The following is a product review of the Glock Gen4 extended mag releases offered by Crux Ordnance. Crux Ord is an up and coming U.S. based CNC shop which states on their website to produce quality accessories tailored for the competitive shooter, everyday-carry, and tactical application.

Items being reviewed:

• Crux Ord CG-050 Extended Mag release (Glock 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34)

*Displayed on Bottom Left of photo below

• Crux Ord CG-051 Extended Mag release (Glock 43)

*Displayed on Bottom Right of photo below

I just returned home from another overseas tour and was welcomed at the door by my beautiful wife and a Christmas size pile of boxes from items I ordered while deployed. One of these was from Crux Ordnance which contained an assortment of Glock accessories which I’ve been looking forward to trying out for the past few months. I’ve decided to write this review to determine if I will actually use these parts on my everyday carry G19/G43, during Defense Pistol competitions, or steel challenge matches in Northern Virginia.

Just as most Glock shooters, I have that one large drawer on the workbench which inevitably becomes taken over with Glock parts. I’m not always in the market for new parts, but the unique appearance of the CruxOrd extended mag release had me curious at first glance. I started with a mindset of already having enough Glock parts, and initially assumed I would possibly just give these to a friend.  After a few weeks of shooting, I’ve decided that these items will be my primary extended mag release components for both IDPA defensive matches and everyday carry. I’m very familiar with all the big name Glock parts manufacturers and I’m excited to see someone else enter the stage, producing something not just new but also of higher quality.

The first noticeable difference in this particular mag release is its design; I have not seen anything too close to it on the market. CruxOrd’s extended mag releases have the similar vertical-serrated texture as an OEM mag release and a few aftermarkets, but the grooves on these are much deeper, further spaced, and they cover the full exposed area of the release. Just by holding the mag release and sliding my thumb along the serrations and comparing this texture against my five other mag releases, the CruxOrd hands-down maintains the best grip with a bare hand or glove.

Below: Described differences, displayed against an OEM style extended release.

Although I have not noticed a difference in mag change times while practicing reload drills before attending local shoots, I can tell you that I have much more confidence in establishing solid contact each and every time. Even if my depression angle is a little off, the release has always successfully engaged. When a shooter practices to gain the same contact every time and eventually becomes faster with mag changes, it is inevitable that every so often you’ll become slightly flustered over a malfunction during a match and under stressors in the tactical environment. In these scenarios it is more likely the shooter won’t engage the release at the exact angle just one time. This “one time” is what I care about MOST and this is also one of the main reasons why I’ve decided to keep this component installed on my primary Glocks.

I’m a huge fan of the tapered angles on this release. This release is not flat, which is something I’ve always wanted changed. All of the OEM style extended releases and most other aftermarkets are all flat faced with no significant contouring, just making them uncomfortable. The CruxOrd releases are raised towards the rear, and it ends at a level angle to the trigger guard up front. These angles make the CruxOrd release more comfortable/ergonomic than anything else I own. Over the years I’ve heard handfuls of complaints about some aftermarket extended releases protruding too much on compact Glock frames; I have zero complaints with the external distance of these CruxOrd releases on the G19 compact and G43 sub-compact frames. As a shooter spends more and more time behind the trigger, comfortability will play an increasingly larger role and you’ll appreciate this design.

Below: CruxOrd Extended Mag Release (CG-050) on G19 gen4

It’s easy to see that CruxOrd spends the time to produce a quality smooth finish. The release comes in one color, a black hard anodized finish that is very durable. I expect to get some scrapes may occur internally from installing/removing the part while the magazine catch spring rubs against it, but I would be surprised to experience any wear on the visible exterior. The CruxOrd mag releases are made from 6061 aluminum which is a significant upgrade from the OEM plastic.

Below: Opposing side of Mag Release (CG-050) on G19 gen4

Something else of note, the precision in which the recess for the magazine catch spring is cut appears to be just a tad tighter on tolerances than a few of my other releases. In my opinion, this is great, but this also means if you’re not too familiar with removing this part then it may take you a little extra time (seconds) to dislodge the catch spring from its seat. The “catch spring” is just a thin metal wire in the mag-well which has some tension on it which you’ll need to pull away from the mag release/mag-well. Spending a little time with a 90degree hook/pick or a small flathead you’ll get it done quickly.

As far as any concerns go with holsters, I have had zero issues with In the Waist Band (IWB) or external holsters incidentally engaging the release on my G19 and G43. As long as the holster you’re currently using doesn’t make contact with the release then you’ll be okay. Since this release contours more than others and has a little less extension overall, I think people who even appendix carry should have better luck with this design.

Overall I am very pleased with the decisions CruxOrd has made to develop this mag release. I will be purchasing one for my G34 soon. Although CruxOrd is not one of the most advertised names in the Glock industry, I highly recommend any Glock shooter to add this to their inventory. This mag release is a very inexpensive upgrade with a price tag currently at $24.99 on the CruxOrd website and it’s a no-brainer fix to the flat, uncomfortable, or plastic OEM style mag releases.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the CruxOrd Extended Magazine Release via Spotter Up. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own