Slide Catch or Release?

[Scratchshooter40]

Releasing the slide on an empty chamber?

Other than to verify that the mechanism works, why would anyone sit there and lock open and release a slide on an empty chamber repeatedly anyway? Just don't make sense. During my nightly practice with Snap Caps, I chamber and snap on the cap at least 50 times nightly with a Beretta 96 or the 92 if I happen to grab it, same gun basically anyway, habits are the same with each. I don't think the modulus of energy that is used to strip the cap (or round) from the mag slows the slide's action and forcing measurably and if it does it would slow down the cycle time considerably. I know it does make a slight difference but not a considerable difference. I can't imagine a reason to repeatedly rack a slide on an empty chamber, either to practice or just to pass the time, doesn't make a lot of sense. The only way I know to perfect mag drop/insertions is to practice, that's why I use the Snap Caps. Just my .02 worth.
Scratch

 

[230RN]

OK, here's what I'm getting on this:

1. It is possible for the barrel lug to separate from the barrel if overstressed by hitting the slide stop pin in an unrestricted closure of the slide.

This will probably not occur if the barrel lug and barrel are machined from one solid bar of steel, such as on the original military 1911. It might occur if the barrel lug is welded, soldered, epoxied on to the barrel, as perhaps with later, modern manufacturing practice.

2. There will be a greater impact on going into battery without a magazine or round in the chamber.

3. On finely tuned triggers/sears/hammers the greater impact may cause these triggers/sears/hammers to jump out of engagement if the trigger is fully forward when this slide closure occurs, but not if the trigger is back, as when actually firing a shot.

4. The former case above is the case originally under question, that is, allowing the slide to drop freely on an empty chamber and no magazine.

5. With respect to the case where the slide drops freely on a chambered round, the extractor must pop over the rim of the case to engage the extractor groove on the case.

a. This apparently stresses the internal extractor on an "original" 1911 to the point where it may break.

b. It apparently does not stress sprung-hook extractors as badly.

6. With some firearms, the instructions allow for dropping the slide on an empty chamber, with others, it is not recommended

7. Dry-firing is an ancillary question not germaine to the original question.

My Conclusions:

1. I stand corrected.

2. I shall no longer allow the slide to drop on an empty chamber on any semiauto handgun, contrary to my long-standing practice, notwithstanding that I have never had a problem with this practice. This, based on the "unknowables" of latter-day manufacturing processes, as compared to the original specifications of the military 1911 pistol.

--Terry

 

[jetrecbn]

I think that the part in question is a release. If it was not meant to be used as such, why is there a shelf to assist in depressing the latch? If the part in question was just a stop, would there not be a latch or maybe designed as an internal part? Just my observations. One more thing, I rarely pull back the chargin handle on my M4 when a mag runs dry. I use the bolt release.