mm Shield, Hyve is also currently making extensions for the .40 and .45 caliber Shields and for the Glock 19, 23, 26, 27, 33, 36, 42 and 43. You can buy these Shield magazine extenders at the Hyve Technologies website or potentially at your local gun shop.
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Note: We have 4 of the Hyve +2 Magazine extensions for our 9mm Shield. We’ve used them for a couple of years and they’ve always worked great. When we purchased the 9mm Shield 2.0 with the integrated Green Crimson Trace laser none of the magazines with the Hyve extensions would latch into the magazine well of the new 2.0 firearm; even though the stock S&W 7 and 8 round magazines were totally interchangeable. As far as we know the 9mm Shield 2.0 with the integrated Green Crimson Trace laser has exactly the same frame as the normal 9mm Shield 2.0 – it just adds the Crimson Trace laser to the front of the firearm. The guys at Hyve confirmed that the Hyve extension is supposed to work in the 9mm 2.0 Shield frame with no issue.
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Upon detailed inspection the reason that the 8+2 Hyve extended Shield 1.0 magazines did not latch into the 2.0 Shield’s magazine well was because the cut-out on the magazine did not completely align with the magazine catch/release for the 2.0 on the bottom side. This impeded the catch from sliding into the magazine cutout and latching. To solve this issue, I took a file and slightly filed down the lower edge of the 9mm magazine cutout (~30 to 40 strokes with a moderate metal file) on both sides of the magazine. Once I had done that, the 8+2 Hyve extended (Shield 1.0) magazines latched into the 2.0 firearm – without being noticeably looser in the 1.0 firearm.
Magazines for Large Handgun
Beretta 92FS - 9mm
Magazines for the 9mm Beretta 92FS come in 10, 15 and 17 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for large handguns are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since we purchased our 92FS prior to 1994 all of the magazines that we have are 15 round pre-ban variants manufactured by Beretta so that there is no confusion as to how the firearm is loaded. You can buy these magazines at midwayusa.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for the 9mm Beretta 92FS come in 10, 15 and 17 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for large handguns are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since we purchased our 92FS prior to 1994 all of the magazines that we have are 15 round pre-ban variants manufactured by Beretta so that there is no confusion as to how the firearm is loaded. You can buy these magazines at midwayusa.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for Small Caliber Carbine
Walther H&K MP5 A5 .22 Caliber Rimfire Carbine
Magazines for the .22 caliber Walther H&K MP5 A5 come in both 10 and 25 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for small caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Because we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, and there are no pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, all of our magazines are 10 round magazines manufactured by Walther. You might be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, but more likely you will need to go to hkparts.net.
Magazines for the .22 caliber Walther H&K MP5 A5 come in both 10 and 25 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for small caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Because we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, and there are no pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, all of our magazines are 10 round magazines manufactured by Walther. You might be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, but more likely you will need to go to hkparts.net.
Magazines for Folding Stock Pistol Caliber Carbine
Israel Military Industries (IMI) Model "B" Uzi - 9mm Carbine
Magazines for the 9mm IMI Uzi come in 20, 25, 32, 40 and 50 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for folding stock pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we have a variety of 25 and 32 round pre-ban magazines manufactured by IMI. You might be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, but more likely you will need to go to robertrtg.com.
Magazines for the 9mm IMI Uzi come in 20, 25, 32, 40 and 50 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for folding stock pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we have a variety of 25 and 32 round pre-ban magazines manufactured by IMI. You might be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, but more likely you will need to go to robertrtg.com.
Magazines for Short Range Pistol Caliber Carbine
Hi-Point 995TS - 9mm Carbine
Traditionally the recommended magazines for the 9mm Hi-Point 995TS carbine only came in a 10 round variant. However. You could purchase 15 round magazines made from other manufacturers - but using them would void the manufacturer’s warranty (if that matters to you). However, Hi-Point just announced a new 20 round “Red Ball” magazine. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for short range pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. All of the magazines that we have are 10 round variants manufactured by Hi-Point since the firearm seems to perform much better with stock magazines. You should be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, or you can go to hi-pointfirearms.net.
Traditionally the recommended magazines for the 9mm Hi-Point 995TS carbine only came in a 10 round variant. However. You could purchase 15 round magazines made from other manufacturers - but using them would void the manufacturer’s warranty (if that matters to you). However, Hi-Point just announced a new 20 round “Red Ball” magazine. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for short range pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. All of the magazines that we have are 10 round variants manufactured by Hi-Point since the firearm seems to perform much better with stock magazines. You should be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, or you can go to hi-pointfirearms.net.
