3953 Mag Hangs Up a Bit

[kbm6893]

I have a post of a like new 3953 with 5 mags I just bought on gunbroker. All five of the mags, when I seat the mag, it hangs up a hair as it makes contact with the mag latch, the part opposite the magazine release button. I see it contact it as I look down through the mag well. If I press the release button it retracts and the mag slides right in. This doesn’t happen on any of my other 3rd gen guns. This normal?

[mscampbell2734]

Your kidding right?

There is NO possible way the ledge/latch part of the mag catch can NOT rub against the body of the mag as its being inserted. Think about it. The ledge mates with a RECESS in the body of the mag. That means as the mag is inserted the catch is under spring tension and rubs against the body of the mag.

Almost all designs, including the heel latch Euro style, rub to some extent on the mag body when the mag is inserted.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by mscampbell2734

Your kidding right?

There is NO possible way the ledge/latch part of the mag catch can NOT rub against the body of the mag as its being inserted. Think about it. The ledge mates with a RECESS in the body of the mag. That means as the mag is inserted the catch is under spring tension and rubs against the body of the mag.

Almost all designs, including the heel latch Euro style, rub to some extent on the mag body when the mag is inserted.

No, I’m not kidding. I have owned probably 20 3rd gen guns over the years. I haven’t owned a small single stack like the 3953 in a while. I have a 5903,5906, 2 5946’s, and a 4566 right now. None of them do it. I am aware that the mag has to rub up against the catch, but on this one, it definitely hangs up a bit. My other ones glide in like on butter.

Maybe it’s more common on the smaller guns so I posted a question. That’s what this forum is for, right?

[mscampbell2734]

When I insert a mag I never hesitate or try to "feel" for a certain level of resistance. It's one smooth continuous motion.

I've never notice any greater level of resistance or hang up from one gun to another and don't think I would unless the mag did not actually lock into place.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by mscampbell2734

When I insert a mag I never hesitate or try to "feel" for a certain level of resistance. It's one smooth continuous motion.

I've never notice any greater level of resistance or hang up from one gun to another and don't think I would unless the mag did not actually lock into place.

I’m not hesitating or trying to feel anything. There is a definite “stutter” as the mag contacts the catch before passing it and locking in. I don’t have to slam it in or anything but it is there. Maybe it’s common on single stack smaller guns but my 4566 is a single stack and it glides in like butter. I’ve been owning 3rd gen guns for over 25 years and I don’t recall this issue. As I said, it has been a while since I owned a 39 series gun. I owned a 3914 like 5 years ago and I don’t recall this. None of my current 3rd gen guns do it. I bought the gun like new in box so I’d be surprised if it was a worn part in a gun that looks brand new.

[lhump1961]

I've not experience what you describe but could it be that the mag release isn't positioned to the proper depth? It seems to me that the mag release functions like those on an AR so they are adjustable by screwing in or out a bit to allow for smooth mag insertion. Fastbolt or others may be able to answer this question for you. Maybe send a PM to them. I've had them out before but it has been a while and perhaps I'm mistaken.

[kbm6893]

Originally Posted by lhump1961

I've not experience what you describe but could it be that the mag release isn't positioned to the proper depth? It seems to me that the mag release functions like those on an AR so they are adjustable by screwing in or out a bit to allow for smooth mag insertion. Fastbolt or others may be able to answer this question for you. Maybe send a PM to them. I've had them out before but it has been a while and perhaps I'm mistaken.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’ve never changed the mag catch spring so I never took it out. I’ve watched videos on how to do it and it’s simple. But I did just send a PM to Fastbolt. He’s The Man with 3rd gen guns so I’m sure he’ll be able to shed some light on it.

[Handgunner50]

I have a 3953 and 4053 and they both rub on the mag latch when inserting the mag just like kbm6893 describes. If the mag release is pushed slightly the mag will pass with no resistance. The mag button is threaded so can it be adjusted just enough to allow the mag to pass freely and still catch on the mag to hold it firmly in place?

[kbm6893]

I’m gonna adjust it a hair this week, but here’s my question: the mag isn’t hanging up on the mag release button. It’s brushing up against the mag release on the other side. So if I loosen the button a hair, that will allow the latch to back off a hair so that the mag doesn’t get caught up? Tightening the mag release button would draw the latch on the other side in further, which would increase the hang up?

[Fastbolt]

Originally Posted by kbm6893

I’m gonna adjust it a hair this week, but here’s my question: the mag isn’t hanging up on the mag release button. It’s brushing up against the mag release on the other side. So if I loosen the button a hair, that will allow the latch to back off a hair so that the mag doesn’t get caught up? Tightening the mag release button would draw the latch on the other side in further, which would increase the hang up?

The 3rd gen mag catch assembly is basically like threading a nut on a bolt, but in this case the nut (button) is held stationary (relative to the L/side of the frame), so the bolt (mag catch body) will be the part that's moving.

The mag catch body's catch shelf needs to be in the frame far enough to securely hold the mag, but not so far the shelf interferes with upward round movement (catching bullet noses), and not so far that depressing the button fails to release the magazine to fall free.

This is why S&W created that "eyeball" alignment method of looking at where the top of the plunger ought to be positioned, relative to the outside of the frame, when the plunger is fully captured up inside one of the two notches machined on the bottom of the button/nut.

If you decided to adjust the nut on the mag catch body post, you might make a careful note of how any half-turns you made, and in what direction ... so you'll know where to return the nut.

Or, just look at the top of the installed plunger next to the frame (captured by the nut, under spring tension), to see that it's flush with the frame, or slightly below.

I still suspect this "mag catch adjustment" might be chasing an unrelated "symptom", though.

It's not at all unusual for the bottom angle of the sharp pristine edge of the catch shelf to momentarily snag against the sharp R/upper edge of the magazine body. Some do it more than others, but normal repetition of inserting and seating magazines will "mate" the opposing contact surfaces.

I've lost count of the 1911 magazines I've used that do this very same thing in some of my 1911's ... until the upper edge of the new mags start to "wear" and round off the new edge a bit.

[stansdds]

Single stack mags drag along the entire length of the mag body from the top to the mag catch slot. Due to the taper of double stack mags, the catch only drags on the short distance from the top of the mag catch slot to the point at which the mag body begins to taper. This presents a totally different feel when inserting mags. I have a Model 439, a 6906, and a 6946. There is a whole lot more resistance to inserting magazines into the 439 and all of my magazines are genuine S&W.

[ACEd]

Originally Posted by kbm6893

I’m gonna adjust it a hair this week, but here’s my question: the mag isn’t hanging up on the mag release button. It’s brushing up against the mag release on the other side. So if I loosen the button a hair, that will allow the latch to back off a hair so that the mag doesn’t get caught up? Tightening the mag release button would draw the latch on the other side in further, which would increase the hang up?

Depress pin and turn 1/2 turn counter clockwise to reduce interference - nut should turn freely by hand with plunger depressed then relock in place in half turn increments with plunger released - then make sure mag is secure