George16 Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Since my Shadow 2 has a mag release pad and I installed one on my TSO, I decided to do the same thing on my X5 mag release. I drilled and tapped the mag release to accept an M3 screw using a carbide drill bit. I used a Shadow 2 mag release pad. The mag release is made of hardened steel so make sure you use a carbide drill bit if you decide to do the mod. Anyway, here are some pics: I had to grind the Shadow 2 pad to clear the grip when depressed to release the mag. So far, it works smoothly and makes it easier to do reloads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vrwm Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 That it awesome. Did you use a factory x5 release? How does it feel compared to the shadow 2? I have a springer extended release on my x5. Reminds me more of the original tso release. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 Yes I did. I removed the factory X5 release so I can drill and tapped a hole for an M3 screw on it so I can mount the shadow 2 pad. It it actually feels like a shadow 2 and TSO mag release now. It’s very nice and easy to do as long as you have a carbide drill bit and a drill press. I did the same thing to my TSO last year. I have to grind off 3mm from the factory TSO mag release because it’s too long/high with the pad installed. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MemphisMechanic Posted January 27, 2019 Share Posted January 27, 2019 Neat trick. My C.O.gun may get the same treatment! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streckjc Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 That's really interesting. I use the Springer Precision extended mag release for my X5 and I really enjoy it. I have them on my 2 full-size P320's as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted April 2, 2019 Author Share Posted April 2, 2019 Springer Precision is nice too but since I got the extra shadow 2 pad for free, I decided to just drill and tap it. It saved me $35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
streckjc Posted April 2, 2019 Share Posted April 2, 2019 11 hours ago, George16 said: Springer Precision is nice too but since I got the extra shadow 2 pad for free, I decided to just drill and tap it. It saved me $35. Absolutely. Use what you have for sure, especially if that mag release style and feel is something you're used to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellino19 Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 What size drill bit for the M3 tap, 7/64? I ended up getting a Shadow 2 button made out of a G10 from https://lokgrips.com/gun-grips/cz/cz-shadow-2/accessories/mag-release-button/ and was going to give this a shot with a spare mag catch I have. I was going to try a Strike Industries extended mag catch but it doesn't fit my X5 properly; with that I could've just got a longer M2 screw and put the pad right in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 24 minutes ago, mellino19 said: What size drill bit for the M3 tap, 7/64? I ended up getting a Shadow 2 button made out of a G10 from https://lokgrips.com/gun-grips/cz/cz-shadow-2/accessories/mag-release-button/ and was going to give this a shot with a spare mag catch I have. I was going to try a Strike Industries extended mag catch but it doesn't fit my X5 properly; with that I could've just got a longer M2 screw and put the pad right in. I used a 2.5mm drill bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellino19 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 17 hours ago, George16 said: I used a 2.5mm drill bit. Thanks man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm2953 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 You aren’t kidding about the mag release being hardened. Wow. I am going to have to order a. carbide drill bit. I had some new TIN coated bits and it won’t touch it. I made a paddle for mine instead of buying a S2 button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadyscott999 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 They are harder than wood pecker lips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 (edited) used a carbide drill bit since the mag release is hardened. It’s the same case when I did the same thing to my TSO. 2.5mm carbide bit and M3 tap. Edited June 21, 2019 by George16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 19 minutes ago, Shadyscott999 said: They are harder than wood pecker lips. One of my favorite sayings. Gets me every time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellino19 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 1 hour ago, jpm2953 said: You aren’t kidding about the mag release being hardened. Wow. I am going to have to order a. carbide drill bit. I had some new TIN coated bits and it won’t touch it. I made a paddle for mine instead of buying a S2 button. Be sure to use cutting oil with the carbide bit too. I know George said 2.5mm but I used a 7/64” bit, which is about 2.7mm, regardless either size works with the tap and some oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeros Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 On 6/6/2019 at 2:07 PM, mellino19 said: What size drill bit for the M3 tap, 7/64? I ended up getting a Shadow 2 button made out of a G10 from https://lokgrips.com/gun-grips/cz/cz-shadow-2/accessories/mag-release-button/ and was going to give this a shot with a spare mag catch I have. I was going to try a Strike Industries extended mag catch but it doesn't fit my X5 properly; with that I could've just got a longer M2 screw and put the pad right in. Can you tell me why the Strike mag release did not work with your X5? I have one in my X-compact that is working fine and I thought the mag release was identical to the X5. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellino19 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 6 minutes ago, Zeros said: Can you tell me why the Strike mag release did not work with your X5? I have one in my X-compact that is working fine and I thought the mag release was identical to the X5. Thanks. The SI mag release had a very VERY snug fit in my frame, it wouldn't move freely at all so I would've had to file/sand down the catch to make it fit better if I kept it. Like I mentioned, it would've been nice because I only would have needed a longer screw, but I have all tools at work to drilling and tapping so it worked out just as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeros Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 22 minutes ago, mellino19 said: The SI mag release had a very VERY snug fit in my frame, it wouldn't move freely at all so I would've had to file/sand down the catch to make it fit better if I kept it. Like I mentioned, it would've been nice because I only would have needed a longer screw, but I have all tools at work to drilling and tapping so it worked out just as well. Sounds good. I also think the SI release is angled when the extension is not installed, so it might have angled the Shadow2 pad out too far as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm2953 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 I managed to get my hole drilled. I used a 2.5mm carbide endMill. I can’t get a tap started now. Won’t even touch it. Brand new tap too! I might just buy a springer mag release and drill/tap it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellino19 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 1 minute ago, jpm2953 said: I managed to get my hole drilled. I used a 2.5mm carbide endMill. I can’t get a tap started now. Won’t even touch it. Brand new tap too! I might just buy a springer mag release and drill/tap it. How deep did you drill down? You can't just go a 1/4" and call it a day. You have to go a good 3/8-1/2" down so that the tap can get deep enough to start making threads or else only the tapered section/tip of the tap will go in and then bottom out where you stopped and do a bunch of nothing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted June 21, 2019 Author Share Posted June 21, 2019 1 hour ago, jpm2953 said: I managed to get my hole drilled. I used a 2.5mm carbide endMill. I can’t get a tap started now. Won’t even touch it. Brand new tap too! I might just buy a springer mag release and drill/tap it. Grind the surface to make it smooth and flat. In doing so, it’ll anneal the metal a little bit due to the heat produced by grinding. i drilled a hole about 1/4” then use an M3 carbide tap. I then finished it off with a bottoming tap so the threads go all the way to the bottom of the hole. Regular taps (pointed starting taps) doesn’t cut thread all the way to the bottom so you need to use a bottoming yap which has a flat end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm2953 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 I finally got it. I took the mag release back out and heated the tip of it with a torch until it was glowing red. That annealed it. I was then able to tap it. Works like a champ! I will post a picture of it later this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpm2953 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 I need to do some final fitting(shaping) but it works great. Did 100 rounds of 1 reload 1 and my hand never accidentally dropped a mag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellino19 Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 George, I think you should patent this now and sell it to Sig for the next X5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George16 Posted June 22, 2019 Author Share Posted June 22, 2019 4 hours ago, mellino19 said: George, I think you should patent this now and sell it to Sig for the next X5 Find a lawyer and have it done. Then we can split the profits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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