Do any other right handers move the mag release to the right side ?

[PeterJ]

I have always had a very tough time releasing any magazine in any of my semi's with my right thumb and have found that it is much easier to do it with my middle finger on my right hand. When possible I always move the mag release to the right side,,, anyone else do this ? Just seems natural to me.

 

[demkofour]

As a left-handed former police officer and current civilian firearms instructor, I was trained years ago to run the magazine release with my trigger finger or my middle finger. Back in the day there were no reversible magazine releases…
To this day I still use this method and I try to enlighten left-handed shooters how easy it is to run their pistols this way.
As for a right-handed student/shooter, I think reversing the release makes complete sense.

 

[IAM Rand]

+1 on what demkofour said. I am also a lefty still on the job. I have always found it easier to use my middle finger to release the mag. I also use a slight wrist twist when releasing the mag and it helps the mag exit the magwell.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Lefty Here - when I put a metal mag release in my Glock 43x,
I put it in on the right, Lefty style.
Since almost all those other pistols that I have ever shot had the standard RH release,
It’s Awkward!
I do like them 15 round mags!

 

[Hair Trigger]

I learned to use the pistol the way it comes from the factory. Might come a time when I have to use one that isn't mine and forget it isn't set up like my own gun. Muscle memory, and all that.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I think the best mag release design is by H&K...their ambidextrous downward lever is brilliant...easy to use and works great.

 

[Photog]

As a left-handed former police officer and current civilian firearms instructor, I was trained years ago to run the magazine release with my trigger finger or my middle finger. Back in the day there were no reversible magazine releases…
To this day I still use this method and I try to enlighten left-handed shooters how easy it is to run their pistols this way.
As for a right-handed student/shooter, I think reversing the release makes complete sense.

Not to seem like I am criticizing or questioning your experience, but I am having a hard time picturing how you would safely use the trigger finger or middle finger to release the magazine on a 1911 platform pistol. You would have to reach all the way through the trigger guard and change how you are holding the pistol. I may be missing something but just don't understand.

 

[D Brown]

Not to seem like I am criticizing or questioning your experience, but I am having a hard time picturing how you would safely use the trigger finger or middle finger to release the magazine on a 1911 platform pistol. You would have to reach all the way through the trigger guard and change how you are holding the pistol. I may be missing something but just don't understand.

That's the LEFT trigger finger. It's fast.

 

[demkofour]

Not to seem like I am criticizing or questioning your experience, but I am having a hard time picturing how you would safely use the trigger finger or middle finger to release the magazine on a 1911 platform pistol. You would have to reach all the way through the trigger guard and change how you are holding the pistol. I may be missing something but just don't understand.

I’m not sure what you’re saying here, so let me try to explain- trigger finger (left finger) off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard.
A slight adjustment to the grip with my left hand and activation of the magazine release with the trigger finger.
Easier to do than to write and explain.

 

[Alk8944]

I an right-handed, not left as most who replied apparently are! I had the same thought and tried changing the magazine catch (NOT release) to the right side of one of my pistols, a long time ago and played with it that way for awhile. My experience was that trying to use the gun this way was simply too un-gainly as I had to change my grip on the pistol too much. Using my right thumb as the pistol was designed was for more intuitive and only requires rotation of the gun only very slightly while maintaining a more positive grip on the gun.

There is a very good reason that 100% of manufactured products, particularly firearms, are made for normal use by the 90% of the population which is right-handed.

 

[Photog]

I’m not sure what you’re saying here, so let me try to explain- trigger finger (left finger) off of the trigger and out of the trigger guard.
A slight adjustment to the grip with my left hand and activation of the magazine release with the trigger finger.
Easier to do than to write and explain.

I am right handed. Now I understand. Note to self, don't comment on posts when you read them first thing in the morning!

 

[Brian Parrish]

Interesting!

Interesting question.
I was trained to keep the firing grip unchanged and do all administrative handling with the support hand. This has a couple of benefits but I cannot say my way is the right way or the best way. I figure I just go with my teachers and if I am supposed to do it some other way I would have had those other teachers instead.

