908 mag release questions

[Dave Baird]

Anyone know how to remove the mag catch/release on a 908? Can I replace it (if worn) with metal parts from a 3913? Or, are they just for the 908? Not a lot of info out there I could find.
Thank you,
Dave

[cherrypointmarine]

I can't answer that . But if you go to Numrich they have breakdowns of most of our pistols . They classify both as 39 series pistols so I would think they are the same . I'm sure someone smarter than I will follow up and either set me straight or agree .

[Dave Baird]

Thank you. I've seen the schematics and they are helpful. I just don't know how to remove the parts or if they are the same. The 908's seem to show a snap-in part but the 3913/4 show metal and they are screwed together.

[JohnHL]

Originally Posted by Dave Baird

Anyone know how to remove the mag catch/release on a 908? Can I replace it (if worn) with metal parts from a 3913? Or, are they just for the 908? Not a lot of info out there I could find.
Thank you,
Dave

Hi, Dave!

The mag release assembly on the 908 consists of three parts:

The magazine catch (This is the long part that goes through the grip frame and hooks in to the slot in the magazine.)
This part is almost always steel, but some very early one were reported to be plastic.
If it is steel, there is no good reason to replace it.

The magazine catch spring (This is the "tornado" shaped spring that goes under the button and pulls the catch in to the mag)
Also steel.

The magazine catch nut (This is the plastic button that gets pressed to release the mag.)

It is considered to be a "one time use" part and is pushed over the nub on the tip of the mag catch to install it and pried off to replace it.
If removed, S&W recommends replacement as it will probably not hold as well on subsequent installations.

People are concerned about the "quality" of plastic parts, but the plastic button has not been a problem.

On base model pistols like the 3913, the magazine release assembly consists of four parts:

The magazine catch (Just like the 908 except the button end is threaded.)

The magazine catch spring (Unlike the 908, this is a small, narrow, straight-sided coil spring that fits inside the magazine catch plunger.)

The magazine catch plunger (This is a part the 908 style catch does not have. It sits in a separate bore next to the mag catch and pushes up on the mag catch nut and retains the mag release.)

The magazine catch nut (This is the metal button that gets pushed to release the mag.)

If you have read this far, then you understand that the 908 style pistols do not have the separate bore for the mag catch plunger and therefore, direct replacement is impossible without boring a hole for the plunger (not easy).

The 3913 style parts can be installed on the 908 style pistols, but the mag catch nut must be loctited on to the mag catch shaft.

In short, if you have had no problems with the 908 style catch, unless it is plastic (the catch, not the button) it will likely serve you dependably for the life of the pistol.

Does that make sense?

John

[Dave Baird]

Wow, John, you are right-on what I needed, thank you VERY much, sir. I will not try to disassemble the mag release assembly to check on it. I must have an early gun because the hammer is forged and the mag release parts are all plastic. I'll stop here, but it would be nice to get one of the later metal catches. If I happen to fine one, I'll need a new plastic button to push on to it, right?
Dave

[JohnHL]

Originally Posted by Dave Baird

Wow, John, you are right-on what I needed, thank you VERY much, sir. I will not try to disassemble the mag release assembly to check on it. I must have an early gun because the hammer is forged and the mag release parts are all plastic. I'll stop here, but it would be nice to get one of the later metal catches. If I happen to fine one, I'll need a new plastic button to push on to it, right?
Dave

That is correct, Dave.

Again, the plastic mag catches are very rare.

I've only seen one and that was a picture from our friend, 18DAI.
(A plastic mag catch to retain the sharp edge of a hardened steel mag body? What were they thinking? )

But yes, the plastic button should be replaced if it is removed.

I have used one over for a short, temporary need, but I wouldn't depend on it and I replaced it when parts arrived.

If you are absolutely certain the CATCH is actually plastic, (many folks think theirs is), you should begin your search for replacements.

John

[JohnHL]

By the way, Dave, just to be clear, I used the term "pried off" with regard to the plastic mag catch button because it is a single use part that is not threaded and pushed on.

