1911 Extended Slide Release

[Good Ol' Boy]

Some of you may have seen where I recently got my first 1911, a Turkish Girson Commander. I love the gun but would really like an extended slide release as I have to do quite a bit of grip changing to release the slide with my strong hand.

This is a range toy that may possibly see some "game" use, but not a carry gun.

The WC seems to be the most popular after searching. My question is about "fitting". Of course all of the ads mention the possibility of needing minor modifications, but most reviews claim it fits in a variety of 1911's.

So, any advice here would be helpful.

 

[JTQ]

So, any advice here would be helpful.

Since you said, "any advice", most folks don't use an extended slide stop. Most release the slide stop with their off hand.

I like to look at some of these things that are generally out of reach while you have a firing grip, like the mag release button (I suspect you'll ask about the extended mag release next), and the slide release, as things that were intentionally put out of your reach while you have a shooting grip on the gun to keep you from fouling them while shooting. If you can't reach the slide stop, you can't inadvertently lock the slide back while shooting or keep the slide from locking back when the gun is empty (SIG P-Series, anybody), and you won't unintentionally drop a mag since you can't reach the mag button while you have a shooting grip. That may not be the intended reason for the design, but this is the "Glock Era" and we need to look at any possible shortcoming as being a feature.

Here's Larry Vickers on the slide release vs sling shot (with a Beretta M9/92, though) and watch how he releases the slide stop/release with his off hand, and this is with a gun that has a slide stop that is probably reachable with the right hand thumb.

 

[larryh1108]

If you can't reach the slide stop, you can't inadvertently lock the slide back while shooting or keep the slide from locking back when the gun is empty

This, exactly. Happened to me on two different 1911s over the years. I like the idea of the extended slide release and I had forgotten, over time, about how they just don't work for me. After the second gun I dropped the idea and changed it back to original. No problems since.

 

[9mmepiphany]

So, any advice here would be helpful.

I think you've been given the best advice already, but it bears repeating:

Do Not get an extended slide stop to use to release your slide with the strong hand thumb. It causes more problems than it can possible solve and it encourages less than optimal technique.

Using the support hand on the slide stop or coming over the top of the slide with the palm of the hand to release the slide are both faster and more reliable than trying to release the slide stop with the strong hand thumb

 

[Zerodefect]

Depends on your thumb. I no longer use the Vickers technique. My strong thumb can release the slide while my support hand is finding it's way back to my grip. It's faster for me. I like the DW Valor's SSL, which is a Greider part.

One of the nice things about it, I can shoot left handed, and lock the slide back by lifting my trigger finger. Can't do that with a stocker. Great for one handed drills.

 

[wally]

If you have "meaty" hands the extended slide stop lever can greatly increase your chances of premature slide lock (slide locks with rounds in the magazine). I find the left hand is "right there" to release the slide as soon as it locks in a fresh mag.

 

[9mmepiphany]

My strong thumb can release the slide while my support hand is finding it's way back to my grip. It's faster for me.

If you've just completed inserting the magazine, don't you just roll your support hand up into the grip?
Isn't your support hand thumb already just above the Slide Stop as you hand rolls into the grip?

Are your using a different technique to reestablishing the support hand's grip on the gun?
Are you taking your support hand off the gun?

 

[Zerodefect]

Sure, that's how I used to do it. Not anymore.

Once that support hand is done with the reload I rotate it onto my grip, thumb forward. My trigger hands thumb is already on the slide release. I might even hit the slide release because I slammed the mag in, as I jarred the pistol up into the thumb that's resting on the release.

The downside is, it only works with a 1911 when I have it pulled back in my face. Up and left pointing. Perfect for combat and retention, poor for USPSA / 3gun. If I want to keep my pistol pointed forward nearly on target, I can't use this technique. My thumb won't reach. And it only works with extended slide stops.

Unless I switch to a Glock. I can do this with a Glock 34/35/41 much easier. Can keep my strong arm completely stretched out in my stance with a Glock.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Well I was hoping for a little more response on my direct question than this, but oh well. I guess all these new 1911's that are sold from the factory with ESR's people are swapping them out for GI issued.

I don't use the standard, or Vickers grip. My strong hand thumb goes underneath my support hand thumb. This is just what works for me.

I have other guns with long SR's that have never been an issue for me so IDK what to say about that for other folks that have issues.

I also agree with Zerodefect that releasing the slide with the strong hand on a speed reload has always been faster for me than waiting to get the support hand back into place and using the support thumb.

 

[CapnMac]

Years ago I had an AMY Hardballer which was standard wirh extended bits.
These were drop-in fit for parts on my Series 70, so, some experimentation was done.

In the end, all the extended stuff stayed with the Hardballer, which was traded for an 03-A3 (one of my better trades).

I found that the support hand (and thumb thereupon) were already in the right spot for the slide release. At least for those times I did not slingshot the slide closed.

