Elightening USPSA experiance today with 97BD

[Riptide439]

Well i installed my extended mag release prior to this match and found out something very interesting this shooter was doing wrong. At 2 prior matches without the extended mag release, I was wondering why my mags would randomly loosen in the mag well.

After a few stages of frustration and more mags now completly droping free,  someone pointed out my grip on the 97 was not high enough and my left thumb was catching the mag release on recoil. The extended mag release exacerbated the issue enough that someone was able to point out my problem.

Massive range work ahead....

[1SOW]

 

One thing that helped me through (some of ) these problems (so far), is to have someone "Video:" you through some stages.
You'll see things that never entered your mind.  Having the gun up as you approach a shooting position,  where the gun and sights are as you do a mag change,  hand position,  head position,  draw and first shot procedures,  etc, etc, etc, etc.  Another shooter won't mind using your cell phone or camera to record you shooting. 

  It's amazing how obvious some mistakes are when see yourself make them.  It's NOT that obvious as you do them.  JMO

[2morechains]

When you say your left thumb is hitting the extended mag release, do you mean the heel of your hand and not the digit itself?  Can you post a pic? 

I tend to avoid really big mag releases for this reason.  I usually run an extended one on 1911's and 2011's but have not put a paddle or button on it for fear that I would bump it with my support hand.  Sometimes these things just don't help -I mean they do wonders for hitting the mag release, but having the mag fall out when you don't want it to is not good for your score... 

[Riptide439]

When you say your left thumb is hitting the extended mag release, do you mean the heel of your hand and not the digit itself?  Can you post a pic? 

I tend to avoid really big mag releases for this reason.  I usually run an extended one on 1911's and 2011's but have not put a paddle or button on it for fear that I would bump it with my support hand.  Sometimes these things just don't help -I mean they do wonders for hitting the mag release, but having the mag fall out when you don't want it to is not good for your score...

Exactly! The soft park of my thumb. My hands are not big and With the normal mag release I needed to release my grip and shift my right hand to hit the mag release. With the extended release I do not need to change my grip. I do  need to raise my thumbs higher which should also firm up my grip.

Any other advise from members here on the forum?

[2morechains]

I'm not familiar with the CZ97 or how the extended mag catch is positioned on that gun, and everyone's hands are a little different. 

However when I grip a gun with my strong hand, my middle finger is jammed up against the bottom of the trigger as far up as it will go and curls around underneath the mag catch.  My middle finger is fatter than the mag catch is tall, which basically prevents my support hand from making contact with the mag catch when I wrap both hands around the gun.  I also press the heels of both hands together far enough back on the frame which creates a small void where the mag catch is.  However if I was to use a button or paddle there is a chance I would have to redo my grip and position my support hand lower on the grip.  Plus there is the potential that on loaded gun table starts when you grab your gun you might inadvertently push down on the grip and depress the mag catch on the table.  The ensuing mag falling out of the gun is of great enjoyment to the spectators... but not so much for the person it happens to. 

As far as breaking my grip, I pretty much have to do this with all my pistols and I don't get hung up on maintaining my grip while depressing the mag catch.  One advantage of breaking the grip is when I rotate the gun so my strong hand thumb can reach the mag catch that automatically removes my index finger from the trigger.  Which is a good thing since I'm usually moving whenever I reload.  I've seen a few ADs/DQs that were the result of this. 

Anyway, just something to think about. 

[tdogg]

My last match (and my first match with the extended mag release) I was having feeding issues due to my reloads not having enough crimp.  That said I haven't had any issue with the extended mag release in practice or during that match.  In fact I really like it!  If I had any issue with it, is that it is too sharp, I'd like the outside edge rounded off a bit.

For the grip, whenever I dry fire I check to make sure my strong hand index finger lines up with my weak hand thumb (if you were to point the gun up and look at where they rest on the frame).  You really want the beavertail digging into the strong hand webbing between thumb and index finger.  I'll have to check to see where my weak hand ends up in relation to the extended mag release.  I'm pretty sure my strong hand thumb helps block my weak hand from approaching the release?

A picture would be best for these types of discussions.

Cheers,
Toby

[Riptide439]

Toby
Been practicing a much higher grip on 97 and SP01. Basically thumbs below the slide and left index finger on front of trigger gaurd. Was awkward at first  but feeling better the more I draw.  Should be ready by spring.