Glock Magazine Release

Status
Not open for further replies.
ThomasT

ThomasT

Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2007
Messages
6,063
Location
Burleson,Texas
A few days ago I stated that I just bought my first Glock. A model 17. I haven’t shot it yet but I have been looking at it every day. So far the only thing I don’t like is the mag release. It’s just too short for me to easily use. I compared my new Glock to my S&W SD9VE and for the most part the Glock is probably the better gun. But the S&W has the Glock beat when it comes to being the easiest to eject the magazine.

So I looked at extended mag releases and wondered if anyone has an opinion on the one’s that are available and will the metal mag releases chew up the plastic on the Glock magazines?
 
For those that don't remember - I didn't, and had to search...

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/my-first-glock.877151/
Just picked up my first Glock. A Gen3 model 17.
Click to expand...

In the Gen 3 guns, I think folks like the Tango Down Vickers mag release https://tangodown.com/vickers-tactical-gen3-9mm-40-extended-mag-release-gmr-001/

So far the only thing I don’t like is the mag release. It’s just too short for me to easily use.
Click to expand...
On the other hand this could be a managing expectations issue. I don't know how big folks hands are (or how long their thumbs are) or what guns they're shooting, but a lot of folks seem to think you should be able to reach the mag release without shifting the gun in your hand. I don't think that should be the expectation.

See Shannon Smith at about the 2:05 mark, "there is basically no gun on the planet that I can reach the mag release on without shifting the gun in my hand."

 
Last edited:
Here's Glock modification video with Hackathorn, Vickers, and Harrington. I think they all like the Vickers/Tango Down mag release and talk about it. In his comments, Dave Harrington talks about reversing it, so he can use his trigger finger to release it, but I don't know if you can do that with the Gen 3 guns. By the way, the Gen 4 also has a much larger mag release from the factory.

 
Last edited:
JTQ thanks for the Tango Down link. I like that one because its the same material as the factory part. And the guy shifting the gun in his hand to work the mag release is exactly what I am doing. On the S&W SD model I don't have to shift the gun at all to release the magazine. And in a side by side the S&W feels like the button spring is a tad softer than the Glock spring.

When I got the Glock I had no plans to ever replace any parts. I like it just the way the factory built it. Same way with my DPMS AR-15. It still has all the factory parts in it. Even the creepy trigger. But I have pushed on the Glock mag release so many times now the side of my thumb is sore. So I will give it some thought. I have already watched a video on replacing the part. It looks simple enough. And no the Gen3 release can't be reversed. But overall I am very pleased with the gun.

I haven't shot it yet. My sister died last Monday and we have been dealing with that and going through her stuff so we can throw away the worn out clothes and take the usable stuff to Goodwill. That cut in to my going to shoot my new Glock. But I'll get there and then maybe find the release is not that big of a deal. I will get my shooting bud to drag out his Gen1 Glock and do a comparison between those two. rankly I would rather spend my money on more mags and more ammo.

Thanks again.:thumbup:
 
Glock makes (or used to) an extended all plastic mag button for their 34 & 35. Same frame as your 17. It was cheap from LoneWolf and others. All plastic so easy to shorted or shape if you want.


Cat
 
When swapping out the magazine release, be very careful when manipulating the magazine spring release. It goes into a hole in the plastic frame and the wall of the hole facing the magazine has a very thin wall. If you pull/pry the spring back toward the magazine well with too much force you can tear that wall out and the frame is ruined.
 
Catshooter said:
Glock makes (or used to) an extended all plastic mag button for their 34 & 35. Same frame as your 17.
Click to expand...


They still do, it was the most popular choice to extend the magazine release of gen3 glocks. Now if the OP wants more real estate (bigger) He will need to go with something from ZEV or other aftermarket supplier.

Here is a gen3 vs gen3 17 w/34 extended mag release.
20201109_164331.jpg
 
tarosean said:
The solution is H&K
Click to expand...

I have a few. The one thing I despise about them is the paddle release. Id almost prefer a heel release. Very well built guns though.



