That have metal mags?

Looking at Shield Arms Glock magazines and the advisory to use a special metal magazine release got me to wondering.

Why?

Smith and Wesson uses a polymer mag release. And I’ve never had an issue.

Edited- it appears they all do these days.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jljones,

Don't the P250/P320 and P365 use a metal catch?

I also believe Springfield XDs and Walther PDPs use metal mag catches.

Looking at the factory M&P part number they have reenforced them now with a metal tab.

I guess it is fairly common and needed.

I guess I got off track thinking about damage going the other direction with metal mag release and polymer mags. I don’t see the damage with a metal release on rifles and a polymer PMAG.

IIRC, the P320 is at least metal on the press-side. I remember having to hit it with some steel wool for some light surface rust.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
IIRC, the P320 is at least metal on the press-side.

Except for the separate small “magazine catch stop” which is plastic, the P320 mag catch is steel all the way through.

Certain models of Shadow Systems guns use a metal release and sadly the mags are made only by them and Glock mags don't fit.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
I guess it is fairly common and needed.

My understanding is, metal edge of the mag hole rubbing on the plastic mag release is not a good thing.

On the Beretta APX the polymer mag release button is attached to a post that sits inside a steel (MIM I suppose, not that it matters) sleeve. The sleeve fits in a groove or cut out in the frame and has a small metal shelf that the metal magazine 'clicks' on to.

Which would you have wear out first the mag catch or the frame? Metal on polymer wears out the polymer. That's why Larry Vickers Tango Down mag catches didn't use metal. I use Shield Arms mags as well but would rather replace the factory mag catch every couple thousand rounds than having to replace the frame.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Looking at the factory M&P part number they have reenforced them now with a metal tab.

I guess it is fairly common and needed.

I guess I got off track thinking about damage going the other direction with metal mag release and polymer mags. I don’t see the damage with a metal release on rifles and a polymer PMAG.

Actually, the m&p magazine catches have always had a metal insert. The update (done in like 2009 or so) was to make the little metal insert in the polymer catch a nitrided part. The original part was a mild steel insert and the magazines tore up the magazine catch pretty bad.

Basically everybody but Glock has a metal contact surface with the magazine body.

My El Cheapo Stoeger clone uses steel mags and magazine release.

I don't have anything to add to the polymer frame manufacturer with a metal mag/metal catch list,
but...

I bought a Shield Arms mag for my G48. I did not read about the advisory until after the purchase and was pretty disappointed about the recommendation to swap the catches if I wanted to change up the mags.

I recently discovered PSA Micro Dagger mags. They're metal 15 rounders that fit the 43X/48 but they have a thick polymer wrap-around for the front third of the mag that includes the catch. They work great and you don't have to worry about swapping the catch when you go back to using an OEM Glock mag.