Properly Reloading a Glock

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Bobson

Bobson

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I kind of hate to start a thread for this, but I need to check what I was taught.

Say you're at the range shooting a Glock - which model is probably irrelevant, but let's say a G19 for simplicity. You insert the first magazine, fire the 15 rounds, and drop the magazine. You insert a fresh magazine and ensure its seated fully by giving it one firm slap on the buttplate.

Now, your very next step is:

1. Manipulate the slide-stop to send the slide forward - chambering the next round.
2. "Slingshot" the slide by physically pulling it to the rear, then releasing it - chambering the next round.
3. It's irrelevant. Step 1 will not cause any damage whatsoever, even over thousands of rounds (or magazines) fired.

I was taught that step 1 will, over time, wear down the sharp notch in the slide, causing it to become curved slightly, and preventing the slide-stop from locking the slide to the rear.

Is this true?
 
It seems to me Glock wouldn't offer the extended slide release (I have it on my G21) if it would damage the firearm. I prefer method #1, and after 10+ years of regular exercise, I see no damage.

However, there is something to be said about training with gross motor movements as opposed to fine..
 
I feel like it would take a long time for this to happen if it does. Think of all the metal on metal parts that don't wear out for a very long time. I know another benefit of using the slide release although! My brother is in the navy and when he went to go manually rack the M9 like his G19 range instructor told him not to. This is because you are taking more time getting back on target with this method vs pushing slide release and being on target already. I personally usually manually rack slide because like you said G19 slide release is small.
 
There are three ways to go.

A:
1) With gun in your workspace, seat the mag FIRMLY. (No tap needed.)
2) Bring hands back together on gun and press slide release with your support hand thumb as you press out.

B:
1) With gun in your workspace, seat the mag FIRMLY. (No tap needed.)
2) Bring hands back together on gun and press slide release with your strong side thumb as you press out. (Works ok if your thumb is long enough. You shouldn't shift your grip to accomodate this, though. If you have to shift your grip to hit the release, use version A.)

C:
1) With gun in your workspace, seat the mag FIRMLY. (No tap needed.)
2) Use support hand to slingshot slide.
3) Bring hands back together on gun and press gun out to target.

A and B are faster than C. Not a LOT faster, but noticably so for a practiced shooter. If what you're doing is measured in tenths and hundredths of seconds, use A or B.

C is slightly more universal (not every slide release is in the same place) and can be slightly more certain, especially if you are not as practiced or familiar with pistols or that particular pistol. (This depends on the gun. Some guns have small slides with internal rails, like CZs, and don't give so much to grip.)

Not, in any way, a question of durability or wear. If you're shooting enough to wear one out, buy another one.

Most folks find that Glocks tend to drop the slide for you when you seat a mag with appropriate authority, and they LIKE it that way.
 
Bobson I kind of hate to start a thread for this, but I need to check what I was taught.

Say you're at the range shooting a Glock - which model is probably irrelevant, but let's say a G19 for simplicity. You insert the first magazine, fire the 15 rounds, and drop the magazine. You insert a fresh magazine and ensure its seated fully by giving it one firm slap on the buttplate.

Now, your very next step is:

1. Manipulate the slide-stop to send the slide forward - chambering the next round.
2. "Slingshot" the slide by physically pulling it to the rear, then releasing it - chambering the next round.
3. It's irrelevant. Step 1 will not cause any damage whatsoever, even over thousands of rounds (or magazines) fired.

I was taught that step 1 will, over time, wear down the sharp notch in the slide, causing it to become curved slightly, and preventing the slide-stop from locking the slide to the rear.

Is this true?
Click to expand...

At the Glock Armorers class I attended in June, the instructor stated the slide stop lever was NOT the best choice for releasing the slide. Glock instructors that train LEO's teach using the off hand to rack the slide.
 
I do the "slingshot" or "overhand" because most of the slide lock levers on pistols I use are tiny(Glock, M&P).

It's not particularly because I am worred about wearing parts.

Some advocate doing that because they say it works on every pistol, but in that case they should be releasing the bolt on an AR-15 with the carging handle just in case they pick up an AK too.

I train to be effective with what I have, and I don't sacrifice that to have common training method with some unknow pistol that I might come across.
 
I would say it depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

- If you're simply at the range and you're goal is to simply load a round from a fresh mag into the chamber, then #3.

- If you're practicing reloads for IPSC/IDPA where speed is critical (as Sam points out), then #1. Just be aware that the stock Glock slide release is not always easy to hit, which is why a lot of competitive shooters swap it out for the extended slide release lever.

- If you're practicing reloads for combat/defensive shooting, then #2 (for the same reasons that Sam points out).

I always slingshot because for me, I assume I'm doing it in a firefight. The training will stay with you -- when I shot the US Navy M9 qual back in early June 2012, I found myself slingshotting when doing mag changes, even though I would consciously tell myself before the string of fire to use the slide release with my strongside thumb. When in the moment, you will revert back to your training and practice, and not what you think you'll do.
 
