ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin Review

The ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin Made a Bold First Impression

The promise of a 30-round .45 ACP magazine for my Glock 21 and Ruger LC 45 carbine was too tempting to resist. The ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin from Elite Tactical Systems Group (ETS) aims to offer increased firepower in a reliable package. Would it live up to the hype, or would it be another range toy destined for the parts bin?

My need for a high-capacity magazine stemmed from a desire for fewer reloads during training sessions and the occasional fun run-and-gun drills. I’d been eyeing extended magazines for a while, but reliability was my primary concern; I didn’t want to sacrifice function for capacity.

Upon unboxing, the ETS magazine certainly made a statement. The carbon smoke translucent polymer gave it a modern, aggressive look. The magazine felt sturdy enough, though the polymer construction didn’t inspire the same confidence as steel-bodied magazines.

I considered options from Magpul and Glock themselves, but the ETS magazine’s price point and high capacity were hard to ignore. The translucent body also appealed to me, allowing for a quick visual assessment of remaining rounds. I hoped I made the right choice, as the gamble could pay off with higher capacity or backfire with terrible reliability.

Initially, I was excited about the potential this magazine held, especially at such a compelling price point. The promise of 30 rounds of .45 ACP without constant reloads was definitely appealing. The transparent body was a welcome novelty compared to my usual magazines.

Real-World Testing: Putting ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin to the Test

First Use Experience

I tested the ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin at my local outdoor shooting range. I loaded it into both my Glock 21 and my Ruger LC 45 carbine. The day was relatively mild, with clear skies and a slight breeze, perfect conditions for testing gear.

The first few rounds through the Glock 21 seemed promising. However, by the fifth round, I experienced a failure to feed; the slide failed to fully chamber the round. Switching to the Ruger LC 45 carbine did not improve the situation. Three failures to feed marred my experience.

The magazine was relatively easy to load, though the spring tension felt a bit high towards the end of its capacity. No break-in period should be necessary for a magazine, but that was the first thing I thought of. Despite any user error, it should work without any modifications.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of using the ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin, the reliability issues persisted. Failures to feed remained common, especially when the magazine was fully loaded. It seems that after some time, it only got worse.

Visually, the magazine showed no significant wear and tear, despite regular use. The polymer body seemed relatively resilient. The finish had some minor scratches, but nothing that affected functionality. I was getting quite frustrated with this product, since I needed it to function for its purpose.

Cleaning the magazine was straightforward; the polymer body wiped down easily. I disassembled the magazine once to clean the spring and follower. The process was simple, but even after thorough cleaning and lubrication, the feeding issues remained.

Compared to my standard Glock magazines, the ETS magazine was a significant disappointment. While my factory Glock magazines have been flawlessly reliable, the ETS magazine was consistently problematic. Factory magazines may cost more, but their reliability is worth the money.

Breaking Down the Features of ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin

Specifications

The ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin boasts the following specifications:

• Caliber: .45 ACP.
• Capacity: 30 rounds.
• Compatibility: Glock 21, Glock 30, Glock 41.
• Material: Translucent carbon smoke polymer.
• Origin: OEM.

The .45 ACP caliber is a classic choice, known for its stopping power. The 30-round capacity offers a significant increase in firepower. The magazine is designed to work with various Glock models chambered in .45 ACP. The magazine’s construction of a translucent carbon smoke polymer allows for easy monitoring of ammunition levels.

Performance & Functionality

In terms of performance, the ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin fell short of expectations. The failures to feed significantly impacted its reliability. Accuracy was not an issue, but the constant malfunctions made it difficult to focus on shooting.

The magazine’s main strength is its high capacity. However, this is overshadowed by its unreliability. The polymer construction also felt less robust compared to steel magazines. It did not meet my expectations since it failed often in real-world range testing.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of the ETS magazine is visually appealing. The translucent polymer body is a nice touch. However, the ergonomics are lacking; the magazine’s length makes it somewhat unwieldy, especially in a standard Glock 21.

The build quality is decent, but the polymer material doesn’t inspire the same confidence as steel. There is no significant learning curve. Its operation is similar to standard Glock magazines.

Durability & Maintenance

The polymer body appears to be durable, and it shows no significant signs of wear after several weeks of use. The magazine’s lifespan remains to be seen, but the polymer construction suggests it should last for a reasonable amount of time with proper care. However, the spring is a different story.

Maintenance is straightforward. The magazine disassembles easily for cleaning and lubrication. Regular cleaning is essential to prevent malfunctions, but it does not guarantee reliability.

Accessories and Customization Options

The ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin does not come with any accessories. Customization options are limited, as it is a magazine designed for a specific purpose. Aftermarket baseplates might be available, but I haven’t explored those options.

The magazine is compatible with standard Glock .45 ACP magazine pouches. However, its extended length might require specific pouch designs. Standard pouches fit just fine, but they aren’t as practical due to their unreliability.

Pros and Cons of ETS MAG FOR GLK 21/30 .45 ACP 30RD CSM – 45 ACP Caliber, OEM Origin