[braindead0]

Just curious, do they teach you to use the slide release or handover (also called slingshot) method?

Please don't turn this into a 'my way is better than your way'. Thus the poll... ;-)

I know this debate could go on forever, I'm just curious as to what law enforcement agencies teach in this regard.

[braindead0]

Hmm, must've worded the poll right.. no comments (well, only 33 views, but usually this type of things sparks off a holy war).

[braindead0]

The good news is that people don't seem to be padding the poll ;-). Sure looks like not too many LEO's using Glocks, or at least not many want to bother with the poll.

It's instructive though, I really expected to see everybody answer "slingshot/handover".. and nobody answer 'slide release'. Perhaps what I've seen with the big 'controversy' is just that the slingshot/handover folks are more vocal.

[rauchman]

While I'm not an LEO, a good friend of mine is. They use the Glock 32, by the way, this is in Edgewater NJ. They train using the slingshot/handover method.

[braindead0]

The question is, who are those two loose cannons ;-)

[PCRCCW]

I think you need to specify whether the mags empty or full..........
Just a note.

Shoot well.

[braindead0]

I think you need to specify whether the mags empty or full
Not sure I'm following you, you mean perhaps when the gun is empty? Neither method will do much good with an empty mag inserted..;-)

[E=MC^2]

I was trained on the G19 in the mid-'90s. There wasn't really any method specified. Whatever was more comfortable. A decade later I'm still carrying a G19 daily, while I'm now an instructor.

I prefer to use the slide release during reloads. I even install the factoy Glock extended releases on mine. I practice retention reloads and am usually putting the empty mag into my pocket with my left hand while my strong hand, holding the weapon, is releasing the slide at the same time. It's multi tasking that can't be done if the second hand is required to release the slide. The method I use has developed from years of racing also. Many have trouble with it.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-4/150839/BVRTM-000_0141.JPG

[braindead0]

I was trained on the G19 in the mid-'90s. There wasn't really any method specified. Whatever was more comfortable. A decade later I'm still carrying a G19 daily, while I'm now an instructor.
Ack, doesn't that mean you'll be expelled from the official 'Glock' method?

My thought on the issue is that slide dropping with the release is the best way to do it, any handover action that is required should automatically be a tap tack roll. This way you aren't trying to train a handover/slingshot without tap and roll.. and also with.. Seems under stress you might be tempted to tap/rack/roll when all you really needed was to hit the slide release.

I think some may argue that you may drop the slide on an empty gun, then click (no boom) and do your tap/rack/roll automatically. Well, I figure that's better that racking a live round (that may save your life) outta the gun. I have yet to drop the slide on an empty gun, never seen it either (except of course intentionally).

These numbers are pretty fascinating though.

[TheFederalistWeasel]

During the Academy the vast number of handguns I saw issued were Glocks.

The instructors encouraged us regardless of handgun, to use which ever method worked best for the individual person.

[braindead0]

The instructors encouraged us regardless of handgun, to use which ever method worked best for the individual person.

Which makes perfect sense to me... but not to the evangelists I suppose.. ;-)

[tcsd1236]

Handover.

[Baby Huey]

I was trained on both a beretta and later a glock. On both, I was taught the handover, and that the lever on the side was only used to lock the slide back. Something about trying to hit the slide release while your hands are bloody, shaking etc. Also, the weak hand only, rack the slide with your duty belt.

[artherd]

I'm not LEO, but droping the slide release is the quickest by far for me.

The quicker I'm 'back in the game' so to speak, I think, the better.

I say, stick with what's comfortable and fast for you.

Hell, I've seen people speed-load revolvers quicker than I can re-load my Glock.

[kd7ctv]

I work for DOC, and we where taught to use the slide release, and thats the way I have always done it.
Our weapons are HK USPF 9MM's

[cratz2]

Not an LEO, but I've always been taught to use the handover. Originally by a 1911 fanatic/WWII vet. I was always taught that little piece of metal is called a slide stop, not a slide release. And that the military required the 1911 have one externally operable in case a horse-riding troop needed to reload.

In general, I think a gun made of solid parts of good metal should last a very, very long time even using it as a slide release shouldn't cause significant damage to the slide or the stop.

[tcsd1236]

Posted by Artherd

"I'm not LEO, but droping the slide release is the quickest by far for me. "

For a lot of people, using the slide lock lever on the Glock as a slide release requires that they change their grip. Hand over is pretty quick, since your off hand is already in the area of the gun, having just inserted a mag into the mag well. Its just a sec to move a few inches furthger up, grab the slide and release.

