Slide release vs. racking the slide back

[earlthegoat2]

In 1911s I have found the release lever to be a little out of reach and on new Kimbers, impossible to push hard enough to release with two thumbs.

I agree that one should know all methods for the particular gun they are using but for the practical high volume shooting there is always going to be a better way with one of the three options.

 

[Guns and more]

they're not being taught the correct technique in overhand release. the strong hand drives the gun out of the support hand, the support hand continues rearward to strike the chest...believe me, there is no riding of the slide

Great thought.
I find myself dropping the slide with less force than I should. It's the "I paid a lot for this machine and I don't want to abuse it" syndrome.
So I use the slide release. I'm going to try your idea.

 

[migkillertwo]

I prefer to rack the slide because it will work on any and every semi-auto pistol. Using the slide release will only work on guns that actually have a slide release. also that slide release doesn't always work, like when your magazines begin to wear.

 

[9mmepiphany]

I find myself dropping the slide with less force than I should. It's the "I paid a lot for this machine and I don't want to abuse it" syndrome.
So I use the slide release. I'm going to try your idea.

thanks for giving it a try, let me know it you have more questions about how it works.

just grab the slide and push the gun forward with your strong hand while pulling to the slide to the rear. when it reaches the end of it's travel, the slide will come out of your hand and your hand should just keep going to bounce off your chest.

it's a lot like learning not to baby your mags when slamming them into the gun or dropping them on the ground during mag changes

 

[bigfatdave]

I find myself dropping the slide with less force than I should. It's the "I paid a lot for this machine and I don't want to abuse it" syndrome.
So I use the slide release. I'm going to try your idea.

You are putting more wear on the gun than racking it would do. Remember that the slide will rocket open, slam the rear stop, and fly forward on spring pressure with every single shot you take until slide lock. You pulling the slide back and letting the action close is far less traumatic than the semiautomatic firing cycle, while the wear on the slide latch may eventually cause it to not latch open properly as the lever and notch get rounded off.

It's a gun, not a priceless egg ... if you can break it by hand you need a better gun (not counting antiques and actual collector-type firearms)

 

[Lar1911]

I was watching Magpuls Tactical pistol DVD (highly reccomend) and this came up. Some guns work better each way. Some, Berretta 92, M&P, will slide when you strike the magazine at a 45 degree angle.

but their point was to find the way that works the majority of the time with that gun and stay with it.

 

[miamiboy]

I think whatever works is the proper way to do it, unless it's a Kahr, that is. But that's generally how I feel about it.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Some, Berretta 92, M&P, will slide when you strike the magazine at a 45 degree angle.

My glock 19 slide slams home when I tap in a mag hard...my gen4 17 did, as well. So did the full sized 40 service weapon issued to my buddy that showed me the tip. I've gotten to wear I do this on reloads by muscle memory now.

 

[lawboy]

I use the release. It is faster and more intuitive from a two hand hold. When I slap the new magazine in and roll my support hand up to grip the release is literally right under my thumb. Press it down and get to business. Wear on the release is a non issue IMO. I shoot more than the VAST majority of folks do and I have yet to wear a slide notch out.
I do not believe in the fine motor skill v. gross motor skill debate. Trigger control is a much finer motor skill than slapping a slide release abruptly and with force. If you can manipulate a trigger under stress you can slip a slide release that is literally under your thumb.
Nothing wrong with the other methods though.

 

[mach1.3]

My Kahr P9 will ftf 50% of the time if the slide is racked with a fresh mag. This was especially disconcerting since I planned to give this gun to my daughter. The problem wasn't just with JHP ammo but FMJ target ammo as well. I called Kahr and they said it was recommended in the owner's manual to always use the slide stop when chambering a round from a fresh magazine. I am since contemplating a different gun for my daughter. A Ruger LCP is one on my list. Any suggestions for a reliable weapon that a female can easily rack back the slide?

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Semiautomatic actions are designed to feed at operating speed of return.

That means pulling the slide back to full recoil position and releasing it to fly forward and chamber the round.

 

[Nushif]

Releasing a slide lock is a fine motor skill that can become extremely difficult to do under the stress of a dynamic critical incident. Hand over the top of the slide is an easier gross motor skill so that's what I practice

I always found that logic lacking a bit.
I just managed inserting a new magazine, after releasing the old magazine via a small button to push, but for some reason ... I can't manage hitting a second small button?

It may go slightly faster or something ... I'll buy any other argument, but the whole "gross motor skill" is bogus.

 

[Boris bush]

I'll buy any other argument, but the whole "gross motor skill" is bogus.

No it is not. What if you own one of them Walthers that has no slidestop AND a pistol (insert your favorite brand) with the largest slides stop ever made. How can your training be simplified to the lowest common denominator to insure you will perform under stress exactly the same way every time? What if you are pressed into servicing a gun that has no slide stop? CZ52, P32, and many others that are made that way that lock back on an empty mag that have no external lever? What will that fine motor skill have taught you? If you went to ANY pistol course that trains the use (not as a range toy or plinking in the backyard training) of pistols, you will be taught the handover or slingshot method. I have been to more than enough IPSC shoots to watch some pretty fast speed demons, they never shoot as good as the guys that take time to actualy hit the targets.

