DON'T use the slide release?

[LooterLefty]

The agency I work for trains to use the slide release. In the event of a tactical reload hitting the slide release out of muscle memory does not cause any negative effect but slingshotting will eject a live round that could be useful in a continuing fight.

Russian military training manuals for the Mak say to use the slide stop/release, whichever you prefer to call it. But it will cause wear on the part over time so I mostly use the slingshot method as follows: grasp the slide serrations b/t thumb and forefinger, pull back 1/8", let slide fly home.

I don't see how this could ever result in ejecting a live round, as the slide locks open only when the gun is empty.

 

[JohnKSa]

In the event of a tactical reload hitting the slide release out of muscle memory does not cause any negative effect but slingshotting will eject a live round that could be useful in a continuing fight.

If I understand correctly, you're saying that if there's a live round already chambered and you hit the slide release out of habit after swapping mags, you've lost nothing. But if you slingshot, you eject a round.

True enough.

On the other hand, if the slide is forward on an empty chamber for some reason (misfire, weak mag spring, bad thumb position) and you hit the slide release out of habit after swapping mags, you've lost precious time but if you slingshot, you're good to go.

All things considered, I'd rather eject the odd live round rather than end up thinking I have a round chambered when I don't.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I was merely commenting on how my agency trains us. Personally I think its 6 of one half a dozen of another. What matters is whatever you do, practice, practice, practice. You won't do it right either way if your not familiar with your weapon. Additionally, the chances that you stop firing, and during a tactical magazine exchange you happen to have a dud round in the chamber are no better than any other time you are firing the weapon. You will have to perform a stoppage clearence (tap the mag to ensure its seated and rack the slide.) Yes it takes a second to do that but thats what practice is for.

Just for those who are unclear a tactical reload is when you have fired your weapon and either the threat has abated or who have found cover and have a second to remove the partially expended magazine and replace it with a fresh one in case the threat resumes. You would neither slingshot NOR use the slide stop in that drill. An EMERGENCY reload is when you have fired your weapon empty and are reloading a fresh magazine. This is when you would either drop the slide or use the slingshot method. A stoppage clearance is yet another occurance where the weapon is loaded but has ceased to fire when the trigger is pulled. Whatever drill you were trained to perform at that point you should do it at eye level and retain your attention on the threat. Don't drop your weapon and your eyes to your waist to fix the problem. I think this is alot more important than the mechanics of weather or not you use your slide stop or not.

 

[JohnKSa]

Ran across another couple of pro-slingshot arguments today.

First we've already touched on--that pushing a slide release is a fine motor skill.

The second was a bit more thought-provoking. Slingshotting pulls the slide back to full travel and therefore gets the full benefit of the recoil spring power compared to merely releasing it from the lock point.

At first I thought that wasn't going to be significant, but then I remembered that I have one pistol that will occasionally misfeed the first round from a 10 round mag (10 round mags for this brand have very stiff springs) but ONLY when using the slide release--never when slingshotting.

 

[Flopsy]

I've had a few people tell me that you're not supposed to use the release, but I have to disagree on that. The very fact of its existence predicates the intent of its use. Also, I know that some law enforcement outfits train agents to use it for a tactical reload as it will be a split second quicker. [EDIT: Or "emergency reload" by jon_in_wv's definition] If you prefer a slingshot method, that works too. I say that you should use whichever method you are most comfortable using. I practice both ways so I'm familiar with each depending on the situation.

The only tangible drawback I'm aware of is that over time it will slowly erode the metal of the slide release and the spot on the slide where it catches. My position is, if the slide and/or the release wear out I'll just replace them. The release is a cheap part and the slide, while more expensive, is replaceable in exchange for being able to drop the slide in the manner I'm confortable with, and I wouldn't expect it to wear out until after years of use anyway.

I'm not aware of any safety issues unless you actually have the trigger depressed while you drop the slide.....don't do that (but you already know rule 3).

 

[1911Tuner]

Stop/Release

Flopsy wrote:

> The very fact of its existence predicates the intent of its use.<
************

Bingo. If it weren't meant to be used that way, it would lay flat against the frame. It has a checkered or serrated thumb pad for a reason.

As far as the point on full slide travel making it less likely to fail to go to battery...true...but if the gun won't go to battery reliably by using the slidestop to release it...that's a malfunction, and it should be corrected.

 

[JohnKSa]

Bingo. If it weren't meant to be used that way, it would lay flat against the frame. It has a checkered or serrated thumb pad for a reason.

The standard Glock slide stop (Glock makes a point of calling it a stop, not a release although the manual does acknowledge that it may be used as a release) comes pretty close to lying flat against the frame, and I own three other types of pistols (CZ52, PPK, P32) that don't have any provision for a slide release at all--you must slingshot them.

if the gun won't go to battery reliably by using the slidestop to release it...that's a malfunction, and it should be corrected

I agree, but on the other hand, the demonstrable extra oomph does contribute to increased reliability which I think qualifies it as another advantage to slingshotting.

The comment was made earlier in the thread that there was only one advantage to slingshotting. I think it's safe to say that there are at least three.

 

[ShelbyV8]

If you feel that using the slide stop/release will wear the stop and slide you need to get better weapons. The slide slamming into the stop, when locking the slide open puts much more force on parts than the camming action of releasing the slide.

 

[JohnKSa]

Yes and no.

Unless a part peens or breaks, shock isn't going to do much. But anything will wear if subjected to sufficient friction and time.

 

[ezypikns]

I've got a Kahr PM9.....

in which I couldn't chamber a round by easing the slide forward. I called the factory and was told to 'slingshot' the round from the mag using the slide stop release. Of course, I'd never do that with an empty chamber. Whether it's harmful or not, I just don't like doing it.