Last week, I ordered several of the Firepower Base Pads for the Glock and M-16 magazines from Taran Tactical Innovations. For those who aren’t familiar with the competition world, Taran Butler is one of the biggest names in USPSA, holding such titles as USPSA National Tactical Champion, and more IDPA, Steel Challenge, and IPSC titles than I can count. Just before SHOT Show, Taran Tactical’s new Magpul Firepower Base Pad caught my attention. It adds less than an inch of length to the magazine but adds five rounds of capacity to the 30-round box. Since I was ordering stuff anyway, I also added a couple of the Glock Base Pads to my cart. A few days later, I had a box waiting for me in the mail.
Remember to remove factory lock plate before installing the TTI Base Pad or it will be a one way trip: you won’t get the base pad off without destroying the magazine.
M16/AR15 PMAG Base Pad
The TTI Firepower Base Pad is machined from aluminum and hard anodized. I chose the Wolf Gray color, which I found to be quite attractive. Other available colors include black, red, dark earth and blue. Installation is simple. Use the PMAG dust cover to depress the locking plate tab in the floor plate and slide off the original floorplate. Remove the locking plate off the spring, slide on the TTI Base Pad, depress the locking pin, and you are good to go. You get five more rounds with the PMAG30 and six more rounds with the PMAG 40.
The finish and machining quality of the product is first rate. My only concern is that the original spring is used, so I am curious as to longevity and reliability of the modified magazine. I’ve been leaving my magazines loaded and will report back as to long term reliability of this setup. I do like the extra capacity and the added length is fairly minimal. Initial function testing is positive and I am hopeful this setup holds up under long term service use. Stay tuned.
Glock Base Pad
The Glock Firepower Base Pad is similar in concept to the PMAG pad. It slides on and replaces the factory floorplate and locking plate. it is held in place with a sliding lock pin. They are available in a plus four and plus six format. The plus four pad uses the factory spring and the plus six pad comes in a kit with an extended spring. The aluminum base pad adds weight to the empty magazine and aids in ensuring the magazine drops free during slide lock reloads. Like with the PMAG pad, I am curious to see how the setup holds up to repeated cycles and long periods of full spring compression from being left fully loaded. I particularly like the low profile of the plus four setup and am hoping for positive results from long term testing. I’ll be shooting these pads over the next few weeks and will report back on function and reliability.
SOURCE: Taran Tactical Innovations
I’ve been using the plus six for quite a while in competition and have lived them. I just picked up some of the smaller versions recently and with the stock springs so far so good.
I use TTI springs, followers, and base pads for my STI and they have been absolutely reliable so far. Friends who use the M&P basepads report the same. I expect nothing less from the Glock and Pmag offerings. Can’t wait to hear your follow-up!
I’ve been running +2 Glock OEM pads on my G17 mags for several years. I carry that set-up at work I trust it so much. With the G17 mag I use the 11 coil springs that are for the G22 mags. They work OK with the stock G17 10 coil spring, but more-better with the 11 coil.
I would not run the stock springs on the +4 myself, especially with the .40 guns.
Good call on the 11 coil springs in the G17 mags. I will try both the regular springs and the 11 coil and see what happens long term.