Update 30 Jan 2021
Got access to printers and black PLA material. Matches the firearm nicely. Apparently, not everyone is enamored with the zombie green extended magazines.
So here are some pics for you traditionalists (boring)
My daughter pointed out that the triangular cut-out looks like a smile and that the bolt hole looks like an eye while the three anti-slip lines look like a wrinkled forehead.
Now referring to the bright green version as the "happy Cyclopes". Kids.
Update 8:29 on 25 Feb 2020
A fellow nutter who I've been PMing with (and also we be a beta tester) suggested adding a droop to the front of the skeletonized latch so that it matches contour of rifle better.
A simple Flex command in the CAD system I am using gave it a 30 degree nose down attitude.
Update 8:57 pm on 20 Feb 2020
Latest high speed-low drag Martech tactical release - I think I can shave another 1/32 of an inch of of the base to get the design as low into the weeds as I can - while still functioning as intended.
Green was chosen for contrast. Alternatively, users will be ready for the Zombie apocalypse.
Close up
Family Members:
A - Original Ruger Magazine release.
B - 1st iteration SPEED BUTTON with TAC Grip (my marketing Fu is strong tonight)
C - lowered speed button with directional TAC Grip (or DTG for those who like acronyms).
D- ultra lowered tactical release.
E - Uber lowered skeleton tactical release.
Not shown - My interpretation of what Ruger should have supplied with the gun.
B]Update 11:57 am on 20 Feb 2020[/B]
Trying for the high speed low drag look (this is a test for 2 other design ideas).
Want to drop the mag as low to the stock as possible when engaged so it sticks out the least amount when people are going fast on the range.
Colour is for contrast purposes only (my eyes having trouble seeing black on black when test fitting).
Gives people an idea how the printer creates voids (small square piece) and supports for overhangs (ring).
Testing for clearance in depressed (actuated) state.
Still having some clearance issues that will be taken care of in the next build.
I am in the process of having stock scanned so I can better match the contours of the rifle to bottom of magazine catch (clearances).
Once I have right side done, the left handed version will be child's play.
Have another idea which I"ll be testing. Do not believe there is anything else like it on the market.
Cheers,
L
Update 11:39 am on 19 Feb 2020
Printed prototype.
Installed on rifle.
Blading away view showing how far it protrudes.
Another view on how far it sticks out. I think I can reduce the profile by another 1/16 of an inch by relieving the Arse-end to clear the stock rear protuberance.
I may also reduce the top portion a bit as you can positively engage the release by sliding your hand towards the mag well. Trying to find happy medium between function and aesthetics.
L
UPDATE: 11:06 pm PST
Here is the concept for the new extended tactical "speed" magazine release with comments.
Objective: To allow for the support hand to sweep the magazine release while moving back towards the mag well - prior to moving the hand to belt line for new magazine. Wanted something that accomplished the same task as the competition mag release buttons - without the giant dome sticking off the side of the gun like some bad growth.
Needs to clear molded guard posts flanking the OEM mag release when actuated. Elected to use a forward ramp to get the action I needed while keeping the oval shape profile (not as obnoxious). Added longer screw to act as load bearing member and to reduce bending moment as we would be putting more of a side load onto the release.
Might have to increase the size of the base oval to fit the factory opening with less slop (will act as guide to keep extension straight when applying side loads).
Elected to use 30 degree ramp angle as that is what I measured when I mocked up the `grip` I wanted to use when actuated. Rounded the edges on this face so nothing would grab (tear up or hinder) the base of the thumb when sweeping (actuating) the release.
Recessed the textured grip in the rear portion of the extension to allow conventional manipulation of the release if required.
I might turn this into a top/bottom combination once I have the basic shape to my liking. This would allow the user to "stack" the extensions depending on their preference.
Would have to include an longer screw to accommodate the additional height/strength requirements.
Comments both pro and con are welcome as always.
Comparison between my previous tactical release (dark gray) vs. speed version (transparent). Note - the height of the darker extension is twice the height of Ruger original.
A little bit wider and longer than the previous extended version.
Here is a "money" angle shot showing the flowing lines and recessed texture.
Bottom view showing recess cavity to clear protruding guards on either side of factory stock. The rear portion may have to be scalloped to clear rear protruding guards.
Section view to give you an idea of how recesses and screw fit.
Sorry in advance for poor picture quality - phone wasn't the best for macro shots.
Wasn't happy with the factory catch.
From previous post:
<snip>
The stock magazine release is pretty poorly designed.
Requires you to push it level with the stock in order to disengage.
