Use the slide lock or rack the slide?

[Trebor]

I practice both methods. Sling shoting the slide with the off hand is easier to do under stress (gross vs. fine motor skill) and will work with all guns. But, you may only have one hand available at the time, so knowing how to work the slide stop is useful. It can also be a little quicker if the slide release falls naturally under your thumb. (The BHP is a good example of this for me).

 

[Vern Humphrey]

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The only thing I can think of is it is supposed to hurt a 1911 to let the slide slam home on an empty chamber. Not sure why.
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Because the extractor can strike the edge of the barrel and can be damaged over time.

 

[9055]

Vern,

I've heard from my gunsmith friends that dropping the slide on an empty chamber will screw up a good trigger job too. Have you heard that?

 

[Edmond]

I rack it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Quote:
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I've heard from my gunsmith friends that dropping the slide on an empty chamber will screw up a good trigger job too. Have you heard that?
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Yes. What can happen is the sear is jarred out of engagement and the hammer falls to half-cock, damaging the sear nose.

Kimber goes so far is to recommend never even lowering the hammer by hand, lest it slip and the sear catch on the half-cock. Their recommendation for lowering the hammer is point it in a safe direction and pull the trigger.

 

[Ivy Mike]

as long as its a quality gun with internals in decent shape, either method is fine. Sure, one might wear some piece out sooner, but I'll betcha you wear it out from firing much sooner than thumbing the slide release.
Firing a gun is much harder than anything you can do in normal operation.