STI Ranger II 9mm issue- Mag release works it's way out.

Cyanide Ride

Cyanide Ride

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Not sure if this belongs here or not, but here goes.

I have an STI Ranger II in 9mm. Functions flawlessly, but I have been noticing an odd issue.

When doing fast mag changes, when I get to about the second or third mag change, the mag release will have worked it's way out and lock itself open therefore dumping any mag inserted onto the ground.

To fix, it requires you to stop (make the gun safe) then take a small blade screw driver and turn the screw (on the ejector port side) of the mag release so it "pops" back into place.

It's as if you're trying to remove the mag release button by pressing it in and turning the screw partway and leaving it there. Locking the mag release open so it does not retain a freshly inserted mag.

Anyone have any suggestions or ideas on how to fix this?.

Thanks in advance.
 
Get a new one they are cheap! May be poorly machined, or cast and not allowing the screw/lock to seat properly in place! I actually had a spare STI mag release somewhere I will take a look for it for you! No promises though I may have given it to the guy I sold my Norc to.
 
Well, in the first place it's not actually a "screw". It looks like a screw because it has a slotted end like a screw does. But it isn't a "screw" because it doesn't have a threaded end that "screws" into the frame. It's actually a spring loaded lock. [It's called a "magazine catch lock"] Hence, pushing in the mag release button, turning the lock with a small screw driver until it clears the cut in the frame for it to be able to remove the mag release button & assembly [the lock & small spring] from the frame.

It sounds like to me that either it isn't seating properly in it's frame cut +/or the spring is weak & not putting enough tension on it to hold it in place. And then it come loose under recoil. Not seating properly might mean there is dirt or debris in the frame slot cut.

Me, I'd start by taking it out, cleaning the slot in the frame, as well as the lock & spring itself. Examine the lock itself closely to see if the small tab on it that engages the cut in the frame is damaged/chipped in any way.

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NAA.
 
I am not saying this to rip on you, but to illustrate a point here.

You have a gun which is good for about 20 rounds before it becomes a brick in your hand and requires tools to fix.

This is a gun which you described in the following terms: "functions flawlessly".

This is the exact opposite of "functions flawlessly". This is "it has a major issue which makes the gun borderline useless until it is addressed".

I expect to get roughly 100-200 mag changes between STOPPAGES on my guns. Not 1-2 mag changes between needing maintenance.

I hope your gun gets fixed and turns out to be a decent pistol. But at the moment, this is not a gun you should be remotely pleased with. For all you know, the frame was machined incorrectly and that's what's causing the mag release problem. And if the frame is seriously wrong, then the gun is seriously wrong.

Now hopefully what happens here is you got a one-in-a-thousand bad mag release, and it gets sorted out for ten bucks, and we discover that you actually do have a quality pistol.

But in the meantime, this is not a gun you should be telling people "functions flawlessly".

This is exactly why I tend to ignore "owner reviews".
 
misanthropist said:
I am not saying this to rip on you, but to illustrate a point here.

You have a gun which is good for about 20 rounds before it becomes a brick in your hand and requires tools to fix.

This is a gun which you described in the following terms: "functions flawlessly".

This is the exact opposite of "functions flawlessly". This is "it has a major issue which makes the gun borderline useless until it is addressed".

I expect to get roughly 100-200 mag changes between STOPPAGES on my guns. Not 1-2 mag changes between needing maintenance.

I hope your gun gets fixed and turns out to be a decent pistol. But at the moment, this is not a gun you should be remotely pleased with. For all you know, the frame was machined incorrectly and that's what's causing the mag release problem. And if the frame is seriously wrong, then the gun is seriously wrong.

Now hopefully what happens here is you got a one-in-a-thousand bad mag release, and it gets sorted out for ten bucks, and we discover that you actually do have a quality pistol.

But in the meantime, this is not a gun you should be telling people "functions flawlessly".

This is exactly why I tend to ignore "owner reviews".
Click to expand...

I think you're looking way too much into my post :)

It certainly was NOT a review as I have not spent enough time with it, and I was only trying to point out the fact that there was nothing else going wrong with the pistol until the mag release jammed up. Heck, I even called the catch lock a screw.

I agree with you, absolutely, a pistol of this caliber absolutely should NOT have an issue such as this that initially, seems like a small problem.

I have uninstalled the mag release and inspected the assembly, the groove in the fame is cut smooth and straight with no rough spots at all.

When you cycle the mag release however (positive presses similar to the ones made in stressful situations) you can actually see the mag catch lock slowly begin to turn counter clockwise.

I am leaning towards everyones suggestion that it may be a suspect spring.

I've emailed STI regarding a possible faulty mag release and I am in the market for a new one :)

Thanks for all the advice, I will keep you in formed.
 
STI Service got back to me within 24 hours, now that is what I call response.

He suggested that I take the spring on the mag catch lock out and inspect it. If the "rough" end of the spring is facing outwards and applying pressure on the catch lock, it could cause it to turn out after a few cycles.

Sure enough, one end of the spring was rough and the other end smooth. I turned the spring around and after 40-50 cycles of the mag release, there is no sign of the catch lock backing out. That isn't to say that it wouldn't happen, only a visit to the range can determine that.

But so far, it seems to be ok. I will order a few extra catch lock springs just to be sure.

<crossing fingers>

Thanks for all the help and suggestions CGN-ers :)
 
I had the exact same issue after doing the initial teardown and de-grime of my Norc 1911.

Turning the spring around and applying a little light grease seems to have corrected the problem - keeps the spring from binding and 'winding' when you turn the lock 'screw'.

7m7
 
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