Glock 43 mag catch will not fit a 43X. It’s 1 mm lighter about.

I wish I could remember where I saw it, but I got the idea that you’re safe to about 200 rounds. Sorry I can’t Remember how I got that idea. I do know that I watched every video I could find on YouTube about it for a really long time. I’m sure that if you added up the round count for each video it was well in excess of 5000 rounds of tests. The shield arms mags always performed well except for one guy. And with him, one of them worked fine, and one of them messed up all the time. And I should clarify, having lock open problems when they’re empty, or not drop free problems, those you would see on rare occasion. But failure to feeds we are very very very rare.

 

I would smooth up and polish the notches in the mags as best I could without changing the shape, and run the original release, like you said. My hunch is it will do fine, for quite awhile, if not for good. Keep an eye on it, of course.

 

The S15 mags will tear up a stock mag release in very short order.

 

I think that's what the OP is going for is to try and define "short order". I'm in the same boat I'm going with the OEM mag catch and metal magazines I am going to treat it like a consumable part and replace as necessary.

I would be interested also at what round count people are seeing a functional degradation of the part and not just speculation.

 

Just buy more OEM 10-rd mags.

 

I am at over 300+ rounds through the Shield Arms mags and the factory catch, and now have the exact same experience with the aftermarket catch. The slightest press wants to release the mag, while the OEM release still held all my mags very tight when I removed it.

I am also inclined to just run OEM releases and replace them every few months. I expected it to be all bothered up, but even at 300 rounds it only had what I would honestly describe as very modest deformation.

 

I am at over 300+ rounds through the Shield Arms mags and the factory catch, and now have the exact same experience with the aftermarket catch. The slightest press wants to release the mag, while the OEM release still held all my mags very tight when I removed it.

If using the metal release means magazines sometimes drop unexpectedly I would want to find out at the range. Sometimes things like do not show up when the magazines and release is new or often enough to be noticed unless you shoot a lot of rounds through the gun.

I bought a Kahr PM9 right after they came out and were the only small 9 on the market. The early models came with a polymer magazine release. It took about 500 rounds before the metal magazines rounded off the corners and started dropping out during firing. Kahr sent me the metal replacement part for free and the problem never reoccurred. But when I first started having trouble it was just once in a while I thought the problem was my somehow accidentally hitting the release.

The real solution is Shield Arms needs to fix the design of their magazine release. Maybe if enough of you complain they will. They seem genuinely interested in reputation of their products.

I am tempted to take a polymer magazine catch to a local CNC guy and have one made out of stainless.

 

Why not keep OEM mag release and for range use/practice, etc..., use OEM mags? Only when loading for CCW, use the S15 mag.

 

If using the metal release means magazines sometimes drop unexpectedly I would want to find out at the range. Sometimes things like do not show up when the magazines and release is new or often enough to be noticed unless you shoot a lot of rounds through the gun.

I bought a Kahr PM9 right after they came out and were the only small 9 on the market. The early models came with a polymer magazine release. It took about 500 rounds before the metal magazines rounded off the corners and started dropping out during firing. Kahr sent me the metal replacement part for free and the problem never reoccurred. But when I first started having trouble it was just once in a while I thought the problem was my somehow accidentally hitting the release.

The real solution is Shield Arms needs to fix the design of their magazine release. Maybe if enough of you complain they will. They seem genuinely interested in reputation of their products.

 

Shield arms has now come up with what I would consider a satisfactory STEEL catch. At least it’s worked flawlessly for me so far. It also is very thin so you actually have to press it in a little deeper than the surface of the handle to get it to disengage. It still does take less press then a factory but I believe substantially better than what they had before.

What I saw from watching many YouTube videos was that 200 rounds was very safe for the factory catch. But it might be a good idea to search that again for your own edification just to make sure I didn’t miss one that had trouble before then. There were several people on YouTube using the factory catch.

 

... It still does take less press then a factory but I believe substantially better than what they had before....

Most (maybe all?) of the aftermarket metal catches have level "engagement shelves" instead of tapered as the OEM catches do. This obviously makes the release lighter, because the magazine does not have to travel "uphill" to get off the catch shelf.

Are the metal catches made this way simply because it is easier to manufacture that way? Regardless the reason or cost, it seems to me that they should be tapered at the same angle as the OEM catches. That should reduce (or eliminate?) the "hair trigger" magazine disengagement.

One aftermarket catch supplier even brags about positioning the spring notch to make the release lighter. Why?

 

Where you seeing a steel catch all I've seen on their website is aluminum which some are reporting to have same issues in time.

 

They sent me one As I was having troubles with my aluminum From them as well, maybe more of a prototype thing. I’m sure it will be available in their website soon or at least I hope.

 

Me I’m sticking with the OEM mag release. I guess most people are to because they are getting hard to find. It took some looking.
https://riflesupply.com/Glock-43X-48-Magazine-Release-_p_2698.html

 

Well I hope "SOMEONE" can figure out this S15 magazine enhanced magazine release problem. I'm sitting on the sidelines waiting to pull the trigger on some of these magazines but will not until this release button issue is corrected (that's the biggest gripe I'm reading). I don't need my magazines popping out with minimum pressure on the release. Highly unacceptable to me. Am I being over cautious or bullheaded?

