Swapping the mag release (revealed)

[ADN]

I think that all of the Taurus polymer pistols have the same mag release spring and bar.  Try calling Taurus and see if they will send you a new spring and mag release bar and see if they fit.  On my pistol it looks like the spring (which is really a thin metal rod) should just fit within a hole in the well of the grip but I have never had occassion to remove it.  It is not hard to work on this area at all, it just takes some practice and patience.

[mlk3454]

I called and have the mag release coming ($18 for the bar and $0.40 for the button that goes with it). I am hoping that I can figure out how to install the spring (bend thin rod) in the frame then somehow get it to fall in the slot on the release bar.

[mlk3454]

I got the parts in the mail last night. I put the new mag release in without the spring to test how it fit and it was very tight. I lightly sanded the edges and it now moves smoothly from side to side.

My trouble is with attaching the spring to the mag release. I can either put the release in the frame but can't seem to get the spring in the frame and also lined up with the hole/slot in the release, or (as I have it now) I got the spring to sit in the slotted housing but can' seem to get it out of the way to get the release in. Here are a couple quick pics to show what I am talking about and how it isn't set up like the Millennium Pros. I also tried to highlight from the bottom view the prongs of the spring that are in the way.

[justjohn7]

I'm a lefty who tried this and I love it!

When I was shopping for a sub-compact 9mm I was really drawn to the Beretta PX4 Storm--mainly because of the ambidextrous mag release. I finally "settled" for the PT111 because of price and availability and I've been completely satisfied. But Taurus could have made my decision much easier (and perhaps sell more guns) if they would refer to this easy changeover in their marketing.

Lefties do adapt, though. I got so used to using the middle finger of my left hand to pop the mag that I still try out of habit.

[kirock7]

I got the parts in the mail last night. I put the new mag release in without the spring to test how it fit and it was very tight. I lightly sanded the edges and it now moves smoothly from side to side.

My trouble is with attaching the spring to the mag release. I can either put the release in the frame but can't seem to get the spring in the frame and also lined up with the hole/slot in the release, or (as I have it now) I got the spring to sit in the slotted housing but can' seem to get it out of the way to get the release in. Here are a couple quick pics to show what I am talking about and how it isn't set up like the Millennium Pros. I also tried to highlight from the bottom view the prongs of the spring that are in the way.

Hey, mlk... did you figure out how to get the release to go back in? I have a PT111 with the same exact mag release configuration and want to switch it around... but now I'm concerned I may not be able to get it back in.
Any pointers?

[mlk3454]

No pointers. I tried knocking out the 3 grip pins with my punches but they were not moving with some good force so I decided not to go any further. With the gen 1's like I have that is the only way to get the spring back in (says an armorer I talked to) so since I couldn't get the grip pins out to remove the slide rails I ended up just sending it to Taurus. It should be back here in a few weeks.

To be honest this is the second time it has busted like this so it is going to be traded for something else when it returns.

[brw1249]

How about replacing the complete mag release on a PT938C?

[dino]

i just switched the mag release on my 24/7 pro 9mm and this really helped out thanks
it was a little hard at first but after i read the post on really pushing the release it just popped out
i wanted to switch the release because my thumb doesn't reach it with out moving the pistol off the target now i have to head to the range to see if it will help and if i like it
thanks again

[agksimon]

I just did the magazine release swap on my PT709 and once you look it over and figure it out, it wasn't hard.  This one took about 20 minutes.  The next one will go in 5 minutes or less.

[azglocker18]

hey thanks for the how-to!  I'm a righty but the mag release was digging in to my back while carrying and I couldn't figure out how to get the darn spring to move!! (I was trying to pull it out, not push it in) Got my mag catch swapped in probably 5 minutes and the gun is back on my hip and more comfortable than ever! 

~new PT111PRO owner

[munchkin]

   I changed mine over on my PT145 pro last night. No problems.  Thanks!

[45acp]

For the PT92 family:

Reversing the Magazine Release on the Taurus PT92AF

Josh Smith

When a left-hander is looking for a firearm, one thing he looks for is compatibility with his "handedness." Though the situation is improving, firearms have traditionally been geared toward the right-handers market. Some of us were "left" to adapt.

The Taurus PT92AF is a prime example of almost complete ambidexterity, with only the slide release lever being non-reversable. One of the most common misconceptions I've observed is that the magazine release is not reversable either. This is a flawed idea. This guide will help you choose firearms with ambidextrous releases, and illustrate how to reverse the Taurus 92AF's release.


Before beginning, it is of course imperative that one makes the gun "safe." This involves removing the magazine from the pistol and clearing the chamber. Here is the 15 round magazine plus the round that was removed from the chamber.



Notice this Mec-Gar magazine designed for the Taurus PT92AF has dual notches, one on each side. This is usually indicative of a pistol on which the magazine release button can be reversed.


Here is the magazine release button on the left side, or the "right hander's position," as it comes from the factory.


The first step in reversing the release is to push the button in further than is possible with the finger alone. I prefer a ballpoint pen, but most anything will work provided it is small enough. This allows the opposite (right) side to be unscrewed.


The disassembled magazine catch assembly...


...and the reversed magazine release. Installation is reverse of removal, albeit on the right side.


A function test of the reversed magazine catch.

Of course, not all left handers prefer this configuration. I, for example, would only reverse a magazine release if I were inadvertently releasing the magazine while the firearm were in use. I've not yet run into that problem, and I find my index or middle finger to be faster when reloading than my thumb. As well, the target can still be covered if one finds himself in a situation where he can make a "tactical reload," say when an attacker is down and apparently out.

Josh <><

[45acp]

Josh, my 92 uses a double stack mag and the handle is wider than I had thought especially with my chubby little fingers and trying to hit the mag release isn't easy. So my question is where can I get an extension or a new mag release button that I can tough without changing position of my hand?.

Thanks

[Majorlk]

Josh, my 92 uses a double stack mag and the handle is wider than I had thought especially with my chubby little fingers and trying to hit the mag release isn't easy. So my question is where can I get an extension or a new mag release button that I can tough without changing position of my hand?.

Thanks

I'm right-handed and swapped sides on my PT99 back in the late-80s for the same reason. I drop the mag on that gun with my right trigger finger.

[Dasho101]

It swapped, it just won't release the magazine unless I mash the pee out of it.

im having the same problem.... dose any one know how to fix that?