Is it me or the magazine release?

[jpruitt]

The last three autos I've owned and/or seriously considered buying all had a similar issue for me, and I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if it's something to do with the guns.

To hit the magazine release (on guns with standard magazine releases), I reach forward with my right thumb (I'm right-handed) while keeping my grip as close to a shooting grip as possible and press the magazine release.

(First of all, is this the way most people do it? Is this the "correct" way? It's the way I've always done it.)

I own a Ruger P95 and a Glock 19, and I've shot several others (Beretta 92, S&W M&P, and Springfield XD come to mind), and I don't remember having any trouble with any of them. But the last three guns I've owned or thought about buying (a Kahr CM9, Kahr CW9, and Beretta Nano), I reached forward with my right thumb as normal and press the magazine release, but I can't get it to catch (or un-catch, I guess). I have to turn the gun almost completely sideways and apply pressure at almost a direct 90 degree angle before it releases.

Now my first thought was, these are lower-priced guns so maybe corners were cut. Then I thought that maybe because the grips on the ones I had trouble with were shorter (shorter than my hand), maybe my hand was somehow interfering with the magazines releasing.

EDIT-Actually, the CW9 wasn't as short as the other two, I think I could fit my whole hand around it.

I've been thinking of downsizing from my G19 to a G26, but if the latter is the issue (my hand getting in the way somehow), I might have the same problem.

I guess the obvious next step is to go try out a G26 and see how easily the magazine comes out. But until I do, has anyone else had this problem? Or does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[ku4hx]

I own both a G26 and G19 and if you have a problem with the G19 you're very likely to have it with the G26. Grip length, of course, differs between the two, but the position and size of the magazine release on same generation guns are essentially identical. The Gen4 19 does have a larger magazine release and that helps a bit.

I have size XL hands and I have the same problem with all my semi autos. I guess that's one reason I favor a high capacity magazine ... more shots between magazine changes.

I think the problem is wide spread. The only semi auto pistol I've handle that I could drop the magazine with single finger motion, thumb actually, was a Walther PPQ, and that was just today.

 

[jpruitt]

I own both a G26 and G19 and if you have a problem with the G19 you're very likely to have it with the G26.

I don't have the problem with the G19, or the other larger guns I've handled. Which makes me think it's a hand/grip size issue.

 

[ku4hx]

I don't have the problem with the G19, or the other larger guns I've handled. Which makes me think it's a hand/grip size issue.

I totally agree ... it's a hand/grip size issue. What I do believe likely is that if the problem exists with a G19 it will likely exist with a G26. It may not, the operative word for me being likely. You just have to try 'em and see. For me, my wife and my son and daughter, the G26 and G19 (all 3rd Gen) feel the same. And we all have to turn both guns to release the magazine with the shooting hand.

My daughter has a Gen3 19 and she wanted a smaller gun. Upon shooting my Gen3 26 her comment was they're the same. Obviously, that's not the case for everybody. But the G19 magazines work well in the G26 so the grips are similar. And the magazine release is in the same relative position on both guns.

 

[9mmepiphany]

(First of all, is this the way most people do it? Is this the "correct" way? It's the way I've always done it.)

apply pressure at almost a direct 90 degree angle before it releases.

I was taught and now teach to press the magazine release straight into the frame...it is the most reliable technique. It is the way it is taught in LE and competitive shooting instruction.

I've always rotated the grip frame in my hand to reach the magazine release and it has been my observation that most people do

 

[allaroundhunter]

It is a grip/hand size thing. I cannot reach the magazine release with a firing grip on very many handguns at all. As 9mmepiphany, I have to rotate the frame in my hand. I really don't notice it when I do, and it is still very fast. Just practice, practice, practice.

 

[ZXD9]

I've found on my Nano that the button that pushes out on the other side is running into my finger at times.