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Problems With Vickers Extended Magazine Release on Gen 4

9K views 24 replies 14 participants last post by  BuckyP 
#1 · (Edited)
Over the weekend, installed the Vickers extended magazine release for my G26 Gen4 expecting improved magazine handling with less main hand motion. Instead, the new release was too tight to use without adjusting my main hand even more than with the stock release. Literally, pressing it indented my thumb. It wasn't a matter of installation failure; installation is pretty foolproof. Also, my magazines would not seat or eject correctly. To the eye, comparing my stock Glock and the Vickers releases, it only appeared that the button surface shape was different. Evidently, there was something more. Went back to the stock release and my gun again functions well.

Vickers has a good reputation. I must have purchased a release that was somehow defective. Curious if anyone else has had this problem too?
 
#2 ·
I had the same problem with my G33g4. Somebody goofed when it comes to the vickers mag release in gen 4 subcompacts. Apparently they're fine in the compact and full size frames. No big deal, I just installed a factory extended release instead.
 
#3 ·
Over the weekend, installed the Vickers extended magazine release for my G26 Gen4 expecting improved magazine handling with less main hand motion. Instead, the new release was too tight to use without adjusting my main hand even more than with the stock release. Literally, pressing it indented my thumb. It wasn't a matter of installation failure; installation is pretty foolproof. Also, my magazines would not seat or eject correctly. To the eye, comparing my stock Glock and the Vickers releases, it only appeared that the button surface shape was different. Evidently, there was something more. Went back to the stock release and my gun again functions well.

Vickers has a good reputation. I must have purchased a release that was somehow defective. Curious if anyone else has had this problem too?
I believe the extended mag release is intended for gen3's. The gen 4 has a larger surface area.
 
#5 ·
I don't know about sub compacts, but the gen 3 mag release on my Vickers G19 works great!
 
#8 ·
I had two Vicker's mag releases eventually fail to hold the magazine in securely. You could seat the magazine in and then pull it out without hitting the release. I never had a failure from them but I'm sure it would be a matter of time before they'd drop during live fire. They worked fine initially but after about 2,000 rounds or so, they must have become worn. I'll stick with the factory ones from here on out (nothing wrong with them actually.)
 
#12 · (Edited)
A bit more information while it's fresh ...

What hit me as I was looking at the Glock and Vickers releases is the very small details. This piece of plastic evidently needs to be fabricated to very tight tolerances where it's critical. And I certainly don't have enough factual information about what's critical to be able to make this work. That said, because I observed the off-side (right) part of the button on the Vickers release was seated a hair sub-surface when not depressed, I'm guessing that the right lip was too shallow. Assuming that ALL other dimensions were the same, this would allow the right inner radius of the release to press into the magazine well. I could then see this interfering with seating and ejecting the magazine, which is what I observed. Sent this part back to the eBay vendor. Hopefully, this vendor will then send this release back to Vickers as defective.
 
#13 ·
Well,I liked the gen3 Vickers mag catch so much I got Vickers gen4 mag buttons for my
26,19,and41 guns. NOW I read all this...have not installed yet.

Hoping to have luck of the Terlingueno,not that it is all about luck. This will be my first non oem part.
Will go ahead and instal the LAV parts to see for myself. Worst I can do is put a few scratches inside
the magwell.

Might as well install the 26.4 first.

Will post my results when I can.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Well,I liked the gen3 Vickers mag catch so much I got Vickers gen4 mag buttons for my
26,19,and41 guns. NOW I read all this...have not installed yet.

Hoping to have luck of the Terlingueno,not that it is all about luck. This will be my first non oem part.
Will go ahead and instal the LAV parts to see for myself. Worst I can do is put a few scratches inside
the magwell.

Might as well install the 26.4 first.

Will post my results when I can.
Fwiw, I found that a narrow stainless steel steak knife with a broken tip was the perfect tool to manipulate the spring. In particular, the knife slid under the spring during replacement, which allowed me to easily lift the spring away and slide the edge of the new button underneath. Good luck! :)
 
#18 ·
Once more without typos ...
It's best to go to your original posting that needs correction and hit the EDIT button in the lower left margin. That allows you to make changes, save them, and return to the original posting that is now corrected and perfected.
 
#19 ·
Over the weekend, installed the Vickers extended magazine release for my G26 Gen4 expecting improved magazine handling with less main hand motion. Instead, the new release was too tight to use without adjusting my main hand even more than with the stock release. Literally, pressing it indented my thumb. It wasn't a matter of installation failure; installation is pretty foolproof. Also, my magazines would not seat or eject correctly. To the eye, comparing my stock Glock and the Vickers releases, it only appeared that the button surface shape was different. Evidently, there was something more. Went back to the stock release and my gun again functions well.

Vickers has a good reputation. I must have purchased a release that was somehow defective. Curious if anyone else has had this problem too?
Hi Gentlemen,

I represent TangoDown, Inc/Vickers Tactical. Let me address the issue you are having. You have a very early GMR-003. It was designed and produced before Glock introduced the Gen 4 G26. Once that weapon became available, we noticed issues and modified the part to work in the G26 as it does in the G17, etc. PM me, and we'll get you the proper part at n/c.

In the future, we suggest you contact a manufacturers Customer Service department with any issues. Resolution will be much quicker than going online and getting a variety of answers to sift from someone other than the manufacturer.

One last thing, please..please do not use screwdrivers or modified steak knives to remove/install magazine releases. They damage the magazine release spring pocket, and gouge up the magazine wells. In some pistols, such as the G43, empty magazines will not fall free with even slight gouging. Glock advises against using such tools in their Armorer courses. Look at something like our GMRT-01, a polished stainless tool with a tip designed to scoop out the spring without damage to frame or release. Just don't use anything that's sharp-

Best regards-

Jeff
TangoDown, Inc
 
#20 · (Edited)
Jeff,

First, thank you for clearing this up and providing guidance on how best to proceed. Really wish the newer better release had been given a different part number like GMR-003NB. Evidently, there are enough older releases out there that buyers really need to beware. Because the description says they are designed for Gen 4's, curious if there's any way for the average person to recognize that they have the newer better design?
 
#22 ·
I contacted Armrer, AKA Jeff at Vickers Tactical via PM to inquire about getting an updated version of the GMR-003 Mag Catch for my G26 Gen4. Jeff answered my PM Saturday evening with instructions for a getting a replacement.

I am impressed with his prompt response and during the weekend at that! Now that's exceptional customer service.

Vickers Tactical now has a customer for life. Thanks Jeff.



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
 
#25 ·
I contacted Armrer, AKA Jeff at Vickers Tactical via PM to inquire about getting an updated version of the GMR-003 Mag Catch for my G26 Gen4. Jeff answered my PM Saturday evening with instructions for a getting a replacement.

I am impressed with his prompt response and during the weekend at that! Now that's exceptional customer service.

Vickers Tactical now has a customer for life. Thanks Jeff.



Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk
:thumbsup:
 
#24 · (Edited)
Just received all three updated mag catches for my 19,26,and41.
Emailed Jeff as above and got the replacement parts very quickly.
Thank you,Jeff!

Tango Down recognized the problem and fixed it.

Hoping I can get a Vickers slide release for my gen4s too.

Gonna have them installed where I bought the guns. They will do it at no charge.
 
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