Learning the superior paddle mag release-Walther/HK

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After years of wanting a Walther P99 with a 5 inch barrel, Walther is releasing the PPQ (M2) in 5"!!! Except it is advertised with a button magazine release-no word on there being the tradition Walther paddle release version.

Soapbox rant with me for a moment. You flick your trigger finger down to release. Or you bring up your ring finger if you wish to be different. In a weird mood? use your thumb-though I am not sure why. Totally ambidextrous, really isn't possible to accidentally dump the mag unlike the push button, and you don't have to shift your hand/gun.

I am not saying the button release is antiquated or unusable, but the paddle is superior. Not for me. But period. Strong opinion, but at no point can one accidentally dump a magazine just griping a Walther or HK with a paddle release. I would also wager most don't have hands that work a push button without first shift one's grip on the grip.

Please, can everyone learn to use the paddle release correctly so this feature doesn't disappear?

Thanks :)
 
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I hear you, but unfortunately the American shooter is used to a button, and most people are stubborn and don't like to change, even if it meant changing to something better. Obviously, Walther has been under a lot of pressure to make a button mag release. I'm afraid you're outnumbered.
 
The HK P7M8 has the easiest fastest mag ejection setup of any handgun I've ever fired ever.
 
I love the Walther mag release! So much more intuitive than the button. Hopefully they offer two variants.


Sent from my iPhone
 
I am not saying the button release is antiquated or unusable, but the paddle is superior. Not for me. But period. Strong opinion, but at no point can one accidentally dump a magazine just griping a Walther or HK with a paddle release. I would also wager most don't have hands that work a push button without first shift one's grip on the grip.

Thats why it is so popular with compitition shooters,law enforcement and military.My opinion is that its not superior just different.If it was so great every body would be screaming for one.
 
There are very, very few button releases I can reach without changing my grip. I can operate every paddle release I've used with no change in grip. That alone makes the paddle superior IMHO.
 
I can operate the mag release on my Walther simply by using my middle finger on my shooting hand. Or my thumb on my support handing depending on how I am shooting. It is one of the reasons why I will never part with it. Push button releases usually require me to change my grip slightly to reach it with my thumb.
 
The biggest features for me with the paddle is eliminating a snag point and a control that can be activated while in the holster

Add in lefty-friendly for our sinsister friends, and multiple ways to operate the control, and it becomes a true winner.
The reason it isn't popular with BILLG's groups is that there's over 100 years of button releases, they've become the "normal" way to do things. And button releases are pretty good. The paddle takes all that is good about the button, and adds in the advantages of a heel release (without requiring a second hand or complete grip change)
 
I too love the paddle release of my P99, although I'm not really down on button releases. On my 1911, I usually use my support hand thumb to release the magazine, but on the P99, I use my shooting hand index.

On a related subject, which version of the P99 release do you guys like better, the newer, longer horns, or the original shorter ones?
 
Not a single disagree.

While I am sure some do, I think it goes to show people just haven't used the paddle mag release or tried it with their thumb.


I defiantly prefer the Walther long release. I loved my P99 QPQ 1st gen with the short, but the new longer version is easier.
 
I have an airsoft pistol modelled after the P99 or PPQ. I can't reach the paddle release with my thumb, whereas the button release is accessable with my thumb. I find that the paddle release is just about as easy to hit with my finger as the button is from the off-side. For people with small hands, like myself I find the button to be superior to the paddle.

There is a reason I will never buy a walther or HK pistol.
 
I remember Charles Petty’s write up for the SW99-45ACP. He alluded to the ambidextrous magazine release levers adjacent to the trigger guard accidently activating during firing. He had to change his hand position in order not to activate the magazine release levers during firing.

With my example of the SW99-45ACP I’ve had that problem on occasion also which required changing my firing grip thus repositioning the triggering finger. I’d rather have button magazine release and yes I’m left handed.

The AS trigger system I like along with the placements of the decocker button positioned on the slide.
 
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ive had enough USP and Walther P99/ppq to make my own judgement on the magazine release and my answer is "meh"

I mean, how often do you "accidently" release a magazine with a push button anyway? Also, if i have 6 other handguns that i shoot regularly and competitively, so muscle memory is of concern if i were to run a paddle release

In the end i really dont see a big difference and i dont give a + or - for the paddle/trigger guard release.

ps: Anything's better than the God awful Heel release on my P7 and Makarov
 
I love the Walther P99, and its mag release is superior to anything else I've had my hands on. The entire platform fits my hand like a old glove, and the mags cycle so easily it ought to make first place on Feinstein's list, not that she would know. Mine is in .40 but I would prefer .45 just for standardization of my ammo locker.

KKKKFL
 
I mean, how often do you "accidently" release a magazine with a push button anyway?

All it takes is a little pressure on the side of a holstered gun. Not hard at all. In a self-defense situation, the results can be disasterous. For that reason alone, the Walther/HK style mag release is superior to the button design.

Add in the unintrusive ambidextrous nature of the design, and the ability for folks with any hand size/shape to operate the release without shifting grip (due to the ability to operate it with either the thumb, forefinger, or middle finger), and it is truly dissapointing that Walther has chosen to regress to the button design with the new PPQ.
 
The paddle is awkward, and sweeping down your trigger finger would definitely make you change your grip. Then there's that feeling of "did I sweep it down far enough?" I never feel like it goes far enough and the mags don't seem to drop as well.

Buttons are good. You press it straight in.
 
I am glad Walther is coming out with new stuff, but very disappointed in the discontinuation of the PPQ and the paddle release.

The PPQ is one of the best semi-autos out there especially considering value for money. I was just waiting and waiting for a 4.5" to 5.0" target model to come out and I was going to snatch one up instantly.

Now they have the PPQ M2 with a five inch barrel but no paddle release. The paddle release is what gave this gun it's fine distinction and was by far the best mag release on the market.

Now I have to try and convince myself whether I should compromise and buy the M2. I am not one to compromise and at this point, I don't think I'll bite.
 
Even in pocket carry I've never had a magazine release accidentally with the push button. With a decent holster, it's hard to hit the button without purposeful pressure.

I don't think either method is superior. I know the paddle doesn't work well for me, and the button does. But I'm not going to sit here and say the button is superior because I like it better.
 
practicing and drawing thousands of times at home/range ive never once accidently hit the magazine release button especially because i use a high thumb grip. If you're hitting the mag release drawing your pistol then its a training issue and you're doing something wrong
 
practicing and drawing thousands of times at home/range ive never once accidently hit the magazine release button especially because i use a high thumb grip. If you're hitting the mag release drawing your pistol then its a training issue and you're doing something wrong

No one is talking about drawing or grip technique.

In the simple act of carrying a holstered pistol, it is possible to inadvertantly depress a button magazine release without ever knowing it (even with a quality holster) until the pistol is drawn and the mag falls out or the pistol fails to cycle after the first round.

This is impossible with a Walther/HK style mag release.
 
With one exception, every holster I've had has put a thick layer of material (be it kydex, leather, or whatever synthetic fabric pocket holsters use) right next to the magazine release. Which means you would have to put pressure directly on the button in order to hit it. General pressure will be handled by the holster.

While it is "possible" to hit the mag release, I've never had it happen inadvertently. I'd say having a paddle holster so you don't accidently drop the mag would be like having a polymer gun so that lightning doesn't strike your steel-framed gun.
 
I never said it happens all the time. People are making that claim themselves (a good example of a strawman-he said it, it never happens).

What I did say is it is impossible to accidentally do it on the paddle release.

I DID argue you don't have to change your grip to engage the paddle release unlike the button. No one has argued with me on that point.
 
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