When the Glock 43X came out, it was an impressive package. Same slide as the 43, but with a slightly larger grip frame. That gave you a little more to hold on to, while still being compact and also allowed for an increase in magazine capacity to 10 rounds with Glock’s “stack and a half” magazine.
That was pretty good until a wave of other subcompacts came along with higher magazine capacities in similar-sized packages. There have been some higher-capacity aftermarket solutions that have worked with mixed results. Glock actually just released 15-round factory mags, but it’s too soon to say how those are just yet.
In the meantime, Mischief Machine has another solution for putting more rounds in your 43X or 48 using a time-proven CZ magazines: the G48 G43X CZ75 Magazine Conversion Kit.
The G48 G43X CZ75 Magazine Conversion Kit
The idea behind Mischief machine’s mag conversion kit is pretty simple. Rather than mess with finicky aftermarket magazines, why not adapt your 43X or 48 to take a reliable, time proven design? As it turns out the subcompact Glock platform will accept a CZ75 magazine with a little help from the engineers at Mischief Machine.
CZ mags are steel construction and have been around for over 50 years. They have a reputation for reliability and mags are readily available. The conversion kit is a magazine system reconfiguration designed for the ultra-popular Glock 43X and 48 platforms. The kit is ingeniously simple, and easy to install.
It consists of a replacement magazine release designed to work with the CZ-75 mag catch, and a magazine well insert. The insert consists of a steel spacer that properly positions the CZ mag in the Glock mag well. The set comes with a good set of instructions and the whole conversion can probably be done in about 5 to 10 minutes depending how much swearing you do swapping out the mag catch. I used my early 43X as my test gun.
Once the mag release is swapped out installing the spacer is simple. Just slide it up into the mag well along the rear wall so that the locking portion slides into the gap at the back of the grip. Then use the included Allen wrench to tighten it down. That’s it, install complete.
Mag Options
Once installed, you need some CZ-75 magazines. Part of the appeal of the Mischief kit was that I already had mags. I have an IWI Masada Slim Elite, and those also will accept CZ mags. Optimally, the Masada mags would work in the 43X, but that wasn’t the case. The Masada mags look like they’d be perfectly sized for the 43X, but the shape of their base plate keeps them from sliding in quite far enough to lock in place.
There are still a lot of options, though. Basically, the 43X grip length is enough to accommodate any CZ mag from 14 rounds up. I had a 17-round Mec-Gar mag, three 15-round Mec-Gar mags, and three 14-round CZ Rami mags. The Rami mags were hard to find, so they may no longer be in production. Mec-Gar used to make a 14-round magazine as well, but they haven’t been listed in a while. CZ mags can run around $40-$45 each, but Mec-Gar mags run more like $22 to $25, depending on capacity.
Fit and Function
Now, you’ll see in the pictures that none of these mags fit flush. The Rami mags come the closest. These are extended mags for CZ’s subcompact Rami, and they come with a grip spacer that you have to slide off for them to work in the 43X. They still stick out just a touch. The 15-round and 17-round Mec-Gars protrude more. I will admit the mag sticking out does bother my OCD a little, and I’d love to have some mag adapters for the CZ mags that match up with the Glock frame. Even an .stl file so I could 3d print my own would be great.
At the end of the day, though, function is what matters, and the CZ mags work like a champ in my 43X with both the original slide and barrel and my Saurez SI-43 slide. They all lock in securely and drop free cleanly. Reliability has been perfect with the loads I’ve used, although I will note that Mischief Machine has a list of rounds they’ve tried that work and those that don’t with this setup. Overall cartridge length seems to be the determining factor, so test your loads accordingly.
An Affordable Upgrade
Okay, I didn’t mention the kit’s price yet. It runs for $64.99. Although you are investing a little more up front than just a mag catch like some other conversions, you end up saving money in the long run if you pick up Mec-Gar mags. Mec-Gar’s are solid. In fact, many companies use them as OEM mags. They’re about half the price of some other high cap 43x mags available and about $10 cheaper per mag than the new Glock mags are looking to run. Plus, you have the known reliability record of CZ mags going for you. If you happen to be running another gun that also uses CZ mags, then that makes it an even easier decision.
To check out the G48 G43X CZ75 Magazine Conversion Kit, or any of Mischief Machine’s other products (like their aluminum Masada Slim Elite Commander frame, which I probably need) head on over to their website and start shopping.