shoulder holster / activity / mag loss

[ExtremeSquared]

Been backpacking and biking for a long time with a shoulder holster which keeps the mag in a vertical position. CZ P07 -- steel mag and steel mag latch. For the first time ever, had the mag drop unexpectedly during mildly vigorous activities. I've been ignoring the gun for quite a while, so my current theory is that a release with neutral engagement and mag down position causes non-stop microscopic levels of release upon jostling, mile after mile. The release is exposed in the holster, but I'm not skinny enough for a rib to activate the release outright.

Luckily, I felt it fall in the dirt. While this is the first issue in probably thousands of miles, it's not good for holster confidence. Has this happened to anyone before? My planned fix is to drop and re-insert every hundred miles or so.

 

[JTQ]

Who's the maker and what model of shoulder holster?

 

[Obturation]

Could have been anything, I've never had a holster that couldn't drop a mag if manipulated just right. So for it to have happened once- not a big deal. I have a habit of grasping the mag baseplate and giving it a tug now and then. Don't know any other solution. Even removing and reinstalling the mag every so often does nothing to prevent it from dropping free, the release is not cumulative from many tiny bumps or something . it may release 2 minutes after checking it. I would also be curious to see the shoulder rig. My vertical shoulder holster hasn't done this to me, but given enough time I'm sure it will, I only use it on weekends in the winter for the past 5 years. So not a ton of carry time on that setup.

 

[JTQ]

I reread the OP - on my first read I thought it was a mag in a pouch that was dropping out of the pouch. After a more careful read, I now realize it is the mag in the pistol that is dropped.

 

[Armored farmer]

There is so much action goin on during strenuous activities, you may never know what unlatched your mag.
One day while cleaning up this accidental mess, I spotted something black in my shovel full of corn. It was the mag from my lcp that was in my waistband. It creeped me out, but it hadn't happened before, and it hasn't happened since.
Shiff happens. Check your holster and modify or discard if necessary. Carry a spare mag.

 

[ExtremeSquared]

Who's the maker and what model of shoulder holster?

High noon under taker. Probably not relevant because the mag release is entirely exposed. The release rests against the side of my ribcage. Even lying on it fully doesn't seem to activate it though.

 

[ExtremeSquared]

... Even removing and reinstalling the mag every so often does nothing to prevent it from dropping free, the release is not cumulative from many tiny bumps or something . it may release 2 minutes after checking it...

Well darn, that was my exact theory.

 

[JTQ]

High noon under taker. Probably not relevant because the mag release is entirely exposed.

Yes, my reread cleared that up for me.

From your OP, I had originally thought they were falling out of your shoulder holsters mag pouch. That would have been a holster/mag pouch issue.

The mag coming out of the gun, because the mag release is getting pushed is usually a gun thing, though there are circumstances where it could happen to just about any gun/mag release combo.

 

[Obturation]

Maybe a revolver is in your future...

 

[ExtremeSquared]

Maybe a revolver is in your future...

I'm a fan of the plastic 9mm for weight considerations. Only a few ounces, sure, but it adds up when you're under your own power and already carrying lots of water. If this becomes more of a problem, I will have to reconsider that.

 

[JTQ]

I'm a fan of the plastic 9mm for weight considerations. Only a few ounces, sure, but it adds up when you're under your own power and already carrying lots of water. If this becomes more of a problem, I will have to reconsider that.

The HK paddle mag release has a reputation for being less likely to inadvertently drop mags.

The USPc, P2000, P30, and VP9 should all be in the similar size range of your CZ P07.

 

[herrwalther]

The HK paddle mag release has a reputation for being less likely to inadvertently drop mags.

Any paddle release really.
Firearms with a heel magazine release will also be harder to drop. I think the fault is more in your firearm than your holster. You could try replacing the shoulder holster first to see if that works, you just risk losing another magazine.

 

[ExtremeSquared]

I think the fault is more in your firearm than your holster. You could try replacing the shoulder holster first to see if that works, you just risk losing another magazine.

I agree but I'm not sure any shoulder holster protects the mag release. A holster that covers the release may even be counterproductive. I may just get another release and file it down a bit and double the spring. Difficult reloads are preferable to an unexpected empty mag well.

 

[bluejeans]

Find someone who plays with kydex to press a scrap over the gun AND holster in the area of the magazine release and stitch or rivet it to the holster so that pressure from your body can never activate the mag release... if you place the rivets a couple inches back you should still be able to pry it back with your thumb to INTENTIONALLY release the mag while in the holster but it will otherwise be blocked.