[Brigrat]

I always use the release. I can chamber a round quicker (albeit fractions of a second) by inserting a mag, and thumbing the slide release at aproximately the same time, than I can slapping the mag in, sliding my hand up, and slingshoting. But that is just me. I believe there is a slide release for a reason, why not train to use it??? And, not, I don't like my issued Glock 22.

[444]

Not a LEO either but I do everything with the hand over the slide. There are two reasons I decided to train that way. #1 - everything is always the same: whether I am initially charging the pistol, charging the pistol from slide-lock, clearing a malfunction, or doing a chamber check, I do them all the same way. #2 - it is a gross motor skill. The "experts" tell us that when under extreme stress our fine motor functions leave us for our flight or flight response. We are prepared to use big muscles, not thread needles. Reaching up with the whole hand and grasping the slide is a gross motor function. Hitting the slide stop isn't all that difficult but it does increase the chance of error.
I think using the slide stop is faster. However for the reasons above I have purposely trained myself not to use it. At this point I would say there isn't much difference in time for me.

[braindead0]

The "experts" tell us that when under extreme stress our fine motor functions leave us for our flight or flight response.

Except Mas, who advocates slide release/lock in Stressfire (or at least did). Because your hand is essentially 'braced' on the gun, and your thumb is pressing up against it when pushing down I'm presuming.

This poll is rather fascinating however, not sure if all the votes are Glock LEO's only... but a much larger number of slide lock users than I expected..

[stevelyn]

It is a slide stop/lock, NOT a slide release. Did ya notice that Glock made it rather flat with no obvious pronounced protrusions to positively push down on?

Hand over slingshot is the only way to reliably get the slide fully into battery. If maintenance has been lacking it's even more critical. Consider the forces at work on slide travel during firing.
Under stress, the hand over method is easiest to accomplish due to fine vs gross motor skills.

My $.02. Guess that makes me an evangalist........nope just a leo and firearms instructor, but I'm more than happy to spread the word to the lost masses.:D

[E=MC^2]

It is a slide stop/lock, NOT a slide release. Did ya notice that Glock made it rather flat with no obvious pronounced protrusions to positively push down on? Actually the "slide lock", on a Glock, is the part located above the trigger-guard area that's used for disassembly.

Also, Glock has designed a "stop" with 'pronounced protrusions' that's supplied on many LE contract sidearms. This was how 40 of our department issues arrived. I know of at least one federal agency that contracted their's this way also. I have even seen this stop shipped on a couple civilian compact versions from the factory and delivered to the Sportsmans Warehouse chain of stores. This does not include the G34 & G35, in which it's a factory feature on all.

It's common in other parts of the world for manufacturers to label the part as a "slide release", as it describes the shooter's function of the part. Not the weapon's. Particular features:
Slide release lever located on LH frame side.
Magazine release on the handle top.

[naturecop]

The reasons we were given in the academy were;
1) The "hand-over" allows you to ride a cartridge into battery if there's any resistance
2) During a gunfight you lose fine motor skills like depressing a small catch, the "hand-over" is a gross motor skill and is more likely to be imprinted in your "Muscle memory"
3) Do it the same way EVERY time to create "muscle memory" (1500-2000 repetitions).
My $0.02

[WESHOOT2]

I have observed many different LE-type Glock-users (local and not-so-local LE's, FBI, and some others, even non-American). I have seen many shoot. I noticed virtually all use the other hand (except IPSC-too shooters; they use whichever method most appropriate, usually the lever).

BTW, a Glock is just another launch platform, with no mystical properties. Just another gun.

[naturecop]

Nope, no mystical properties. But a great propensity to go bang when the trigger is pulled- which is all I ask for.

[WESHOOT2]

But no knock on Glocks.
Just another decent gun.
Like a Ruger, or H&K, or SIG or Beretta or CZ or S&W (gasp!) or Kimber or......well, most any modern gun from any quality builder of guns.
Know what I mean?

[WESHOOT2]

...they're plasticy junk that go 'boink' when you pull the trigger and they point funny too.
Except Sevigny's; his points pretty good.

[BrokenArrow]

Not that this has anything to do with anything...

But way back in 88 and 89 I wore the slide stop and notch in my Glock slide enough to cause problems. Twice. Glock replaced the stop, fixed the slide by recutting the notch. Twice.

I was using the stop as a release. They told me STOP doing that! I did. Never had any problems like that since.

I do know plenty of people who do what I did and never have a problem... Lady Luck; la belle dame sans merci!? ;)