Mec-Gar Glock 19 Steel Magazine – A Solid Start with Room to Grow

Video of Review

Welcome back to Good Moral Tactical! Today, we're diving into the Mec-Gar Glock 19 steel magazine—a product that’s been getting some buzz lately. It's a Gen 1 release with an interesting take on solving a common issue among Glock users looking for steel mags. But does it deliver? Well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag—and here’s why.

First Impressions... and an Unexpected Start

Let’s just say the review began with a bang—literally. While filming, the magazine unexpectedly dropped out of the Grit Grips frame mid-rapid-fire. Definitely not what you want to see in a product designed for reliability. But before jumping to conclusions, we took a closer look.

What's Happening with the Drop Issue?

Prior to filming, we put a couple of full mags through the Grit Grips frame—no problems at all. But the Mec-Gar mag dropped three separate times while shooting video. Odd, right?

Digging deeper, we noticed that the Mec-Gar mag was sitting a bit differently in the Grit Grips frame (which has an 18-degree grip angle, compared to the standard Glock’s 22 degrees). That small angle change may not sound like much, but it created just enough play to let the mag rock slightly during firing. That rocking, especially under rapid fire, was enough to work the mag loose.

It’s worth noting: this issue didn’t show up when using OEM mags, PMAGs, or ETS mags. So, was this a design flaw or a compatibility issue?

Mec-Gar's Response: A+ for Customer Support

We reached out to Mec-Gar to share our experience, and to their credit, they listened. Over the course of three weeks, we worked closely with their team, testing, troubleshooting, and swapping components. The verdict? Mec-Gar confirmed the incompatibility with the Grit Grips frame.

The core design of their steel magazine features a “hampered” edge at the mag catch rather than a traditional cutout. This helps preserve your mag catch—something earlier metal mags from other brands were known to chew up. It’s a clever workaround, but in frames that deviate from Glock’s OEM specs (like Grit Grips), that innovation might not function as reliably.

Still, big kudos to Mec-Gar for being receptive and responsive. They didn’t pass the blame or dismiss the issue as user error. Instead, they leaned into the feedback and expressed interest in improving the product.

Fit, Feel & Functionality Across Frames

Testing the Mec-Gar mag across other platforms offered more positive results. In a factory Gen 5 Glock and the Ruger RXM (which has a 20-degree grip angle), the mag performed flawlessly. The extra grip from the extended base plate even gave a nice bonus for control—especially helpful for shooters with larger hands or those looking for that pinky support.

Fit-wise, the Mec-Gar sits out a bit more compared to OEM and ETS mags, thanks to its steel construction and added capacity. But it’s flush enough to look clean, and the added rounds (15+3) are a definite perk.

Final Verdict: A Promising Start for a First-Gen Mag

So, do we like the Mec-Gar Glock 19 steel magazine? Yes, with a few caveats.

✅ Pros:

• Durable steel build

• Smart mag catch design

• Increased capacity without significant bulk

• Excellent customer support and responsiveness

• Great price point (~$30 compared to $100+ alternatives)

⚠️ Cons:

• Compatibility issues with aggressive aftermarket frames

• Slight wiggle in some fits, depending on the platform

If you're running a factory Glock or something close to it, you're probably going to have a great time with this mag. For those with more aggressively angled aftermarket frames, you might want to test it thoroughly before relying on it in competition or carry.

This is a Gen 1 product—and that’s important to remember. Mec-Gar seems committed to refining it, and with community feedback, a Gen 2 could smooth out these wrinkles. I’m hopeful. I’ll keep supporting them and testing this across more builds—including some 2011s like the Staccato HD or the Stealth Arms Platypus.

Got thoughts, questions, or different experiences with this mag? Drop them in the comments—I’d love to hear your take.

Until next time, stay safe, shoot straight, and keep your gear honest.