Which finger do you use on H&K mag releases? - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Which finger do you use on H&K mag releases?

Posted: 6/28/2017 12:22:23 PM EDT

As we are all familiar with the paddle release and how awesome it is (if used correctly), I figured I would create a poll to see which method is more common, using the index finger or middle finger. I use the index finger myself.

Posted: 6/28/2017 12:43:40 PM EDT

[#1]

Middle, and it is very ergonomic and intuitive.

Posted: 6/28/2017 1:28:55 PM EDT

[#2]

poll fail - offhand thumb

Posted: 6/28/2017 1:45:37 PM EDT

[#3]

Index

Posted: 6/28/2017 2:26:51 PM EDT

[#4]

Edit
Index finger

Posted: 6/28/2017 3:18:05 PM EDT

[#5]

I typically use both my thumb and index finger in a "pinching" type fashion.

Posted: 6/28/2017 3:45:52 PM EDT

[#6]

The correct one... Trigger finger.

Posted: 6/28/2017 6:09:25 PM EDT

[#7]

I use my middle finger.

It took a little getting used to the release, but now I love it. I wish all of my pistols had it.

Posted: 6/28/2017 6:32:57 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
poll fail - offhand thumb

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+1 offhand thumb just seems more natural to me.

Posted: 6/28/2017 6:43:07 PM EDT

[#9]

I use my thumb suckas!! Perfect fit for my big hands. Just swipe down, very fast

Posted: 6/28/2017 6:59:19 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Middle, and it is very ergonomic and intuitive.

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not if you have decades of muscle memory on normal pistols

.

Posted: 6/28/2017 9:53:30 PM EDT

[#11]

Index.

Posted: 6/28/2017 10:56:50 PM EDT

[#12]

Index/trigger finger.

Posted: 6/29/2017 1:12:26 AM EDT

[#13]

I use my thumb. My middle finger straightens out on the bottom side of the trigger guard to act as a counter support, and I push down with my thumb.

Long fingers, and I'm a lefty. Love the HK mag release.

Posted: 6/29/2017 10:22:05 AM EDT

[#14]

I pinch as well. I have been shooting my HK's more lately and am beginning to think the HK mag releases are my preferred mag release. The motion seems so natural.

Posted: 6/29/2017 10:29:33 AM EDT

[#15]

Middle as it allows me to have my "safe" engaged. That is, my index finger along the slide.

Posted: 6/30/2017 12:06:25 AM EDT

[#16]

Index

Posted: 6/30/2017 2:26:28 AM EDT

[#17]

On my two VP9s, I have no issue hitting the mag release with my thumb. On my USP, however, I have to use my trigger finger.

Posted: 6/30/2017 1:35:13 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:

not if you have decades of muscle memory on normal pistols

.

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I grew up on 1911's and BHP's, shot Glocks for a long time. After decades of building muscle memory with "American style" magazine releases I switched to HK's. Only took one class before I was comfortable (and faster) with the paddle. YMMV, but I would never, ever willingly go back to a pistol with an "American style" magazine release.

What's a "normal pistol" anyways?

And I'm an index finger guy.

Posted: 6/30/2017 8:34:01 PM EDT

[#19]

Bof!

Posted: 6/30/2017 11:00:09 PM EDT

[#20]

Quote History

Quoted:
I typically use both my thumb and index finger in a "pinching" type fashion.

View Quote

This.

Posted: 7/1/2017 11:18:22 AM EDT

[#21]

Quote History

Quoted:

I grew up on 1911's and BHP's, shot Glocks for a long time. After decades of building muscle memory with "American style" magazine releases I switched to HK's. Only took one class before I was comfortable (and faster) with the paddle. YMMV, but I would never, ever willingly go back to a pistol with an "American style" magazine release.

What's a "normal pistol" anyways?

And I'm an index finger guy.

View Quote

Same story here. I grew up with a 1911, shot M9's in the USMC for 5 years, got out and continued with the "traditional" button style release pistols (M&P, XD, etc.). One day I was shopping for my first full-size 9mm and stumbled onto the VP9. The comfort and ergos had me sold except I was worried about the mag release being new/different and wasn't sure if I liked it or not. I bought the pistol anyway and after a week or two of fiddling with it discovered the index finger release and have never looked back. I eventually sold or traded all my other handguns and got a P30sk for CCW. Haven't looked back.

Posted: 7/1/2017 11:55:08 AM EDT

[#22]

I normally use my thumb, I've got big hands.

Posted: 7/1/2017 11:56:25 AM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
I use my middle finger.

It took a little getting used to the release, but now I love it. I wish all of my pistols had it.

View Quote

You can reverse the mag release button on M&P. I did that on mine.

Posted: 7/1/2017 3:46:20 PM EDT

[#24]

I actually prefer the paddle release on my P30L, over the American style thumb release. I think HK also got it right with the Rear of Slide, thumb/button Decocker on my v3 model. Much faster/more convenient for me, than Sig P226 style Decocker!

