Is one supposed to be able to reach the slide lock on a 1911?

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Not much experience with handguns here, but I was wondering if it's normal to not be able to reach the slide lock/release with my thumb on a 1911 while my hand is in a normal shooting grip. I don't have small hands.

Sure I can lock the slide using two hands, but I can't release the slide using one hand without some effort since my thumb BARELY reaches the slide release.

Oh wait. . . am I just trying to imitate something I saw in the movies? I am trying to remember now and I don't think I ever saw anyone try this in real life. . .

The question stands. . . should you be able to release the slide lock with one hand on the weapon in a shooting grip, or do I just have some form of latent Woo mind poisoning and need to learn to be happy with a two-handed technique?
 
I've noticed that too, both on 1911s and S&W metal frame pistols. To release the slide one-handed I do have to shift my grip a bit. They seem to have fallen out of favor as I don't see them advertised any more, but extended slide stops are or have been made for 1911s. Of course, the reason they fell out of favor is that they tend to jump up and engage the slide stop notch while shooting, locking the slide back while the magazine still has rounds in it. :uhoh: I suggest either A - adapting to it; B - use the thumb of your support hand; or C - cycle the slide by hand and bypass the slide stop altogether. The disadvantage to B and C is that you don't always have the other hand in play.
 
I don't have any 1911 model guns so I'm just talking firearms in general.

I believe in using the slide lock as little as possible for release, preferring the "slingshot" method.
1) Snapping the slidelock seems to be more wear on the gun
2) In a fumble-inducing crisis situation it's far better to be trained to automatically go for the large, easy to grip, slide rather than trying to hit the dinky little slide release with fingers that have turned into un-cooperative sausages.

On a related note, figuring out how to rack a slide (to chamber a round, or clear a gun) single handed is an important but often ignored aspect of gun handling. Some of the more common methods are to use a tabletop, a pocket (I ripped a pair of pants practicing this one) or kneeling down and using the heel of your shoe.

Good illustrations can be found in the book "Tactical Pistol Shooting" by Erik Lawrence
 
You have a few different options (in no particular order):
1) Use the "slingshot" method of releasing the slide
2) Use your weak hand to release the slide via the slide stop
3) Change out the slide stop for one with an extended lever that your thumb can reach.

I went with #2. I am not certain that a slide stop that you can easily reach with your thumb is a good thing; there is potential for your thumb to rest on it while shooting, preventing it from ever locking the slide. End of the world? Maybe (that "click" can be even louder than the "BANG" you expected...), maybe not.

But no, a normal thumb will not reach the slide stop without a major shift, and I wouldn't recommend doing that. My practice it to insert the new magazine with my left hand, and then hit the slide stop with that hand too (since it is nice and close at that point). Everybody has to find what works best for them.
 
I always thought that's why the slide lock was there. Yes, I think it is designed to be done one handed. That's how I always did it when I had a 1911.

The slide lock is one of the things I like about the 1911, and one of the few things I hate about the glock. The glock's slide lock is too small and stiff to operate one handed.
 
If you are left handed - manipulated the slide lock and mag release are easier to do with a finger. True for both my Glock and 1911.
 
Is one supposed to be able to reach the slide lock on a 1911?
Click to expand...
No, otherwise you could inadvertantly hold the lock down while firing and prevent it from locking the slide back after the last round. You can use your off hand or shift the pistol around in the stronghand to manipulate the slide lock (of course lefties can use the trigger finger).
 
I just added an extended release to my Kimber and problem solved. I can't imagine having such a screwed-up grip that accidentally pushing the release down would be an issue after the first time their thumb got caught in the slide notch during cycling...
 
"should you be able to release the slide lock with one hand on the weapon in a shooting grip"

Maybe

No pistol fits everyone

What 1911 with what grips...etc...etc...etc ...
 
Why God invented thumbs.

First off, opposable thumbs are handy for lots of "being human" stuff. They are particularly suited to allowing us to hold firearms, as is germain to the conversation. Secondly, we were equipped with two of them. One on each hand, normally. Assuming right handedness, take a magazine in your left hand, thumb and three smaller fingers wrapped around it. Place the tip of your index finger on the nose of the top round in the magazine to help guide it into the magwell. As the magazine enters the well, rotate your hand under the mag to slap it home. If you rotate it so the palm of your hand toward your little finger is directly below the mag, your thumb will be extended upward towards the slide stop. Slingshot method works, but I use the slide stop.
 
I don't believe so

"The question stands. . . should you be able to release the slide lock with one hand on the weapon in a shooting grip?..."

Currently I have only one 1911 at hand. This particular unit wears a set of Crimson Trace grips which, I believe, are of moderate thickness. In addition, there was a significant grip reduction done on MSH so the overall grip feels small. I wear size 7 1/2 or 8 gloves.

With all that in mind: while holding the gun in with my shooting grip, I cannot touch or release the slide stop. When I extend my thumb, it does reach to the level of the slide stop (regular EGW unit), but I can't come around the curvature of the grip to release the slide. I have to shift my grip ever so slightly.
 
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I can't reach it on any 1911 I've had either. I've just gotten into the habit of slingshotting the slide anytime I fire 1911's. But I have small hands anyway, and I don't know if an extended would even work for me.
 
Just use the sling shot method, with the slide locked back after the last round, simply load your next mag and then lightly pull back on the slide and let it go to chamber a round. Simple.:)
 
I just hit it with my off-hand right before I complete my two-handed grip after the reload. This allows me to maintain my usual firing grip with my strong hand and still being able to drop the slide. With practice it becomes plenty fast and natural.

I'm not even going to get into the asinine debate about slide catch/release vs. pulling back the slide and releasing. Both methods work, and just pick one you like best. :rolleyes:
 
I always hit it just fine on all my 1911s as well as most of my other autos including the XDs I've started carrying more latelly. The idea is to maintain sight picture dureing a reload, in a speed load the muzzle stays on target as the weak hand swaps mags the fresh mag slams home hit the slide release and continue to engage the threat. Your eyes should never leave the target.
 
Shift your grip as you reload and your thumb will reach, or as some do, use your opposite thumb. It will become 2nd nature. If you can't get use to it get an extended one, although I would not want one on a carry gun. I like small thumb safties too. Colt Commander style is just right. :)
 
I can't reach the slide lock on either my 1911 or my CZ SP-01 without seriously rotating the gun in my hand. I don't do that. I hold the gun normally with right hand, insert the mag with my left hand, then close the slide with my left thumb just before talking my hold.
 
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I always wondered this lol! I mean I know it is SUPPOSED to be able to be reached with your thumb, but I am left handed and it is the perfect distance for my longest finger, so I dont know how on earth your thumbs reath it.
 
Yet nobody complains that it's physically impossible to hit the bolt release right handed with an AR-15 unless you happen to be Mr. Fantastic.
 
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