Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Not really. It is merely a name. They could have called it "Part 37" and it would work just exactly the same. We can pretend there's some significance to which they called it if we want, but there isn't any.
Properly Reloading a Glock
- Thread starter Bobson
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Not really. It is merely a name. They could have called it "Part 37" and it would work just exactly the same. We can pretend there's some significance to which they called it if we want, but there isn't any.
PBR Streetgang
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As a Instructor trained by Glock, I teach that you grasp the slide weak hand as if you are cupping the top of the slide, thumb to the rear, pull back and release. Some grab the back sides of the slide by pinching it between their thumb and forefinger but Glock teaches all actions to be gross motor skills over fine motor skills.
As a police officer I taught you should try never to shoot your semi-auto dry.always reload before,it's quicker and safer....
As a police officer I taught you should try never to shoot your semi-auto dry.always reload before,it's quicker and safer....
Yelovitz_503
Member
Generally I do a slingshot on my 17, but I'll do a slide-stop-drop if I'm in a rush. Even if eventually you do see some wear that would be a cheap part to order from the folks at Glock.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
If you can't do a slide stop drop because you lost your fine motor skills, how did you manage to hit the magazine release to eject the empty mag, then? Let alone pull the trigger.
ny32182
Member
The speed difference is actually a lot, especially percentage-wise, between the two. Hit the button to drop the slide is far faster in the event it doesn't close from seating the magazine. This fact represents 99% of the reason I switched to an M&P from a Glock this year (I am a lefty)
I've never seen a slide catch, much less a slide, wear out from this. If you manage to do so, you win the award, and have spent enough on ammo for a whole new truckload of guns. Yet all you'd probably need is a ~$5 slide catch... if something is going to wear out first, it will be the softer (and in this case much cheaper) part.
I used to do the slingshot back when I thought it was "universal", and I spent a little bit of time shooting several different platforms... one thing I noticed, just one example; it is a good way to turn the safety on accidentally with a Beretta or S&W 1006. And that is just no fun for anyone. So while it is more universal, it is not completely universal, and if you shoot the same gun all the time especially, you are just costing yourself time. Whether that matters to you, is dictated by your use.
I've never seen a slide catch, much less a slide, wear out from this. If you manage to do so, you win the award, and have spent enough on ammo for a whole new truckload of guns. Yet all you'd probably need is a ~$5 slide catch... if something is going to wear out first, it will be the softer (and in this case much cheaper) part.
I used to do the slingshot back when I thought it was "universal", and I spent a little bit of time shooting several different platforms... one thing I noticed, just one example; it is a good way to turn the safety on accidentally with a Beretta or S&W 1006. And that is just no fun for anyone. So while it is more universal, it is not completely universal, and if you shoot the same gun all the time especially, you are just costing yourself time. Whether that matters to you, is dictated by your use.
Shawn Dodson
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What's it's function? To lock the slide open. That's the only time I ever touch it - when I want to lock the slide open.
Shawn Dodson
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The same thing happens when using Tap/Roll & Rack to clear a stoppage. A pistol with a slide mounted manual safety lever always requires an extra step: Tap/Roll & Rack/Disengage Safety.
I always wonder the same thing.
I think a lot of the dogma about fine motor skills degrading under stress arises from a misunderstanding of the actual phenomenon. What degrades under stress is fine motor control... things like the ability to modulate the amount of force. That's why top-level athletes in sports like golf often try to develop a swing that is controlled by the big muscles... they use the big muscles to control the amount of force under stress. But the club doesn't fly out of their hands, because the ability to exert force with small muscles doesn't go away.
A slide stop/release doesn't care how hard it's pushed, as long as it's pushed hard enough. Modulation of force is not required. Precise alignment of fingertips is not required. Find the lever, mash it. Much less control required than used when pulling the lever that fires the weapon.
Blackstone
Member
Its function is to lock the slide back, and to release the slide. There's no reason it can't have two functions.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
I have to completely agree. Hitting the slide RELEASE
rolleyes is so absolutely worn-in to my habits that I am not conscious of doing it. I don't believe I could accidentally forget to do it, or miss it (in some way I wouldn't automatically rectify) under any stress that would still leave me able to find a mag, find the mag catch button, and seat the mag.So, while I am polite to those who make the claim that there is a gross-motor-skill benefit to the slingshot method, and won't argue that they're wrong, I don't actually believe there is, at all. It's "truthy" but not true.
[And hey, what about this "MAG CATCH"? If it was a mag RELEASE, they'd have CALLED IT THAT. Right? So you'all that use that button to RELEASE a mag are WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!]
So ... ahem ...
coolluke01
Member
So I guess you never take an elevator down? To say the name of a tool completely defines it's uses is totally false.
The Lone Haranguer
Member
It is perfectly OK to overhand or "slingshot" your slide when reloading. I disagree with some of the reasons that are frequently put forth.
