Shield Z9

Buddy of mine just got his in, won’t drop free for him either.
 
Just got mine. It drops free (yay). I haven't changed the magazine catch to the metal one yet.
I'm less excited about it than I thought I would be. It's a spare magazine that's .25" longer than the +1 TT extended mag I've been toting around. I was hoping it would be the same size as the +1. Granted, there's an extra 2 rounds in the Shield mag for just a .25" penalty over my +1 so the concept works.
 
Derek8404 said:
Buddy of mine just got his in, won’t drop free for him either.
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Timfoilhat said:
Just got mine. It drops free (yay). I haven't changed the magazine catch to the metal one yet.
I'm less excited about it than I thought I would be. It's a spare magazine that's .25" longer than the +1 TT extended mag I've been toting around. I was hoping it would be the same size as the +1. Granted, there's an extra 2 rounds in the Shield mag for just a .25" penalty over my +1 so the concept works.
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Just got mine. It also drops free. I'll change the mag catch is a little bit and see if anything changes. It it works (I expect it to work), my G43 will be back in my pocket a lot more often than before.

UPDATE: I changed out the magazine catch to the new Shield Arms catch. Now, the Shield Arms magazine will dot drop free. Neither will the factory Glock magazine.
 
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Mine came yesterday. Drops free from both of my G43s. I added the metal mag catch to one of them today. Still drops free. Ordered a second combo kit for the other 43.
 
RR said:
Mine came yesterday. Drops free from both of my G43s. I added the metal mag catch to one of them today. Still drops free. Ordered a second combo kit for the other 43.
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Both Shield and poly glock mags are dropping free?
 
After returning from a trip, I had a chance to check mine this morning and the Z9 drops free just like the OEM mags. I have a Vickers mag release installed.
 
Was up at my Wilkes Co property today and took the opportunity to shoot the G43 with Z9. Ran 50 rounds of federal 124 gr fmj and 10 rounds of Winchester Ranger through it. Ran like a top. Failed to lock back once but that was me riding the slide release. I do that sometimes.
 
Got my second kit in over the weekend for my other G43. Just installed the mag catch. Both factory and shield z9 mags drop free from that gun as well. Now I just need to accumulate a few more z9 mags.
 
RR said:
Got my second kit in over the weekend for my other G43. Just installed the mag catch. Both factory and shield z9 mags drop free from that gun as well. Now I just need to accumulate a few more z9 mags.
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What are you using to pull out the spring for the catch? I broke a plastic dental pick type tool, and my screwdriver doesn't work easily.
 
Timfoilhat said:
It's like I need to bend an old screwdriver and sharpen the tip. Just seems like a waste since I'll never use it again.
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I use that tool ALL the time.

It came in a set of 4 of different shapes. I've lost a couple and bent this one a little bit it certainly gets used.
 
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Harbor Freight or Northern Tool has them cheap.
You could always cut a wire coat hanger at an angle then sharpen/file the rest. Coat hangers come in pretty handy around here. 🙄
 
So now that y’all have some mags is it worth it over a 43x?
 
I just use a small screwdriver to pop the spring out and into the release.

The Z9 magazine is a nice addition the the G43 but, with the Z9 the difference in size between the G43 and G43X is minimal.
 
Geezer said:
I just use a small screwdriver to pop the spring out and into the release.

The Z9 magazine is a nice addition the the G43 but, with the Z9 the difference in size between the G43 and G43X is minimal.
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Yup. If you already have a G43, buy some Z9s. Don't sell your G43x and downsize expecting a significant difference though.
 
RR said:
Yup. If you already have a G43, buy some Z9s. Don't sell your G43x and downsize expecting a significant difference though.
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If that’s the case may as well get a 43x and the 15 round shield mags and go on about your business
 
One thing I have found, you can make a 43 small with a flat mag or you can add things like the Z9 mag and add capacity and grip. With the 43x it won’t get that small
 
Shield arms is going to add a plus one extension to their lineup for the z9 mags. 10+1 or as small a 6+1 in the factory set up. I am still not going to buy the Z9 mags but figured I would pass it along
 
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Mine work fine. A couple won't lock the slide back after the last round. Shield will either replace them or send new springs. I haven't contacted them yet. Also, they will replace springs for life on their magazines.
 
A 9 rd mag for a 43 for $69? No thanks! I just bought 2 9 rd ETS mags for my 42 at the fun show this weekend. Yeah, it does stick out the bottom a bit, but for $20 each, I can live with that!
 
snap cap said:
A 9 rd mag for a 43 for $69? No thanks! I just bought 2 9 rd ETS mags for my 42 at the fun show this weekend. Yeah, it does stick out the bottom a bit, but for $20 each, I can live with that!
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The "pre-owned" market is where to buy them. I paid Glock magazine prices for mine. Right place, right time and all that.
 
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