Need Advice on HK45--Mag release drops

[Robanna]

I have had the HK45 for about a year now and love almost everything about the gun. However, I seem to be the only person in history that inadvertently depresses the trigger guard mag release with unnerving frequency. This happens so much that I'm now hesitant to use the gun as my HD sidearm, which is currently is.

It's definitely me and the way I seem to pull the trigger. I've tried to stop, but can't. I am somehow still brushing one of the ambi-releases on the pull and out drops the damn magazine. My guess is the tip of my trigger finger is sliding on the downstroke to sweep the left release.

Most recently, it happened twice in a row during a drill at a gun class I had taken. The instructor who uses a P30 shot the next four mags without an issue, so I know it's me. Under duress, I imagine it's a real possibility to keep happening.

I hate to get rid of it, but it's a tool to keep me safe so I'm hesitant to roll the dice per se. I do have a friend who would buy it.

I could either try finding a way to remove the left release or sell and put the money toward another gun like a P220 or P226 Xfive Tactical.

I'd really like to hear any advice from those on this forum; particularly if you have experience dealing with this kind of thing.

Thanks! :)

[lunde]

Have you tried using one of the other grip backstraps? It may be a hand-fit issue, and changing the backstrap to one of a different size may solve this issue.

[orfeo]

Have you tried using one of the other grip backstraps? It may be a hand-fit issue, and changing the backstrap to one of a different size may solve this issue.

EXCELLENT advice!

PLUS, you should really look at the way you address the trigger with your index finger. Try hard to get used to using the pad of your finger on the trigger instead of the joint. A larger backstrap should help with this. ;)

Then again, there is also an outside chance that your mag-release is not functioning exactly right (unlikely, but possible), even though your instructor didn't encounter the problem. If you can, handle another HK45 to see if it feels the same. :)

[Robanna]

Thanks to both for the input. I do have the larger backstrap in place, which is probably the medium. I think mine came with small and medium.

I slow fired and my trigger finger is definitely sweeping the left side as the trigger is fully depressed. I guess I'm just going to have to either learn to control the finger pad better or sell the gun.

[gtmtnbiker98]

I would consider a little more practice in handling/drawing the weapon. I've had muscle memory problems, too - especially in the mag release area, during reloads.

[LCSO264]

do you have exceptionally large hands or long fingers? I have medium to small hands and I could not replicate what you described. without being present, (and unable to view first hand your grip) I'll throw this out, are you "choking up" as far as you can on the backstrap of the gun? if not, I recomend it, not only will it help with controlling the gun, it may help correct the issue you are having.. If you have already thought of this, I can't think of anything else? good luck.

[PaHKFan]

I'm not familiar with the 45, and I know it's a much larger frame than mine, but is your mag release the same setup as on my P2000SK? If so, I'm surprised this is happening. Only because I think the mag release button is very stiff and hard to press down by accident.

If your release is like mine, then I would next ask how your fingers are arranged on the gun when you shoot. My middle finger is wrapped underneath the mag release button, making it impossible to hit it. I still can't even release my mag with one finger, I have to use my middle finger and thumb.

[BigDonny521]

Change things up a bit with your practice shooting. Shoot strong-hand, off-hand, both hands, and see what happens. If it only occurs when you shoot with two hands it may be a thumb issue (happened to me). Does it happen immediately after the first shot or after a few rounds? You may be changing or tightening up your grip without noticing. Does it happen at the beginning of your shooting session or toward the end? It could be hand fatigue, get one of those hand-strength squeezer deals, they look cheesy but they work. Switch out the backstraps to see what is comfortable during shooting, not just holding.

I had to change my grip a bit when I got my HK45, because like some of the other members on here, I was riding levers too. HK mag releases are different than any other gun and take getting used to, but that’s why they are better. I made a subtle change to my grip, and through practice, have not done it since. I carry my HK every day and will never go back to another brand.

Your instructor at the range fires a P30. Don’t forget the controls are similar, so don’t be discouraged because he doesn’t have the same issue. Besides, anyone that gets to shoot 4 full mags of rounds outta my HK better give me some better advice…

He should have watched YOU shoot it to see what YOU were doing, since it’s YOUR gun! Have someone (else) inspect your grip, watch you dry-fire and go-live, at least do something. I am by no means a firearms instructor, but have shot countless rounds at the range, and also down-range. I wouldn’t smoke up the barrel of your gun and then hand it back to you, shrug my shoulders, and then walk away. Try to find someone that will at least spend some time with you and investigate a little.

[LCSO264]

Change things up a bit with your practice shooting. Shoot strong-hand, off-hand, both hands, and see what happens. If it only occurs when you shoot with two hands it may be a thumb issue (happened to me). Does it happen immediately after the first shot or after a few rounds? You may be changing or tightening up your grip without noticing. Does it happen at the beginning of your shooting session or toward the end? It could be hand fatigue, get one of those hand-strength squeezer deals, they look cheesy but they work. Switch out the backstraps to see what is comfortable during shooting, not just holding.