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Bobson
Member
That's been on my mind as well. I really don't see the disadvantage to using the slide-stop to release the slide, especially if an individual consistently practices the same way - which should be the case for every member of this board. The only reason I didn't do it in the past was I was taught that its bad for the firearm; but to me, it's always seemed like the ideal, faster, more efficient option.
Also, regarding the argument that slingshotting the slide is better because its the same on every automatic pistol: That may be true, but my own approach to owning firearms solves that problem too. I only own one type of handgun - period. I know a lot of people like to own a broad type of guns buy several manufacturers, but that always seemed like a poor idea to me - from a training standpoint, at least. To each his own, I guess.
ETA: Really though, unless a person is an infantryman in the military or something, I don't see the point to it. I mean, you're not going to be at a competition shooting, experience a failure in your firearm, and pick up a completely different firearm to finish the course with. Its extremely unlikely anywhere - the only reasonably likely exception I can think of is for a military member in a combat setting.
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Bobson
Member
Why is that? I've never been advised against this; just wondering what the potential damage is.
Plan2Live
Member
Now I'm confused. I read post after post that encourages practicing in a way that makes one-handed operation second nature. But if I consistently use the slingshot method of releasing the slide, which requires two hands, then what happens when my support hand is out of the fight and I need to reload? Will I then be fumbling because I'm not used to using the slide stop as a slide release? Or are we back to dragging the sights on the boot trick?
My point is, I think you can paint the scenario to favor your prefered method. Just my opinion.
And why limit this conversation to G-Lock? This question would apply to all semis,except maybe Kahr as I've heard you should never slingshot a Kahr.
My point is, I think you can paint the scenario to favor your prefered method. Just my opinion.
And why limit this conversation to G-Lock? This question would apply to all semis,except maybe Kahr as I've heard you should never slingshot a Kahr.
oneounceload
member
From the Glock Owner's Manual:
Seems whichever way floats your boat is acceptable to Glock
Seems whichever way floats your boat is acceptable to Glock
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Bobson
Member
This thread was never intended to stir up a debate as to which is better - I can't really tell you how it became that. I was just asking if what I was taught (that the slide stop option will damage the gun) was true or false.
It may very well apply to all auto pistols. I mentioned Glock as an example because its the only line of handguns I intend to own.
Deaf Smith
Member
Slower by maybe 1/10 of a second but MUCH more reliable under stress.
And guys there are two more ways...
1. Glock Bounce.
2. Ninja reload
If you never heard of those to just google abit.
Deaf
Bozwell
Member
It makes me wonder where these statements come from. I'm all but positive there's no scientific data out there on this subject, and yet people love to say it. People can aim, drop the magazine, load their next mag, etc., but the precise motor skills of hitting a slide stop lever (as they've done on every other occurrence of loading a fresh magazine into their firearm) elude them? I can't even type it with a straight face. It's just silly.
As for damaging the firearm, I'm not buying it. Use the slide stop lever if you prefer it. Otherwise, with one of the other techniques. You've got several viable options and they all accomplish the same goal.
Shawn Dodson
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So, do you "engage" the "release" to "lock" the slide open?
What's its function? It's to release the magazine. You don't manually operate it to "catch" the magazine do you?
LOL
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Bobson
Member
Your point that Glock used poor word choice in naming a particular part on a firearm is well taken.
Given the damage in my left shoulder, I am far quicker using the slide stop/release lever on all three of my Glocks (21,30,34) - if the mag insertion didn't already release it (and yes, I like it that way). OTOH, my wife can't operate the multipurpose slide lever on her M&P 9c to save her life - but she can't slingshot it, either. She has to hold the gun in tight, grip the slide, and push the grip forward. She almost never is able to lock the slide open manually. This was problematic when she had to demonstrate safe gun handling at time of purchase. We solved that by having her drop the loaded mag and insert an empty one, then rack the slide to clear the chamber and lock the slide, then drop the empty to show clear.
When I shoot a 1911, I use the release. I have, however, practiced alternative methods of one-handed slide release on every gun I've carried. I also practice shooting one-handed weak-side, which becomes increasingly difficult with age and deterioration of body parts.
Does anybody even know someone who has worn out a slide lever? Use whatever works for you. Practice it until it's second nature.
When I shoot a 1911, I use the release. I have, however, practiced alternative methods of one-handed slide release on every gun I've carried. I also practice shooting one-handed weak-side, which becomes increasingly difficult with age and deterioration of body parts.
Does anybody even know someone who has worn out a slide lever? Use whatever works for you. Practice it until it's second nature.
Blackstone
Member
Glock can call it whatever it likes, doesn't change what it can be used for.
PBR Streetgang
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The fine and gross motor movement is taken from the Glock instructor book.
Glock was very specific in how they wanted training done for LEO users of their pistols.
Glock was very specific in how they wanted training done for LEO users of their pistols.
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