Depending on tolerances, it may require you to push the button below the stock.
This requires the user to use the ends of their fingers/thumb instead of the side of your digit.
It requires a very deliberate action to eject a mag. Due to the sloppy fit (intentional) you have to kind of wiggle the button when engaging it.
I redesigned the button to allow for a more intuitive and positive disengagement of the magazine when pressed.
I ended up increasing the height of the stock mag button to .250 inches and added more aggressive top surface if the fingers are wet or cold.
It uses the original factory length screw.
<snip>
I'm not sure this is the same for Glock adapter as the disengagement mechanism is different (straight axial motion of the Glock adapter vs the axial to rotation motion of the Ruger adapter - the later requires a specific ramp ratio to get the "feel" right - sorta like Goldilocks and the three bears). This feel included the texture on the factory version which is primarily cosmetic (so the user knows which side the magazine release has been installed on the rifle).
In order to fix this I ended up designing a rapid prototype part that would serve my needs better.
Rev. X1 - looked like this concept wise.
Just printed out two copies of the prototype (1.24 hours) and here are some pictures with comments.
Shows the factory release next to the prototype (its 2X taller than) as well as installed on the rifle.
Note - due to the flash the part looks more layered than it actually appears in real life (i.e. the light reflection on the thin layers makes it more translucent than it appears under normal lighting conditions).
I might take the digital heat gun to it (controlled melt) to blend in the layers. Alternately, I might lightly sandblast and then use the heat gun to make it look "more factory| in appearance.
Here is installed with the factory version sitting on the stock.
Here is another view showing how much it protrudes past the guard posts.
If you use the palm of your hands it is next to impossible to engage the release accidentally.
The texture grip actually works quite nicely and isn't too aggressive on my keyboard conditioned "wussies" hands.
Here is another view showing how much it sits proud of the posts.
Note - another gun nutter supplied me with links to a button competition release which he prefers as he can drop the magazine by sweeping his week hand toward the well on his way to picking up another magazine from his gun belt.
Not a fan of the look or copying someone else's design.
I will be designing a second "speed" tactical release based on some ideas I have and some measurements of my hand.
Might have to swap out the factory screw with a longer one to act as a "structural" member for the PLA prototype.
Should get to it sometime this week and I'll post here. On the next batch I promise to use a proper camera with macro settings.
Got access to printers and black PLA material. Matches the firearm nicely. Apparently, not everyone is enamored with the zombie green extended magazines.
So here are some pics for you traditionalists (boring)
My daughter pointed out that the triangular cut-out looks like a smile and that the bolt hole looks like an eye while the three anti-slip lines look like a wrinkled forehead.
Now referring to the bright green version as the "happy Cyclopes". Kids.
Update 8:29 on 25 Feb 2020
A fellow nutter who I've been PMing with (and also we be a beta tester) suggested adding a droop to the front of the skeletonized latch so that it matches contour of rifle better.
A simple Flex command in the CAD system I am using gave it a 30 degree nose down attitude.
Update 8:57 pm on 20 Feb 2020
Latest high speed-low drag Martech tactical release - I think I can shave another 1/32 of an inch of of the base to get the design as low into the weeds as I can - while still functioning as intended.
Green was chosen for contrast. Alternatively, users will be ready for the Zombie apocalypse.
Close up
Family Members:
A - Original Ruger Magazine release.
B - 1st iteration SPEED BUTTON with TAC Grip (my marketing Fu is strong tonight)
C - lowered speed button with directional TAC Grip (or DTG for those who like acronyms).
D- ultra lowered tactical release.
E - Uber lowered skeleton tactical release.
Not shown - My interpretation of what Ruger should have supplied with the gun.
B]Update 11:57 am on 20 Feb 2020[/B]
Trying for the high speed low drag look (this is a test for 2 other design ideas).
Want to drop the mag as low to the stock as possible when engaged so it sticks out the least amount when people are going fast on the range.
Colour is for contrast purposes only (my eyes having trouble seeing black on black when test fitting).
Gives people an idea how the printer creates voids (small square piece) and supports for overhangs (ring).
Testing for clearance in depressed (actuated) state.
Still having some clearance issues that will be taken care of in the next build.
I am in the process of having stock scanned so I can better match the contours of the rifle to bottom of magazine catch (clearances).
Once I have right side done, the left handed version will be child's play.
Have another idea which I"ll be testing. Do not believe there is anything else like it on the market.
Cheers,
L
Update 11:39 am on 19 Feb 2020
Printed prototype.
Installed on rifle.
Blading away view showing how far it protrudes.