I'm with Test Pilot. With a Glock, I slingshot because the slide release is small and flat. With a 1911, I hit the slide release with my support hand.

I've fired Glocks with an extended slide release, and I don't like it. If you accidentally lock the slide back while shooting, or if the slide doesn't lock back on the last shot, you'll lose a lot more time than what you save by the slightly faster reload.

Once I'm familiar with it, I can fire a G19 with extended release without an issue. But I don't think it should take practice/familiarity to shoot a gun without causing a malfunction. I may shoot other guns and neglect my Glocks for awhile, and I don't want Mr. Murphy to rear his head at a bad time. I actually shortened the stock slide release on my G19 and G27. My G21 is stock, cuz that's the only one I've never hit by accident.

This is all moot for SD. I've never heard of a guy reloading a double stack pistol for SD use. The one time I've read of a guy reloading, it was a 1911, and he reloaded AFTER the threat was ready for the medical examiner.
 
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I appreciate the replies. I guess I'm in the small camp of people who like the slide release on the G19. I find it very comfortable, almost effortless to manipulate with my strong-side thumb, but not in the way or a risk to accidentally hit. I also prefer to release the slide using that option, as opposed to slingshotting the slide. I guess I'll go with Option B that Sam mentioned, and if I wear a part out, I'll just replace it and be glad I'm shooting so much.

By the way, the majority of my shooting is going to be at the range practicing for SD/HD. The G19 will be my carry gun, I'm buying it this week. Eventually I want to get involved in shooting sports - maybe USPSA Production - and I'll be running the G19 when I do.

Thanks again.
 
I use the slide stop, releasing it with my shooting hand thumb. I've had no problems with slide or slide stop wear, or with the round not chambering. I have nothing against using my other hand, save one thing: my other hand may not be available. A handgun should be able to be manipulated and fired with one hand.
 
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I was taught that step 1 will, over time, wear down the sharp notch in the slide, causing it to become curved slightly, and preventing the slide-stop from locking the slide to the rear.
Click to expand...

The edge on the thin sheet metal slide stop lever will wear before the notch in the hardened steel slide.
 
 
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If you're looking for speed enhancements, don't go to slide lock!

If I have to go to slide lock I use the slide stop lever. It's extended on my G34 so it's easy to find and use.
 
I don't know if it will "wear" more but I NEVER use option 1. I was always taught it was called a slide LOCK, not a slide release. Additionally, under stress, it requires a lot more fine motor skill to the slide lock (skills you probably won't have) than it does to slingshot the slide. You can also slighshot the slide one handed, on almost any autoloaded, if you have heine or target style rear sights, you get injured. Really, it is up to you. As long as you are safe while doing it, any way is fine. Do what works best for you.
 
I find I can easily reach the slide stop with my firing hand thumb without changing its position, so I just use that. Slingshot/power stroking takes longer. If I use my support hand thumb, it delays re-establishing the grip.
 
I use both in my range sessions. Why, because I want to stay familiar with both. I don't see any harm to the gun in any manner. I do not however release the slide via the slide stop on an empty chamber.
 
I generally slingshot since I'm left handed. However, i also practice dropping the slide with the release/lock since i may need to use just one hand in a firefight.
 
I use the FBI method.

As your drop the spent mag you grab your spare and canting the gun a bit, and run the mag in, then as it seats flip your weak hand over the slide (thumb point back at you) and grasp the slide and retract it a bit and let go home as you either go back to two handed or one handed shooting.

Deaf
 
But isn't the FBI method slower than using the slide release?
Click to expand...

As I said up in post 4:

A and B (using the slide stop/release lever) are faster than C (slingshot/FBI). Not a LOT faster, but noticably so for a practiced shooter. If what you're doing is measured in tenths and hundredths of seconds, use A or B.
Click to expand...

Folks who prefer the slingshot method do so for its benefits (the gross motor skill idea), despite a slight speed hit.
 
Yep there are always trade-offs in everything. I like the sling-shot method despite the slight loss in speed. All the methods have their strong points and weak points.
 
The developed motor skills and practice should be all about what you need to do in the dark. Glock (and other manufacturers) call it a slide-stop lever for a reason. Not a slide-release lever.

I can slingshot any pistol in the dark and not have to worry about where the controls are. If I slingshot the slide I don't care if the slide is open or not beforehand. Same motion, same drill, over and over again. the mag-release will almost always be within a few milimeters of the trigger-guard meeting the grip. I find that, extract the mag, insert a new mag, slighshot the slide. Now.... hand me (almost) any pistol and put me in the dark.

Consistency and practice. Field use and battle tested for day or night.

Not being a jerk here..... just saying what was pounded into me and then realized always working.
 
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