One benefit is that after I press the mag release, I can then swipe downward to help the mag fall out. This is slightly slower, so competitors don't want to do it, but it is more dependable in the gravest extreme. It does not matter its location or size or shape.

Another benefit is using different guns. I can even use a European "heel" type mag release, e.g. on a Sig Sauer p230. Same with the slide mounted safety decocker on a 3rd gen Smith. I reach over the top of the pistol and operate the decocker. I have a 6906 with an ambidextrous safety and my hand will actually push both sides down. I shoot my right handed pistols with my left hand and reach over to get the single sided safety no problem. It is all the same.

Best to you!
BrianD

 

[CALREB]

Firearms instructor for over 30 years and also a lefty. As a lefty I always felt the mag release and slidestop/slide catch were in a great place for my index finger.
Index finger is probably the most dexterous finger. It's hard to instruct online but just loosen your grip and fold or turn your pistol in your hand and them hit the mag release , insert mag as index finger goes to slide stop, hit slide stop as you reacquire your firing grip.

One problem with using your middle finger, especially in a non-static shooting environment. Place your pistol in your hand, situate it as you would to preform your reload using the middle finger. Now look at what you have supporting your pistol, only your ring finger and your little finger. Not much if you are moving, bump into something or even fumble the mag insertion, it is very easy drop your gun. This is only exaggerated with doublestack pistols. I had other instructors argue the fact. Had them place a dummy gun in their hand to reload, Slight tap on the end of the barrel as they reloaded and the gun would spin right out of their hand.

Try using your index finger, just give it some practice it is a much better technique. Or find one of the newer pistols where the mag release can be reversed, so you can use your thumb and has an ambi slidestop.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

It never occurred to me. I just use the thumb of my left hand. I recently acquired a Walther CCP M2 and the previous owner was left-handed and reversed the magazine release. I can't stand it and I'd have to retrain myself to use it so if my lady likes it I'm giving it to her and if she doesn't like it I'm going to reverse it back.

 

[demkofour]

Firearms instructor for over 30 years and also a lefty. As a lefty I always felt the mag release and slidestop/slide catch were in a great place for my index finger.
Index finger is probably the most dexterous finger. It's hard to instruct online but just loosen your grip and fold or turn your pistol in your hand and them hit the mag release , insert mag as index finger goes to slide stop, hit slide stop as you reacquire your firing grip.

One problem with using your middle finger, especially in a non-static shooting environment. Place your pistol in your hand, situate it as you would to preform your reload using the middle finger. Now look at what you have supporting your pistol, only your ring finger and your little finger. Not much if you are moving, bump into something or even fumble the mag insertion, it is very easy drop your gun. This is only exaggerated with doublestack pistols. I had other instructors argue the fact. Had them place a dummy gun in their hand to reload, Slight tap on the end of the barrel as they reloaded and the gun would spin right out of their hand.

Try using your index finger, just give it some practice it is a much better technique. Or find one of the newer pistols where the mag release can be reversed, so you can use your thumb and has an ambi slidestop.

Fully agree with you!
For clarification, I only use my middle finger for training, so that in a worst case scenario (meaning my index finger is no longer available…) I’ll be able to manage the pistol.

And regarding the experience of Alk8944 (“My experience was that trying to use the gun this way was simply too un-gainly as I had to change my grip on the pistol too much. Using my right thumb as the pistol was designed was for more intuitive and only requires rotation of the gun only very slightly while maintaining a more positive grip on the gun.”), I have always found the opposite to be true and in training I clearly demonstrate to my students that in most cases using the index finger requires much less grip change and allows the pistol to stay much more closely indexed toward the target area.
Of course, everyone’s hands and dexterity are different, so I never try to impart my way as THE way. YMMV

 

[chief38]

Here is what I think is an excellent example:

About 2 years ago one of our good friends came to me and asked me to teach her about guns and how to shoot them well (she knew virtually nothing about firearms). She also let me know that her goal was to CCW and be confident with what she carried. After trying out at least a dozen carry type guns, she settled on buying a Ruger LCP Max. BTW, she is 5 feet tall has relatively small hands. After all the verbal instruction and basic firearms safety, she immediately had problems shooting the Ruger LCP Max. She could not fire the gun without accidentally pressing the magazine release on just about every shot. Even after multiple times showing her the proper grip, recoil on the .380 moved her finger up and pressed the magazine release accidentally - not good.

