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Accidental mag release ... help!

21K views 22 replies 15 participants last post by  Denny4kids  
#1 ·
I love the LCP, except that the mag keeps releasing when I don't want it to. I have big hands and try to make sure I am not hitting the mag release, but it happens anyway. Any suggestions?
 
#3 ·
FWIW
I took a dremel tool and ground my mag release down some. It's silver colored now. I tried some different blueing touch up, but it all wears off. I don't really care about the color, though. I used to hit it every once in a while but I haven't hit it once after firing several hundred rounds since I modified it. You could remove it and file it down, but for me just grinding it off while it was in place was good enough. It was easy to see when I'd ground down what I wanted with it in place.
 
#15 ·
Same here except I used a little file. The mag release button stuck out too far and it could pop open in tighter trouser pockets, like jeans. Not a grip problem for me. For me it was strictly a pocket problem. It happened right in the pocket. Filing solved the problem and I did that to both of my LCP's, the gen 1 and 2, right on the gun. Mag release still works fine but no longer pops open on its own. They should not have made it stick out so far especially in a pocket gun. That was a very serious, and potentially deadly, mistake. Even so I often check with my hand to make sure the mag is firmly in place, with my Glocks too. They can pop out too. The Hogue grip came later and helps shield the mag release but I'm still glad I filed it down. It only took a minute.
 
#4 ·
Atomix2104 said:
I love the LCP, except that the mag keeps releasing when I don't want it to. I have big hands and try to make sure I am not hitting the mag release, but it happens anyway. Any suggestions?
How do you hold your LCP? Specifically, where do you place the thumb of your primary hand?

While my hands are not overly large, I keep my right thumb (I shoot right-handed) straight and in the groove where the RUGER logo is embossed. This way, my thumb cannot unintentionally press the magazine release button.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for all of the replies. I noticed that my right thumb curls down a little when I am holding the gun (in my right hand, of course). It rests on my middle finger ... and against the mag release button. I checked the springs and they are all in correctly and are straight. I think the one suggestion to reduce the height of the button may be the answer. Thanks again.
 
#7 ·
Atomix2104 said:
Thanks for all of the replies. I noticed that my right thumb curls down a little when I am holding the gun (in my right hand, of course). It rests on my middle finger ... and against the mag release button.
The simplest solution might be to learn to grip the pistol the way it was designed. ;)
 
#8 ·
Atomix2104 said:
I noticed that my right thumb curls down a little when I am holding the gun (in my right hand, of course). It rests on my middle finger ... and against the mag release button.
As you are discovering, small guns sometimes require an adjustment in your grip.

My usually technique for shooting one handed is to curl my thumb down and take a full grip (unless I'm shooting a 1911). This won't work with the LCP, since the trigger travels so far my trigger finger runs into my thumb. There seems to be two ways to resolve this. Straight shooting hand thumb or trigger finger uses only the tip.

Small guns have their trade offs. ;D
 
#10 ·
Launch Vehicle said:
Folks, please excuse if this has already been addressed. When firmly griped, the LCP's finger extension - together with the whole magazine - pivot slightly rearward. In some cases might this be a contributing factor? ???
In my opinion, that should not be a problem. The LCP's magazine is held into position by a notch in the front of the magazine. If you look at the notch, it's rather deep (front-to-back on the magazine). The part of the magazine release that fits into the notch (I call it a "catch") is also rather long. The little bit that the magazine can be moved (measured at the notch) is maybe 10% of the notch depth. Thus, there's no way that merely camming the bottom of the magazine to the rear a little is going to disconnect it from a properly shaped magazine release catch.
 
#11 ·
Update:
I contacted Ruger Customer Service and explained the problem I was having. It seemed to me that it only took a very soft touch to release the mag. They sent me a new spring and mag release which I installed. I noticed that when I removed the spring that was in the gun, that it wasn't as spread apart as the new one (not sure if I did that when removing it). Anyway, I installed the new spring and release and have been back to the range twice. I've put 100 rounds down the pipe and haven't had a single inadvertent mag release (yet). Based on what I had been seeing, I would have had the mag come out at least 6 times. Hopefully my problem has been corrected :)
 
#16 · (Edited)
You cant beat Ruger Customer Service. Toytraindoc
 
#12 ·
Isn't it a relief to have your LCP operational again? Drove me nuts the week mine had no functioning firing pin.

Rugers customer service is great to work with.

Replacing the magazine spring isn't a minor task. There is a fair amount of disassembly to get to that point. I think you qualify as a "honorary Ruger gunsmith"
 
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#14 ·
It happened to me yesterday at the range, only when I was rapid firing with one hand, I guess my thumb was curling down. I made the effort to keep it straight, even curl my thumb up a little. Yeah, the button is in a weird spot. As long as I get in the habit of keeping my thumb straight it won't be a problem
 
#19 ·
I tried pocket carrying years ago when I first got my Lcp and it was not comfortable. I was not as quick to draw because I mostly wear Blue Jeans (winter) and when wearing my summer cargo shorts the gun felt like a rock in my pocket...just me. With the Hogue grip the Lcp was very difficult to draw when pocket carrying. I tried different pocket holsters and the hard plastic Remora holster was just to hot for summer carry and caused leg burn. All of my Lcp's have Hogue grips so I must keep this in mind when making a quick trip to the store while carrying Elsie in my pocket. Elsie in an iwb holster is manageable wearing sweat pants. I just don't like my undies showing:friendly_wink:. Sorry, I have never had a problem with the mag. button.
 
#20 ·
Does anyone else have to push the bottom of the mag to the rear in order for the mag to insert fully?
 
#21 ·
That must be done on nearly all LCPs until the sharp upper edge on the magazine smooths out. Merely slap the bottom of the magazine with an open hand and after a few dozen inserts (or more), it will have smoothed out to the point that a simple push is all it needs. For those of us who would like it to be smoother sooner, a little work with a very fine file or a smoothing stone in the right places will result in the same sort of performance.
 
#23 ·
For those of us that want to re-work our LCP mags a little so they slide in easier, remember don't go near the slot in the middle of the mag! You want that to be a sharp edge. The only part of the mag to touch with a stone or file or sandpaper is the area of the mag where the second round projectile sits when the mag is loaded and in your hand. the same side the catch slot is cut at the #5 round area. It takes very little effort to simply round that little spot on the mag that has trouble getting past the mag catch when we slide in a mag. I never have a mag fall out and my mag release button must be pushed 1/3 of its travel to release the mag. Den