LCP mag releasing while shooting?

[1KPerDay]

I haven't had a single malf in the first couple hundred rounds with mixed ammo of all types. Today I tried the Buffalo Bore HP load for the first time. First 3 rounds were fine, then the mag released. I'm trying to determine if it was the extra pressure down on the mag extension from the higher recoil (still not even close to unpleasant in the LCP) or if I was somehow hitting the release with my thumb or something. Anyone experienced this?

I didn't have a chance to run a lot of rounds through it today, but just thought I'd ask. this happened to my friend the last time we shot the pistol but didn't happen to me. I can't remember if it was when I used the mag with the extension or not on that occasion.

 

[SwampWolf]

I don't know what the cause is/was in your situation but the possibility of losing the magazine during a gunfight is obviously a serious concern. I think you might be hitting the release with the thumb of your shooting hand during recoil. In an effort to obviate that possibility when shooting my autos, I've learned to lay the thumb of my weak (left, in my case) thumb over the top of my right thumb while shooting any of my handguns. This helps keep my right thumb "out of trouble" with any of the many possible protruding levers it might encounter, including safeties, slide releases, decockers, take-downs and magazine releases.

 

[Starcheck55]

this tends to be a problem with quite a few ultra compacts nowadays. this is one of the reasons i prefer the heel release found on PPK, Sig232, HKP7, etc....

 

[SwampWolf]

Good point, Starcheck55. The smaller the pistol, the more likely your hand will be crammed into the mag release. The "no room for the thumb" factor makes the heel-located release on compact or smaller pistols something to consider.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'd be happy with a heel release... not like I'm going to be doing a speed reload on that thing.

 

[Starcheck55]

unfortunately I can't think of any US manufacturers that makes any handgun with a heel release.

 

[1KPerDay]

Seecamp does... so does rohrbaugh.

 

[bluecollar]

You said you were using a mag extension? I have read on other forums that the down pressure from a grip on the pistol was causing the mags to release when utilizing an extension. No problem on the range but use a flat heel mag when carrying for defense. This will take care of the problem with the LCP. It conceals better anyway.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yeah, the one in my pocket (in the gun) is a flat baseplate. However, the spare mag in my off-hand pocket has an extension. Maybe I should switch it for a flat one. It's nicer to shoot with the extension...

 

[snook712]

I just sold my LCP after having it for four or five months. My trigger malfunctioned and I sent it back where they did the recall work on it. I then had a magazine come out and fall on the concrete at the range where the floorplate broke into pieces. I also had problems with failure to feed with several loads.

They final blow was when I took a hunk of my right thumb skin off when I had it too close to the slide while firing.

I know many love their lcps but I am back carrying a j-frame and much more comfortable.

 

[woad_yurt]

Is it possible that you were depressing the mag release while shooting? I have a P3AT and the mag fell out on me a few times, sometimes while it was in my pocket. I ground the mag release button down a bit and it never happened again.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

On such a little gun it is entirely possible that you're touching the release button with your thumb under recoil. Also test the tension on the release with a partially or fully loaded mag against a closed slide. If it releases at the slightest touch of the button, it will surely jar loose under recoil and you need to have it adjusted or repaired.

 

[EHL]

I have a P3AT that was doing the exact same thing that you describe. I know that I wasn't hitting the mag release. I made a conscious effort not to touch the thing after it fell out the first few times. After several further tests, I caught the magazine falling out in the middle of a shot without my hand being anywhere near the mag release. I called up Kel Tec and explained the problem. THey asked me to ship it back and I think they ended up replacing the mag catch. Seems that part is made of plastic polymer and wears out if you slam your mags without depressing the mag catch button. Got it back and it works like a charm, no magazine fallout anymore. I do press the mag release button when I insert my magazines into the gun now, to prevent mag catch wear and avoid this problem anew.

 

[1KPerDay]

I'm always quite gentle inserting mags, usually depressing the catch. The spring seems quite strong and the catch isn't really in the way. I seriously doubt I was depressing the catch on firing.

I'll shoot it some more with extended baseplate and without, keeping my thumb up and away from the catch to eliminate that variable. I'm 99% sure it was the pressure on the finger extension, not the mag release button.

In the meantime I put the flat baseplate back on both of my carry mags.