Can anyone offer some instruction?
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Ann:

Could you post on AR, to the handgun section, if there are some semi-easy instructions in changing the magazine release on a Beretta from the left side to the right side? One of our officers is left-handed. If it's not "too" involved, I'll try to swap it around for him. He asked me if I could help him out and I said I'd see what I could do. I don't know if extra/replacement parts would be required or what.

Thanks, Ann.

Take care.

Russ

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The doing of unpleasant deeds calls for people of an unpleasant nature.

I changed the mag release on my 92fs, but it has been years ago, but never fear, I seem to remember it was very easy. Just reach into the magwell with your fingers and push it around, it is just held in with spring pressure, after you feel which way it wants to go, just pop it out. Flop it over and put it in facing the other way. Just do it!

easy
low_tech

I am a leftie and have found on most pistols that it is actually easier to use the left index finger to release the mag as opposed to the strong side thumb. Especially on the double stack guns unless you have HUGE hands!

Ann,

For the purposes of this discussion there are two sides to the mag release button, I will call the button side the "BUTTON" and the other side the "SMOOTH".

STEP 1: Remove the grip panels from both sides of the grip.

STEP 2: Depress the SMOOTH. The mag release assembly will pop out.

STEP 3: Reverse the mag release assembly and put the BUTTON in the right side slot. Do this through the large hole in the left side of the grip NOT through the left side slot. You will be putting the assembly in at a slight angle (it is going in at slight angle so that the spring plate can seat on the ridge in the front of the grip). You will think that you have gone too far and the BUTTON is sticking too far out from the pistol. That's not the case, the SMOOTH is actually going to fit into the slot from inside of the grip.

The BUTTON must go in first (it won't work if you try and put the SMOOTH in first).

STEP 4: Using a finger on one of your hands, hold the mag release assembly in place while you depress the SMOOTH with a finger from your other hand until it pops in place. Remember the SMOOTH is going to fit into its slot from inside the grip. The spring pressure will then push it out flush with the grip.

Regards,

Terry

[ 05-29-2003, 08:40: Message edited by: T.Carr ]

Ann,

I just thought of a way to visualize this.

It is just like a toilet paper holder. Put one end in the slot and depress (compress the spring) and the other end goes into its slot and the spring pressure keeps it in place.

Think that will help?

Regards,

Terry

I agree with MSSmagnum for a couple reasons.

First, it's universal - you can utilize the same procedure on any other pistol you pick up.

Second, it's easier and faster if you have less-than-monstrous hands.

Third, if you're using your trigger finger to drop the mag, your trigger finger isn't inside the triggerguard while you're moving, reloading, etc.

I carried the 92 Beretta for nearly ten years in uniform and in civvies and found the lefthanded manual of arms to be no disadvantage at all.

Redial

Ann, tell Russ just to skip it, I have been training troops well over 30 years now on every thing from 1911's to Sig 220's, my department even mandates that the mag catch/release stay on the left side.As a fellow lefty let him know that it is quicker and safer,and in his "AO" if he has to go to another of the same weapon no down time.

Thanks so much, Guys! I will pass on everything to Russ and let him and his buddy decide what to do.

I appreciate all the help.

[ 05-29-2003, 18:01: Message edited by: Aspen Hill Adventures ]

Ann:

Please post to the board that I have completed the operation with no difficulty and the lefty owner is a happy guy now. Well... "happier," anyway. We're still in Iraq.

Thanks, Ann, and please thank those who helped make the lefty officer's life a bit better. Another fine example of Americans supporting Americans.

Take care.

Russ

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The doing of unpleasant deeds calls for people of an unpleasant nature.