HK magazine release for an odd issue.

[Zaydok Allen]

Hello friends and neighbors,

I have a bit of an odd issue. I have recently become a tad annoyed with my FNP45. The reason being is the extended magazine release along with a ammo pickiness issue.

The problem with the magazine release, is that the tip of my trigger finger hits it when pulling the trigger and the recoil of the gun causes a fair amount of pain as the enlarged release that FN uses, slams into my finger. See I'm 6'3" tall and 195 lbs. So I'm large, but lean. This translates to wearing size extra large gloves, but having little meat on my fingers. I've tried everything I can think of to avoid the problem, but it causes me to shift my trigger finger way off to the side, and it feels unnatural.

I've tried on a few full sized 45s like an XDm, a Sig 227, and an HK 45. I had a similar issue with the sig and Springfield. The paddle style release on the HK was nice because it was totally out of the way.

I think the other issue is the trigger. Double action is heavy on my FNP and I kind of need a lot of finger on the trigger to get a decent pull. Like I said, my fingers are thin which leads to a weaker grip than I care for. I've tried exercises, but they aren't working and I basically have to have a death grip on a semiauto to avoid limp wristing.

The bottom line is that my hands are large, but not tremendously strong, and after messing around with different guns, I think I need to be very careful on my equipment choice. The HK is nice, but the price for a polymer gun is not. So does anyone have any suggestions on other models of gun to try out? Also, does any other manufacturer use the HK style magazine release?

No GLOCKS please, no Taurus please, and I'm only interested in .45.

Thanks all and sorry for the long explanation.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Some guns (the Sig P250 comes to mind) have magazine release buttons that can be reversed to suit left-handed shooters. They are easy enough to activate with the trigger finger, which is what most lefties do when shooting guns that don't have this feature.

As for hand exercises, I can suggest one that works quickly and well. Get a broomstick, drill a hole through the middle and attach a nice strong cord. Put 20 pounds of weight on the other end of the cord, and twist the broomstick it to raise and lower the weight.

Do it once, every other day, for as long as you can. In two weeks you'll notice a real difference in your grip strength.

 

[madFive]

Sounds like you need to work on your grip more than anything. You should only be putting the center of the tip of your trigger-finger on the trigger (prevents pulling your aim side-to-side as the trigger moves). If you're hanging it far enough through for it to be hitting the mag-release, you're way off.

Go on youtube and look up any videos on the modern thumbs-forward grip, and correct trigger-finger placement. This should help you out quite a bit.

If you've tried so many different quality pistols and had similar problems with all of them, it may be time to look at your methods to see what you can do different.

edit - this vid gets qouted a lot. Good starting point - take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa50-plo48

 

[tarosean]

The problem with the magazine release, is that the tip of my trigger finger hits it when pulling the trigger and the recoil of the gun causes a fair amount of pain as the enlarged release that FN uses, slams into my finger.........

I've tried everything I can think of to avoid the problem, but it causes me to shift my trigger finger way off to the side, and it feels unnatural.

The trigger should be behind your cuticle bed/end of finger nail.


ETA: Some Walthers have the euro styled release

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Walther it then?

 

[9mmepiphany]

I've tried everything I can think of to avoid the problem, but it causes me to shift my trigger finger way off to the side, and it feels unnatural.

It might feel unnatural, but it happens to be optimal way to manage the trigger. I have not contact between my trigger finger and the frame pass the first joint of the palm...it give you a straight back press and better leverage on the trigger without unintended pressure on the gun

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah I get proper trigger squeeze and all, and it isn't a problem on my 1911 or S&W revolvers so maybe what I need is a gun with a better double action trigger, or a trigger job.

Seriously, my fingers suck. Bone and skin. It sucks because I have a lot of strength in my arms but am limited on how much weight I'm able to lift because of my hands. It's due n part to an old timber marking job where I had to use a paint gun for several years. Fun job but it ruins your hands. The other part is genetic skeleton fingers

It might feel unnatural, but it happens to be optimal way to manage the trigger. I have not contact between my trigger finger and the frame pass the first joint of the palm.

If I place my finger on the trigger as you say, which I do realize is the proper method to manage the trigger, i have to jack my finger over so far that my palm lifts off the grip. I think this is why I typically shoot DA/SA revolvers better than semiautos. The customization of the grip helps me manage trigger reach to better suit my hand. I always put a grip on that increases trigger reach on a revolver.

So perhaps I should ditch out on DA/SA semiautos all together and stick with revolvers. Or go rent a full size XD and see if the consistent trigger pull of a striker fired gun works better for me. A new range just opened and they do rent guns. First one like it in my area. Always had to buy a gun to try it in the past. Yes, it has cost me a lot of money to do so, and I have sold and traded a lot of guns as a result.

I hadn't thought about the issue in these terms before as far as trigger type and my specific hands before.

We're all a built a little different aren't we. What works for me doesn't work for others and vice versa.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I just realized something else. I've lost 50 lbs since I've bought that gun. When you loose that much weight, you lose it everywhere, including your hands.

Probably part of the reason why this is bothering me now. None of my old rings fit me anymore.

 

[boricua9mm]

Try the USP45 full size. It's cheaper than the HK45, has less felt recoil due to having a dual-captive recoil spring, and your big hands won't mind the extra girth in the grip.

In my opinion the USP45 is one of the best production .45s available.