Guns with Ambi Slide Release?

[Skribs]

I'm just curious as to what models are currently in production with an ambidextrous slide release, either as a factory standard or an aftermarket option (and whether it is standard or aftermarket).

I was mainly wondering because as a lefty, the only problem I have with the choices I've made so far is that the slide release isn't ambidextrous.

 

[Quack]

M&P..

 

[boylit]

the Taurus 24/7 G2 has full ambi controls including: slide lock/release, safety/decocker and magazine release

 

[daybreak]

CZ 85b (75b ambi model) has ambi slide release and controls.

 

[labhound]

FNS-9. Totally ambidextrous (mag release, thumb safety and slide release). Just bought one Wednesday. 130 rounds through it on Thursday. No failures of any type. Accurate, soft shooting, excellent striker fired pistol.

 

[Pukindog12]

Try Bersa.

 

[Quiet]

h&k

• hk45
• hk45c
• p30
• p30l
• p2000
• p2000sk

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

A little offbeat, but ...

The H&K P7's cocking lever is also its slide release.

 

[jef2015]

The reason I bought the FNP 45 was ambi controls - decocker, safety, mag drop and slide release.

The FN line has striker (FNS) or hammer fired (FNP, FNX).

The only negative I have heard, not personally experienced, is customer service is lacking.

 

[sigarms228]

Walther PPQ.

 

[Ramone]

Well, if you 'slingshot' instead of thumbing ( or I guess a lefty would 'index-finger' it) the slide release, it shouldn't be an issue for taking it off...

unless I am mistaken (or they went and changed the roolz again) it's the recommended method for releasing it.

 

[Skribs]

Slingshot only works if there's a magazine in it. It's also very awkward with some of the releases to hit with your trigger finger. I may look into the M&P. Only issue I have with the design of the M&P is the trigger safety design (I prefer the lever style of Glock/XD/SR to the hinged style of the M&P) but I found an aftermarket trigger online that would fix that issue.

 

[LiveLife]

Skribs, S&W is changing the trigger on the M&P line and I would get the new trigger models (or request it from LGS/FFL). I have M&P40/M&P45 and if you bought the old model, even though you change the hinged M&P trigger to the aftermarket lever trigger, you still have to content with ~7-8 lb trigger pull. I did trigger job using pdf on Burwell's website and now have around 4-4.5 lb smoother and cleaner trigger pull but looks like S&W fixed the trigger in the new models.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=7977264#post7977264

Mark Dix
(413) 433-0619
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (719) 213-2261

We are in fact coming out with a cleaner, crisper trigger for the M&P pistols. The initial offering will be for the smaller calibers first- 9mm, .40, and .357Sig. The time line for a full scale production is slated for April/ May. This new trigger should be the standard for the M&Ps come summer. The reset is shorter, crisper, and smoother with none of the “false reset’ that some of the pistols have now.

The only fly in the ointment for you is we haven’t been told when the trigger will be available for the .45, as that will require additional testing as the .45 doesn’t share parts with the other calibers. We haven’t been provided pricing yet for retro-fitting current guns. This system will only be offered for pistols that have or can be setup with the thumb safety. If your .45 has a thumb safety, it will easily convert to the new trigger when it becomes available for the .45.

I hope this helps. I realize it doesn’t answer the two most important questions- when available and how much- but know it’s coming.

 

[Skribs]

It doesn't say anywhere in there that it is going to be using the lever safety instead of hinged safety.

 

[callenlee]

If I remember correctly the Taurus PT800 series are fully ambi also. Someone above mentioned the 24/7 which are striker fired, the 800s are hammer fired.

 

[wally]

Solution looking for a problem IMHO, the trigger finger of the left hand in fact usually works better than the thumb of the right hand if you need to release the slide while holding the gun in only one hand.

I which I could say the same about thumb safeties, especially on .22 pistols

 

[Skribs]

Wally, on my XDm, I have to twist my hand and bend my trigger finger at such an awkward angle in order to hit the slide stop with it. It is significantly easier to reach with the thumb of my right hand than the trigger finger of my left hand.