When I got home, I reversed the magazine release and she went home and practiced with the pistol's new mag release orientation. The next range session went flawlessly and she has not had that problem since. She is right handed but has fully trained herself operating the pistol with the release on the right side of the gun. With the mag release in the original configuration, she was not capable of doing so.

Our friend has now become my most successful student and can shoot like she has been at this for 10 years. IMO she is actually in the competitive range of shooters and can outshoot pretty much anyone at the range when we go, (except me - lol)! She has never again had any issues operating the Ruger and so for her, this has proven to be a game changer.

Having controls on guns not comfortable for a person can be a very bad thing and can actually preclude that person from being confident with said gun. When I purchased a .22 caliber target pistol back in 1979 I really liked the quality, accuracy and trigger of the High Standard target pistols but could not ignore or get comfortable with the slide lock release being on the right side of the pistol and the magazine release being at the bottom of the grip frame. That kept me from buying a High Standard and I opted for the S&W M41 instead.

As long as one carries the same gun every day and is completely comfortable and used to the control orientation, I see no issues changing a mag release location. It's when a person keeps changing carry pistols they open up a can or worms.

 

[crows]

When I got my first Walther P99 I quickly learned the benefit of those paddle type magazine release levers. As others have pointed out, use your trigger finger. I have even changed over the button type releases on guns that can be changed. Seems so much quicker, smoother, and natural. And yes, for years and years, decades actually, I used my thumb on 1911 type and Beretta 92's.
I suppose it is purely an individual choice.Every gun I have had that I used my thumb on the button release I had to rotate the gun in my shooting hand at least slightly. I can't see the disadvantage in maintaining a good firing grip by only moving my trigger finger back to a button or down to a lever.
On a side note, I believe it is purely a matter of "John Browning designed it that way so it is the right way" that the European paddle type release levers aren't generally popular here.
Also, I know it is moving your trigger finger up,not back, but still; how do you use the magazine release on an M16/AR15 if you are shooting right handed? The safety button on a Remington 870? That finger can do more than just pull a trigger. Maybe it won't work for you to use your trigger finger to operate the magazine release, but give it a try, you might be surprised. I was.

 

[growr]

Isnt that how an AR works? Mag release is on the right side and no one seems to complain much about that....

Randy

 

[Marshal Tom]

Lefty, retired 36 yr. LE and long time firearms instructor. I carried a 1911 for years on and off duty. I operated the controls with my lefthand index finger, both mag release and slide lock/slide release.I have long fingers and thumbs but most people have to shift the pistol in their strong hand when operating the controls. I have found that it is easier to press the mag release with my index finger (straight in) rather than operating it with the thumb which hits the release more from behind.
I have never switched any of my mag releases from the left to the right side on anything I shoot, for that reason. In recent years, I have largely tried to go with guns that have the slide release on the right side for a lefty. when I am going fast during drills etc. I use the slide lock/release method rather than going over the top. Because of my grip, I have found that I often ride the slide release so the slide will not lock back after the last shot. I of course never had this issue when using guns with the slide lock on the left side of the gun ie 1911 or Glock.
Many of my woman students can't operate the mag release with their shooting hand thumb either because of reach or strength and must drop the mag with their off hand thumb.

 

[Old cop]

I’m a lefty and learned to swap mags w/my left middle finger before you could swap the release to the other side. I left my S&W Compact 9MM alone and can execute a mag change just as fast as folks who are righties.