You should always do as you feel best doing. I have a CZ52 and a P32. I train with and use them the same way I do My Glock, XD, P22 or CZ82. It keeps things simple, and them gross motor skills I use on the CZ52 and P32 transfer over to my slide stop models just the same.

 

[Nushif]

I really only shoot two guns ... one of which is a revolver.

Thus my manual of arms is very condensed to say the least, so that being said I'll buy the argument that the slingshot method works each time, the argument of gross motor skills is still in my opinion bogus.
The argument YOU (#88) just presented is that it translates to all semi-autos. Which is correct. But I've yet to see a good argument that after everything someone has just done to reload the gun they suddenly lack the coordination to hit a slide stop lever. (Should it be there, of course.)

 

[9mmepiphany]

I called Kahr and they said it was recommended in the owner's manual to always use the slide stop when chambering a round from a fresh magazine.

That means pulling the slide back to full recoil position and releasing it to fly forward and chamber the round.

The problem wasn't that the slide wouldn't do that, the problem the Kahr was encountering was that they found enough shooters who couldn't hold the short grip stable enough to make it always work...think limp wristing...to cover themselves, they included the instruction to use the slide stop.

My Kahr CW9 works fine when i rack the slide to chamber a round, but I'm aware of keeping the frame firmly in my grip (sometimes even driving it forward) when i rack the slide

 

[Boris bush]

I really only shoot two guns ... one of which is a revolver.

Thus my manual of arms is very condensed to say the least, so that being said I'll buy the argument that the slingshot method works each time, the argument of gross motor skills is still in my opinion bogus.
The argument YOU (#88) just presented is that it translates to all semi-autos. Which is correct. But I've yet to see a good argument that after everything someone has just done to reload the gun they suddenly lack the coordination to hit a slide stop lever. (Should it be there, of course.)

I agree 100% with you. There is no way anyone can know what works for you. I have no problem at all with the slide stop method of reloading. The handover just works sooooo good for me and is alot easier to teach noobs. It is also the way we are trained at work.

 

[walksbyhimself]

sling shot.... over hand rack.... slide stop/release...a proficient handgunner should be adept at all three.

+1 Practice all three

 

[Bonesinium]

I've been taught by the Air Force when using the Beretta 92/M9 to use the slide release. That has always worked fine and is how I see everyone do it.

 

[Grim Peeper]

As a civil war vet I feel any one of these methods are pretty easy. Kidding 1911 sling bang bangbangjam oh sh#t push bang!

 

[9mmepiphany]

when using the Beretta 92/M9 to use the slide release.

I teach this as a platform specific technique, except on "G" models

 

[okespe04]

I always rack the slide, but knowing how to quickly use the slide release may come in handy too. You never know when you may need your other hand for something else.

 

[LiveLife]

Wow, 4 pages and still going ...

If you are concerned about slide lock/release wearing, attend a USPSA/IDPA match. Just about all the match shooters will use the slide lock/release to send the slide forward and no one will say anything about slide lock/release wear. We do this primarily for speed. Using the slide lock/release with your shooting hand while the non-shooting hand is used to insert the magazine will dramatically cut time for your reload. Releasing the slide (sling shot method) with your non-shooting hand will add another step meaning adding more time.

In reality shooting situations, this extra time may mean the difference between life or death. We'll fight like we train. I use tactical techniques that will save as much time as possible to allow me as much advantage as I possible can get. And practice the time saving techniques such as slide release over and over until it becomes second nature to me. I teach new shooters to carry around their new pistols wherever they go in the house to practice drawing from holster, proper grip/aim, magazine changes, and slide lock/release until they master them. Best time spent watching TV is to change magazine and work the pistol controls until you can master them WITHOUT looking as you probably need to reach for your pistol in the dark if an intrusion takes place in the middle of the night. Turning on the light will only pinpoint your pupils and decrease your ability to see in the dark. My wife and I practice reaching for our pistols in total darkness and practice all pistol functions while we are on the move putting on our tactical vest.

I have used the slide lock/release on various pistols I have owned and performed slide release on my two match G22's countless times over the past 15 years of match shooting and they still work very well in keeping the slide locked. If there was a concern over wear, it should have been evident after 300,000+ rounds of match shooting.

To be honest, I think the notion of racking the slide to chamber a round from the magazine came to being because many shooters had difficulty releasing the slide with the slide lock/release. If it was easier to release the slide by pulling back on the slide, then this practice would propagate.

I for one have new shooters master the technique of releasing the slide with the slide lock/release (even for hard slide lock/release on new Glocks). Newer pistol models have improved, more ergonomic slide lock/releases (like M&P pistols) and using the slide lock/release is less of an issue for these pistols.

 

[MCMXI]

sling shot.... over hand rack.... slide stop/release...a proficient handgunner should be adept at all three.

There is a fourth way to release the slide (or rack the slide) if you only have the use of one hand, and the slide stop/release isn't easily accessible. That method involves catching the rear sight on a belt, pocket, holster etc. Just a thought.

 

[MCMXI]

By the way, how does this slide release issue affect left-handed shooters?

 

[LiveLife]

Not at all as M&P pistols have ambi-slide lock/release.

We do set up USPSA match stages where you can only shoot/operate with one hand to indicate injured hand situations - this involves performing mag reloads and racking the slide with one hand. We used various methods but found holding the slide between your knees while pushing down on the grip worked the best.