Paddle Release Magazine

My EDC is the PPS with paddle. HKp30SK....Walther P99....actually, now that I think about it, I don’t know that I’ve seen another paddle other than HK and Walther.

Walther PPQ m1 was a favorite of mine too.

groundhog34 said:

What other pistols particularly compact or sub compact have a paddle release magazine?

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I don't know but the first day I shot my PPQ M1 I decided that all pistols should.

I found that paddle releases have a certain trick to them, not every gun does it right. Beretta Pico might be one of the worst implementations of them. I'm not a big fan of the paddle on PK380 either, although it's livable. I like classic paddles on Walthers and HKs like USP. Not so sure about HK P7, but it works.

BTW, a number of pistols offer truly ambidextrous buttons too. Ruger American Pistol, S.A. XD family. They are often incredibly stiff, especially under a closed slide. A well-designed paddle does not care, it has the leverage.

I have a couple HK P30SK's, (V3 and LEM triggers) that I like. It has taken a while to get used to the paddle magazine release. It just does not come to my thumb/fingers like the magazine release button on a 1911.

Even so, the P30SK's are my carry pistol of choice these days.

groundhog34 said:

I am a weirdo. I admit it. I am left handed and really like the paddle release style pistol. I have a HK VP9 and a Walther PPS. What other pistols particularly compact or sub compact have a paddle release magazine?

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I have the same two guns and love the paddle release. I also like the ones on my P7M8 & M13.

To me they are so much more user friendly; smooth, fast, and no need to shift your grip.

I can’t understand why the American market has not embraced it.

The key is to use the trigger finger. People trying to use the thumb won’t ever find it useful.

Absolutely hated the paddle release on the HK USP I had. Using a high grip it fought against my middle finger.
Horrible design, IMHO.

I'd always kinda liked the paddle with my father's P99 AS but it wasn't until recently when I got a HK45 that I've become a fan of the paddle.

How small of a subcompact are you looking? The VP9, P2000 and P30 make some compact guns and the Walther P99c is pretty small and compact.

Can't help you with tiny guns, don't much use those.

I've grown to love paddle releases with my Mark 23. I'm really hoping that Walther releases the PDP with a paddle release because I'm interested in getting one of those.

guyfromohio said:

The key is to use the trigger finger. People trying to use the thumb won’t ever find it useful.

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I use my middle finger. It helps me regain my grip after pressing the lever.

[QUOTE="FIVETWOSEVEN, post: 11892081, member: 104457"I use my middle finger.[/QUOTE]

Was that a "fruedian" "slip? I don't own any pistols but my dad has many. I might get some in another six months after the state says it ok. He has paddle releases. Some of them are frustrating, while others work ok. For someone not used to them, it can be an adjustment.

I also prefer a paddle style release. The ones on Walther are longer than HKs offerings so that is what I go with. I can hit the paddle quite easily with my middle finger. I have short thumbs, so I have to radically rotate the firearm in my shooting hand to hit the magazine release on a "traditional" firearm. The paddle release eliminates a step. So far I have a P99, PPS, and PPQ Q4. All paddles.

For me its the most intuitive system designed to date..

Shame its on a limited amount of pistols.

dh1633pm said:

Was that a "fruedian" "slip? I don't own any pistols but my dad has many. I might get some in another six months after the state says it ok. He has paddle releases. Some of them are frustrating, while others work ok. For someone not used to them, it can be an adjustment.

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No, I literally use my middle finger to press the mag catch because it reguires the least amount of movement to actuate.

I had the HK45 (not USP) which had the paddle release. I didn't have it that long, but was starting to take to the paddle release. In that case, it was kind of a chunky gun, so being able to hit the mag release with my trigger finger was helpful. Hk, Walther and some early Caniks are the only ones I've seen with it. Canik had the (SF?) Compact elite i believe, which had a sort of combo push button/paddle system, but I think that was dropped on newer iterations.

FIVETWOSEVEN said:

No, I literally use my middle finger to press the mag catch because it reguires the least amount of movement to actuate.

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Yeah, I seem to bounce between my trigger and middle finger for the release. Trigger finger needs less movement and no regrouping, so that makes the most sense, but the middle seems to be more intuitive and I go to that more on quick reloads.

guyfromohio said:

The key is to use the trigger finger. People trying to use the thumb won’t ever find it useful.

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They key is to use what is best for you and what you have trained for. I switch between a PX4 and a H&K and with both, I use my thumb. But when dropping a mag, my left hand is in the process of snatching another mag from my left side to present into the handgun. For me, it is no longer a thought process as much as a muscle memory process

I have a full-size USP .45. It fits my hands just fine except for the mag release. It is far easier for me to use my index finger than my thumb.

Isn't that intentional though? I thought the paddle releases were more or less designed to use a finger over either thumb, hence the higher location on the frame over the standard thumb button.

I'm not sure. I just checked the user manual and the only thing it says is: "The magazine release lever can be pressed with the thumb or index finger of the firing hand, in most cases without adjusting the firing grip."

Devonai said:

I'm not sure. I just checked the user manual and the only thing it says is: "The magazine release lever can be pressed with the thumb or index finger of the firing hand, in most cases without adjusting the firing grip."

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tis interesting that H&K manual does in fact state that..

Couldn't imagine trying to use my thumb though.

I definitely prefer the paddle release, like many here I have both types of mag drop but with the paddle I have options that I don't have with just the button. When I shoot my Colt gold cup or Browning hi-power I need some time to hit the button as I carry and train with my H&Ks so I quess I am used to the paddle now, Geez I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks!

tarosean said:

tis interesting that H&K manual does in fact state that..

Couldn't imagine trying to use my thumb though.

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Yeah, I just glanced in my HK45 manual as well, my thumbs can't reach that paddle and I wouldn't have ever even though of using my thumb.

Then again I was at least a little familiar with them on my dad's Walther.