Hello..Im new to this site. Just picked up a very nice early 439 with the short wide extractor. Took it out to the range and ran 50 Rds thru her. I noticed the factory mag didnt always drop clean or took a little more pressure to insert it. The pistol will operate fine if the slide is open when i insert the mag , if the slide is closed its works some time or not. I belive its in the magazine disconect set up ??? I would appreciate any thoughts. Wilson

Welcome,

I would suspect dirt and shooting debris inside the magazine, on the follower and the mag spring. The magazine spring may need to be replaced. Check the mag well inside the frame. This is often a neglected area.
If the mag release itself is suspect, it can also collect a lot of crud and old lubricant. The catch spring is captive in a hole under the release nut and is often plagued by corrosion. You may want to disassemble the mag release and clean the parts and frame recess. Consider replacing the magazine catch spring as well.

Also check the magazine for damage or wear, especially at the top, where it interfaces with the ejector/depressor lever.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Extra pressure is needed to insert a loaded mag with the slide closed..

When dropping the mag do you keep the button on the release pushed while the mag drops, or do you quickly push and release. The mag release will drag on the mag and it will drag a bit.

Also check for too long grip screws by backing the screws off one at a time to see if that solves your problem. I recently bought a used Sig that had this problem, a couple of touches on the end of the long screw cured it.

When i release the mag , i hold it tel i feel it release.. Some times its just stuck and use a pencil to push it out... The release doesnt drop like a 1911.

There is also a chance that the ejector/magazine depressor lever is damaged, or is the older design. If this is the case, the top of the magazine can get trapped by the depressor lever itself.

Let me know if you have an old one and I'll send one of the new revision levers. This is a S&W revision and not aftermarket.

"old style ejector lever"




New revision lever......

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Thanks for the response...ill let u know how it works out ... Wilson

Went to 2 of the better known gunsmiths here in Phoenix , neither would work on my 439.. But theres also a plain B. ��

Check the function with empty mag with the slide removed, it should fall right out. if that's ok press the ejector lever while releasing the mag. this will eliminate a few things that could be going on.