VERY Stiff Mag Release - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

MeanStreaker · 11-22-2006, 11:16 AM

I'm really enjoying my new XD45 Compact I picked up this past weekend. I have 200-250 rounds through it so far.

However, when I have a full mag inserted and the slide is closed, the mag release is almost impossible.

Now, I'm not the strongest of people out there... but I'm a fairly fit 26 year old male. I have to turn the gun sideways in my right hand, rest the trigger guard on my left hand, and use both thumbs (on top of each other) with A LOT of effort to release the mag. There's absolutely no way I'd ever be able to do it one handed with just my strong thumb.

I haven't done a full strip, but it doesn't appear as if there's anything obstructing it since I can see the mechanism working easily when the gun is field stripped. I have no problem ejecting an unloaded mag or a full one with the slide open (or off).

I realize things need to break in, but this is ridiculous. I never even noticed any break-in tension with my full loaded XD9 Service.

For now, I've oiled the release mechanism and am leaving it sit fully loaded 10+1 in the safe to try and break things in.

Any thoughts?

bham shooter · 11-22-2006, 11:22 AM

Give it time. It will break in. I would rather it be tough to use than for it to be too easy. My 40 was the same way, and I got it used. A few range sessions and using it will wear it in nicely.

MeanStreaker · 11-22-2006, 11:29 AM

Thanks, That's reassuring.

However, I'm not even sure I understand what the issue is. Since it only occurs when the mags are fully loaded, I'm assuming that the mag springs need to break in a bit so that there isn't so much tension on the top inside of the slide? Does this cause the magazine to bulge and make it harder for the mag release mechanism to work? That's the only thing I can think of that makes sense.

If that is the case, how many rounds do the magazine springs need to break in so this isn't an issue? I figured 200-250 would at least be a start, but it's as impossible as ever. There's no way I can carry it like this. I carry a spare mag with me. Not so much for the extra ammo, but in case the first mag fails.

"Excuse me, Mr. Bad Guys while I take 25 seconds to forcibly remove my malfunctioning mag. Talk amongst yourselves."

**oklawall** · 11-22-2006, 01:14 PM

This is normal for a new mag (I would say clip just to watch the heads spin around) with it loaded just put some pressure on the bottom of the mag and it should be much easier to release.

FireDawgUSAF79 · 11-22-2006, 01:27 PM

This Is Absolutely Normal. I Keep My .45 Stored With A Full Mag But No Round In The Chamber. With A Full Mag It Is Very Tough To Press The Release. The Reasoning Is That Your Mag Spring Is Fully Compressed With No Room To Play Around With. Take A Few Rounds Out And I Bet Its So Much Easier To Push. Have No Fear Though, There Is Nothing Wrong.

**hacker15** · 11-22-2006, 03:14 PM

Normal - was like that on my 40 service for the first several hundred rounds, but got lots easier as it got used.

Nerves · 11-22-2006, 03:15 PM

I never had that difficult on a challenge as you discribe, but it did get smother and easier with rounds.

MeanStreaker · 11-22-2006, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerves

I never had that difficult on a challenge as you discribe, but it did get smother and easier with rounds.

That's my only concern. I've had other handguns where the mag release has to be broken in a bit.

Never has it taken the procedure I described with two hands and two thumbs (on top of one another) to activate the mag release... let alone having 250 rounds through it.

Nerves · 11-22-2006, 07:27 PM

something is VERY wrong if it requires that much force (..." Two thumbs 2 handed...") . Please call SA ASAP!!!

sloan1919 · 11-23-2006, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeanStreaker

I'm really enjoying my new XD45 Compact I picked up this past weekend. I have 200-250 rounds through it so far.

However, when I have a full mag inserted and the slide is closed, the mag release is almost impossible.

Now, I'm not the strongest of people out there... but I'm a fairly fit 26 year old male. I have to turn the gun sideways in my right hand, rest the trigger guard on my left hand, and use both thumbs (on top of each other) with A LOT of effort to release the mag. There's absolutely no way I'd ever be able to do it one handed with just my strong thumb.

I haven't done a full strip, but it doesn't appear as if there's anything obstructing it since I can see the mechanism working easily when the gun is field stripped. I have no problem ejecting an unloaded mag or a full one with the slide open (or off).

I realize things need to break in, but this is ridiculous. I never even noticed any break-in tension with my full loaded XD9 Service.

For now, I've oiled the release mechanism and am leaving it sit fully loaded 10+1 in the safe to try and break things in.

Any thoughts?