I had to change my grip a bit when I got my HK45, because like some of the other members on here, I was riding levers too. HK mag releases are different than any other gun and take getting used to, but that’s why they are better. I made a subtle change to my grip, and through practice, have not done it since. I carry my HK every day and will never go back to another brand.

Your instructor at the range fires a P30. Don’t forget the controls are similar, so don’t be discouraged because he doesn’t have the same issue. Besides, anyone that gets to shoot 4 full mags of rounds outta my HK better give me some better advice…

He should have watched YOU shoot it to see what YOU were doing, since it’s YOUR gun! Have someone (else) inspect your grip, watch you dry-fire and go-live, at least do something. I am by no means a firearms instructor, but have shot countless rounds at the range, and also down-range. I wouldn’t smoke up the barrel of your gun and then hand it back to you, shrug my shoulders, and then walk away. Try to find someone that will at least spend some time with you and investigate a little.

Very good point, I didn't even think about the thumb hitting the release... I'd almost bet that is it. I really don't see how his trigger finger could be doing it, but I won't say it's impossible?

[CKOD]

On my pistol, with a 2 handed grip, not crossing thumbs, my left hand thumb rests right on the mag release. But my middle finger of my right hand keeps it from being pressed... not ideal, and still fiddling about with my grip trying to find one that works well without holding the mag release too.

[Montrala]

On my pistol, with a 2 handed grip, not crossing thumbs, my left hand thumb rests right on the mag release. But my middle finger of my right hand keeps it from being pressed... not ideal, and still fiddling about with my grip trying to find one that works well without holding the mag release too.

Try to put your left hand thumb pointing at the target, in line with slide release lever. This hold usually works better, also for accuracy and high speed shooting.

[Robanna]

Thank you very much to everyone. Lots of great feedback. I'll try to provide a little more info. I might be riding the controls as stated above, but I can't really be sure without someone there so I'll make sure I do that.

The releases always happen upon the first shot. I pull the trigger and whammo. At that point, it's hard to figure out what I did, because my focus was on the target.

I shoot mainly 2 handed, so I should do more weak and strong single hand shooting before commenting, but I have noticed that it does happen when I do those too.

I do choke up on the backstrap as much as possible. Here's a question: If you're looking at the trigger guard, are your ambi release levers raised above the bottom of the guard? Mine look to be about 1/8th inch higher than the guard. Not sureif that's creating the issue.

[Tyrael]

...Here's a question: If you're looking at the trigger guard, are your ambi release levers raised above the bottom of the guard? Mine look to be about 1/8th inch higher than the guard. Not sureif that's creating the issue.

Mine does not and it should be lined up when at rest. I am able to pinch my thumb and index finger together and run it along the side of the trigger guard and it's a smooth transition from the trigger guard to the release lever. It sounds like yours may be out of spec, and a picture for others to look at may help confirm it.

I was also wondering before you mentioned this if possibly the release had a weak spring and if your thumb was riding the lever, as I cannot get any leverage on it with my trigger finger and the trigger pulled all the way back. I can see how easy it is for my finger to brush the release though, but since it has to be pushed pretty much straight down, there is no way I can move my trigger finger enough to make it budge.

[Robanna]

Ty:

Thanks for that answer. Great idea on the pics. I should have done this in the first place only I never considered it could be out of spec. I hope you can see from these pics that the lever is definitely raised. And, if yours is even, than I might have my answer. I hope so. And, if this is it, maybe Bill Springfield could fix it while doing a trigger job too :). Here's some pics.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/S6LANA/CSC_2637.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/S6LANA/CSC_2640.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/S6LANA/CSC_2641.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/S6LANA/DSC_2639.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d10/S6LANA/DSC_2638-1.jpg

[BigDonny521]

Mine only looks like that when the mag well is empty; both levers should sit flush when the mag is inserted. If you had a mag in there when you took the photos you should have already called HK, and now be in the process of deciding whether to use FedEx or UPS...

[Robanna]

Mine only looks like that when the mag well is empty; both levers should sit flush when the mag is inserted. If you had a mag in there when you took the photos you should have already called HK, and now be in the process of deciding whether to use FedEx or UPS...

Ok. Nevermind it appears I'm just an imbecile grasping for answers who happens to not shoot this gun well. It's got to be my technique.

In the interest of not perpetuating any false issues for HK, I threw the mag in and the release levers are flush, not raised. I keep the mag out when I store the gun.

So, by deduction, it's got to be me. I accept that. I'll practice more I guess.:mad:

[PaHKFan]

Wow that's an odd mag release design. Seems like it would be better if they had it placed like the P2000. Now I can see how it might happen if you have large fingers or just how you might fire.