Handguns manufactured by companies other than Glock, yet designed to accept Glock magazines, represent a significant segment of the pistol market. This compatibility allows users to leverage the widespread availability and variety of Glock magazines, often at a lower cost than proprietary magazines. For example, a pistol designed for concealed carry might utilize Glock 19 magazines, benefiting from the compact size and commonality of this magazine type.
The ability to utilize readily available and affordable magazines offers several advantages. It simplifies logistics for users who might own multiple firearms chambered in the same caliber. This cross-compatibility can also be advantageous in competitive shooting or tactical scenarios where rapid magazine changes are crucial. Historically, this trend emerged as the Glock pistol and its magazine system gained widespread popularity, influencing the design choices of other manufacturers.