Do you use the slide stop lever or slingshot method to return the slide to battery?

[Bix]

. . . training geeks . . . are gonna use the slide stop.

Not all of us.

 

[doubleg]

I use the slide stop with my supporting hand while shooting my 1911. It just feels natural. Why mess up your grip when you don't have to.

 

[pax]

. . . training geeks . . . are gonna use the slide stop.

As Bix said, not all of us.

pax

 

[SuperNaut]

Uh, actually it depends.

Yeah, T-R-B doesn't work very well on revolvers...

 

[DogBonz]

it depends

I voted manual, but if the slide is already locked back, then I use the slide stop. If the slide is in battery, but the chamber is empty, then I go slingshot.

Sorry, I know that me reply probably dosent help much.

 

[sargenv]

When I'm in slide lock for my 229, if I load the mag the right way, it loads itself meaning that I need not do anything but go back on target and start shooting again. Glocks can apparently do this also.

 

[Correia]

Well, I group myself in with the Geeks, so ya'll know what I meant. We're going to personally go either way, and do just fine, either way.

 

[SuperNaut]

I won't fight my habit then, despite what the T.V. tells me.

 

[pax]

Of course we knew what you meant, Correia, but you would hardly expect me to pass up a chance to yank your chain a little!

pax

 

[fletcher]

I always use the slide stop lever unless the gun is empty.

 

[Walkalong]

I use both methods. I sometimes stick an empty brass case in the ejection port to practice clearing a jam, or manipulate a loaded round to stick chambering and practice clearing that. I don't do it much anymore, it is second nature. I rack the slide with the fingers of my left hand wrapped over the ejection port swiping out any obstruction rattleing around in there at the same time. My palm is on the other side and my thumb rides along the other side of the slide with the pad on the rear serrations. Or pretty close at least.

 

[Colt]

Both.

I slide-release new guns and polymers, and sling-shot older guns or guns of higher value.

 

[ceetee]

I generally slingshot it. It just seems natural to thrust the pistol forward and let the slide slam shut at the same time I'm resuming my firing stance. Sort of halfway like the way I've read the Israelis draw from Condition 3.

By the way, Pax, that's a great article! I'ma have to make time to go through your site again.

 

[molonlabetn]

I use the over-hand technique, exclusively... the slide-stop is for manually locking the slide back. Some pistols will release the slide if the mag is seated firmly (I don't have any of those, and wouldn't depend on that), and some pistols (such as the 1911) are quite natural to release the slide by manipulating the slide-stop with the off-hand thumb... but, it makes more sense to confirm the gun is ready-to-go before the target is re-aquired.

 

[critrxdoc]

Have to admit that I was a slide stop kinda guy until I started shooting glocks. I asked myself why is this freak'in slide stop so small and how are u supposed to release the slide w/ this? Then I read about the "slingshot method" and it is easier to pull off even with adrenalin, easier on the thumb, and uses more large muscle memory than fine motor skill. Overall, I like it better now that I have gotten used to it.

 

[Tom Servo]

Um...I just push the cylinder in from the left. What is this "slide stop" thing you're all talking about?



I was taught to use the slingshot method. As mentioned, it's good practice for failure drills, and when the stinky stuff hits the rotating apparatus, I'll still have the gross motor-skills to do the slingshot rather than having to fiddle with a tiny lever.

 

[Redhat]

As some have said, I recommend using which ever is best for that model pistol. Glock and others have a small slide stop so I would go overhand. Meretta 92...if you try overhand, watch out or you can activate the safety...ooops!

 

[sig226]

Since I've had to square off the slide stop notch on several people's autoloaders, I've taught myself not to use it for that. A lot of pistols have slide stops that are difficult to use, so teaching yourself to pull the slide back to release it ensures that you can operate any handgun you might find under pressure.

Then there are the ones that have not got an external slide stop, or release the slide by some other means. I like a method that works on everything.

 

[jdmb03]

I use overhand.

 

[1911 guy]

Return to battery versus malfunction clearance.

Returning the slide to battery under normal conditions, I use the slide stop. When clearing a malfunction or doing drills, I overhand it.

The slide stop/release was and is a perfectly acceptable method of returning the handgun to battery. This has become a topic of conversation only since the advent of pistols with vestigial controls. These are poorly executed designs, IMO, on a fighting handgun. If I have need to lock the slide to the rear and strip/reload, I want a working control, not some sheetmetal stub.

 

[HorseSoldier]

I use the slide stop/release. There's a reason why, with a proper two handed, thumbs forward grip, that you've got a digit parked right there to work the control.

I don't consider it a fine motor skill on a properly designed pistol, but I do think the vogue for slingshotting has something to do with the poor design of the factory stock Glock slide release. If you lack the fine motor skills to sweep your thumb downward, I'd question if you have the fine motor skills to find and engage a trigger.

Slingshotting (or any related technique), on the other hand, involves a lot of unnecessary movement of the non-firing hand. Time spent grabbing the slide instead of just flicking the slide stop/release is time that could be spent driving the gun back onto target and engaging.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Keep the drills few & simple. Rack it. Gross motor skill v. fine motor skill. Gloved v. ungloved.

 

[ZXD9]

I use slingshot because I'm left handed and the slide stop is not very convenient for me.

 

[airwrench]

I use overhand with my M&P, PT92 and 1911. Leaves my strong hand in position during competition and is easier for me to keep sights on target.

 

[Xenia]

I find it very very hard to use the "slide stop" lever. I am a lefty but my hands are very small too. So, I have no alternative then the "sling shot" method. (interesting term as I do it over hand myself.)