 

The STEEL catch they sent me has worked flawlessly so far. Some have said though that it may not be on the website yet. The emails that I’ve had with them indicated this may still be somewhat of a trial deal. They asked me for input so I sent it to them. At any rate, if you can get the steel release, or can be OK with the factory one for the time being, until the steel becomes available, and just replace it (like $4.50 apiece and I’m convinced each one will last at least 200 rounds absolute safe minimum to I’ve seen people on YouTube going 1000 rounds but I probably wouldn’t carry with that) until the steel one becomes readily available I would go ahead and do it. These magazines are awesome!

The steel one is very low profile, lower than factory Glock, and does appear to need a deeper push Then the original SA I had that failed me that was also way more prominent than the factory Glock. It’s still a little less than the factory one As far as push down by about .01 of an inch to .015 as best as I could tell with my instruments. I also feel if you carry in a more traditional holster you’d be better off Then me because I use an urban carry G2. This means that part of my problem was as the gun is essentially sitting on my thigh with the mag release being pushed often and my wife sitting on my lap for example would release the mag. That has not happened at all with a new one. And yes, I’ve had her on my lap a lot! Yahoo for testing!

 

My OEM magazine release has held up better than both the Shield arms and Aim Surplus magazine releases, and it has seen more rounds and more practice reloads.

 

Most (maybe all?) of the aftermarket metal catches have level "engagement shelves" instead of tapered as the OEM catches do. This obviously makes the release lighter, because the magazine does not have to travel "uphill" to get off the catch shelf.

Are the metal catches made this way simply because it is easier to manufacture that way? Regardless the reason or cost, it seems to me that they should be tapered at the same angle as the OEM catches. That should reduce (or eliminate?) the "hair trigger" magazine disengagement.

One aftermarket catch supplier even brags about positioning the spring notch to make the release lighter. Why?

Sadly that wouldn't fix the issue, the wear and tear to the magazine release from the s15 magazines isn't being caused by the mag rocking back and forth, its actually being caused by dropping the magazine, each time you drop a mag it basically shaves off some of the material.

 

I was not addressing the wear problem. I was talking about the problem of magazines releasing too easily.
.

 

^^^^^

Actually, the wear is caused by 'both.' Under fire, and mag presentations in and out. We are still testing, and still working closely with Shield Arms on it all. Have two SA 'all steel designs' at this writing.

Again... IF possible for you guys. "Be Patient..."


Adios.







CanyonMan

 

You ole boys need to just get out and shoot! Some on here don't even own or use any of this, they just want to troll and rant...

Since you are replying to my post...

This ole boy has done plenty of shooting. I own & use "this". I am not a troll & I am not ranting... Amigo!

You seem to think that no one else can add anything to this subject.

 

Man did you miss it friend! Was NOT "even" talking about you as the "troll..." Was making a a statement "to you," in passing that's all... Don't judge me me amigo that I Don't think anyone else can "add" to the subject! I have been doing all this posting for the benefit of all of you wanting help, and answers. I carry a 45acp! I don't much really care here on all this...

I have kept folks up to date because several have ask me too. I have done all this testing since last year, because SA has ask me too try this, and that, and report back. I have been on the phone with them for months and months, as we have talked about design and so forth for these catches, just helping out SA, and a few folks here... Pull it back in and ease up here bud. It was an informative encouraging post I wrote, just made a statement that "some" are nothing but complainers... Was not referring to you! I was just making that statement "to you," not "about you.."

This, is ONE reason I have slowed way down on posting any updates, Always turns into a mess it seems. Take NO offense. Wasn't meant 'at all' that way 'to you.' I have waded through a ton of others "opinions" since I stared all this "reporting mess.." I don't care if folks have 'opinions,' we all do.. and I have 'never argued or combated anyone's opinion...' I am merely on here, as I said, at the request of a few...


Adios,






CanyonMan
:horse:

 

CanyonMan: It's good to know that Shield Arms is aware of this magazine catch/release concern and working to correct it. I'm not only hearing it here, but every time I do a search on SA15 magazines this subject pops up one way or the other. The magazines themselves are flawless. Great news, I want some as a new G43X owner! I'm already on the waiting list with Shield Arms which I will purchase 3-5 SA15 magazines once available. But I'll hold off on the magazine catch/release from them until they've been tweaked to perfection. This is not trolling or is it a swipe at the company, I just want the best product that they offer. I hope it's soon to put this issue to rest. Great products receive great reviews.....

 

Hey, amen! I understand. You just want it all to work right... The catch is a work in progress.
As I keep saying to "everyone," Be patient amigo!

Stay safe.






CM
:horse:

 

After a couple of emails back and forth with Shield Arms, they sent me the steel low profile mag catch, as I was also having the issue with mags dropping out far too easily. The steel catch made all the difference! Mags only drop when I want them too now.

 

Update: I have about 400-450 rounds through it right now using 2 OEM and 2 shield arms mags. I'm paying close attention to how the mags seat and drop. So far no change. Both OEM and SA mags are snapping in with authority and staying snug.

If I think about it down the road I will update this thread as I shoot it more.

 

Update: I have about 400-450 rounds through it right now using 2 OEM and 2 shield arms mags. I'm paying close attention to how the mags seat and drop. So far no change. Both OEM and SA mags are snapping in with authority and staying snug.

If I think about it down the road I will update this thread as I shoot it more.

Thanks!

 

As a stop gap I modified my oem mag catch. I drilled a 1/16 th inch hole through it and pressed in an oversized pin. Then I filed it flush on the inside and outside. Now the mag notch sits right on top of the pin. I have only fired 50 rounds so far but a lot of mag insertions and it’s holding up fine.