Glock 20 gen 4 inadvertently dropping mags

Started by BuckeyeRifleman, May 28 2018 08:46:32 PM MDT

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BuckeyeRifleman

So I've struggled with a unique issue with my Glock 20.4 for a few years now. I shoot "warm" handloads (180gr at 1250 fps) but well within spec. Shortly after buying it right after they came out with the gen 4 I started having issues with mags inadvertently dropping out of the gun when firing. My first gun got sent back to Glock twice before they replaced the pistol in it's entirety. The problem stopped after I got a new pistol/mags, but just recently started happening again. I assumed what most would, that it was a grip issue, but it would even occur single handed.

The other day, in an attempt to see what was happening I took the pistol apart and with the magazine inserted I would give a light "whap" to the top of of the mag with a mallet. Certain mags would drop out of the pistol despite no pressure on the mag release. I discovered that those mags had a decent amount of wear on the magazine catch. The ones that wouldn't drop when hit were relatively new.

I'm not sure if grip really might indeed be the root cause of the issue, as I might be depressing the mag release slightly during recoil causing accelerated wear (the mag indent on the problem mags seems a bit rounded off.) Or if just due to the 10mm recoil its just wearing mags out much faster than normal.

A couple of options.

A) Sell my Gen 4 and buy a gen 3 SF. The smaller/shorter mag release may cause less of an issue with accelerated wear or accidental mag drops.

B) Modify/sand the stock gen 4 mag release. I think this is the cheapest option for now. Worst case a new mag release is cheap. Best case it solves the issue.

C) Modify my grip. I am hesitant to do this, as this is modifying years or training and muscle memory that is already ingrained. My other pistols are 100% reliable, and without being a braggart, I am a fairly decent pistol shooter. I really believe pressure from my support hand is causing the issue. However despite exhaustive searching, I've found little evidence of someone else having a similar issue with the Glock 20.

Just throwing this out there if anyone else has had the issue. I really like the gun, but the thought of the mag dropping out of the gun during a charging bear/lion, etc gives me a great deal of hesitation carrying it. On the other hand this particular pistol has the best trigger of any Glock I've ever owned (to include my gen 5's) so I am hesitant to part with it. I've tried a 24lb RSA without a change in the issue.

This is cross posted from ar15.com, but I figured I might get better responses here!

sqlbullet


The_Shadow

Be sure you are fully seating them by tapping them up into the well.  Pull to see they are firmly seated!
If they pull free then either the magazine catch or the notch of the magazine could be damaged.  An attempt to change the catch or clean up the notch might help.

The "10mm" I'm Packin', Has The Bullets Wackin', Smakin' & The Slide is Rackin' & Jackin'!
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tommac919

and remember mags are replaceable items... I'd personally try a new mag release first
good luck

pacapcop

Had a Gen 4 21 S/F. Had to put back strap on to thickin up grip. Resolved. Need it to Gen 3 standards. Was hitting mag release in rapid mode.