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Magazine Extensions: Are They Worth The Money?
Do you ever find yourself wishing you had just a couple more rounds in the magazine? I know I sure do. Instead of rushing out to purchase an extended magazine next time, consider adding a magazine extension to your current mag to add a few rounds while saving a few bucks.
I’ve used magazine extensions on everything from 9mm pistol magazines to AR-15 magazines with very few issues. However, I have heard feedback from other shooters who have had difficulty installing them or complained of malfunctions occurring after they do install them.
I can’t complain much with an extra five rounds of 9mm.
While I choose not to use magazine extensions on my carry guns, many people are perfectly comfortable doing so. For me, they come in handy the most at the range so that I can spend more time training and less time reloading.
In this article, we’ll discuss some commonly asked questions along with the pros and cons to consider with magazine extensions to help you decide if they are worth your hard-earned money.
Are Magazine Extensions Legal?
We’ll keep this section short and get it out of the way first since it’s asked so often.
Yes, magazine extensions are legal. As long as you are legally allowed to own a firearm and your city or state doesn’t have capacity restrictions that the extension(s) would then cause you to violate, you are good to go.
Pros & Cons of Magazine Extensions
Often offering one to six extra rounds on average, mag extensions are a great way to not only provide additional ammo, but additional grip space for those with larger-than-average hands. Having the extra length protruding from the bottom of the frame also helps with reloads, which you should be practicing often!
In addition to the tangible benefits, magazine extensions can also improve the aesthetics of your firearm. Some find a perfectly finished magazine extension that adds a pop of color to their build very appealing.
This particular PMAG extension adds five rounds of .223/5.56 and adds a splash of color.
On the other hand, magazine extensions add weight and another potential point of failure. Oh yeah, they cost money, too, but most fun things do! As with any accessory or modification to your firearm, I highly suggest you train with them as much as possible to ensure they are reliable. This can help ease your mind regarding the potential failure point.
Are Magazine Extensions Reliable?
In my experience, yes. Looking back, I’ll admit I’m a bit surprised, but almost every extension I’ve tried has worked well. I’m sure there are some bad apples out there, but you should be good to go as long as you buy one from a reputable manufacturer. I can’t stress this enough: you need to test any that you purchase for yourself to make your own determination of reliability.
Off the top of my head, here are five brands that I’ve used with no issues to note:
- Pearce Grip
- Strike Industries
- Lancer
- Hyve Technologies
- Tyrant CNC
The key is to follow the manufacturer’s suggested installation instructions and use whatever parts were supplied with the extension. If a new spring comes with it, use it. If new set screws come with it, use them. You get the idea.
This build has a lot going on, but notice the Lancer mag extension! Source: facebook
Roles & Uses
If you consider all the roles and uses that a firearm can fill, I bet most of them would benefit from additional rounds, enhanced control, quicker reloads…or a combination of them all.
Competitions
If you compete and the organization allows the use of magazine extensions, it’s arguably the most beneficial scenario to use them in. All three of those benefits I just mentioned apply here, which can give you a huge leg up on your opponents. You also don’t have to worry “as much” about a potential jam or malfunction, as it’s not a defensive situation.
Home Defense
As long as you’ve trained enough to verify that the magazine extension is reliable, having one in a home defense scenario can be ideal. When something goes bump in the night, you’ll want as many rounds as possible. You may not have a spare magazine ready to reload with, so the more rounds you have at your disposal via the loaded magazine, the better.
The extra length added to the grip will also help you find your firearm more easily in the dark if you don’t happen to have a safe with an automatic light.
Range
The range is the number one place where I employ magazine extensions. Whether I’m breaking in a new gun or zeroing a new optic, the additional rounds let me maximize my time at the range without having to reload as often.
These lanes at the Outpost Armory have played host to many of my firearm review testing periods. Source: theoutpostarmory
I will add that I always ensure to train with the magazines I will actually carry or use for home defense, too, so I’m familiar with their weight, feel, and reliability.
Concealed Carry
As I mentioned earlier, even if I have not had an issue with a magazine extension, I don’t use them when carrying. My mind gets stuck on the potential failure point introduced by adding a magazine extension. I’d rather carry a spare factory magazine to increase my overall capacity.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t use them for concealed carry, that’s just my preference!
The Few Extra Rounds Matter
At the end of the day, a few extra rounds can be the difference between life and death. Whether you want to carry a spare magazine or add a magazine extension into the mix, you should always strive to be as prepared as possible. The extra weight and cost associated with doing so are very minimal concerns in the grand scheme of things.
So, are magazine extensions worth it? I’d say yes, they are. But factory and aftermarket magazines are never a bad idea to stock up on, either. Only you can decide which route best fits your plans to stay prepared.
As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.
