Glock mag adapter for AR15 lower

drypowder

drypowder

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A while back I was suggesting that someone [cough @Djstorm100 cough] design a 3D printed Glock mag adapter for AR15 lowers (the mag will physically fit in the magwell - it's a common misconception that it will not, but this is, as I said, a misconception. You just need an adapter to position the mag correctly so that the 9mm bolt can strip off a round and successfully push it into the chamber).

Turns out a couple of companies are making these now:

https://getstern.com/products/mag-ad9
https://americantactical.us/5864/detail.html

Pretty cool. MSRP is a bit much, but I'm sure that street pricing will come down quite a bit once more companies get in on these. If these work well, I'm sure the demand will greatly exceed the demand for Colt mag adapters.

This could be a great solution for someone with a SBR lower who doesn't want to buy and SBR a dedicated 9mm lower. Aesthetics aren't great, but for the cost savings over a dedicated 9mm SBR lower, a lot of people won't care. Hell, it even has LRBHO, which is very hit-or-miss with dedicated Glock mag lowers.

Here's a MAC review of the Stern Defense adapter:
 
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With 3D materials you'll send your 4th mag home and it will crack. I did do some actual testing but the material strength wasn't there.
 
Thanks a lot Joe... Now I have to get one...

drypowder said:
https://getstern.com/products/mag-ad9
https://americantactical.us/5864/detail.html

Pretty cool. MSRP is a bit much, but I'm sure that street pricing will come down quite a bit once more companies get in on these. If these work well, I'm sure the demand will greatly exceed the demand for Colt mag adapters.

This could be a great solution for someone with a SBR lower who doesn't want to buy and SBR a dedicated 9mm lower. Aesthetics aren't great, but for the cost savings over a dedicated 9mm SBR lower, a lot of people won't care. Hell, it even has LRBHO, which is very hit-or-miss with dedicated Glock mag lowers.
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I don't think it's high for a high quality aluminum part. This complete upper with it isn't bad at all if it's quality is decent... I also don't think it looks bad. The mag release is different but for the flexibility it gives you, what the hell...


https://getstern.com/products/mag-ad9-w-7-m-lok-6-barrel-9mm-pistol-upper-kit
 
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drypowder said:
This could be a great solution for someone with a SBR lower who doesn't want to buy and SBR a dedicated 9mm lower.
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This is exactly why my SBR/PCC runs Colt mags.
 
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Tim said:
This is exactly why my SBR/PCC runs Colt mags.
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Yep. But as you know, the Colt mag presents a hurdle as most gun owners don't have those laying around. Adapting Glock mags to standard AR lowers is a game changer for a lot of SBR owners. I'll bet the sales of the various Colt mag blocks (e.g., Hahn) falls off now that these Glock mag adapters are available.

For pistols, this presents another option, but not sure it will have a huge impact given the high cost of the adapter and the relatively low cost of the cheaper Glock mag lowers.
 
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Hmmmm. If you have a lower already, you can be all in for 6-650$.

Very intriguing!

Edit: actually not all in, as you would have to deal with the buffer system.
 
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NKD said:
Hmmmm. If you have a lower already, you can be all in for 6-650$.

Very intriguing!
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If you go with the Stern setup. But you might be able to do cheaper if you get the Stern adapter and a PSA or other low cost upper.

And of course, if you want to go pistol route, PSA and some of the other low cost players let you build a complete Glock mag AR pistol for that price.
 
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Djstorm100 said:
With 3D materials you'll send your 4th mag home and it will crack. I did do some actual testing but the material strength wasn't there.
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interesting, esp since this guy has more than 2000rds on his 3D printed lower. That is quite a few more than 4 mag changes

 
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Ikarus1 said:
interesting, esp since this guy has more than 2000rds on his 3D printed lower. That is quite a few more than 4 mag changes

Click to expand...

Ok. I've seen this and other prints AR15 lowers. Notice the buffer tube extension is crazy thick? First common fail point. When you send a mag home..what stops the mag?

Now with a 3D printed part it's sandwich between metal and metal. Something will give. 3D part is the weak leak. Also there are 1,000's of different materials. He printed it in ABS plastic, at 40-50 degrees it won't last or even sitting out in the hot sun for a range day. Great execution but bad choice on material.. At 20% to 100% infill it doesn't matter.

Point being, I wouldn't feel comfortable making and selling a part that I know would not hold up to the guys on this forum.

Not trying to be mean but I have a lot time in development with these.
 
NKD said:
Hmmmm. If you have a lower already, you can be all in for 6-650$.

Very intriguing!

Edit: actually not all in, as you would have to deal with the buffer system.
Click to expand...

The link I posted puts you all in for $579... The guy in the video was using a standard carbine buffer
 
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bigfelipe said:
The link I posted puts you all in for $579... The guy in the video was using a standard carbine buffer
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I've shot 9mm AR's with regular buffers and didn't impress me. Would only want one for shooting matches so coming at it from that direction. And, likely would want 16".
 
NKD said:
I've shot 9mm AR's with regular buffers and didn't impress me. Would only want one for shooting matches so coming at it from that direction. And, likely would want 16".
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Fair enough... You can get the 16" upper for the same price, just add a buffer/spring of your choosing and you're there... Still a reasonable price, but makes more sense for SBR folks trying to save on the stamp... For a 16" gun you can buy a GLOCK mag lower for the cost of the insert...
 
bigfelipe said:
Still a reasonable price, but makes more sense for SBR folks trying to save on the stamp... For a 16" gun you can buy a GLOCK mag lower for the cost of the insert...
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Exactly. I don't see it having much appeal for pistol or rifle applications given the current availability of low cost Glock mag lowers (maybe several years ago when DDLES was in its heyday with $350 Glock mag lowers, but not today).

It's a "I don't wanna buy and SBR a dedicated 9mm lower" product for people who have or prefer Glock mags to Colt mags.
 
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bigfelipe said:
Fair enough... You can get the 16" upper for the same price, just add a buffer/spring of your choosing and you're there... Still a reasonable price, but makes more sense for SBR folks trying to save on the stamp... For a 16" gun you can buy a GLOCK mag lower for the cost of the insert...
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Not likely going to build a lower like the one on my rifle for 200$, considering the trigger alone cost that!
 
NKD said:
Not likely going to build a lower like the one on my rifle for 200$, considering the trigger alone cost that!
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Not saying that, just that a stripped GLOCK mag lower is under the price of this insert...
 
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I had one of the Stern adapters in my hand the other day and it looked very impressive. The machining was great and it dropped in very well. Run some matches and see how it holds up.
 
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