I can't suggest whay might work better for you. I can only say what I'd do, in this case no. I don't press the magazine release to insert a magazine.

 

I change them on my guns, every one. Never had a magazine launch unintended

 

Which do you use? The Ed Brown, The Wolff?

I ordered up the Wolff set which has 5 weights from stock, down to super light and everything in-between

 

I had to cut a coil of my mag release spring on my stainless trp. It was so stiff. It works so much better

 

I changed the one out on my uspsa 1911 with the one from Ed Brown and got spoiled real quick. Bought several for all my guns. So much easier than a stiff stock spring. They work great.

 

Sometimes the factory spring is too stiff. If you go with a lighter one, you want it so that it isn't so light that it gets activated while shooting or while carrying it around in a holster.
There is a happy medium. As mentioned above, sometimes just clipping a coil or two from the factory spring will give you what you want.
Good luck.

 

Wouldnt it be better to profile the bottom of the magazine catch to enable smooth insertion, while having decent spring pressure to prevent ejecting the mag? Its a pretty easy shape to improve.

 

It is profiled, smoothed and buffed. But with the 1911 design, you are strong arming the catch slightly forward along the edge of the mag body before it starts to push outward. This is where you feel the resistance. Once it starts to move outward, the resistance is gone. A softer spring will help it transition from forward to outward, but maybe im overthinking it.

 

Brownells has a "kit" with 4-5 mag catch springs. Buy a kit and find the one that you like, then buy a few of the weight that you like.
I generally lighten it up a bit due to reduced had strength. Never had a problem.
WOLFF Reduced Power Mag Catch Spring, Try-Pack SKU: 969271700 (brownells.com)
Indicated as currently out of stock.
I generally use the #3.
Jim

 

The set arrived today. You were spot on, the #3 did the trick.
I started with the #1, still really stiff to insert the mag. Then #2, felt like it was almost there but there was still a hold up.
I put #3 in and mag insertion was smooth and the button doesnt feel like its a hair trigger that could accidently be bumped in the holster.
For sh!ts and giggles, I put the #4 in and while it was just as smooth, I feel like its only use would be for competition because the button can be pressed very easily.

 

The one in my Ronin was stiff too. Wolff has different strengths from Std, some extra power and a series of reduced power #1 thru #4 with #1 being just a little lighter than stock. I got a #1 and #2 to try and liked the #1 spring best. They are inexpensive and easy to change.

 

I purchased the Wolff kit

 

Same with my new Vigil CCO. Doesnt bother me, since I typically tear a new gun down and clean up the parts/replace parts regardless

 

Check out an article here by @Steve in Allentown

 

Mine is pretty much as he describes but I think the spring thats in it is just super stiff. I am going to try the Wolff kit and see if I feel a difference when inserting a magazine

 

When I put the new spring in I also cleaned up some sharp edges in the slot and some roughness on the slotted lock pin O.D.

 

Colt’s magazine catch, as well as the sear and disconnector, are MEM parts. I replace them with Harrison Design fully machined components.

 

Any fitting issues with the thumb safety?

 

I use springs from Harrison on my guns

Mag Catch Spring

Mag catch spring

www.harrisoncustom.com

 

I use springs from Harrison on my guns

Same here. As a LH shooter, I use my finger for the mag release vs thumb so some stock springs are a little too stiff.

 

Actually, I would like a heavier one, Whenever I am in and out of the car I have to check if the magazine is seated, and I am slim.

 

What spring do you have now? Ill send you the springs I have left if you want to try them out