My SC40 is exactly the same way... I'm a BIG guy and I still can't do it with a full mag without turning the gun sideways and squeezing the shyt out of it. I don't think of it as a big deal because most of the time when I change mags they are empty.

Ray

11-22-2006, 11:16 AM	#1
MeanStreaker XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 44	VERY Stiff Mag Release I'm really enjoying my new XD45 Compact I picked up this past weekend. I have 200-250 rounds through it so far. However, when I have a full mag inserted and the slide is closed, the mag release is almost impossible. Now, I'm not the strongest of people out there... but I'm a fairly fit 26 year old male. I have to turn the gun sideways in my right hand, rest the trigger guard on my left hand, and use both thumbs (on top of each other) with A LOT of effort to release the mag. There's absolutely no way I'd ever be able to do it one handed with just my strong thumb. I haven't done a full strip, but it doesn't appear as if there's anything obstructing it since I can see the mechanism working easily when the gun is field stripped. I have no problem ejecting an unloaded mag or a full one with the slide open (or off). I realize things need to break in, but this is ridiculous. I never even noticed any break-in tension with my full loaded XD9 Service. For now, I've oiled the release mechanism and am leaving it sit fully loaded 10+1 in the safe to try and break things in. Any thoughts?

11-22-2006, 03:14 PM	#6
hacker15 XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 3,377	Normal - was like that on my 40 service for the first several hundred rounds, but got lots easier as it got used. __________________ If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man. Mark Twain

11-22-2006, 03:15 PM	#7
Nerves XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Posts: 2,028	I never had that difficult on a challenge as you discribe, but it did get smother and easier with rounds. __________________ \"WHEN YOU PUT ON YOUR GUN LEAVE YOUR MIDDLE FINGER AT HOME\" NRA Member IDPA Member--Wilson Combat CQB (CDP) USPSA Member--New XD 9 Tac & G34 (Production ) IPSC Open Major--STI Trubor Grandmaster CCW's: -- XD-45 ACP 4" with Truglo TFO's & M6 Laser/Light --Kimber Tactical Pro II, ...Many More

11-22-2006, 07:27 PM	#9
Nerves XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Posts: 2,028	something is VERY wrong if it requires that much force (..." Two thumbs 2 handed...") . Please call SA ASAP!!! __________________ \"WHEN YOU PUT ON YOUR GUN LEAVE YOUR MIDDLE FINGER AT HOME\" NRA Member IDPA Member--Wilson Combat CQB (CDP) USPSA Member--New XD 9 Tac & G34 (Production ) IPSC Open Major--STI Trubor Grandmaster CCW's: -- XD-45 ACP 4" with Truglo TFO's & M6 Laser/Light --Kimber Tactical Pro II, ...Many More

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11-22-2006, 11:22 AM	#2
bham shooter XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 567	Give it time. It will break in. I would rather it be tough to use than for it to be too easy. My 40 was the same way, and I got it used. A few range sessions and using it will wear it in nicely.

11-22-2006, 11:29 AM	#3
MeanStreaker XDTalk Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Dayton, OH Posts: 44	Thanks, That's reassuring. However, I'm not even sure I understand what the issue is. Since it only occurs when the mags are fully loaded, I'm assuming that the mag springs need to break in a bit so that there isn't so much tension on the top inside of the slide? Does this cause the magazine to bulge and make it harder for the mag release mechanism to work? That's the only thing I can think of that makes sense. If that is the case, how many rounds do the magazine springs need to break in so this isn't an issue? I figured 200-250 would at least be a start, but it's as impossible as ever. There's no way I can carry it like this. I carry a spare mag with me. Not so much for the extra ammo, but in case the first mag fails. "Excuse me, Mr. Bad Guys while I take 25 seconds to forcibly remove my malfunctioning mag. Talk amongst yourselves."

11-22-2006, 01:14 PM	#4
oklawall XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Maud, Oklahoma Posts: 9,963	This is normal for a new mag (I would say clip just to watch the heads spin around) with it loaded just put some pressure on the bottom of the mag and it should be much easier to release.

11-22-2006, 01:27 PM	#5
FireDawgUSAF79 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McGuire Air Force Base New Jersey Posts: 104	This Is Absolutely Normal. I Keep My .45 Stored With A Full Mag But No Round In The Chamber. With A Full Mag It Is Very Tough To Press The Release. The Reasoning Is That Your Mag Spring Is Fully Compressed With No Room To Play Around With. Take A Few Rounds Out And I Bet Its So Much Easier To Push. Have No Fear Though, There Is Nothing Wrong.