How to replace mag catch??

How to replace mag catch?

I have small hands and can't reach the mag catch without changing my grip. I'm shooting IDPA with my RIA Tactical and want to buy an extended mag catch. How hard is it to change? I can't find a sticky about this procedure!

Pretty simple and you do not need to totally break down the gun.

Find a screwdriver bit that fit the mag catch slot on the right side. Push the mag catch in almost all the way or all the way in like your releasing the mag and turn screwdriver about 1/4th turn you will have to play with it a little bit in and out to hit the release point once you get the 1/4th turn push mag catch out

To add to what Bud wrote -- that 1/4 turn is counter-clockwise.

I would suggest that you order the new catch and a new spring and catch lock all together. This does two things. First, you will be able to see how the assembly goes together before you take the old one out of the gun. Knowing how it works makes it much easier to avoid breakage.

Second, the lock and the spring are small and easily lost if you accidentally let them fly during disassembly or assembly. Having a complete new assembly lets you remove the old one intact, set it aside, and install the new one as a complete assembly. The spring and the lock are cheap.

If your question is 'how do I remove the mag catch?' look at the assembly/disassembly animations on this site. If it's about how to drop a mag without changing your grip, you can get a paddle that affixes to the mag release and extends into the left grip. I have big hands and one gun with a paddle on the mag release. I still have to 'roll' the pistol in my hand to drop a mag. 99% of the competition shooters shooters do the same. If you practice, you will see that it can work for you. The alternative is a ambi mag release. I know a couple of guys who have tried them but returned to the old way.

Hawkmoon is right and I should have added get the spring and catch. They like to fly across the room very well and are pretty near impossible to find.

I thought you turned the screw clockwise to release it from the frame?

And the way I was taught, I in fact shift the gun in my hand slightly and then shift it back. I was taught to do this my an IPSC Grand Master, when I started to shoot IPSC, and this is also the way they tell you to do it at Gunsite. So there is nothing wrong with rolling the gun slightly to reach the magazine catch, and it is quite fast with practice.

OK, now I'm really confused!

I have been pushing the mag catch w/left hand, but doing a tac-reload is tricky that way. I wish I could afford a ambi-catch like my Ruger has.

Well unless you can reload with your arm extended, wouldn't it be easier to reload as you pull the pistol towards you, slightly turn it, press mag release, and then load a new mag?

That's the on thing I'm going to miss is my ambi mag release from my XD. You say there's a way to have one on a 1911? Got a link to the kit?

edit: never mind.. found it:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpa...6482&t=11082005

might give that a go sometime myself.

Blue is cheaper: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpa...9193&t=22164010

Yeah saw that one, but my gun's stainless. I think I'd prefer the chrome one myself. But really, either would do

Might try this style from Wilson. I know it looks a little weird, but it does work, and it doesn't cause problems with holsters either...

Also much easier to reload when you bring the gun into, what I call "your work space" Farther weaker, closer stronger, when it comes to strength and dexterity.

Did you get that from Midway?

I get them from Brownells. I've put them on several guns, duty guns as well... never a problem with them. They look like they would cause dropped mags etc., but they don't. And most people with smaller hands don't have to adjust their hands to reach the release.