Videos tagged with Heel Magazine Release

The Smith & Wesson 1913 was an early semi-automatic pistol design based on the Clement patent. It featured a unique folding takedown system and a spring-loaded breech block switch for easier manual loading. However, its commercial failure was largely attributed to the adoption of a proprietary .35 S&W caliber over the more standard .32 ACP.

This video from Rock Island Auction Co. showcases a highly rare Mauser 1912/14 prototype pistol. The gunsmiths, Keith and Steve, detail its features, highlighting how it scaled up the Model 1910 and 1914 platform to fire the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. Key design elements discussed include the unique slide lock mechanism requiring a button depress and the heel-mounted magazine release. The pistol is described as a pre-WWI firearm with excellent craftsmanship. Its limited production and competition from other service pistols are cited as reasons for its lack of widespread adoption. Only 8 or 9 are believed to have been imported into the US.

Larry Vickers provides an expert review of the Swiss Army M75, the military version of the Sig P220. He highlights its adoption in 1975, its DA/SA trigger, heel magazine release, and 8-round single-stack 9mm magazine. Vickers notes the pistol's exceptional accuracy and reliability, emphasizing its rarity and value as a collector's item.

This video features Kevin from the USCCA's Gun Vault reviewing the Astra A-80 pistol. He highlights its Spanish origins, stainless steel construction, and a unique European-style heel magazine release. The review notes its resemblance to a Sig-Sauer, its adoption by Spanish police and the Lebanese military, and its reasonable secondary market price (under $300). Despite feeling good in the hand and having manageable recoil, its 34-ounce unloaded weight makes it less ideal for all-day concealed carry. The reviewer concludes it's a durable, reliable, and good value option for home defense or collection building.

This expert-level analysis from TFB TV's Mike B delves into the historical prevalence and practical reasons behind pistol heel magazine releases. It contrasts them with modern push-button designs, exploring ergonomic evolution, magazine costs, and safety considerations in different firearm use cases, from pocket pistols to duty sidearms. The discussion highlights how holster and pistol design advancements have mitigated accidental magazine drops with modern releases.

This review of the Astra Model 400, a Spanish service pistol produced from 1921 to the early 1950s, highlights its robust construction and historical significance. The video demonstrates its operation with both surplus and modern 9mm Largo ammunition, discussing its technical features like the fixed barrel blowback system, 8-round capacity, and heel-based magazine release. Expert insights emphasize the challenges of maintaining such an old firearm and the unique characteristics of the 9mm Largo cartridge.