Shield Arms DS20 & DS18: High-Capacity Flush-Fit Glock Magazines at SHOT Show 2026
Shield Arms continues its magazine innovation with the DS20 and DS18: flush-fit designs that add 3 rounds to Glock 17 and Glock 19 platforms. Extended versions push capacity to 24 rounds while staying USPSA compliant.
Key Takeaways
- →DS20: 20-round flush-fit magazine for Glock 17 (+3 over OEM 17 rounds)
- →DS18: 18-round flush-fit magazine for Glock 19 (+3 over OEM 15 rounds)
- →Extended Versions: +4 baseplate for DS20 (24 rounds) and +6 for DS18 (24 rounds), both USPSA compliant
- →Price Point: Approximately $42 per magazine (pending finalization)
- →Availability: Expected in the next few months
- →Reliability: Backed by hundreds of thousands of rounds through existing Shield Arms magazines in military and law enforcement use
DS20: 20-Round Flush-Fit for Glock 17
The DS20 delivers 20 rounds in a flush-fit form factor for Glock 17 pistols. That's 3 additional rounds over the OEM 17-round magazine without adding length or bulk to the grip.
DS20 Specifications
- Capacity20 rounds
- PlatformGlock 17
- ProfileFlush-Fit
- Increase+3 over OEM
- Extended Option+4 baseplate (24 rds)
- CompetitionUSPSA Compliant
Shield Arms achieves the increased capacity through optimized internal geometry while maintaining the magazine's external dimensions to match factory flush-fit specifications. The optional +4 baseplate extends capacity to 24 rounds while remaining inside USPSA competition size limits.
DS18: 18-Round Flush-Fit for Glock 19
The DS18 applies the same capacity-optimization approach to the Glock 19 platform, delivering 18 rounds in a flush-fit design. That represents a 3-round increase over the OEM 15-round magazine without changing the pistol's concealability or handling characteristics.
DS18 Specifications
- Capacity18 rounds
- PlatformGlock 19
- ProfileFlush-Fit
- Increase+3 over OEM
- Extended Option+6 baseplate (24 rds)
- CompetitionUSPSA Compliant
The DS18 is particularly relevant for Glock 19 users who want maximum capacity without compromising the compact platform's advantages. The +6 baseplate option brings capacity to 24 rounds, matching the extended DS20's capacity while maintaining USPSA compliance.
Shop Glock-Compatible Accessories
Reliability Claims and Community Reception
Third-party magazines face scrutiny around reliability, especially for defensive use. Shield Arms representatives emphasize their track record with hundreds of thousands of magazines sold and adoption by military and law enforcement agencies.
"I think you can absolutely trust your life to them... We 've sold hundreds of thousands of those and had happy customers all over the place. Thousands and thousands of rounds through them, through influencers and professional users, military, law enforcement. I think you can bet your life on 'em. I would carry these. Anybody should."
— Wes, Shield Arms Representative
However, community sentiment around Shield Arms' existing S15 magazines for Glock 43X/48 platforms is mixed. While some users report reliable function, others have experienced feeding issues that led them to relegate these magazines to range use only. PSA 's competing 15-round magazines are frequently recommended as a more reliable alternative for defensive applications.
The DS20 and DS18 represent Shield Arms' attempt to apply their capacity-optimization approach to full-size and compact Glock platforms. Whether these magazines avoid the reliability concerns that affected some S15 users will require extensive real-world testing after release.
Price and Availability
Shield Arms indicated pricing around $42 per magazine, pending final confirmation. This positions the DS20 and DS18 competitively against OEM Glock magazines while offering increased capacity.
Expected Price
~$42
Per magazine (not finalized)
Availability
Next Few Months
Release timeline pending
The extended baseplates (+4 for DS20, +6 for DS18) will likely be sold separately or as package options. Shield Arms has not yet announced whether the magazines will ship with standard or extended baseplates.
What This Means
Shield Arms demonstrated with the S15 magazine that steel construction and optimized geometry can increase capacity without increasing size. However, the S15's mixed reception in the community raises questions about whether the DS20 and DS18 will deliver the reliability required for defensive use.
The flush-fit 20-round and 18-round configurations address real demand: shooters want more capacity without changing their pistol's handling characteristics or requiring different holsters. The extended 24-round options serve competitive shooters who need maximum capacity within USPSA size limits. The concept is sound.
The approximately $42 price point positions these magazines competitively against OEM options. But price means nothing if reliability issues force users to switch back to factory magazines for defensive carry, as many S15 owners did.
For Glock 17 and 19 owners, the DS20 and DS18 represent an interesting capacity option, but approach them with appropriate skepticism. Plan on extensive testing before trusting them for defensive applications. The real-world reliability data that accumulates after release will determine whether these magazines succeed where the S15 had mixed results.
