45_auto said:
Sig puts a "slide catch lever" on their pistols:
Page 22& 23:
"4.4 Reloading During Shooting
When the last round in the magazine is expended, the slide will be locked back in
the open position by the slide catch lever.
1. Depress the magazine catch.
2. Remove the empty magazine.
Step 1
Step 2
3. Insert a loaded magazine, making sure it is engaged.
4. Release the slide by:
a. Pressing down on the slide catch lever or,
b. Pulling back on the slide and release"
45_auto said:
Glock puts a "slide stop lever" on their's:
Glock Users Manual:
http://stevespages.com/pdf/glock.pdf
LOADING AND FIRING
1. The magazine is filled by each individual round being pushed into the magazine from the front,
with the base of the round being pressed down first against the pressure of the magazine
spring. If using the factory supplied loading support, slip support over the magazine and place
magazine on a solid surface. Hold loading support firmly and place thumb on top of loading
device: Press down loading device against tension of magazine spring and, while keeping
support down, insert a round as far as possible. While pressing round downwards, slide support
upwards (release magazine spring) and the round will slide into its rest. Repeat operation for
subsequent rounds.
2. Introduce or insert the magazine into the magazine shaft until the magazine catch engages fully
3. Pull back the slide with free hand, and allow it to spring forwards into the final position. The
trigger finger of the shooting hand remains outside the trigger guard. The weapon is now
secured and ready to fire.
4. After the last round has been fired, the slide remains open. Remove the empty magazine from
the weapon by pushing the magazine catch (19). Insert a new magazine and
then either push
the slide stop lever (27) downwards (see photo), or pull the slide slightly backwards and allow it
to spring forwards. The weapon is now again secured and ready to fire.
45_auto said:
Colt puts a "slide stop" on their's:
That manual advises to only load the firearm with a closed slide and the hammer down...
45_auto said:
Beretta puts a "slide catch" on their's:
Page 14:
-When the last round has been fired the slide remains open (Fig. 15)
-To fire again remove the empty magazine and insert a loaded one.
-Press the slide catch to close the slide and to load the chamber (Fig. 16).
45_auto said:
Springfield has a "slide stop lever" on their's:
Page 18:
5. Depress the slide stop lever to allow slide to move forward and
load a cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.
45_auto said:
You may want to read the top of page 24.
Reloading During Shooting
When the last cartridge has been fired the slide will stay to the rear. Remove the
emptied magazine and replace it with a loaded one.
Thumb down the slide stop with the
shooting hand (Fig. 4), or draw back the slide with the other hand and allow it to snap
forward (Fig. 3). The pistol is again loaded and ready to fire.
Please don't be playing a pedantic game of what is the part called vs how is it used because many of the links I checked describe the part being used as a slide release (except for Colt who doesn't want you moving the slide at all)