Another view on how far it sticks out. I think I can reduce the profile by another 1/16 of an inch by relieving the Arse-end to clear the stock rear protuberance.
I may also reduce the top portion a bit as you can positively engage the release by sliding your hand towards the mag well. Trying to find happy medium between function and aesthetics.
L
UPDATE: 11:06 pm PST
Here is the concept for the new extended tactical "speed" magazine release with comments.
Objective: To allow for the support hand to sweep the magazine release while moving back towards the mag well - prior to moving the hand to belt line for new magazine. Wanted something that accomplished the same task as the competition mag release buttons - without the giant dome sticking off the side of the gun like some bad growth.
Needs to clear molded guard posts flanking the OEM mag release when actuated. Elected to use a forward ramp to get the action I needed while keeping the oval shape profile (not as obnoxious). Added longer screw to act as load bearing member and to reduce bending moment as we would be putting more of a side load onto the release.
Might have to increase the size of the base oval to fit the factory opening with less slop (will act as guide to keep extension straight when applying side loads).
Elected to use 30 degree ramp angle as that is what I measured when I mocked up the `grip` I wanted to use when actuated. Rounded the edges on this face so nothing would grab (tear up or hinder) the base of the thumb when sweeping (actuating) the release.
Recessed the textured grip in the rear portion of the extension to allow conventional manipulation of the release if required.
I might turn this into a top/bottom combination once I have the basic shape to my liking. This would allow the user to "stack" the extensions depending on their preference.
Would have to include an longer screw to accommodate the additional height/strength requirements.
Comments both pro and con are welcome as always.
Comparison between my previous tactical release (dark gray) vs. speed version (transparent). Note - the height of the darker extension is twice the height of Ruger original.
A little bit wider and longer than the previous extended version.
Here is a "money" angle shot showing the flowing lines and recessed texture.
Bottom view showing recess cavity to clear protruding guards on either side of factory stock. The rear portion may have to be scalloped to clear rear protruding guards.
Section view to give you an idea of how recesses and screw fit.
Sorry in advance for poor picture quality - phone wasn't the best for macro shots.
Wasn't happy with the factory catch.
From previous post:
<snip>
The stock magazine release is pretty poorly designed.
Requires you to push it level with the stock in order to disengage.
Depending on tolerances, it may require you to push the button below the stock.
This requires the user to use the ends of their fingers/thumb instead of the side of your digit.
It requires a very deliberate action to eject a mag. Due to the sloppy fit (intentional) you have to kind of wiggle the button when engaging it.
I redesigned the button to allow for a more intuitive and positive disengagement of the magazine when pressed.
I ended up increasing the height of the stock mag button to .250 inches and added more aggressive top surface if the fingers are wet or cold.
It uses the original factory length screw.
<snip>
I'm not sure this is the same for Glock adapter as the disengagement mechanism is different (straight axial motion of the Glock adapter vs the axial to rotation motion of the Ruger adapter - the later requires a specific ramp ratio to get the "feel" right - sorta like Goldilocks and the three bears). This feel included the texture on the factory version which is primarily cosmetic (so the user knows which side the magazine release has been installed on the rifle).
In order to fix this I ended up designing a rapid prototype part that would serve my needs better.
Rev. X1 - looked like this concept wise.
Just printed out two copies of the prototype (1.24 hours) and here are some pictures with comments.
Shows the factory release next to the prototype (its 2X taller than) as well as installed on the rifle.
Note - due to the flash the part looks more layered than it actually appears in real life (i.e. the light reflection on the thin layers makes it more translucent than it appears under normal lighting conditions).
I might take the digital heat gun to it (controlled melt) to blend in the layers. Alternately, I might lightly sandblast and then use the heat gun to make it look "more factory| in appearance.
Here is installed with the factory version sitting on the stock.
Here is another view showing how much it protrudes past the guard posts.
If you use the palm of your hands it is next to impossible to engage the release accidentally.
The texture grip actually works quite nicely and isn't too aggressive on my keyboard conditioned "wussies" hands.
Here is another view showing how much it sits proud of the posts.
Note - another gun nutter supplied me with links to a button competition release which he prefers as he can drop the magazine by sweeping his week hand toward the well on his way to picking up another magazine from his gun belt.
Not a fan of the look or copying someone else's design.
I will be designing a second "speed" tactical release based on some ideas I have and some measurements of my hand.
Might have to swap out the factory screw with a longer one to act as a "structural" member for the PLA prototype.
Should get to it sometime this week and I'll post here. On the next batch I promise to use a proper camera with macro settings.
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