[Skribs]

I've noticed recently that with my XDm, while I can reach the mag release from my shooting grip, I need to turn the gun slightly in my hand in order to get enough leverage to pop the release. For reloading at the range, it's not an issue, but it doesn't let me keep the gun pointed exactly where I want it. It's not enough to be a safety issue, more that I can't keep sighted while going through the mag change.

My LCP on the other hand (well, same hand, but you get the expression) is incredibly easy to reach and hit without shifting my grip, but it's obviously a much smaller platform.

Should I be easily able to activate the mag release without shifting my grip at all, or is this just a minor issue that in the end doesn't matter? I do have small hands, so I don't think my grip is an issue, just the fact that it's a tad harder to reach the mag release. The reason I ask is that I'm looking at potentially changing platforms, and there are a few that have what look like easier to reach releases.

[rcmodel]

No, you will not be able to reach it on many full size guns without shifting your grip, unless you have orangutan thumbs.

Why not learn to operate it with your left hand thumb?
It's already there waving in the breeze when you get done inserting a fresh magazine.

rc

[psyopspec]

It's a minor issue, and the answer depends on the gun in question and the shooter's hands. I have small hands. The only guns I've ever owned where I didn't have to shift my grip were the Walther/HK type that utilize a paddle under the trigger guard. Ultimately that hasn't been a big enough consideration for me to go with those platforms other than as occasional range guns. With the way I conduct a reload, it would take roughly the same amount of time with or without the shift. It occurs when I bring the gun up into the work space in front of my eyes where I can see both the gun and the target. As soon as the empty drops out I'm shifting back to a full grip before seating the new magazine.

[psyopspec]

It's already there waving in the breeze when you get done inserting a fresh magazine.

Are you thinking of the slide release?

[Skribs]

Rc, I'm southpaw. I AM talking about my left-hand thumb ;) I get what you're talking about though; weak hand. Just to clarify, you're suggesting that when I go to reload, I hit the button with my weak hand thumb as I move to grab the magazine?

Good point, psyop. I personally don't like the trigger guard paddle, so I'm not going to go that route. I do have a Walther airsoft pistol, so I have used it before, and I don't like it.

[rcmodel]

Oh!
Mag release!!

What was I thinking???

rc

[mgmorden]

Only gun I can drop the make from with my strong hand thumb without shifting is my Glock 17, and that has the factory extended mag release installed (couldn't do it when it was stock).

My P95 is good too as the mag release is ambi and I can reach back with my middle finger of my right hand and hit the "left hand" release if needed.

Everything else though requires that I shift a bit.

[Odd Job]

The converse situation can be worse: unintentionally dropping a mag whilst gripping the gun. I had this issue with a Vektor CP1 when firing under stress.
In the end the only way I could solve it was by installing a left hand mag release. Grip then has to be changed in order to drop the mag with the right index finger.

[Skribs]

My LCP is proof that you can have something easy to hit intentionally that you wont hit accidentally. Others have issues with the LCP, but I haven't, and I know I'll be fine with it.

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I'm 6'3 with large hands and I don't have to in all cases but I still do as a matter of practice. I use my left pointer finger as I break my firing grip to tilt the pistol in my right hand.

[ny32182]

I'm a left hander, and I've done it both ways:

1) 3rd gen G34, required shifting my grip to hit it with the trigger finger.
2) M&P Pro, does not require me to shift my grip at all to hit it.

I never considered it a weakness while I was shooting the Glock... I thought, "I am readjusting while the new mag is coming up anyway, so who cares?" And this is true to an extent, but I never knew what I was missing in that regard until I got ahold of a gun that doesn't require it. As a lefty I much prefer this aspect of the M&P. It is very nice not having to shift the grip during the reload. I find that even though it was basically automatic it still took some amount of concentration and time away from getting the gun into position to take the new mag, and therefore cost some amount of time. It did take me significant reps with the M&P to stop "shifting my grip" with it as well. It was a practiced part of my reloading sequence that I needed to dump.

As far as hitting it accidentally, the only thing that is even close to it in my firing grip is the strong hand middle finger tip, but I have never done it. Maybe the exact ergonomics of some given pistol and your specific hand size could make it possible, but this should be pretty much apparent in a basic gun-counter fondle session I would think.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

I would think so.
If not, not a big deal.


OR, are you referring to the SLIDE-RELEASE CATCH??

[Skribs]

Friendly, I am talking about the magazine, not the slide.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

OK, Thanks!
To hit my mag release on certain semi-auto pistols, I need to sweep the gun about 5 degrees to the left for my right-hand shooting thumb to reach the mag. release, not a big deal, at all.

With a smaller pistol, I can maintain my grip on the gun without having to turn it any which way at all.

