Do you have any fingers on the extension that might be causing the mag to rip or torque free of the gun under recoil? Can you cause it to be dislodged by pulling on it while examining the gun unloaded?

Is the magazine extension itself pressing against the grip keeping the magazine release from engaging the magazine properly (or keeping it from being fully inserted)?

Obviously, check your grip and make sure that you're not hitting the magazine release button while firing.  A new basepad w/ extension may cause you to hold the gun differently that with the standard base.

Check the tension on the magazine release button / spring, but since you said it worked with the standard base, I suspect that somehow you may be knocking it loose under recoil.

 

Any Idears?

If nothing else works, call Kel-Tec 800-515-9983 and see if they will send you another magazine release, as yours may be damaged.

Wilson – who’s glad his NAA extensions doesn’t strain the mag release

 

Probably either the extension has altered your grip and you could be hitting the mag release. Also, if your mag release (internals) is marginal, the extra torque on the mag from pulling back on the extensioon as you grip it could be the culprit.

Mostly, get more mags. ;D
That way you can experiment and compare.

 

Ok, I put plus one extensions on my 1st generation bug and during firing the mag pops loose.  This was not a problem before the plus one was put on.  Any Idears??

I know take the extension off but I like the plus one capability!!
Rips

Both I and a friend have had the same problem after adding mag extensions. In both of our P3AT's, the extension changed our grip. This caused our thumbs to contact the mag release during firing. Without the extension, about half of our ring finger hangs off of the grip. With the extension, our ring finger is forced higher up on the grip, thereby forcing our thumb higher. Our thumbs then rest directly on the mag release when firing and is further aggravated by our support hand pushing on the thumb and releasing the magazine. The mags do not release when we shoot one handed.

We both changed our grip and both guns work fine. I think he is going to remove the extensions and not have to worry about it. I have become used to the way mine shoots with the extensions and plan to leave them on at this time.

 

Rips33, the answer lies somewhere in the good responses you've received. I had a similar problem with the Bersa extension; it has happened before with other extensions. I decided it wasn't worth sacrificing reliability and ultimate concealiblilty for an extra round or extension. But that's just my way of defining the purpose of the P3AT: a deep concealment pocket gun. Any added "bells and whistles" detract from that purpose.

 

Should you discover that your grip is placing a digit on the mag release, you can file it (the button) down a little. Do it at the range so you can file a bit, shoot, file, shoot, etc, taking off just enough to git 'er done. ;D

 

Thanks guys for the advice!! I have two mags both with extensions. I will put one back to stock and go to the range and try them both and see what happens. I believe the grip is where the problem resides. Woo hoo get to pop off more rounds!!

 

I've seen this kind of problem several times (as well as unusual behavior from a gun that previously had no issues) when an extension baseplate is used with a P-32 or P3AT... even the replacement baseplate from Kel Tec.

 

I own 3 P3ATs, 2 fg and 1 sg and they all have problems with extended magazines. Two are back at KT right now. I believe that I caused this problem by my old habit of finishing the mag insert with a good palm smack. I try not to do it anymore. This never caused a problem in my other guns, but this one is a polymer mag catch with a steel magazine whose sharp edges can tear plastic.
The extensions (whether Bersa or KT +1) force the bottom of the magazine back and holds it there. When gun is fired, recoil pushes top of magazine back so that whole mag is set back about 1/16 inch. Weakened mag catch can't hold the mag anymore and it falls out. After a while it won't hold non-extended mag either and it start falling out every 3 or 4 shots. You or KT must replace mag catch.
I have devised a method for keeping the extended mags reliable and it has worked well for me. First replace mag catch. Go to a store like Home Depot and buy, for about $1.50, a clear plastic wall-corner protecter. It comes with self-adhesive strips. Cut off a 1/4 by 1 inch strip with scissors. Remove protective paper from adhesive and affix to bottom rear of magazine. This prevents mag from moving back at rear. If plastic strip is too thick to let mag go in easily, you can sand it thinner to your preference. Packer.

 

Rips33: I meant to say that you "should" replace the mag catch. The plastic behind the mag will keep it in just fine while you wait for KT to send you one. If it fits so tightly that you have to pull it out, it can't fall out even if you touch the release button and it won't work loose in your pocket either. Packer.

