GP P40 Mag Drop "Fix" Parts Kit

[Azrckcrawler]

Kit available on request as per this thread -

http://10mm-firearms.com/10mm-semi-auto-handguns/likes-dislikes-on-the-grand-power-p40-10mm/

So my kit arrived yesterday.  It includes a new mag release spring, cross pin and mag catch. I laid these parts out next to the parts from my P40 and to be honest I can see little difference between them.  Visually they are identical with the exception of a slightly larger chamfer on the lower edge of the new mag catch (new catch indicated). The new pin fits the old mag catch so I slide it thru both mag catches to compare and the part geometry all looks the same so the pin hole was not moved. Looks like I will have to get out a caliper to see if there are any small dimensional differences.






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[Azrckcrawler]

I did notice the mag catch in my gun has a lot of wear. Also during teardown I had to remove the roll pin in the grip.  It walks out of the hole after a few pulls of the trigger.  It came out really easy and looks to be well worn.  I don't even have 200 rounds thru this gun.

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[SavageOne]

Did you get the kit from Colorado Gun works?

[Intercooler]

Very interesting!

[Azrckcrawler]

Did you get the kit from Colorado Gun works?

Straight from the importer as per the linked thread.  They will ask if you feel comfortable with disassembling the gun.  FWIW my gun came apart super easy requiring only a small punch, hammer and an armorers block. 

Re-assembly was tougher, hardest part being the mag catch spring/catch.  You really need a 2.5mm assembly dowel pin that can hold the spring in relation to the catch but that does not stick out past the spring.  I left out the mag drop cross pin and placed the mag catch/spring/2.5mm dowel in the frame. Next pushed the assembly back (compressing the spring) and somehow got the cross pin thru the frame/spring/catch (from left to right). An extra set of hands would really help here. The assembly dowel drops out the other side. I then stuck the head of the punch thru the hole in the frame where the mag release goes, pried the catch forward, then pushed the mag release thru from the other side (retracting the punch when needed).

Everything else went in easy and after the usual half hour struggle with installing the slide it was back together    Not sure why but my recoil spring rod does not fit thru the slide hole very easily unless it is lined up perfectly or you push way harder than you think you need to.

Might be able to test it tomorrow if I don't have to work.

[PCFlorida]

What is your impression of the magazine release now? I find mine to be noticeably harder to push, but not so hard that it is uncomfortable to do.

[Azrckcrawler]

What is your impression of the magazine release now? I find mine to be noticeably harder to push, but not so hard that it is uncomfortable to do.

The mag release is very stiff and I can barely actuate it with my thumb.  Before the kit I had wedged a washer in between the spring and mag catch to pre-load it. I suspect the official kit has a stiffer spring as it feels like my pre-loaded homebrew experiment.   

[Azrckcrawler]

Put about 80 rounds thru the P40 on Sunday. Not enough rounds to convince me the gun is 100% but it did not drop a magazine so that is a plus.  The 180gr and 200gr loads all ran fine. The heaviest load was a 1300fps 180gr XTP over 10gr of 800x which always popped the mag out in the past.  This go-around it ran 28 rounds no problem.  Discovered the gun does not like the BBI 165gr coated projectile shape.  They would not feed at all and would hang up on the shoulder of the projectile.

Will be shooting it some more once the weather cools down and work slows a bit. Will update the thread if I find a load that ejects the magazine.

[Graybeard]

Thanks for the follow up on the mag drop fix. Those of us considering buying one of these appreciate it.

Just wondering, was "1300fps 180XTP over 8gr of 800X" a typo? I've never seen that kind of speed out of 800X with 180 XTPs until I was above 9gr.

[Azrckcrawler]

Thanks for the follow up on the mag drop fix. Those of us considering buying one of these appreciate it.

Just wondering, was "1300fps 180XTP over 8gr of 800X" a typo? I've never seen that kind of speed out of 800X with 180 XTPs until I was above 9gr.

Should have been 10gr 800x. Ammo came with a 1006 I bought.  Plain white box with "Wheelers" printed on it. It has the stoutest recoil of any 10mm load I have shot. 

[Graybeard]

Thanks, that sounds about right. Before the max data was changed I worked up to a 10gr 800X load with a 180 XTP. Totally agree, most recoil I've ever had with a 10mm load.