Magazines for Pistol Caliber Carbine
Coharie Arms CA94 (HK94 Clone) - 9mm Carbine
Magazines for the 9mm Coharie Arms CA94 come in 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 round variants since it is an HK94/MP5 clone. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we use 25 round pre-ban magazines manufactured by HK - both the original straight magazines and the second generation curved magazines. You might be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, but more likely you will need to go to hkparts.net.
Magazines for the 9mm Coharie Arms CA94 come in 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 round variants since it is an HK94/MP5 clone. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we use 25 round pre-ban magazines manufactured by HK - both the original straight magazines and the second generation curved magazines. You might be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop, but more likely you will need to go to hkparts.net.
Magazines for Low Recoil Pistol Caliber Carbine
Kriss Vector - 9mm Carbine
The 9mm Kriss Vector uses standard Glock 17 magazines that come in 10, 17, and 33 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit the Kriss Vector, we can use both post-ban 10 round pre-ban and 17 round magazines manufactured by Glock. You should be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop or you can go to midway.com.
The 9mm Kriss Vector uses standard Glock 17 magazines that come in 10, 17, and 33 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit the Kriss Vector, we can use both post-ban 10 round pre-ban and 17 round magazines manufactured by Glock. You should be able to buy these magazines at your local gun shop or you can go to midway.com.
Magazines for Pistol Caliber Carbine with Red Dot Sights
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 - 9mm Carbine
Magazines for the 9mm CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 carbine are made from a translucent polymer material and come in 10, 20 and 30 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, the only magazines that we can use are the post-ban 10 round magazines manufactured by CZ since there are no pre-ban magazines for the gun since it was not available until 2016. You should be able to buy these magazines, and the 20/30 round magazines, at your local gun shop or you can go to midway.com.
Magazines for the 9mm CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 carbine are made from a translucent polymer material and come in 10, 20 and 30 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, the only magazines that we can use are the post-ban 10 round magazines manufactured by CZ since there are no pre-ban magazines for the gun since it was not available until 2016. You should be able to buy these magazines, and the 20/30 round magazines, at your local gun shop or you can go to midway.com.
Magazines for AK Pistol Caliber Carbine
Kalashnikov KR-9S - 9mm Carbine
Magazines for the 9mm Kalashnikov KR-9S carbine are made from a hard polymer material and come in both 10 and 30 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, the only magazines that we can use are the post-ban 10 round magazines manufactured by Kalashnikov or other magazines (such as Russian magazines for the Vityaz, Saiga-9, KUSA KP-9 and KR-9) that have been blocked so that they only hold 10 rounds since there are no pre-ban magazines for the gun because it was not available until 2019. You should be able to buy these magazines, and the 30 round magazines, at Kalashnikov USA or gunbroker.
Magazines for the 9mm Kalashnikov KR-9S carbine are made from a hard polymer material and come in both 10 and 30 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber carbines are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Since we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, the only magazines that we can use are the post-ban 10 round magazines manufactured by Kalashnikov or other magazines (such as Russian magazines for the Vityaz, Saiga-9, KUSA KP-9 and KR-9) that have been blocked so that they only hold 10 rounds since there are no pre-ban magazines for the gun because it was not available until 2019. You should be able to buy these magazines, and the 30 round magazines, at Kalashnikov USA or gunbroker.
If you live in a State that limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds, a great place to get the hardware to reduce the capacity of a magazine is magazineblocks.com.
If you live in a State that limits magazine capacity to 10 rounds, a great place to get the hardware to reduce the capacity of a magazine is magazineblocks.com.