 

Good post(s) Packer, and a clever analysis of the problem. The steel magazine/plastic mag catch combined with a blow to the base of the mag is something I will make sure I do not get into the habit of, even if it doesn't solve Rips33's problem.

 

I have long since begun to press the mag release as I insert the mag to completely avoid its coming in contact with the plastic mechanism until it locks in.

 

I had a similar issue with my P-357sig. But after two Mag releases I just made one out of aluminum. It is a little shinny but worth the extra security of having a stronger Release.

 

Mod_Man, a bit off topic, but where did you get the .357SIG barrel?

 

Mod_Man, a bit off topic, but where did you get the .357SIG barrel?

Barrel slide and springs came in a set from Kel Tec.

 

Had that problem. Happened after installing the pinky extension which added another finger to put downward pressure on the mag. Caused the mag release button to get worn. I called KelTec and got a new mag release button for free. Took off the pinky extension, the NAA model, and now never have a problem. Without any extension, the factory designed clip fits in my hand like a glove, with my little finger actually putting an upward pressure, holding in the magazine. So, my personal opinion is to not use the pinky extensions.

 

To clarify, I am not speaking of the extra round clip. I am speaking of the pinky extension. I do not like the pinky extensions. I had put over 1000 rounds in my 1st gen p3at without any problems, then installed the NAA pinky extension, then mag drops every fire. With a new release button, and removal of the pinky stuff, no problems ever again. I checked by grip and put a death grip on my thumb to make sure I was no where close to the mag release button. Be careful to not put all trust in those posts that tell you your grip is pushing the button without you knowing. I know, I took pains to dismiss that as my problem. It was the downward force of added finger gradually wearing the mag release button down so where the mag popped out every fire.

 

Thanks, Lardog: So you think just the extra pressure at the bottom of mag causes mag catch to wear? That makes good sense and leads me to think that maybe my palm slap didn't cause mine to go bad.
Either way mine work fine with extensions (pinky or extended) now that I put plastic strip on bottom rear of mag. No more catch wear because mag can't move backwards to pressure the catch. No more mags falling out ever.
If anybody sends gun back to KT for this, make sure you send a KT extension with the gun. I had one returned without shipping reimbursement because smith said Bursa extension was problem and not KT fault. Never even changed the obviously bad mag catch! Packer.

 

Packer, please embelish on the plastic thing at the bottom of the mag. Can you produce a picture?

 

 I had put over 1000 rounds in my 1st gen p3at without any problems, then installed the NAA pinky extension, then mag drops every fire. With a new release button, and removal of the pinky stuff, no problems ever again.  

FWIW, I'm guessin that the 1,000 rounds had more to do with the mag catch failure (worn out plastic) than the NAA extension. The extra downward pressure of the NAA extension may have contributed to the utimate demise of an already worn mag catch.

Texas-Cajun, who reasons that if NAA extentions caused mag catch failure, Wilson would be in deep do do. ;D

 

Sorry, Lardog, no can do picture. Home Depot type stores sell 4' self-adhesive clear plastic corner protectors for about $1.50. Mine was called "Corner guard peel and stick" by Palm Beach plastics. It is very thin and you can cut it with scissors. Just cut 3/8 by 1" strip, peel off adhesive paper cover, and stick to rear bottom of mag. No more extension problems. Packer.

 

Had the same problem with new P3AT with mag extension. Replaced Mag release and add +1 extension had same problem. Used weak hand thumb to to hold thumb away from mag release, no more mag drop problems even with pinky rest mag extension. These little puppies jump more in your hand than most people realize.

 

I tried everything except cutting off thumb. Mag still fell out. This can definitely be a cause though, just not in my case. Packer.

 

I have a buddy with a NIB Kahr MK40 that would drop its mag after every shot. He went to great pains to ensure he wasn't bumping the mag release, yet they still dropped. Kahr finally sent him a super-stiff mag release spring which did the trick.

I wonder if pressure on the bottom of the mag toward the left side of the grip could be causing or contributing to this problem?

 

Good thinking, Pocketgun! Yes, I think pressure on the left side of extension might lever the mag away from the catch some. That might explain why, if the catch is so worn that it won't keep flush mags in, the plastic shim won't help. Packer.