Are magazine grip adapters necessary or serve an actual purpose?

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P01135809

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I have frequently used full sized magazines in compact or subcompact guns without a grip adapter. I've used these in Wake Action matches with no issues and often carry a larger mag as a backup.

Here are some that I have used with no issues.

VP9SK with VP/P30 Mags
SW 6946 with 5943 mag or even a mec-gar 20 rounder
SW CS9 with 3953 mags
Glock 26 with G19 or G17 mags
P320 compact with P320 mags
SW M&P9C with M&P9 mags

My pinky usually just falls into the space and it handles fine for me. It's "ugly" but effective.

Please school my on why you "need" a sleeve.

Does anyone think you can actually damage something?
 
From what I have read, but have not tested, is that the magazine sticking out unsupported >could< lead to FTFs as there is nothing to support it and keep it from "wobbling" in the grip. Like most things, that is probably a very very remote chance, but more likely it is due to aesthetic reasons as a magazine just poking out does kinda look goofy.
 
You don't need one. It's for looks and some mild flavor of comfort.
 
When you seat a standard magazine for your gun what stops it's travel upward into the grip? If it's the base plate on the magazine then using an extended mag changes that and it will stop on something else. Probably something more fragile.
 
Catfish said:
When you seat a standard magazine for your gun what stops it's travel upward into the grip? If it's the base plate on the magazine then using an extended mag changes that and it will stop on something else. Probably something more fragile.
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I don't "feel" like it is the baseplate that stops the mag on most pistols. It seems like there is some "daylight" between the baseplate and grip.

Obviously my experience tells me that it works fine (hundreds if not more than a thousand rounds down range using "mismatched" mags)...but I do try not so slam the mags to seat them when I use the longer ones.
 
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When I carry the CZ P01, I carry a 14rd std mag with a flat steel baseplate in the weapon. For a reload I carry a CZ75 16rd mag fitted with a SP01 "Club Foot" baseplate.
While not really a grip adapter nor a sleeve, it certainly serves as a useful extension for my hands and is still concealable and very comforting to have 17rds in such a small package, if I so choose.

Just like the P01 is in the pic below.

2dw7qtz.jpg
 
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I like the feel of the X-grip adaptor in the M&P. That is all, if you want to go around without one by all means do.
But to me it kind of looks like whoever carries that way is half "axeing" it, kind of like OCing around Wal Mart with an Uncle Mikes nylon holster.
 
J R Green said:
But to me it kind of looks like whoever carries that way is half "axeing" it, kind of like OCing around Wal Mart with an Uncle Mikes nylon holster.
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And I believed nobody ever noticed me. :D
 
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My M&P 2.0C came with 2 mag sleeves, which I thought was a nice touch. I mainly shoot a full size and I have a pile of the 17rd mags.
 
I carry a G27 and keep a couple G22 spare mags. As long as the G22 mag springs are good (G27 fast cycle time), it runs like a sewing machine.
 
I've never understood buying a compact carry gun and immediately put something on it to make it larger. Why not just buy a larger gun in the first place?
 
Pink_Vapor said:
I carry a G27 and keep a couple G22 spare mags. As long as the G22 mag springs are good (G27 fast cycle time), it runs like a sewing machine.
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That's how I do it when I have to ankle carry. G27 with just the +1 pinkie extension on one ankle, two G22 mags with the full sleeve/collar on the other ankle.

Don't use a collar for any other combo (G22 mags in G23, or G23 mags in G27).

Can't seem to find the right adapter for the 33rd stick. :D
 
G26 with 19 mags or 33rd stick. G19 reloads always 17 mags. Never had an issue with any combos using factory mags. Aesthetics are another topic.
 
Geezer said:
I've never understood buying a compact carry gun and immediately put something on it to make it larger. Why not just buy a larger gun in the first place?
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I do it because I want a more concealable platform. If I don't want the gun to print I will use the short mag, if that isn't an issue or for the range or competition I'll put in the full size mag.

I also like a full grip and short slide like in the Commander style frame.
 
J R Green said:
I do it because I want a more concealable platform. If I don't want the gun to print I will use the short mag, if that isn't an issue or for the range or competition I'll put in the full size mag.

I also like a full grip and short slide like in the Commander style frame.
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Correct, I understand having a longer magazine as a back up magazine.
 
Geezer said:
I've never understood buying a compact carry gun and immediately put something on it to make it larger. Why not just buy a larger gun in the first place?
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Because smaller guns cost less than larger guns. Polymer is very expensive!

:cool:
 
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