Glock has finally done it: they’ve introduced an OEM 15-round magazine for the Glock 48 and Glock 43X. For defensive shooters and off-duty officers, 15-round Glock 19 magazines have existed for decades, but Slimline concealed-carry options lagged behind.
The Glock 48 and G43X were Glock’s entries into the micro-compact market. Like all Glocks, they were reliable, accurate, easy to shoot, and good handguns in general. However, when compared to the SIG Sauer P365, Springfield Armory Hellcat, and similar micro-compacts, they had one big problem: magazine capacity.
They lagged behind other guns thanks to those 10-round, single-stack magazines. Compared to guns of a similar size, like the P365XL, they fell about five rounds short in capacity. The market recognized that people love Glocks, but they also want higher magazine capacity.
This led to companies like Shield Arms producing their famed S15 15-round magazines. Palmetto State Armory followed up with 15-round, Glock-compatible magazines designed for the Micro Dagger series. It was clear that it could be done, but Glock took a while to act.
Glock isn’t a reactionary company. They seem to be slow-moving, but from my interactions with Glock, they take their time to make sure they are doing it right. It might take a little more time, but they come out swinging.
They’ve finally introduced OEM 15-round magazines for the Glock 48 and 43X series pistols. Not only are new Glocks coming with the 15-round magazines, but they’re available for individual sale. For roughly $27 to $30, you can increase your onboard capacity by 50%.
How the Glock OEM 15-Rounder Compares to Aftermarket Options
What has Glock done to differentiate its factory offering from existing aftermarket options like the Shield Arms S15 and PSA Micro Dagger mags?
I had good luck with both Shield and PSA magazines, but that’s not always universal across the board. Many shooters have experienced problems with both magazines, making them less than desirable. Plus, with the Shield mag, you needed a specific metal magazine release because the OEM release will get chewed up by the metal magazine.
Factory Compatibility & Material Changes
Nothing needs to be changed on your G43X or G48 to run the new OEM magazines. The Glock OEM 15-round magazine drops right in, offering you 15 rounds of 9mm on tap instantly. Word to the wise: don’t use the Shield magazine release with this magazine; it seems to cause issues.
This new magazine represents a major structural shift for Glock. It is not made of polymer over a steel lining; it features an all-steel double-stack construction. To my knowledge, this is Glock’s first all-metal OEM magazine body.
Like every other Glock magazine, it has witness holes down the spine of the magazine. It has the bright orange follower we see on the Gen 5 and newer magazines. At the bottom is a polymer base plate with a slight extension.
Ergonomics, Concealability, and Fitment
The Glock OEM 15-round magazines are slightly longer than the PSA and Shield Arms options. The bottom of the magazine doesn’t quite sit flush with the pistol’s grip. It’s not substantial, but I’m sure it helps with the gun’s reliability.
Is 15 the number Glock needed to meet? Could they have gone with 14 rounds and had the magazine sit flush with the grip? I don’t mind the slight extensions, but I’m a big dude, and this gun conceals with ease.
However, even a little extra size can make a big difference for some people. With that in mind, I can’t help but think maybe 14 rounds and flush fitting would have been the better route.
Compared to the Shield and PSA magazines, I find the OEM magazine easier to load and easier to insert on a closed slide. It locks in and doesn’t even need much of a tap to do so. The only round that’s even close to being difficult to load is the 15th round.
Does The 15 Rounder Run?
I grabbed a few different types of ammunition to run through the magazine to test for reliability. I fired one magazine each of the following through my G48 with the OEM 15-round magazine.
- 115 Grain Monarch Steel Case
- 115 Grain Ammunition Depot Remanufactured Ammo
- 124 Grain Ammunition Depot Remanufactured Ammo
- 147 Grain Federal HST
- 124 Grain Speer Gold Dot
To no one’s surprise, the Glock OEM 15-round magazines chewed through everything without complaint. After dumping one magazine of each of these various loads, I moved to just shooting 115-grain Ammunition Depot Remanufactured Ammo for the remaining testing of the magazine.
I shoot on a sand range, and sand is the enemy of everything mechanical. I conducted reloads, allowing the magazines to drop freely into sand, over and over. By the time I was done, I could hear the sand grinding as I loaded rounds into the magazine.
Still, they never malfunctioned, and they never became more difficult to load. The sand didn’t provide much of a challenge.
I blazed through another 150 rounds, which is 10 full magazines, without a problem. They were filthy and gritty by the end, but still functional and reliable. They always fed, and the slide always locked back to the rear when empty.
The New Standard
It might have taken Glock a few years to get it done, but they’ve done it right. Their micro compacts are now truly micro compacts and not single-stack 9s playing dress-up. These 15-round magazines are simple, effective, and efficient.
They offer a substantial capacity increase, appear to be reliable, and don’t require a special magazine release. Those are all traits I like to see when accessorizing my Glock, and if you carry a G43X or G48, then you’ll be well served with Glock’s new 15-round OEM magazine.
Common Questions About Glock’s 15-Round Slimline Mags
Will I need to swap out my factory magazine release to run these?
No. Unlike some third-party options that require an aftermarket steel catch, Glock designed this 15-round magazine to work cleanly with your gun’s standard factory polymer release. You don’t need to change a thing—it drops right in out of the box.
Does this 15-round magazine sit completely flush with the grip?
No, it extends just slightly past the bottom of the magwell. While some aftermarket magazines aim for a flush fit, Glock allowed a fraction of an inch extra length to ensure reliable double-stack feeding geometry, solid spring travel, and a positive purchase when seating the magazine against a closed slide.
Does it feed hollow points and duty ammo reliably?
Yes. Extensive range testing and duty evaluations confirm that the OEM 15-round magazine feeds both standard range FMJ ball ammo and premium jacketed hollow points (JHPs)—including 124-grain Speer Gold Dot and 147-grain Federal HST—without nose-diving or feed-ramp hangups.
Will this magazine work in a standard Glock 43 or a Glock 19?
No. This magazine is engineered specifically for the unique Slimline frame dimensions of the Glock 43X and Glock 48. It is too wide for the original single-stack Glock 43 magwell, and too narrow and short for standard double-stack frames like the Glock 19.
Are these 15-round magazines legal in capacity-restricted states?
No. In states with statutory 10-round magazine capacity limits (such as California, New York, or New Jersey), these magazines are restricted to active-duty law enforcement officers or authorized exempt personnel, depending on local laws. Always check your local regulations before purchasing.
