How to replace mag release

Starquestman · #1 08-17-2017, 11:31 AM

I think we all know the occasional issues of the Bodyguards mag catch; for me it releases the mag every time i fire.
I desperately do not want to be without an EDC for two weeks so I figured replacing the mag release button myself would be easiest.

Does anybody have a button I can have? Even if its from a catch that was hard to put mags into.
Or info on where to order just that button.

Also, most importantly, instructions how to take it out! Thanks!

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Pisgah · #2 08-17-2017, 12:35 PM

What you describe is exactly the problem I had with the BG 380. I had one for a short time and liked everything about it -- except that mag release. To avoid tripping it every few shots required me to adopt a clumsy, unnatural hold that, it didn't seem to me, I would ever be able to achieve quickly and instinctively. Added to that, on several occasions bumping up against furniture, countertops and so forth released the magazine in my pocket, even though the pocket holster I used covered the button completely and seemed designed to help with the problem. The BG 380 is a fine little gun, and may be the cat's meow for most folks -- just not for me.

I sold mine to a friend who had no trouble with it, and bought myself a Beretta Pico. Some curse its mag-release arrangement; I think the design is brilliant. Rather than a button, it consists of two little levers that must be swung down and out from the frame. Theoretically this can be accomplished with the thumb; practically speaking, it really requires a two-hand operation. Big deal -- I consider such micro-pistols to be "shoot 'n' scoot" weapons, not intended for protracted gunfights. Their primary characteristic should be that they are always instantly, and reliably, ready to go. With the Pico arrangement, I know the mag will always be firmly in place, and yet a reasonably quick reload can still be accomplished with a bit of practice, just in case a really drastic circumstance occurs.

Funflyer · #3 08-17-2017, 10:23 PM

The issue with the BG mag catch is that it's made of polymer and the sharp edge of the magazine will clip off bits of it if it hangs up and eventually there's not enough left to hold the mag securely. The worst thing that shooters do is to slam the mag home when it catches and that will ruin the catch in short order. Sorry, I can't help you with the R&R of the catch but I will advise you to file/polish the right forward corner of the mags so they will glide past the catch without damaging it. The pic below shows the mod.

Starquestman · #4 08-17-2017, 10:45 PM

Its practically brand new; so far I havent had any problem inserting it. It actually is almost concerningly smooth, which is why I suspect it was just cut a little too far from the factory.

overall, from what Ive been reading, it seems like that single part is just not manufactured to tight enough tolerances and, being plastic, it will fail because of it.

If I just got instructions on how to take it out, I could put another one back in; heck Ive got some friends with access to the tools to make it out of steel if I ask nice.

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Bkreutz · #5 08-18-2017, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starquestman

Its practically brand new; so far I havent had any problem inserting it. It actually is almost concerningly smooth, which is why I suspect it was just cut a little too far from the factory.

overall, from what Ive been reading, it seems like that single part is just not manufactured to tight enough tolerances and, being plastic, it will fail because of it.

If I just got instructions on how to take it out, I could put another one back in; heck Ive got some friends with access to the tools to make it out of steel if I ask nice.

Sent from my LGUS110 using Tapatalk

A 3 second Google search came up with this complete teardown video, along with a bunch of related video links. (click on the video twice to get a menu of the other videos)

garddogg56 · #6 08-18-2017, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starquestman

Its practically brand new; so far I havent had any problem inserting it. It actually is almost concerningly smooth, which is why I suspect it was just cut a little too far from the factory.

overall, from what Ive been reading, it seems like that single part is just not manufactured to tight enough tolerances and, being plastic, it will fail because of it.

If I just got instructions on how to take it out, I could put another one back in; heck Ive got some friends with access to the tools to make it out of steel if I ask nice.

Sent from my LGUS110 using Tapatalk

I know if and when mine wears out I'll have one made of some sort of steel.