To remove it, I support the right side of the pistol with non-marring bench blocks so that the mag catch is unsupported.

I then drive out the catch through the center of the button with a brass punch.

Much like others, I hate to pry...

John

[swpc]

The mag catch is different from single stack and double stack mag pistols
The 3913 would be shorter than 5906 etc. the other parts are compatible.
Right next to the mag catch button you would need to put a pin to compress the mag catch plunger ,allowing you to turn the mag button to
disassemble. This is complicated because upon re-assembly there is an adjutment to be made. ------ KCOMP

[Dave Baird]

I definitely have a plastic catch, John. Oh well. I do see "new" buttons (or caps) for sale, guessing they are plastic. I even see the springs for sale. I wish they would have made more metal catches!! Years ago I had one of the SCCY pistols. It was great but the darn mag catch was plastic. Fortunately, a custom shop made metal catches and I grabbed one. You are right, what were the guys thinking using a plastic catch to continually catch a small edge of metal under extreme pressure from the mag spring? Dah!

[JohnHL]

Yup, the replacement buttons are plastic, just like the originals.

Another poster, some time back, made mention that replacement catches were hard to find.

He was able to find buttons and springs, but no catches.

He did find a threaded catch, and I advised him of the "loctited" thread on button, which he did and reported good results.

As long as yours holds, I would leave it alone.

Search for parts, and if yours breaks and you can't find a "press-on" style catch, use a screw on catch and button with a 908 style "tornado" spring.

Assemble the screw-on parts and adjust the mag button by turning in or out until you are satisfied with mag releasing.

Measure how far the mag button protrudes from the grip frame (without the mag installed), disassemble and carefully apply a very small drop of loctite to the nut threads.

Reassemble to measured height and allow the loctite to dry.

John

[4T5GUY]

The press on ones seem to come and go depending availability of course.

Just a few months ago Midway had them again so I stocked up on some and the springs. They were cheap. I don’t know if I’ll ever need any but who knows. Keep checking if you think might need one, (or more.)

There is an in depth post about changing out these parts with metal ones. I think it was done on a CS45, (?). It looked doable if one had the interest, patience, time and skill.

Jim

[Heymatt]

I swapped out the plastic push on button mag catch on my 457. Used the mag catch and threaded button from a 4516, with the spring from the 457. Just take your time and get the tension on the spring consistent before using Loctite. It’s really not that hard to do.
Should be the same from a 3913/3914 to your 908.

[Dave Baird]

Wow, Jim, you did stock-up! haha I do see them around so I'll order a couple just in case, thank you. And Matt, once I see what I have, I'll look to see if using a metal one is doable for me or not. Thanks guys!!!

[Dave Baird]

I now have a metal (908) mag catch coming along with a spare spring. And, thanks to you fellas, I ordered a couple of the plastic buttons! I should be all set. Once I replaced the grip pin, the Hogues actually snapped on tight, and they feel good so I'll be keeping them. All good!
Thanks again everyone, especially John.
Dave

[Fastbolt]

My '99 vintage CS45 has the original mag catch assembly parts, and I've made a modest effort to wear out the gun over the years. Gone through many recoil springs and my frame is showing a lot of wear (even though I used oil/grease to lube it over the years).

In armorer classes they made a point to tell us not to disassemble the mag catch assemblies in the Chiefs Special and budget models that used plastic mag catch nuts, as the nuts were considered 1-time use parts. (Install once and replace if removed.) They said the plastic mag catch nuts aren't removed for normal cleaning and inspections, only for repair replacement.

I picked up a couple replacement sets of the parts for my armorer kit over the years. Just in case.

One of the advantages of the plastic mag catch nuts is that plastic doesn't rust. Also, the mag catch springs have thicker, 'more open' coils than the springs in the standard guns using metal mag catch nuts, and they don't rest captured down inside a narrow spring well that might more easily trap moisture and allow rust to form on the springs.

This is one of those times where the old saying, "Don't fix it if it ain't broke" might apply.