Posted: 7/1/2017 10:25:01 PM EDT

[#25]

I have big hands, and the thumb works well for me.

Posted: 7/1/2017 10:35:53 PM EDT

[#26]

Index on my PPQ

Posted: 7/3/2017 8:49:03 AM EDT

[#27]

Shooting hand thumb.

Posted: 11/17/2017 8:54:54 PM EDT

[#28]

Middle, when I use index my grip changes too much.

Posted: 11/18/2017 3:56:55 PM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
I typically use both my thumb and index finger in a "pinching" type fashion.

View Quote

Posted: 11/18/2017 4:06:52 PM EDT

[#30]

Quote History

Quoted:

Index/trigger finger.

View Quote

Posted: 11/18/2017 4:26:52 PM EDT

[#31]

Thumb, I assumed that it was designed to be done that way.

Posted: 11/19/2017 3:25:25 PM EDT

[#32]

Quote History

Quoted:
I typically use both my thumb and index finger in a "pinching" type fashion.

View Quote

That^.

Posted: 11/20/2017 10:14:27 AM EDT

[#33]

I've tried index, middle, thumb and thumb/index. Thumb/Index pretty good.

The paddle is polymer, wondering if this will crack/break over time using one side of paddle for mag releases.

Posted: 11/20/2017 11:45:43 AM EDT

[#34]

Love the VP9, love the HK mag release paddle....now if I could just stop riding the slide catch....

Posted: 11/20/2017 11:51:33 AM EDT

[#35]

When I was far younger and before I started shooting handguns, my oldest brother got me a little Walther P99 airsoft gun. Consequently I STILL have more muscle memory with a paddle release than a button.

Trigger finger all the way

Posted: 11/20/2017 10:30:03 PM EDT

[#36]

Off hand thumb preferred, still working with the index finger

Need more range time to really get my muscle memory set to the paddle release

2 VP9's...Tactical / FDE

Posted: 11/20/2017 10:47:35 PM EDT

[#37]

I "pinch" with index and thumb mostly.

Posted: 11/21/2017 8:11:00 AM EDT

[#38]

middle finger for me is easiest.

Posted: 12/10/2017 3:49:01 AM EDT

[#39]

I got in a motorcycle wreck 3 years ago and among other things I had a compound fracture of my right forearm. The tendons healed funny and my right thumb has lost a lot of dexterity so I find that the easiest thing is to use my middle finger. I hate conventional mag releases now.

Posted: 12/12/2017 12:36:43 PM EDT

[#40]

Quote History

Quoted:
I typically use both my thumb and index finger in a "pinching" type fashion.

View Quote

This right here.............

Posted: 12/12/2017 12:44:12 PM EDT

[#41]

Quote History

Quoted:
I typically use both my thumb and index finger in a "pinching" type fashion.

View Quote

Posted: 12/12/2017 4:20:45 PM EDT

[#42]

I've been shooting HKs for a while now, and I just can't get behind using my index finger--my finger simply won't bend that way. Once I stopped thinking about it, I found that my thumb hits the paddle as though it were a standard button just fine.

Posted: 12/21/2017 6:28:04 PM EDT

[#43]

Middle finger, right handed, right side

Posted: 1/22/2018 10:49:51 AM EDT

[#44]

Thumb.

Posted: 1/22/2018 11:06:23 AM EDT

[#45]

Middle

Posted: 1/22/2018 12:05:54 PM EDT

[#46]

Quote History

Quoted:
poll fail - offhand thumb

View Quote

This. I keep using my trigger finger, but only because I haven't been training myself to use the offhand thumb.

I hadn't thought of using the middle finger honestly, but, I think it would be the slowest of the methods.

Using your offhand thumb is faster in regards to releasing the mag, but, it leaves your offhand on the gun longer, meaning that hand is not immediately moving towards a fresh mag.

Using your trigger finger takes a split second longer than using your offhand thumb to actually actuate and release the mag, but, it allows your offhand to immediately go for the fresh mag, and , it takes your trigger finger out of the trigger guard ( which is a plus on a range, but not necessarily in a SD situation).

Using your middle finger would be slower to the release as it requires you to release your grip some on your firing hand. It still allows for the offhand to reach for a fresh mag immediately. But, sitting here and doing it, it seems counter to what you want to do. The thing I like about the HK paddle release is that you don't have to move your hand to reach or activate the mag release like on a traditional grip mounted press button release.

Just trying all the methods on my P30 as I type this , I think the offhand thumb is the best of them all, even if it keeps the support hand on the gun longer. I think the .5 sec it stays on the grip, is balanced out with the .5 sec it takes for the trigger finger to actuate the release.

The middle finger method takes longer, and nullifies the ability to keep your grip exactly where it's supposed to be. Being that its also you strongest finger, it is very important in the retention of the pistol, so in a close fight, it would be a liability if you had to fight for control of the pistol during the change.

Just my two cents, worth what you paid for it.