Maybe a different gun would be different.

 

[dcarch]

Truth be told, I don't ever use the slide release on my 1911. I was trained to do the overhand grasp, and that's what I do.

 

[LiveLife]

It doesn't say anywhere in there that it is going to be using the lever safety instead of hinged safety.

Have you shot the M&P with the hinged trigger?

I am a Glock/1911 fan but don't find the hinged trigger of M&P an issue compared to lever trigger of Glocks.

 

[Skribs]

Have you shot the M&P with the hinged trigger?

I am a Glock/1911 fan but don't find the hinged trigger of M&P an issue compared to lever trigger of Glocks.

Not yet, but I was at my LGS talking with one of the men who works there, who happens to be one of the gunsmiths (he's the guy who's put the sights on my XDm pistols). He wasn't giving me the I-read-on-the-internet-bullsmeg that most gunshop workers give, he was giving me the "I fix guns for a living, these (Glocks, Rugers, and Springfields) come in to have sights put on, and these (Smith's and Kel-Tec subcompacts) come in to be repaired."

He then proceeded to tell me exactly where the weak point was on the different guns, in the M&P it was that the plastic hinged trigger tended to have pins break. He then went on to say that if they used the Glock-style trigger or if they used a metal trigger with metal pins, that the gun would probably be perfect. He also said that while he prefers the Glock Gen 3, the Gen 4 would probably be better for me (as a lefty), and he doesn't know why they went without ambi slide release. He did agree with me that the features of the M&P fit what I wanted to, but the life expectancy of the trigger was a liability.

 

[Fishbed77]

Walther P99AS (current production) and Walther PPQ.

 

[Soldiernurse]

Finally, someone posted a "Walther". Bought a brand new PPQ 40 4" yesterday. LOL, now my PPS9 has a big brother.

BTW, I believe all of the Walther S/A's are ambi (trigger guard) mag release, as well as ambi slide release.

 

[balance 740]

Walther P99AS (current production) and Walther PPQ.

Walther has been putting the ambidextrous slide releases on the P99 for years, but S&W only imports the P99 with the single-sided slide release for right-handed use only. Very few P99 pistols came into the US with the ambidextrous slide releases, in a package called the "night sight defense kit", which came with factory night sights as well.

I'm a lefty as well. The lefty-friendly pistols I have owned that had an ambidextrous slide release were the CZ-85, H&K P7M8, H&K P30S, and a Walther PPQ.

 

[mizer67]

Not yet, but I was at my LGS talking with one of the men who works there, who happens to be one of the gunsmiths (he's the guy who's put the sights on my XDm pistols). He wasn't giving me the I-read-on-the-internet-bullsmeg that most gunshop workers give, he was giving me the "I fix guns for a living, these (Glocks, Rugers, and Springfields) come in to have sights put on, and these (Smith's and Kel-Tec subcompacts) come in to be repaired."

He then proceeded to tell me exactly where the weak point was on the different guns, in the M&P it was that the plastic hinged trigger tended to have pins break. He then went on to say that if they used the Glock-style trigger or if they used a metal trigger with metal pins, that the gun would probably be perfect. He also said that while he prefers the Glock Gen 3, the Gen 4 would probably be better for me (as a lefty), and he doesn't know why they went without ambi slide release. He did agree with me that the features of the M&P fit what I wanted to, but the life expectancy of the trigger was a liability.

No offense, but your gunsmith is full of it.

The hinged trigger is not a typical failure point on an M&P.

Trigger return springs, strikers, slide stops, sights falling off, sight paint falling out, dead triggers and autoforwarding are the typical M&P failure points. After that comes slides and barrels being replaced for accuracy issues.

Also, Smith has a lifetime warranty and sends call tags out direct to customers. My guess is your "gunsmith" LGS guy isn't seeing many 'Smiths at all for that reason alone.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Slingshot only works if there's a magazine in it.

This is Incorrect. pulling the slide to the rear works every time.