Problem of Mag Popping Out

[Drakejake]

(I am sending this message again.)

I have a Star PD compact .45 which expels its mag with every shot. I know that I am not accidentally hitting the mag release button because this happens also when I shoot one-handed. I am normally a two-handed shooter. In the one-handed firing position I can't even touch the button with a thumb or finger. I think that the sharp recoil is jarring the mag loose. It them falls a half inch or so and the next round doesn't get loaded into the chamber. This is a fatal flaw because it transforms this fine auto into a one-shot pistol.

Anyone else had a similar experience? Any solutions? I tried putting some tape around the outside of the mag to prevent it from falling but then it won't go into the grip. Perhaps I could pull the top of the mag release cutout out a bit so that the latch has to travel a little farther to release it. But this might cause some other problem.

Thanks,

Drakejake

 

[BLiTzNicK]

Maybe the mag catch spring needs replaced?

 

[Drakejake]

"Maybe the mag catch spring needs replaced?"

I considered this but haven't been able how to get the mag latch assembly out. There is what appears to be a screw head on the right side, but it isn't a screw but a piece that keeps the latch and its spring from falling out. I hate that I damaged the notch trying to turn the thing with a flat head screwdriver. There is some trick to getting it out but i can't figure out what it is.

Drakejake

 

[Jim Watson]

Star magazine catch lock appears similar to Colt. It is NOT a screw.
http://www.m1911.org/full_striping.htm
for instructions, but don't pay any attention to the nonsense about using the sear spring to turn the lock; use a small screwdriver.
Numrich might have a replacement if you have boogered it up too bad.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=118470&MC=
Maybe a Colt spring will fit if Numrich doesn't have the Star part.
http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=119030&MC=
If the catch notch shows wear, best to try for a new one
http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=117470&MC=

 

[Drakejake]

Thanks for the helpful reply. I have tried the procedure described several times but the piece with the screwhead looking top will only move slightly. The notch is damaged but still usable. I don't believe Numrich has these parts. If they did, I would order them so that I can see exactly what this assembly looks like. I have the owners's manual with parts diagram so I have a general idea. Thanks again.

Drakejake

 

[Drakejake]

I think the problem comes from the fact that moving the latch only very, very slightly, perhaps a thirty-second of an inch, releases the latch. The mag is under tension when fully inserted and so when the latch is cleared, the mag springs down. It is a real drop-free mag. And the recoil is so sharp that the mag latch can be jolted this much. I just thought of a temporary solution: insert a small piece of material under the right side grip panel so that the release button cannot move to the right. To change mags, the small piece of plastic could be pulled out. I wll try this next time. A sronger mag spring would probably be the ideal solution.

Drakejake

 

[bow4828]

I have an old Star Super that this happened to when I got a couple spare mags.After looking at everthing closley.I saw that the tops of the mags were hitting the slide.I carefully removed a little metal off the top of the mags untill they did not rub.This seems to have solved the problem.Guess I will have to fit any more mags I get,If I keep the pistol.Drove me nuts for a couple days:banghead:

 

[Drakejake]

With the kind advice of several of you I have been able to remove the mag latch assembly from both of my PDs. I looked at the spring in one of them. Looked OK to me. I think the latch proper (the protruding area that fits into the slot in the mag, is on the small side and appears to be worn. I suppose a somewhat stronger spring would solve the problem. Unless I can find such a spring, I will stick with my po-boy solution: a small piece of plastic which slides under the right grip panel and goes over the end of the latch. This in effect is an additional spring. With this little piece in place on both of my PDs, the mag stayed in. Without it, the mag popped out of both autos.

Thanks,

Drakejake