XTech's X-CATCH FX Fixes Glock 43X/48 Magazine Fit Conflicts

XTech Tactical has released the X-CATCH FX, a machined-steel magazine release for the Glock 43X and 48 built specifically to solve the fit conflict that showed up this year between Glock's factory 15-round magazines and Shield Arms S15 mags.

Snapshot

According to XTech Tactical, existing steel releases couldn't handle the width of Glock's new 15-round magazine, sometimes locking it into the gun, while steel S15 magazines are known to chew up factory polymer catches. The X-CATCH FX is machined to fit the dimensions of both magazine types in one pistol, letting 43X/48 owners run either without swapping parts.

Key points

• The compatibility problem: XTech says Glock's stamped-steel 15-round magazine runs about .020" wider than the polymer 10-round, with dimple variance from mag to mag, which made fit inconsistent with factory and aftermarket releases alike.
• Machined, not molded: The release is cut from steel in the USA rather than injection molded, which XTech says eliminates the warp it blames for unreliable drop-free performance in the factory part.
• Wear reduction: A beveled, tumbled engagement face is meant to limit damage to polymer magazines, though XTech's own product page still warns that extended use with polymer 10-round or PSA 15-round mags may deform them.
• Extras: The button is reversible for left- or right-handed use, installs with the factory spring, releases from any point on its face instead of just the front edge, and carries an MSRP of $39.95 with a lifetime warranty.

Quick take

XTech founder Jeremy Deadman frames this as giving 43X/48 owners the freedom to run whatever magazine proves reliable in their own gun, and the spec sheet backs that up as a sensible fix for a real parts conflict rather than a flashy upgrade. XTech also says its own magazines for this platform are coming next.

Read the full story: thefirearmblog.com