@Monty
Having tried shortening the pen barrel as you suggested, I meant to say this as well . . .
The "thing" about the PSI EDC Dura Click (actually called DuraClick EDC, on PSI website, FWIW), referring to the picture, is this :
At the top end of the pen you have a knurled metal ring, into which is screwed the Schmidt SKM-88 click mechanism.
The clip is below that knurled ring, which makes the clip a little bit lower (compared to the overall pen length) than on many other kit pens.
And if the picture were to show the fully retracted position of the mechanism, the clip would visually appear even a bit lower.
Frankly, I do not like the positioning of the clip on the completed pen.
The pen fits a little too high in your shirt pocket; and then the weight distribution makes it a little unbalanced, in my opinion.
So . . . if you shorten the barrel in order to dispense with the internal small plastic refill extender, the clip "lowering" effect is even greater.
The weight distribution is worsened by the barrel shortening and I just don't like the feel (or look) of the pen in my shirt pocket.
With regard to the effect of barrel-shortening on the feel of the pen in your hand when writing, there will indeed be an effect.
But that effect is hard to quantify because it depends on the size of the hand which is doing the writing.
I have large hands and there is a negative effect which is definitely noticeable for me.
My overall impression of this pen kit is that it was designed quickly and carelessly without much regard or allowance for the SKM-88 size.
Berea did a much better job of incorporating the SKM-88 click mechanism into the design of their "Blade" pen kit.
I believe that they placed a special order with the Schmidt factory, ordering click mechanisms with specially elongated "plungers" in order to avoid having to use any refill "extender". .
The result for the Berea "Blade" is a much superior pen design, in my opinion, although I am not saying that the "Blade" is an ideal design.
