Hit or Miss? :: Weapons.com

Why the issue?

The issue with any pistol drum snail magazine is that you just anticipate it to run over a pound of ammo– principally exterior of the journal well– up a protracted column and into the chamber beneath various spring stress whereas the entire affair is held in place by a magazine launch designed to carry considerably much less weight centered within the pistol’s grip reasonably than dangling like a pendulum beneath it. In different phrases, the pistol wasn’t designed for it, and the magazine should overcome this ramp of impending doom.

Pistol drums have been round going again to the 1900s with the 32-shot Luger Trommel magazine of Nice Struggle fame. (Images: Nationwide Archives)

Nonetheless, the market has been swamped with of us attempting to ship pistol drums and other people looking for them out, normally to disappointment for all concerned. As Glocks have been one of the crucial extensively circulating handguns of the previous 30 years or so, this noticed successive waves of low-cost imported 50-round drums from the likes of SGM, KCI, Professional-Magazine, and others, all with considerably lower than desired ranges of reliability.

Glock 19X with imported drum — Yup, we have accomplished all these assorted Asian import Glock drums. They give the impression of being cool however are actually solely simply dependable sufficient to be used as a variety toy.

Magpul has coughed up some “Glock sample” drums previously together with the D-50 GL9 PCC, which had a brief feed tower designed to slot in pistol caliber carbines however wouldn’t work in a pistol. Launched at SHOT Present 2020 alongside an EV9 variant, the PCC Glock drum was a fast hit and has since proved reliable and fashionable.

Magpul glock pcc mag — We had been there in Las Vegas in Jan. 2020 when Magpul dropped their Glock PCC and EV9 D-50 drums, and folk had been excited– however clearly needed a pistol model as properly.

Magpul teased the pistol model on the similar SHOT Present occasion however, because of assorted causes it solely made it by means of manufacturing and hit the market in March 2022.

This brings us to the…

D-50 GL9 Glock Pistol Drum

Debuted earlier this yr, Magpul did not search to reinvent the wheel and borrowed the identical journal drum physique of the profitable D-50 GL9 PCC and easily added a tower that mimicked a Glock double stack pistol magazine. This made the brand new D-50 GL9 pistol drum considerably longer than its older PCC magazine brother however allowed it to run and play with all these Glock-pattern 9mm handguns on the market.

The D-50 GL9 PCC and D-50 GL9 pistol drum in contrast, to not scale. The 2 mags are completely different general lengths and weights and use a distinct journal properly geometry. They do, nevertheless, use the identical drum itself. ption right here

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum — The general size of the D-50 GL9 pistol drum is 8.5 inches whereas unloaded weight is 17.3 ounces.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum and bagel — Width, throughout the diameter of the drum physique, is 4 inches. For reference, take into consideration as large as a bagel, solely extra parabellum, and fewer cream cheese.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum and 33-round Glock mags — It additionally places it about as large as three 33-round Glock manufacturing facility extendos, whereas being just a bit longer general as properly.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum ratchet — The simple-to-figure-out ratcheting loading lever helps you get these rounds in and is a should, particularly while you get previous the primary handful. The corporate makes use of the same lever on its different drum mags such because the D60.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum warning — Magpul warns that the loading lever ought to be within the “down” place when unloading.

The advisable use of the D-50 GL9 is for a Glock 18 (we want) or G17/19X/34/45, as you’ll have essentially the most help within the tower however it’s going to additionally match smaller-framed double-stack Glock 9mms akin to a G19 or G26– however have in mind the little guys provides you with extra “seesaw” over the course of firing, upping your likelihood for a jam or breaking one thing. Wiggle just isn’t your buddy in a magazine. Magpul additionally says it’s going to seat within the Kel-Tec Sub-2000 carbine whereas the older D-50 GL9 PCC is not going to.

On the vary

Magpul recommends that customers set up a brand new OEM journal launch on Gen 1-3 Glock handguns to help the additional weight of the journal (have in mind it’s over 2-pounds when absolutely loaded) and that Gen 4 Glocks will in all probability want an aftermarket metallic journal launch. Additionally they warning {that a} new recoil spring meeting could also be wanted to make sure dependable feeding whereas additionally saying “particular person variations between firearms might lead to an additional energy recoil spring being required.”

With that being mentioned, we evaluated the D-50 GL9 pistol drum in each a well-used “Gen 4.5” Glock G19X and a high-mileage Gen 3 Glock 19, every with no modifications, and had good success.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum with Glock 19X — The magazine in comparison with a G19X with a manufacturing facility 19-round prolonged journal and an aftermarket 33-round stick.

The magazine is designed to be left loaded for storage with no degradation of operate and we assessed that by leaving it loaded with a field of 115-grain Federal Syntech for 2 months. That is what occurred once we took that load to the vary:

Magpul warns that these drums in all probability will not work with PCCs, explaining:

Use of this D-50 GL9 in pistol caliber carbines (PCC) just isn’t advisable, as a result of the elevated size of the feed tower can be partially unsupported in most pistol caliber journal wells. This unsupported situation might trigger untimely put on on the feed tower journal catch, and (in firearms which deviate from manufacturing facility journal properly specs) might lead to improper spherical presentation and failures to feed.

To check the marketed possible failure of the drum to work with a PCC, we ran it in a WASR-M, which runs nice with OEM Glock double stacks. Attempting it 10 instances, it was a single shot every time, jamming on the second spherical with a failure to feed.

Ultimate ideas

The Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum labored properly and, regardless of the warnings from the corporate, did so with out modifications or updates to our inventory take a look at pistols. Nonetheless– and to be truthful this is applicable to each pistol drum– it’s awkward and heavy. Additionally, with an asking worth of round $125, it’s sort of spendy for what it’s. Additional, it is not going to slot in any magazine service we had available.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum with mag pouch — Even the outdated dependable Molle double STANAG pouch isn’t any bueno with the D-50 GL9 pistol drum.

When evaluating apples to oranges with Glock manufacturing facility 33-round sticks, of which you’ll be able to simply purchase three or 4 for a similar price as a single drum, the sticks could also be a greater possibility for many who need an prolonged capability possibility.

Magpul D-50 GL9 pistol drum with SMG pouch and 33 round mags — Plus, there are any variety of army surplus SMG pouches on the market that may be had for like $7– such because the Greek Military mannequin proven here– that may tote round a number of 33s.

Professionals & Cons

The nice:

We discovered it reliable in testing on inventory Glocks with no mods.
A number of enjoyable on the vary.
Most likely the very best Glock pistol drum by way of dependability.
Simple to load.

The unhealthy:

It’s heavy, at over a pound empty and greater than two kilos loaded.
Magpul warns you will have to alter magazine releases and or springs in your Glock to get it to run reliably.
Good luck discovering a magazine pouch.
Value is over $100.

Nonetheless, for individuals who have lengthy regarded for a dependable Glock-pattern pistol drum, or have a SUB2000 with the identical want, Magpul might simply have the reply.

Supply
Hit or Miss? :: Guns.com is written by for www.guns.com