What is the Shield Arms DS18 Starter Kit?
The DS18 Starter Kit is a one-order setup for running Shield Arms DS-Series magazines in a Glock 19. It includes one DS18 18-round steel magazine and one steel mag catch. DS-Series magazines are designed to run with a steel mag catch instead of the factory polymer catch, so the kit gives you both parts at once. Choose a Gen 3 or Gen 4/5/6 catch to match your pistol.
What's in the Box
- (1) DS18 Magazine: 18-round steel magazine for the Glock 19, three more rounds than the factory 15-round magazine
- (1) Steel Mag Catch: Made in the USA; Gen 3 or Gen 4/5/6, your choice when you order
Why Start With the Kit
The DS18 is a steel magazine, and the factory Glock mag catch is polymer. We believe the best path to long-term reliability is steel on steel or polymer on polymer, so DS-Series magazines are designed to run with a steel mag catch. The Starter Kit puts both parts in one order, so you don't have to buy the magazine first and work out the catch later.
Swap the catch once and every DS18 you add after that is ready to go. Start with the kit, then add more DS18 magazines as standalone mags.
About the DS18 Magazine
The DS18 holds 18 rounds of 9mm in a Glock 19, with only a minimal increase in overall length over the factory magazine. The extra capacity comes from the steel body: steel walls are thinner than the polymer overmold on a factory Glock magazine, which leaves room inside for more rounds.
The DS18 also has an over-insertion stop stamped directly into the steel body. It keeps the magazine from seating too deep in the grip, so it locks in at the same depth on every reload. Glock builds this feature into its factory magazines; most aftermarket magazines leave it out.
Key Features
- Complete Setup: Magazine and steel mag catch in one kit
- 18-Round Capacity: Three more rounds than the factory 15-round Glock 19 magazine
- Steel Body: Thinner walls than polymer overmold make room for the extra rounds with only a minimal increase in overall length
- Stamped Over-Insertion Stop: Formed into the steel body to set consistent seating depth on every reload
- Your Generation: Choose a Gen 3 or Gen 4/5/6 catch to match your Glock 19
- Expandable: Add more DS18 magazines and DS-Series magazine extensions any time
- Made in USA: Magazine and mag catch are both made in the USA
- Lifetime Warranty: Covered for life against defects in materials and workmanship
Which Catch Do I Need?
Glock changed the mag catch between generations, so the catch has to match your frame. Select your generation when you order.
| Your Pistol |
Choose This Catch |
| Glock 19 Gen 3 |
Gen 3 |
| Glock 19 Gen 4 |
Gen 4/5/6 |
| Glock 19 Gen 5 |
Gen 4/5/6 |
| Glock 19 Gen 6 |
Gen 4/5/6 |
Factory magazines: Once the steel catch is installed, we don't recommend running factory polymer Glock magazines with it, because it increases wear on the polymer magazine.
Not sure which generation you have? Gen 4, Gen 5 and Gen 6 Glocks are marked with their generation on the slide. A Glock 19 with no generation marking is almost always a Gen 3.
Important Compatibility Information
Compatible Models: Glock 19, Gen 3, Gen 4, Gen 5 and Gen 6 (9mm), with the matching catch.
Not Compatible: Pistols with a Glock 17-length grip frame, including the Glock 17, 34, 45, 47 and 19X. For those pistols, choose the DS20 Starter Kit.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Kit Contents |
(1) DS18 magazine, (1) steel mag catch |
| Catch Options |
Gen 3 or Gen 4/5/6 |
| Magazine Capacity |
18 rounds |
| Caliber |
9mm |
| Capacity vs. Factory |
+3 rounds over the 15-round Glock 19 magazine |
| Compatible Models |
Glock 19 |
| Generations |
Gen 3, Gen 4, Gen 5, Gen 6 |
| Magazine Body |
Steel |
| Over-Insertion Stop |
Stamped into the magazine body |
| Mag Catch Material |
Steel |
| Manufacturing |
Made in USA (magazine and catch) |
| Warranty |
Lifetime |
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in the DS18 Starter Kit?
One DS18 18-round steel magazine for the Glock 19 and one steel mag catch. You choose a Gen 3 or Gen 4/5/6 catch when you order.
Why does the DS18 need a steel mag catch?
The DS18 is a steel magazine and the factory Glock mag catch is polymer. We believe the best path to long-term reliability is steel on steel or polymer on polymer, so DS-Series magazines are designed to run with a steel mag catch.
Which catch do I need for my Glock 19?
Choose the Gen 3 catch for a Gen 3 Glock 19. Choose the Gen 4/5/6 catch for a Gen 4, Gen 5 or Gen 6 Glock 19.
How do I tell which Glock generation I have?
Gen 4, Gen 5 and Gen 6 Glocks are marked with their generation on the slide. A Glock 19 with no generation marking is almost always a Gen 3. If you're still unsure, contact our support team before ordering.
Can I use my factory Glock magazines with the steel mag catch?
We don't recommend it. Factory Glock magazines are polymer, and running them against a steel catch increases wear on the magazine. Once the steel catch is installed, run steel magazines like the DS18.
How do I install the mag catch?
Swapping a Glock mag catch is a common at-home job with basic tools. Step-by-step guides are at shieldarms.com/installation.
If I already have the steel catch, do I need another kit?
No. The catch stays in your pistol, so additional magazines can be bought on their own. Add more DS18 magazines without the catch.
Will the DS18 Starter Kit work in a Glock 17 or Glock 45?
No. The DS18 is sized for the Glock 19 grip. For the Glock 17, 34, 45, 47 or 19X, use the DS20 Starter Kit.
Can I buy the DS18 Starter Kit in my state?
Magazine capacity laws vary by state and locality. Check your local laws before ordering, and see our shipping policy for the states we can't ship to.
What does the warranty cover?
Our lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product.
Who Should Buy the DS18 Starter Kit
- First-Time DS-Series Buyers: Get the magazine and the catch it runs with in one order
- Glock 19 Carriers: Three more rounds on board with only a minimal increase in magazine length
- Shield Arms S-Series Owners: Bring the same steel-body standard from your Glock 43X or 48 to your Glock 19
Related Products & Accessories
The Shield Arms Advantage
Shield Arms built the first steel-body aftermarket magazine for the Glock 43X and 48, and the rest of the industry followed. The DS-Series takes that construction to the double-stack Glock 19 and 17. Both the DS18 and the steel mag catch are made in the USA, and the kit is backed by a lifetime warranty.
One kit. 18 rounds. Ready to run.
