Extended slide release on 1911 types?

[Spieler]

I have slowly been replacing my usual CCW gun , G17, with a Colt 1991A1 Compact (OACP-size) and I have one concern at this point.

The 1911-types are the only pistols that I have ever had a problem with reaching and activating the slide release while maintaining a firing grip. I either have to shift my grip with my primary hand or hit the slide relase with the thumb of my support hand. This is not a serious hinderance for me, but it just bothers me a bit that I don't suffer this affliction with other pistol types.

Sooo...I have been pondering replacing the standard release with an extended 'competition' release. I am wondering if I am in the minority with this as I rarely see other 1911s, other than competetion guns, with this feature.

I'm not new to the 1911, having carried one on and off for the past 16 years or so, but I've never considered myself as one who worships at the altar of the 1911 either.

So, what's the collective opinion here? Does an extended slide release have merit on a compact carry gun or should I save my hard earned pennies for more BBs?

Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Extended slide stop on a 1911 is very subject to premature engagement with rounds left in the magazine. It can either be bumped up by the support hand thumb or just bounce up in recoil from the added weight. I have had a couple and took them off for that reason. I thought the Pachmayr with its thin, angled extension would work properly but it did not. Enough detent and plunger spring to positively keep them from prematuring was enough to keep them from working normally.

My slidelock reload has me depressing the regular slide stop with my left thumb as my left hand goes back to support a firing grip.

I'd spend the money on ammo and magazines for that little gun.

 

[1911Tuner]

Extended Slidestop

Howdy Spieler,

The extended slidestops are generally more trouble than they're worth.
They often bounce up and engage the slide with ammo still in the magazine unless the end is modified to prevent it. The extra weight of the stop is the fly in the ointment. There may be one on the market that's similar to the Wilson Bulletproof that has a step milled into it...and it works like a charm, though they don't always drop in and work without some
fine-tuning.

A simpler and cheaper solution is to pull the stop down with the weak-hand thumb just as you slap the magazine home. Faster and less fumble prone because your thumb is almost in the perfect position to grab it.

Try it a few times and see how you like it.

Luck!

Tuner

 

[BluesBear]

I believe John Moses designed the slide stop on the 1911 to be the way it is so that you have to remove your finger from the trigger to activate it.
That way when the slide slams home there is less likelyhood of it going boom unexpectedly. Same goes for the position of the magazinbe release.

As fo me when shooting right handed if I don't slingshot the slide I just use the thumb of my left hand to activate the slide stop when the hands come together for support. (AKA the Tuner method)

 

[zeke]

One of the few "mods" am liking is the Wilson extended slide stop. Have never had any trouble with premature slide engagement, but do not use the extended thumb gripping technique (for better or worse). Have found replacing stock slide stops with better quality aftermarket versions (extended or standard), alleviated other problems.

 

[stans]

I am not impressed with extended slide stops. In a defensive gun, it is more likely to be inadvertantly activated and in a defensive situation you are not likely to need more than three shots, so it serves no useful purpose. None of my 1911's have this contraption. I think they are designed just to separate a 1911 owner from his or her money.

If you really want to part with $20 or $30, go to WalMart and spend $20 on a 100 round value box of Winchester USA 230 grain FMJ 45 ACP ammo and use it for practice. You will get far more out of that than you will an extended slide stop.

 

[Wildalaska]

Seeing extended slide stops on a carry gun makes me want to flip it over sidewise and start yelling, "I cap you mo fo"

WildblingblingAlaska

 

[1911Tuner]

I Cap U

Wildman...You simply will NOT do... ROFL

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

My Chucky D came with an extended slide stop, since I couldn't reach it. Turns out it is easier to slingshot the slide anyways. Still trying to work in a replacement slide stop, just doesn't fit quite right yet...

Though it never did have any malfunctions with this one, either mechanically caused or self caused.

 

[rbernie]

I've been training myself to use the slingshot method to release the slide for a while now. Once my pistol 'collection' got big enough, it became apparent to me that each of my pistols would require a different technique to reach the slide stop *if* I used only the slide stop to drop the slide after a reload. Having a different manual of arms for each pistol just seems like a recipe for problems....

The slingshot works on everything I have, and requires no ancillary farkles to execute.

 

[Spieler]

Thanks for all the insight guys.

I have other projects and gadgets that I would rather spend my money on, but since this question was nagging at me I thought this was the perfect forum in which to air it.

I see more mags and ammo in my future!

 

[cratz2]

I was trained to never use the slide stop as a slide release so... the extended jobbies never really interested me much though I will admit that I don't game. I did have a gun that came with a Wilson extended and it never kept the slide back with ammo in the mag.

For my money, I'd never consider spending actual money on an extended stop.

 

[zeke]

Gonna have to work on my wardrobe and city slang, hafta fit in don't ya know not

 

[stans]

I see more mags and ammo in my future!

You have chosen......wisely.