Less of a gunsmithing question and more of a story...
So I'm a Mixed-Handedness person, some things feel better right handed, some feel better left handed... and although I shoot long guns right handed, I've always felt more comfortable shooting handguns lefty... which all my fellow lefties understand the struggles of what comes with that... swapping mag releases and what not...
Anyway, even though most mag release swaps are simple, and anyone with access to YouTube can do most of them on their own, I always take mine to a gunsmith. I'd much rather pay the 10-20$ then risk something going wrong. Just like what happened today.
As the smith was working on my swap, another employee came up behind him to ask him a question, which I'm assuming startled him a little bit because he flinched, causing one of the springs from the release assembly to launch clear across the room. About 2 hours, a broom, and some magnets later, the sucker is still nowhere to be found...
As easy as the "oh I'd be ***** " comes to mind, I try to remind myself as much as possible that we are all human, and the exact reason I brought it in, is because accidents DO happen, even to the experienced gunsmiths. As I watched him trying to explain what happened, sweat dripping down his face, I imagined being in his position.. and to be honest I really felt bad for the poor guy lol .
To make a long story not any shorter, on top of the countless apologies, they ordered the replacement parts and are doing what is necessary to fix the mishap.
Maybe I could have done it myself... or maybe I'd be only one burp-sniffle-fart away the same thing happening to me, but I'd be footing the bill for the replacement parts instead of them....
*shrug* Only God knows...
Happy Independence Everyone.