My carry gun is typically a Ruger LC9. In the last week I noticed the magazine was going in rough. When the magazine release is pressed the magazine is not dropping freely out of the gun, it needs to be pulled out.
Looking at the magazine there is a scrape on the front of the right side extending roughly 1/2 way from the top down. This matches the location of the slide release catch (i guess you would call it). It is the part that holds the magazine in place until the slide release button is pressed.
My first thought was, is there something wrong with the mag release system? I stripped the gun down and looked. All the parts appear fine. Next thought maybe the magazine is getting old. I bought a new mag, Ruger OEM, and it promptly got a scratch on the magazine in the same spot.
Does this make sense? The mag release system, See
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/lc9.pdf page 32, parts 55 & 56, Magazine Latch and Magazine Latch Spring are having issues. Where the Magazine Latch Spring is not pushing all the way out due to a bend and / or wear.
Anyone have experience with an LC9? Does this sound like a common issue? Do you know if fixing it is simple at home, or does it need a pro? The theory of remove the spring and replace the spring after stripping the gun appears straightforward. I do not know what else would need to be done.
-Jim