They’re cheap… that’s not a good thing though. - Elite Tactical Systems Freedom Pack Glock 17, 18, 19, 19X, 26, 34, 45 9mm 32 Rounds Pistol Magazine, Pack of 3

Magazines are a pretty boring purchase for gun owners. Usually we’re more concerned with their capacity or aesthetics as it’s pretty rare to get a magazine that fails its stated purpose of holding and feeding rounds. These magazines however reminded me that sometimes you get what you pay for.

These failed to load easily or fully, the spring became visibly kinked at a certain random number of rounds preventing any further rounds from being loaded. A few quick smacks on the bottom (well, more than a few) and the kink was corrected and, albeit with an abnormal level of force, I was able to load the magazine to its stated capacity. Fired off a few rounds and then click, the spring was again kinked and caused a failure to feed. Upon removing the magazine the rounds above the kink fell out freely and I had to use a knife to free the remaining rounds.

I tried a few drops of CLP, disassembling and adjusting the spring, using different types and brands of ammo, all failed to get the magazine to function correctly.

I appreciate the clear body (made diagnosing the problem easy at least) but everything else is a complete failure.