Walther PPS mag release technique ?

[tb-av]

What is your technique for a reliable and speedy mag release. For instance the FAST drill. shoot two / change mag / shoot 4

The manual shows a strong hand index finger press. I really can't seem to do that.

The only reasonable thing I can come up with is weak hand thumb transitions from pointing forward to curling down while the hand moves down and mag is released as part of the movement to grab the next mag.

Does this sound reasonable? Any better ideas? I can't think of anything that would require less mechanics and movement, plus this keeps the weapon at eye level and always on target.

It's what I'm going to practice unless someone has a better technique I should try.

[Nephrology]

I am curious about this as well. I have little experience on H&K/Walther lever-style magazine releases but the experience that I do have was mostly confusing.

[zacbol]

Hmmm, I've had my share of *other* issues with my PPS but have no issue using my trigger finger to hit the mag release. In fact, once I became accustomed to it I was faster with it than any other mag release. On the HK45 I use my thumb as it never felt natural to curl my finger back to hit the strong sideof the ambi mag release. On the Walther though I simply move slightly outside the trigger guard and press down. Feels very natural.

[ChicagoTex]

I use my middle finger from my primary hand, works very well for me, YMMV.

[ShipWreck]

I have owned several P99s over the years, as well as several HKs.

Always found it easiest to use the trigger finger. And as stated above - once ya get into the habit of this, its easy to like this style of mag release more than the standard button type release

[gillian_seed]

I use my strong hand pointer finger when using any gun with a HK style mag release. I just bring my finger down on top of the release to eject the mag.

Like every one else said, just practice, and it becomes natural very quickly.

[ashleyh57]

As stated above, I use my trigger finger and actually like this style much more than the traditional mag release.

[oldtexan]

My wife and I have a pair of 9mm PPS that I've put about 2200 rds through (between the two of them). That's a lot of mag changes. I have gotten into the habit of turning the gun and using my strong hand thumb to activate the mag release. IMO the lever style release at least on the PPS isn't nearly as ergonomic and sure feeling as a push button release ala 1911, Glock, etc. But the risk of an inadvertent mag release is probably lower with the lever style than with a button style release.

I thought about using the strong hand trigger finger to run the release, but wanted to avoid using that finger for any task other than operating the trigger. Reason being I don't want to get confused and inadvertently operate the trigger instead of the mag release.

My wife, having small hands, prefers using the weak hand thumb to release the mag.

[tb-av]

OK, I think I figured out what my problem was. I have a LimbSaver 12012 which is a little to big up around the release pivot. I didn't think it was interfering but now I see that it indeed was. I notched it out and now I get a pretty quick release with my trigger finger.

Another thing I see I was doing wrong was putting my (right hand) finger a little too far towards the left and also bringing it back a little too far. Sort of hooking my finger when keeping it straight works better.

So I was pressing frame and not using the entire lever. Actually I see it works quite easy now if I just brush down on the rightmost edge, it just pops right out.

Man, this is a lot better. Thanks guys. I was wondering why they made such a nice pistol and such a difficult release.

TB

[LanceOregon]

OK, I think I figured out what my problem was. I have a LimbSaver 12012 which is a little to big up around the release pivot. I didn't think it was interfering but now I see that it indeed was. I notched it out and now I get a pretty quick release with my trigger finger.

Another thing I see I was doing wrong was putting my (right hand) finger a little too far towards the left and also bringing it back a little too far. Sort of hooking my finger when keeping it straight works better.

So I was pressing frame and not using the entire lever. Actually I see it works quite easy now if I just brush down on the rightmost edge, it just pops right out.

Man, this is a lot better. Thanks guys. I was wondering why they made such a nice pistol and such a difficult release.

TB


People keep recommending the Limbsaver Pro Handgun grip sleeve model 12012 for the PPS, but I have to disagree with them. It is oversized for the pistol in my opinion, and runs up into the magazine release, just as you have experienced.

You can naturally fix it by cutting way some of the material. Or, if a person instead orders the smaller model 12013, as I did, you will not experience this issue at all.

Here is what the Limbsaver model 12013 looks like on my 9mm PPS. Note how it does not jam up next to the magazine release lever, like the model 12012 does:

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s272/lanceJOregon/guns/_DSC6800b.jpg?t=1306312133


I don't have my .40 S&W PPS currently, as it is presently at ROBAR getting their NP3 PLUS finish put on it, just like I had done here to my 9mm PPS.

.

[Pistol Shooter]

As stated above, I use my trigger finger and actually like this style much more than the traditional mag release.

Same here. It works well for me with my HK's and PPS. :)

[C4IGrant]

What is your technique for a reliable and speedy mag release. For instance the FAST drill. shoot two / change mag / shoot 4

The manual shows a strong hand index finger press. I really can't seem to do that.

The only reasonable thing I can come up with is weak hand thumb transitions from pointing forward to curling down while the hand moves down and mag is released as part of the movement to grab the next mag.

Does this sound reasonable? Any better ideas? I can't think of anything that would require less mechanics and movement, plus this keeps the weapon at eye level and always on target.

It's what I'm going to practice unless someone has a better technique I should try.

I think that the trigger guard mag release is not only easy to hit (with your trigger finger), but is more reliable (IMHO). So it is most likely a training problem (see exception to this rule below).

Now what can happen with the PPS (because of its size and the fact that a good portion of the mag acts as your grip) is that your hand can trap the mag. So if this is happening to you, you can work on getting your strong hand off the mag better OR when your weak hand rolls off the grip, direct it down and pull the mag out (on its path to the new mag).


C4

[tb-av]

Now what can happen with the PPS (because of its size and the fact that a good portion of the mag acts as your grip) is that your hand can trap the mag. So if this is happening to you, you can work on getting your off the mag better OR when your weak hand rolls off the grip, direct it down and pull the mag out (on its path to the new mag).

Grant, I just returned from the range and you have beat me to my next question.

That is exactly what I experienced. I had no problem with the actual index finger release,.... but... the pad of my palm would keep the mag from falling out. At that point I couldn't even shake it loose.

From there I simply loaded 1 round per mag. One is a 7 the other an 8 rounder. I don't know that I had any better luck with either. I did get better but not reliable by any means. I would have the next mag ready to install and still trying to shake the old one out.

I'll have to practice this some more before the next time out.

[sro579]

I also experienced a learning curve on the trigger finger release but now it feels fast & natural.

[kymarkh]

One advantage I have found to using the 'large' PPS backstrap is that it helps to keep the rear of the magazine from being trapped by the heel of my hand during magazine changes.

[tb-av]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of changing that out.

Let me ask you guys one other thing.

In the process of releasing the latch. Are you doing it one handed? IOW is your weak reaching for the next mag or is it still supporting the gun?

I tend to have my weak hand reaching for new mag while strong hand is dealing with mag release. Is this proper?

[ChicagoTex]

I tend to have my weak hand reaching for new mag while strong hand is dealing with mag release. Is this proper?

For maximum speed, yes. For magazine retention, obviously no. As to which is "proper" that's your call, depending on the situations you anticipate yourself being in. Most of us don't employ handguns for long engagements (i.e. long enough that we're gonna need to hold onto our empty mags so we can reload them so we can keep on fighting later) so the one-handed method suits most, but YMMV.