Magazines for Small Caliber Multi-shot Rifle with Red Dot Sights
Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 - .22 Caliber AR-15
Magazines for the .22 caliber Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 come in both 10 and 25 round variants. There are two versions of the 10 round magazines. A curved 25 round magazine that has been stopped at 10 rounds and a straight 10 round magazine. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for small caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Because we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, and there are no pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, all of our magazines are 10 round magazines (both the straight and the 10-round curved magazines) manufactured by S&W. You can buy these magazines at smith-wesson.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for the .22 caliber Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 come in both 10 and 25 round variants. There are two versions of the 10 round magazines. A curved 25 round magazine that has been stopped at 10 rounds and a straight 10 round magazine. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for small caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Because we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, and there are no pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, all of our magazines are 10 round magazines (both the straight and the 10-round curved magazines) manufactured by S&W. You can buy these magazines at smith-wesson.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for Pistol Caliber Multi-shot Rifle with Red Dot Sights
Stag Arms Model 9 and Colt R6430 - 9mm AR-15
Magazines for the 9mm Stag Arms Model 9 come in 10, 20 and 30 round variants since they are the same form factor as Colt SMG magazines. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we have a variety of 10, 20 and 30 round post and pre-ban magazines manufactured by Stag Arms and Colt. You can buy these magazines at stagarms.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for the 9mm Stag Arms Model 9 come in 10, 20 and 30 round variants since they are the same form factor as Colt SMG magazines. The criteria that we use to evaluate magazines for pistol caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we have a variety of 10, 20 and 30 round post and pre-ban magazines manufactured by Stag Arms and Colt. You can buy these magazines at stagarms.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for Large Caliber Multi-shot Rifles with Scopes
Stag Arms Model 3 and Colt R6550 - 5.56/223 AR-15s
Magazines for the 5.56/.223 Stag Arms Model 3 and Colt R6650 come in 5, 10, 20 and 30 round variants since they are the same form factor as the standard AR-15/M-16 magazines. The criteria that we use to evaluate large caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we have a variety of 10, 20 and 30 round post and pre-ban magazines manufactured by Stag Arms, Simmonds Precision Products (West New Haven, CT) and Okay Industries (New Britain, CT). If you buy older magazines make sure that they are in serviceable condition, to include the springs and the followers, prior to buying them since some old military issued magazines are in much worse shape than others. You can buy these magazines at stagarms.com, gunbroker.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for the 5.56/.223 Stag Arms Model 3 and Colt R6650 come in 5, 10, 20 and 30 round variants since they are the same form factor as the standard AR-15/M-16 magazines. The criteria that we use to evaluate large caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit this firearm, we have a variety of 10, 20 and 30 round post and pre-ban magazines manufactured by Stag Arms, Simmonds Precision Products (West New Haven, CT) and Okay Industries (New Britain, CT). If you buy older magazines make sure that they are in serviceable condition, to include the springs and the followers, prior to buying them since some old military issued magazines are in much worse shape than others. You can buy these magazines at stagarms.com, gunbroker.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for Large Caliber Multi-shot Rifle
Norinco MAK-90 – 7.62 x 39 mm
Magazines for the 7.62 x 39 mm MAK-90 come in 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and even 50 round variants since they are the same form factor as the standard AK-47 magazines that were manufactured by a wide variety of countries (since over 30 countries made the AK-47) and manufacturers.. The criteria that we use to evaluate large caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit the MAK-90, we have 30 round pre-ban magazines from both China (where the MAK-90 was made) and Yugoslavia. Personally we like the Yugoslavian AK-47 magazines because they were made to hold the bolt open after the last round in the magazine has been fired. If you buy older magazines make sure that they are in serviceable condition, to include the springs and the followers, prior to buying them since some old military issued magazines are in much worse shape than others. You can buy these magazines at gunbroker.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for the 7.62 x 39 mm MAK-90 come in 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and even 50 round variants since they are the same form factor as the standard AK-47 magazines that were manufactured by a wide variety of countries (since over 30 countries made the AK-47) and manufacturers.. The criteria that we use to evaluate large caliber multi-shot rifles are: 1) is it from the original gun manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) condition – if it is used and 4) price. Although we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, since there are pre-ban magazines that fit the MAK-90, we have 30 round pre-ban magazines from both China (where the MAK-90 was made) and Yugoslavia. Personally we like the Yugoslavian AK-47 magazines because they were made to hold the bolt open after the last round in the magazine has been fired. If you buy older magazines make sure that they are in serviceable condition, to include the springs and the followers, prior to buying them since some old military issued magazines are in much worse shape than others. You can buy these magazines at gunbroker.com or your local gun shop.
Magazines for Tactical Semi-Auto Magazine-fed Shotgun
Panzer Arms AR-12 Pro - 12 Gauge Shotgun
Magazines for the Panzer Arms AR-12 Pro come in 5 and 10 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate shotgun magazines are: 1) is it from the original firearm manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) construction, 4) condition – if it is used and 5) price. Since we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, the only magazines that we can use are the post-ban 5 round magazines manufactured by Panzer Arms since there are no pre-ban magazines for the gun since it was not available until 2018. You can buy these very sturdy metal magazines at Classic Firearms or DK Firearms since your local gun shop probably does not carry them.
Magazines for the Panzer Arms AR-12 Pro come in 5 and 10 round variants. The criteria that we use to evaluate shotgun magazines are: 1) is it from the original firearm manufacturer, 2) capacity, 3) construction, 4) condition – if it is used and 5) price. Since we live in a State that has kept the 1994 Assault weapons ban in place, the only magazines that we can use are the post-ban 5 round magazines manufactured by Panzer Arms since there are no pre-ban magazines for the gun since it was not available until 2018. You can buy these very sturdy metal magazines at Classic Firearms or DK Firearms since your local gun shop probably does not carry them.