Hardest thing to get right if you have to fit a slide stop is if you need to stone the diameter of the pin down. All the other surfaces are fairly straight to be filed or stones into true.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Well I was hoping for a little more response on my direct question than this,

My question is about "fitting". Of course all of the ads mention the possibility of needing minor modifications, but most reviews claim it fits in a variety of 1911's.

Sorry about that. I guess I just hate to see folks go down a path with more downside than upside.

To answer your direct question. To expect any aftermarket part to correctly fit in any 1911, especially a non-mainstream one, is a fool's folly. While it may fit, after a fashion, you'll never know until it starts causing problems...bear in mind that you really won't be able to see how it is working with the link inside the frame.

I guess all these new 1911's that are sold from the factory with ESR's people are swapping them out for GI issued.

Maybe I haven't kept up with current offerings. Are there many 1911s that are being offered from the factory with extended slide stops?

I would think it would be changed out as often as folks change extended recoil spring guide rod systems back to the short GI guide rod

 

[JTQ]

Are there many 1911s that are being offered from the factory with extended slide stops?

I was going to ask if there are any being offered with extended slide stops.

 

[JTQ]

... I recently got my first 1911, a Turkish Girson Commander.

Well I was hoping for a little more response on my direct question than this, but oh well. I guess all these new 1911's that are sold from the factory with ESR's people are swapping them out for GI issued.

I don't use the standard, or Vickers grip. My strong hand thumb goes underneath my support hand thumb. This is just what works for me.

I have other guns with long SR's that have never been an issue for me so IDK what to say about that for other folks that have issues.

Since you're new to 1911's we were just trying to help you out. Sure, there is a "herd mentality" with anything, and a 1911 is no exception. The reason is, the gun is over 100 years old and folks have figured out what generally works best. We're giving you that information. Of course there is more than one way to skin a cat, and you may have found a different way. If that works for you rock on. Though as far as fitting an extended slide stop goes, I can't help you as it just isn't something a lot of folks do. However, as the old saying goes, "there are no drop in parts in a 1911".

Here are some videos that may be helpful for the new 1911 owner. They've been helpful to me over the years. Feel free to ignore them if they don't work for you.

Handgun Grip



1911 Conditions of Carry



Gunsite's Ed Head shows the draw stroke early in this GunTalkTV video



Dave Anderson, How to Lube an Auto Pistol



Hickok45 1911 cleaning and lube

 

[Jim Watson]

I have had two extended slide stops. Both were subject to premature engagement, even though the second was a Pachmayr which is angled to reduce bumping and thinner to reduce bouncing in recoil.

But they are not expensive. Go ahead and get one. If it doesn't work for you, you can either put the stock part back in or cut down the extension until it operates properly.

 

[JeffG]

On auto pistols I use the "slide release" purely as a slide lock. (Last shot hold open) never as a release. To chamber a round, I always grasp the rear of the slide, rack and release. For me, the smaller that lever is, the better.

 

[SHOOT1SAM]

Well...I just had MY version of the Kimber Centennial 1911 model built...but WITH and Extended Slide Release. As I age, and that SOB Arthur (Arthur-ritis) rears it's head, the ESR, when I felt it on my Gunsmith's personal pistol, I was like "OH MAMA!! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE????"

I don't really know if it took too much fitting; I definitely DO know, that I am looking to swap the OEM's slide locks for ESR's on ALL of my 1911's.

Sam

 

[scotty]

You folks are clearly right handed, although it is a matter of personal preference. I like to release the slide with my trigger (left) finger after a magazine change. I find that it is not so much the extended part of the extended slide release that I like but the angle of said release. Most standard releases have an angled finger surface while extended releases are 90 degrees to the frame. This is what I prefer. Most extended releases need to be fitted to have clearance around the plunger tube which weakens the extension a bit. I once had one break off even with the front of the plunger tube and found that I liked it just as well because my finger had just as much purchase due to the angle even though the lever was shorter.

 

[Rittmeister]

Tactics, philosophies, and methods aside - I own two Wilson Combat extended slide stops. One has been on my Kimber since 2001; the other has been in multiple guns that've come in and out of my possession (RIA/Girsan/Para in particular). They were drop-in for every gun I tried. I have never had an issue with premature engagement or any other problem for that matter. I've been extremely pleased especially on the Kimber - best $30 spent on that gun that wasn't ammo... I will at least try an extended slide stop in any future 1911 purchases. I find them perfect for my hands and grip whether I use it to close the slide on a new mag, or if I wish to lock the slide open - I can do it without shifting my grip.

If it works for you, go for it - that's the name of the game.

 

[entropy]

I don't like ESR's for the forementioned reasons. Mine's GI size. I flip the pistol in my hand (right handed) to push the mag release with my thumb, then drop the slide using the thumb also. then return to a two-handed grip. Left handed, I push the mag release with the middle finger, then drop the slide with the trigger finger. True, I'd never win The Bianchi Cup doing it that way, but it works for me.