[checkmyswag]

Don't want it to be too easy to drop. Varies per person im sure.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Nushif]

I find it highly overrated.

When I reload I bring the gun into my "workspace" anyways, so the gun goes off target.

[9mmepiphany]

I learned moist of my pistol habits on a 1911. I have fairly long fingers...I can span an octave and a half...and I've never been able to reach the magazine release without shifting my grip. I never gave it a lot of thought until I had to teach it to someone else...you learn a lot when you teach. Just flip/rotate/push the gun toward your strong thumb as your support hand reaches for the fresh magazine

It sounds like the OP to trying to drop the expended magazine and reload with a fresh magazine with the gun extended toward the target. While I have seen it taught that way, I was really just a departmental requirement for liability purposes.

There is no advantage...certainly not speed or reliability...to reloading with the gun extended toward the target. The gun should be brought back toward the shooters face where he can look the magazine into the magwell. While the gun is being brought in, it is a perfect time to shift the gun in your hand to reach the magazine release.

I have also taught releasing the magazine with the support hand thumb. It was a 10 year old girl and her thumb could not reach the magazine release on a SIG 225 without rotating it excessively. I just had here pop the magazine out was her support hand was reaching for the fresh magazine...much like they do in IDPA when doing a Magazine Change w/Retention

[Plan2Live]

Skribs, I'm not a big guy and I don't think I have big hands. I just tried hitting the mag release on my XDm Compact using a southpaw grip and didn't have trouble hitting it. However, with a full mag loaded, the XDm does take a bit of effort on the mag release to drop the mag. Empty mags drop out like Paula Deen had been handling them. While shooting and especially while defensively shooting, I would think that having to put a bit of effort on the release button with a loaded mag inserted would be a good thing. You don't want to accidentally drop a loaded mag in a ballistic exchange.

Now, switch to 1911s and the slide release and I have a big problem trying to manipulate one handed. I have to really shift, tweak my grip and still fumble and reach to get to the 1911 slide release with my strong hand. JMB must have had really long thumbs.

[Skribs]

Yeah, I've noticed it being stiff - that's part of why I had issues with it. I needed to get the leverage to press that button...and I'm a gamer, I should have strong fingers!

9, you called it. I guess I'll just stick with the way I was reloading and not worry about changing to keeping it on sight.

[BSA1]

It is a trade off.

You can replace the magazine release with a taller aftermaket one such as from Brownell's for the 1911 or build it up yourself with JB Weld.

The trade off is you run the risk of accidently pushing the taller button and releasing the mag while it is still holstered.

I think the trade off would be a very bad situation.

[Odd Job]

I think the trade off would be a very bad situation.

Agreed. As Zohan said:

I have seen this.
I have done this.
You don't want this.

:)

[1SOW]

I can't reach it without shifting my grip, so I use the weak-hand thumb on the way to the new mag. My fun-gun doesn't allow ambidextrous mag release. If it did, I'd learn trigger finger release. I don't like to lose my grip with my small hands. YMMV
For comp. it does slow down the mag change a slight amount, but with a lot of practice it's almost as fast. Dropping the mag strong hand "WHILE" reaching for the new mag is always going to be slightly faster, especially if you're moving.

[Texan Scott]

rcmodel:No, you will not be able to reach it on many full size guns without shifting your grip, unless you have orangutan thumbs.


um... i have orangutan thumbs.

if you are handicapped in this regard, i'm sorry, but it's inspiring that you seem to manage anyway. :D

[abq87120]

I just stuck an extended release in my Glock G23. About $12 and 10 minutes with a long paper clip for a spring removal tool. No issues with unintended releases yet.

[Warp]

My defensive pistols are Glocks (3) and Revolvers (2). I cannot release the magazine or the cylinder without adjusting/moving my grip a little bit.

It works fine, though. And I'm not interested in an extended mag release or anything else that risks making an accidental release of the mag more likely.

[iLikeOldgunsIlikeNewGuns]

I'm a righty, and if you're a lefty then with some guns this isn't going to help unless you can reverse the the mag-release to operate from the opposite side in the opposite direction.
That being said. say you have a Beretta 92, a 1911, S&W 3rd Gen etc, where the mag-release button is on the same side of the gun as where your primary gun-thumb rides, how about engaging the mag-release with the middle finger of your dominant shooting hand instead of the thumb? With my 1911s and 5906 I am able to do this while still holding the sights on target. It's not shifting your grip, though it is a brief temporary change in the quality of your grip. Could take some practice, but it's how I usually drop my mags and feels natural.

[velo99]

Mr Orangatang thumbs here. lol
That's the only advantage I have shooting an automatic. I can drop & replace the mag while keeping my P89 in front of my face. It took a while but I finally found a place for all of my fingers when I grip my gun. Ordered some Hogues so hopefully they'll help me out with my grip.