I've got a problem with My XD 45

[Flying Bones]

My hands aren't big enough to reach the magazine release without compromising my grip.

I think the solution is an extended magazine release.

Thanks for constructive feedback.

[SCMA-1]

That's normal; most medium to full size autos are that way. Shifting your grip slightly to release the mag is a standard and accepted operation. I typically don't like extended mag releases on anything but my competition guns; they make it easier to inadvertently release the mag.

[XDRoX]

Yep, I can't reach either. You could try using your index finger on the other side of the gun, and see how that feels.

[JTROKS]

I use the middle finger of my shooting hand to release the magazine on most of my autos. If you think about it, you're left hand isn't fast enough to beat the grip shift unless you're Todd Jarret. Watch the slow motion portion of the video.

[railroader]

Yep, I can't reach either. You could try using your index finger on the other side of the gun, and see how that feels.

Yep try your index finger. You will be surprised how well that works. Mark

[3GunFunShooter]

I have an extended mag release on my XD9 Tactical. Rich at Canyon Creek
moved my stock ambi to one side to make it extended. Just got an XD45, still has stock mag release, shot an IDPA match with it and really noticed how much I had to move my hand to hit it. Cost me about a 1/2 second per mag change. Getting another release from Rich.

[Flying Bones]

I have an extended mag release on my XD9 Tactical. Rich at Canyon Creek
moved my stock ambi to one side to make it extended. Just got an XD45, still has stock mag release, shot an IDPA match with it and really noticed how much I had to move my hand to hit it. Cost me about a 1/2 second per mag change. Getting another release from Rich.

I cant beleive a hand shift is considered standard practice. No thanks.
I dont need it to be easy, but in for the sake of being practical, I think the extended mag release is the way to go.

I will also try the index finger and report back in a few.

[Gryff]

I cant beleive a hand shift is considered standard practice.

It's been that way for many 1911 shooters for the past 99 years. It comes down to the simple fact that you have to practice until you can't get it wrong.

[Sam]

It's been that way for many 1911 shooters for the past 99 years. It comes down to the simple fact that you have to practice until you can't get it wrong.

I don't understand how it is costing anyone extra time on reloads to use your shooting thumb to release the magazine. As you are reaching for your fresh magazine with your left hand you can also drop the magazine in the gun with your right thumb. You'll want to take the pistol off your target anyway so that you can see, and thus make sure, that your mag change is smooth.

[Ultimate]

Thats why the HK mag release seems only logical to me. I don't get why people bash on it.

I also like the way the ruger p95 has the slide forward releases though i have heard those might snag.

[Flying Bones]

I don't understand how it is costing anyone extra time on reloads to use your shooting thumb to release the magazine. As you are reaching for your fresh magazine with your left hand you can also drop the magazine in the gun with your right thumb. You'll want to take the pistol off your target anyway so that you can see, and thus make sure, that your mag change is smooth.

It's not costing time because of the hand shift, it's costing consistency. Now instead of only having to replace your left hand (for right handers) after mag swap, you have to adjust your right hand and replace your left hand. It's silly. Someday this won't be an accepted practice. Big boy rules say I train enough that I shouldn't hit buttons that I'm not supposed to hit without creating unwanted drop problems. I don't have to shift my hand to change mags on an AR. It seems to me an extra 1/16"-1/8" on the mag would do the trick. I may experiment with some removable epoxy first.

[Sam]

It's not costing time because of the hand shift, it's costing consistency. Now instead of only having to replace your left hand (for right handers) after mag swap, you have to adjust your right hand and replace your left hand. It's silly. Someday this won't be an accepted practice. Big boy rules say I train enough that I shouldn't hit buttons that I'm not supposed to hit without creating unwanted drop problems. I don't have to shift my hand to change mags on an AR. It seems to me an extra 1/16"-1/8" on the mag would do the trick. I may experiment with some removable epoxy first.

Honestly, I didn't find it took me that long to have reloading down to do it effectively and quickly every time with a standard mag release on a 1911. It took about two hours, one hour for the class I was in and another hour practicing at home.

[Flying Bones]

Honestly, I didn't find it took me that long to have reloading down to do it effectively and quickly every time with a standard mag release on a 1911. It took about two hours, one hour for the class I was in and another hour practicing at home.

It's probably my small hands.