As far as the Glocks ive used extended mag releases and didn't care for them. They also rubbed places in my holsters so I know there was a chance (maybe small) that they could be hit accidentally while cc them. Of my 6 or 7 glocks only my competition set up has a bigger mag release. I do have big hands though.
 
crestoncowboy said:
I have a few. The one thing I despise about them is the paddle release. Id almost prefer a heel release. Very well built guns though.
Click to expand...

Its always been intuitive to me..

crestoncowboy said:
As far as the Glocks ive used extended mag releases and didn't care for them. They also rubbed places in my holsters so I know there was a chance (maybe small) that they could be hit accidentally while cc them..
Click to expand...

Yep, I tried the several aftermarket releases and had to remove all, because they gave me an automatic magazine release while holstered. :(

So I have stuck with the factory parts..
 
Stock magazine releases on my Glocks as well, with the exception being on the G43x/48, I changed them out for aluminum to run Shield Arms magazines.
 
tarosean said:
So I have stuck with the factory parts..
Click to expand...

The only extended one i have is also a Glock factory part if I'm not mistaken

I had one in my glock 27 and it rubbed a nice spot in my leather IWB holster. I decided I might pull my gun and the mag fall out so I switched. Never had a regular release rub any.

I like the HK release with my big snowmobile gloves on. Same for the huge trigger guard on my HKs. I always wanted a mk23 in 10mm to match the 45 and usp 40s.
 
Looks good Ks5 shooter. Does that metal release chew up your mags? I think you have posted that gun before.

And one thing I wondered about was an extended release causing the mag to be dropped while in the holster? Some here have mentioned that so I guess its a real possibility. I think I'm going to stick to my original plan and just keep the gun stock just the way Glock made it. Maybe add a better front sight. Maybe. Just buy a few more mags and more ammo and reloading stuff if its ever available again. Thanks for the replies.
 
ThomasT said:
And one thing I wondered about was an extended release causing the mag to be dropped while in the holster? Some here have mentioned that so I guess its a real possibility.
Click to expand...
A common complaint from those withy hybrid inside the waistband holsters. The large flexible sweat shields on those holsters often depress the mag release.
 
JTQ said:
A common complaint from those withy hybrid inside the waistband holsters. The large flexible sweat shields on those holsters often depress the mag release.
Click to expand...

Trust me. No inside the waistband holsters for me. There is enough in my britches already without trying to shoehorn a gun in there too. I just bought a new Fobus OWB holster I like. Easy on and off. Plus an old Glock brand belt slide holster I have had for 25+ years and it really snugs the gun up against me when worn appendix style. I like it.
 
For the OP, maybe shoot the gun awhile before changing anything.
How high are tactical reloads on your worry list?
Moon
 
I have tried the Glock Store extended mag release on my G26 and I have installed a Strike Industries extended mag release on my G26. They both work well. The Strike Industries release is a little smoother than the Glock Store model. Easier on the trigger finger when shooting left handed. When shooting right handed I like the Strike Industries one as it doesn’t bite into my thumb when pressing the release.
My G34s have the stock extended mag release and I still have to shift the gun to reach the release. I wear XXL gloves but my thumb just doesn’t quite get enough purchase to release mags without shifting the gun. Also, the stock release chews into my left hand trigger finger. Sharp corners. I will probably install the SI releases on the G34s as well.
 
I made an order from the Glock store and ordered a Glock brand extended release along with a couple of spare recoil assemblies and trigger return springs. So I'm fixed up right? Nope. Got an email and all that they had in stock were the recoil spring sets. The trigger springs and extended release are on backorder. Oh well. With 17 shots on hand who needs a reload right? So I will run with the release that came on the gun for a while.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Pat Riot
  • Locked
Glock Extended Magazine Release for Left Hand Shooting
Replies
9
Views
318
.455_Hunter
.455_Hunter
Lycidas Janwor
  • Locked
Glock 21 Magazines
2
Replies
25
Views
1K
glock2340
G
R
  • Locked
New Glock owner; left hand gen 04 magazines....
Replies
1
Views
348
judgedelta
J
B
  • Locked
Mag extender/ other glock ?'s
Replies
0
Views
389
Bushwhacker
B
Sapper771
  • Locked
Glock 21 SF magazine problem
Replies
0
Views
444
Sapper771
Sapper771
Back
Top