1911 (10)

Once we had settled on the magazine’s basic shape, the next question was how to hold it in the grip.

Opinions were divided between a side button that would let an empty magazine drop from the bottom of the grip and a latch at the base of the grip that had to be flipped to remove the magazine.

At first, I wanted the side button.

“That way, you can change magazines with just a slight movement of your thumb.”

Keller, however, preferred the bottom latch.

“If it’s on the bottom instead of the side, there’s less chance of pressing it by accident while carrying the pistol. The mechanism is simpler, too.”

“But it’s slower.”

“How many times do you think an army officer will change magazines in combat?”

“When the moment comes, it needs to be fast, whether it’s once or twice.”

Vogel didn’t look pleased with either option...