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Glocks are known for being customizable. Their magazines (specifically their base plates) are no different.
But here’s the thing: most magazine base plates are held on with just a button. Depress the button, slide off the plate, and you’re done.
Not a Glock’s, though. To make their magazines more secure, two additional retaining wings are added to hold the base plate.
So how do you remove it? Well, that’s where we come in. Let’s dive into how to change a Glock magazine base plate safely and efficiently.
What is a Magazine Base Plate?
Sometimes called a magazine floorplate or base pad, a base plate is exactly what it sounds like: the plate at the base of your magazine. This plate holds the lockpiece, internal spring, and follower of your magazine in place so they can feed rounds into the chamber.
There are two major reasons to do a Glock mag base plate removal: looks and performance. Mag capacity extensions can add extra rounds for competitive shooting and CCW, where reloading can cost you either time or your life. Engraved plates add some personality to your firearm, replacing tactical black with something patriotic or funny. And you’ll never guess what window breaker base plates are good for.
Glock mag base plate removal isn’t just for repairs and maintenance. It’s for building a Glock that’s perfect for you.
Step 1: Get Your Supplies
Before starting, you’ll want to have everything you need:
- Your Glock magazine
- Your new Glock mag plate
- Either a small punch OR mag plate removal tool
- Gun mat (or other clean surface)
Step 2: Create a Safe Workspace
This is going to sound stupid, but before we guide you through how to change a Glock magazine base plate, make sure you’ve done the following:
- Remove your magazine
- Ensure the Glock’s chamber is empty
- Ensure the magazine is empty
- Put the Glock and any ammunition that was in either location somewhere away from your workspace
These may seem like no-brainers, but all it takes is one dumb mistake to turn a Glock mag base plate removal into an extremely bad day. Always exercise an abundance of caution when working on your gun, even for a job as simple as this.
Step 3: Defeat the Retention
There are two forms of retention for the base plate on a Glock magazine. Alongside the standard button that holds most base plates, there are two retaining wings on the bottom of the magazine that lock into slots in the sides of the base plate. Depending on the tools you have, there are two ways to do your Glock mag base plate removal: the easy way and the hard way.
The Easy Way: Using a Mag Plate Removal Tool
Using something like the MILSPIN Mag Plate Removal Tool, this project is super easy. Push the nub of your removal tool into the button hole of the base plate. Instead of pulling it, you’re going to cam it downwards, using leverage to pull the plate past the retaining wings. It should pop off pretty quickly. Keep your thumb on the partially removed plate until the next step.
The Hard Way: Using a Punch, a Table, and Some Elbow Grease
If you don’t have a Glock mag base plate removal tool, you can use a small punch and some leverage. Find the punch that most closely fits in the button hole in the base plate and push it in as deep as it will go. Set it on the edge of a table hole-side down with the mag plate and punch hanging off the edge. Hold the magazine down with one hand. With the other, push down on the punch. With some effort, the leverage will push the back plate past the retaining wings. Before fully removing the plate, keep your thumb on it.
Step 4: Glock Mag Base Plate Removal
Now that the retaining clips are defeated, your thumb is the only thing preventing the spring in your magazine from turning it into one of those Snake in a Can prank toys. Slide the base plate out and the lockpiece will be pushed into your thumb. Carefully pull the lockpiece, internal spring, and follower out.
Step 5: How to Change a Glock Magazine Base Plate
Now that you’ve completed your Glock mag base plate removal, you can change it out for a new one. There are a huge variety of Glock base plates, so choose the one that’s best for your use case. Before adding the new base plate, put the follower, internal spring (either stock or aftermarket if one came with your base plate), and lockpiece back inside the magazine. Hold the lockpiece down as you slide the base plate on until the retaining wings and button click into place.
Upgrade Your Glock With MILSPIN
We don’t just teach our fellow Glocksmiths how to change a Glock magazine base plate. MILSPIN is a Veteran-owned-and-operated company that has been making Glock back plates and base plates since 2017. Our priority is quality, which is why all of our products are made right here in the USA. To ensure our engravings last for years, we use top-of-the-line CNC-milling machines. We back up our promise of quality with a lifetime satisfaction guarantee — and free returns if we don’t meet that.
Contact us if you have any questions about Glock mag base plate removal, our products, or anything else related to our company. We’re here to help!
Disclaimer
“GLOCK” is a federally registered trademark of Glock, Inc. and is one of many trademarks owned by Glock, Inc. or Glock Ges.m.b.H. Milspin.com is not affiliated with nor endorsed by Glock, Inc. or Glock Ges.m.b.H.
Just got my “Blue Line” personal backplate NEVER IN ANGER and it is exactly as I envisioned it. The letters are crisp and clear and the blue line is perfect. It fit perfectly and the overall quality screamed MADE IN AMERICA! The glass breaker magazine base plate was well thought out and meticulously made. Thanks for some outstanding gear.