Extended Mag Release for Gen 3 G17-G19

[ojibweindian]

All

I'd like to swap out mag releases on my Gen 3 G17s and G19s. Opinions on what has worked for you is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Buzznrose]

I use the Vickers Tactical mag release on all my Gen 4 and Gen 5 Glocks. I really like them.

https://tangodown.com/vickers-tactical-gen3-9mm-40-extended-mag-release-gmr-001/

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I tried an extended release for a short time -- I forget the brand, but it was made from aluminum. With my hand size I found that it made it a little too easy to unintentionally drop the magazine and I went back to the stock release.

For me anyway, a slightly faster magazine swap never seemed a priority on my carry pistol.

 

[Ks5shooter]

I like Hyve Technologies have them on all my Glocks.

 

[Buzznrose]

I like Hyve Technologies have them on all my Glocks.
View attachment 1131844 View attachment 1131845

I have the Hyve mag release in all my Slimline Glocks that I use Shield mags in. Like them a lot!

 

[tarosean]

I use the G34/35 stock release in my g3-17/19
I don’t like releases with larger circumferences as they interfere with holsters, unless modified.

 

[Alllen Bundy]

For me anyway, a slightly faster magazine swap never seemed a priority on my carry pistol.

Speed is far from the most important issue for me. The size and placement of the magazine release might require a person to rotate the pistol in their hand in order to access the magazine release. This makes you vulnerable to losing control of your pistol in a self defense situation. This is why I extended the magazine release in my P365 and P365XL. After I extended the magazine release button I was able to actuate the magazine release with my thumb without needing to rotate the pistol in my hand.

That said, people with shorter thumbs may not be able to reach the magazine release without rotating the pistol in their hand so extending the magazine release might not be of any advantage to them whatsoever.

With my hand size I found that it made it a little too easy to unintentionally drop the magazine and I went back to the stock release.

This all depends on your particular hands. Some people may have issues with an unintentional magazine release. For my hand the placement of the magazine release button is perfect. It's virtually impossible for me to accidentally actuate the magazine release button. I need to make a very intentional abnormal movement of my thumb in order to actuate the magazine release button. My thumb and middle finger protect the magazine release button from accidental contact.

But it is very likely that holsters will need to be modified so that they protect the magazine release button without pressing on it. You also need to rotate the pistol in the holster in all directions to make sure that the magazine release button is not contacted by the holster.

It's not a one size fits all situation. You mileage may vary.

 

[1KPerDay]

The factory extended release for gen 3 Glocks works for me.

 

[Riomouse911]

I use the G34/35 stock release in my g3-17/19
I don’t like releases with larger circumferences as they interfere with holsters, unless modified.

The factory extended release for gen 3 Glocks works for me.

Same here. Easy install and they work very well.

Gen 3 Glock 17 w/G34/35 extended release:


Gen 3 Glock 19 with standard release:


Just enough protrusion on the extended release to make using it easy, but not so much that the majority of holsters or an incidental bump will pop it.

Stay safe.

 

[ojibweindian]

I've got good-sized palms with stubby fingers/thumbs. Means I've got to rotate my Glocks a bit to release the mag, more so with my G19s than my G17s.

Didn't know that Glock made extended releases. That interests me....

 

[JTQ]

I've got good-sized palms with stubby fingers/thumbs. Means I've got to rotate my Glocks a bit to release the mag, more so with my G19s than my G17s.

Most people need to rotate the gun in their hand to accomplish a mag change. Certainly there are little guns, or people with outsized hands that don't need to rotate the gun for a mag change, but those are more the exception rather than the rule.

The expectation should be that you'd need to rotate the gun in your hand to hit the mag release. The expectation should not be that there is something wrong with you or your gun if you can't hit the mag release without rotating the gun in your hand.

However, if an extended release makes the whole operation of a mag change more efficient for you, those extended levers are available.

Here is a Vickers/Hackathorn/Anderson video on Glock modifications. They like the Vickers/Tango Down mag release (surprise), and Dave Anderson likes his set up for trigger finger activation.




Edit to add: I'm not sure the Gen 3 guns allow swapping sides with the mag release. Gen 4 and Gen 5 do.

 

[ojibweindian]

Bought a few of the Vickers Tactical extended mag releases; if they test out fine, I'll replace the mag releases on the rest of my Glocks with them.

 

[ojibweindian]

Update.

Got the Vickers releases yesterday evening and installed both; one in a 3rd Gen G19, the other in a 3rd Gen G17. Took all of 5 minutes for both using a butter knife. Ran some reload drills from concealed and, much better. I've got huge palms and really short fingers; this simple mod means I don't have to contort to hit the release. Now it's just a simple/quick shift in the hand and GTG.

Now all I need to do is get three more.