LCP substitute with "less sensitive" mag release?

[TheProf]

Have an LCP. I actually like the DAO long trigger... And for its role, I don't mind that its a .380.

But... I keep finding that the mag release to have been accidentally activated. I carry it on my front left pocket (as a BUG) but find it disturbing that many many many times that I check...I find the magazine is loose and is partially ejected.

So...

Have any of you guys experienced this and have found a replacement BUG that does not?

I am looking for responses from guys that actually had this problem with an LCP (and thereby probably have the same physical habits that I have that causes the LCP to release its mag) but have now found a solution.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[trekgod3]

umm maybe the original LCP : The Kel-Tec P-3AT? I never had any probs with the mag release when I front pocket carried it.

 

[heeler]

I have never had these kinds of issues with my LCP and I pocket carry mine daily in a leather pocket holster.

This happened to me a few times with my Diamondback 380 though.

 

[dogtown tom]

TheProf .......But... I keep finding that the mag release to have been accidentally activated. I carry it on my front left pocket (as a BUG) but find it disturbing that many many many times that I check...I find the magazine is loose and is partially ejected......

Are you using a holster:
If so.........try a different holster.
If not......use a holster.

If have 40-60 customers that pocket carry their LCP's. None have mentioned accidental mag release.

 

[1KPerDay]

USE A HOLSTER if you are not. If you are, get a different one.

 

[TheProf]

Of course...I use a pocket holster. Always. But..I will take the suggestion of using another brand of holster and see what happens.

 

[heeler]

I use a RKBA leather holster for both my LCP and Kahr PM9.
Well made and around $35-$40.

 

[WardenWolf]

My advice is to see if you can replace the mag release spring with one that is stiffer. That should not be a hard retrofit to make.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

How easily does it release with thumb pressure? If it only takes a very light touch, see if a stiffer spring or something can be fitted to it. I would rather err (within reason) on a mag catch being a little stiff.

This makes a good case, for little pocket pistols at least, for the "heel" catch, e.g., on the Seecamp.

 

[WardenWolf]

How easily does it release with thumb pressure? If it only takes a very light touch, see if a stiffer spring or something can be fitted to it. I would rather err (within reason) on a mag catch being a little stiff.

This makes a good case, for little pocket pistols at least, for the "heel" catch, e.g., on the Seecamp.

Or the Makarov and related guns. That is one nice thing about these guns, is never having to worry about accidentally bumping the release. It's really no more inconvenient than a button release once you're used to it.

 

[rcmodel]

You have:
1. a worn mag release
2. A weak mag release spring.
3. Or a poorly designed pocket holser that punches the buttons it is supposed to protect..

Figure out which it is, and fix it.

You can also cut the mag release button off flush with the grip if you want to, and press it with your thumb nail when you have to change mags..

It's a last ditch pocket BUG/CCW/ semi-auto derrenger.
Not an IPSC race gun you have to do slam-bang mag changes with all the time.

rc

 

[holdencm9]

I haven't experienced that issue either with pocket carry or IWB. Hope you can get it fixed/figured out.

 

[Wildbillz]

Prof
I had the same issue. When carried in the left hand pocket some thing would allways manage to hit the mag relese and pop it out. I think this was due to the mag release being on the outboard side when in that pocket. I was using a BlackHawk pocket holster.

The cure I found was to put it in my right hand pocket and move my keys and such over to the left hand pocket. Never had a problume sence.

WB

 

[1KPerDay]

Interesting.

 

[widowman10]

have carried LCP in front right pocket nearly daily for a year and a half now and have not had one problem. i think wildbillz (post 13) nailed it. when you carry in the front left pocket, the mag release button faces out and anything that comes in contact with it would eject it. when carrying in the front right pocket, the button is against your thigh, and it won't eject.

 

[WRGADog]

Kahr P380

I own the P380 and my brother has the LCP. I have shot both and like the Kahr much more than the LCP. The Kahr has much better sights which helps with accuracy. Not slamming the LCP, the Kahr just works better for me.

 

[JERRY]

Great thing about the heel clip mag release on pocket guns......lws got it right the first time.

 

[Prince Yamato]

I've had this happen with my kel tec. Make sure that the mag release is facing your body. When the gun is pushed into you, the mag release will press up against your soft tissue.

If you have any hard surfaces in your pocket, like a wallet, the mag release may be hitting that.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I've had problems with sitting when carried in rear pocket. Simple fix - file down the mag. release, but not enough where you can't release it when you want to. It's probably sticking out too far.

 

[MCgunner]

umm maybe the original LCP : The Kel-Tec P-3AT? I never had any probs with the mag release when I front pocket carried it.

Actually, I really prefer the heal clip type on the original P-3AT, my Grendel P12. It's a little thicker, a few ounces heavier, but carries 12 rounds. I don't carry it too much, though, prefer my P11 and it's caliber.

On the P11, I have a Hogue Handall grip sleeve, made of rubber with the finger grooves on it I like for indexing my hand. One benefit of the Handall is that it nudges up to the mag release, is about as thick as the mag release. In fact I had to cut a little notch in the sleeve for the mag release. This has the benefit of protecting the release in the pocket holster from being depressed. You might want to try a grip sleeve of some kind for this reason. If you have a bicycle inner tube around, you could get cheap and cut a grip sleeve from that.

This is one of my gripes with modern pocket guns, they did away with the heal type mag release which makes ultimate sense on a pocket gun. I have the Grendel which has a really intuitive design I like and I have a heal type release on my Radom P64 which works well.

 

[TheProf]

Mr. Winchester....

You don't happen to have a pic of how the mag release will look when filed down... do you?

Curious to how it "should look"...more so than the actual prettiness of the modification. I may use that as a last resort..and want to know if I am doing it right.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Are you topping off the magazine after chambering a round? I know mine was a little hard to seat with a full mag. Its possibe you may not be getting it seated properly or its just putting too much pressure on the mag release. Try carrying it without doing that.

 

[MedWheeler]

I had to file down mine a little, too (P32 Kel-Tec.) I'm left-handed, so it had to be carried with the release side facing out from my body when pocket-carried. I think I might have to file a little more, though, as I did have one more pop-out recently.