Thumb doesn't reach mag release - now what?

Try some slimmer grips maybe?

Or get an ambi mag-release and just use your trigger-finger--standard release works that way for us southpaws with a slight advantage. All I can say is "Try it--you might like it..."

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hmmmmm it strikes me you have choice of:

- changing firearms
- modifying your existing firearm
- using both hands (you do have 2 thumbs do you not ?)

I thought it was normal for the mag release to be mounted out of reach of the typical thumb, to prevent accidental release. (Of course, with pocket pistols that theory goes out the window.) My thumb does not reach a 1911's mag release, and I never thought it to be a problem. When I read step-by-step instructions on mag changes 2.5 decades ago, the words and pics clearly indicated it was normal for a right-handed shooter to shift the pistol in the hand a bit during the reload. It was also clear that lefties had a slight speed advantage in being able to use the trigger finger to release the mag, with no shift in grip needed.

To prevent accidentally firing your weapon during the reload, remove the trigger finger from the area inside the trigger guard; that is Gunhandling 101.

So-called "tactical" reloading is a competition-oriented maneuver. Perhaps I speak heresy, but I do believe it. Yes, I do believe in retaining the empty or partial mag, if practicable. No, I don't think I will win any pistol matches in which timed reloading is a factor.

Watch just about any video of folks doing mag changes and you will see them (right handers) rotate the gun left and upward toward the sky. This makes it possible to reach the mag release and supposedly makes it easier to insert a new mag. So even get the gun nearly perpendicular to the original shooting direction (Ken Hackathorn provided instruction that had the gun oriented as such, for example). I don't like this as it puts everyone to the person's left down range of the muzzle. Also, by pointing the gun skyward, it invariably is no longer pointed toward a backstop and is not "pointed in a safe direction" or is not "point toward the backstop" as requested by the rules of many gun ranges.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm31yHKYjFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwYxyGj4_SU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJXNPo5krvw

I still do some of the above as well as that is how I was trained. I don't particularly like it and work to keep the muzzle forward (toward the 'threat' and toward the backstop), but reaching the mag release is a bit harder. So as noted above, your choices are really limited to four options, you can use slim grips to help with the issue. You will likely still have to change your grip, but not nearly as much. You can try the ambi safety. They are more expensive, but it is an alternative. You won't have to change your grip at all because your index finger will be able to work the release just fine. Or, you can use your weak hand to release the magazine. The last option is changing to a different gun, but I don't know of any stock guns of major calibers that will let a small handed person reach the mag release without a grip change or modification to the gun.

There are slightly taller "tackytickle" magazine catches. That .050" or 1/16" is enough for me. If it is not enough for you, there are enlarged buttons to be screwed to the catch. I have used both and not inadvertently dropped a magazine, but be aware that is a risk depending on your grasp of the gun.

Use The Rule of 45 (nothing to do with .45 caliber but rather angle of the pistol when you place thumb on the mag release).

As for the pistol flying out of your hand if it goes off accidentally, either you have been watching too many movies or listening to too many geeky gun gurus. I don't know about you, but I and most other shooters, can hold almost any pistol with thumb, thumb strap, and forefinger and fire it without dropping it, let alone without it flying out of my hand. I'll hit the target too. Using the rule of 45 still maintains a decent enough grip on the pistol for it not to fly out of your hand, and if your trigger finger is where it belongs when hitting the mag release - well just how would the pistol go off in the first place?

All the best,
Glenn B

Go ahead and shift your grip. Most people with normal-sized hands have to. It gives up little if any speed.

Oh, and keep your damn finger off the trigger while reloading!

- Chris

Ambi-mag release, Diamondback6? Tell me...Just how would that work?

Ambi-mag release, Diamondback6? Tell me...Just how would that work?

Click to expand...

The question wasn't directed to me, but I'm rude and socially inept.

Here's one!

seeds76 said:

1. Shuffle my hand around to reach it.

Click to expand...

I do not own a single autoloading handgun that allows me to reach the mag release while still maintaining the same grip with which I actually fire the gun. I always have to turn them a little. If the release is within easy reach while still maintaining firing grip, it is likely to be touched and released while firing.

Jim Watson said:

There are slightly taller "tackytickle" magazine catches. That .050" or 1/16" is enough for me. If it is not enough for you, there are enlarged buttons to be screwed to the catch. I have used both and not inadvertently dropped a magazine, but be aware that is a risk depending on your grasp of the gun.

Click to expand...

And the design of your holster.

Some grips found on 1911s are quite thick and come up very close to the release button. If you have such grips, you can trim and thin some of the material in this area, or try different grips.

That's O K AZAndy. Always willing to learn something new. Maybe seeds76 just needs to buy a revolver or learn to use his off hand to push the button.

I've been shooting the 1911 for over 50 years and never through to worry about the location of the magazine release.

Here's the one I've been looking at:

http://www.smithandalexander.com/guides.html#mag-release

Quick "pop out, drop in, screw in" install, it looks like.

And my worry about grip strength in the reload isn't in case of a premature discharge, but in case someone tries to close it up and smack the gun outta my hand--in which case, the reload's off and I'm gonna use the gun itself rather than the bullets as the "impacting weapon", perhaps you've heard of "pistol-whipping" and what Wyatt Earp called "buffaloing"?

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And my worry about grip strength in the reload isn't in case of a premature discharge, but in case someone tries to close it up and smack the gun outta my hand--

Click to expand...

-And this happens as a near-daily experience, I'm sure...

No, but better to have a plan and not need it than need it and not have it, correct? You don't expect to get into an accident but wear your seatbelt anyway, don't expect a fire but still have an extinguisher, and don't expect a gunfight but still carry iron, right? All I'm doing is taking the "pre-show prep" all the way down to "worst-case" level...

Respectfully submitted--not trying to pick a fight here, Evan, I've seen a bunch of posts from you I considered well-thought-out.

Use your support hand to maintain control of the gun and to manipulate it so your firing hand thumb can reach and operate the magazine release.

After the magazine jettisons, re-aquire a firing grip with your firing hand, using your support hand to assist. The obtain your spare magazine and drive-on.

South paw here as well. On a 1911 type: Trigger finger works the mag release and the slide release if need be.

XD is a bit different:
I just recently had a grip reduction, magwell addition, and texturizing on a 5 in model of mine and also plan to install an extended mag release button on the right side.

I rotate it like most everyone I don't worry about the gun going off for 2 reasons one finger off trigger 2 when i rotate the pressure comes off the grip saftey also if i'm reloading the guns usually empty

D-back, you're right, I was feeling froggy. Apologies.

I don't generally do any speed mag loading, but I do shoot pistols lefty. In any case to drop the mag my trigger finger is usually flat against the frame up high to the slide while the second finger reaches for the mag release. It makes things pretty steady since you can stabilize by pushing with the thumb on one side and your flattened index finger on the other. I'm not sure how well this works if you want crazy mad mag speed, but its snappy enough.