Using slide release or pulling slide back

[rcellis]

Is using the slide release to be discouraged?

Clint

 

[10-Ring]

I was always told not to drop a slide on an empty chamber...so, use the slide release as you prepare to shoot and manually close slide if you're otherwise handling the gun.

 

[brewer90]

I used to use the slide release and was taught that in the military. Then I took a class last year and they said to pull the slide back and release to chamber the round. The reason was that your fine motor skills deteriorate under stress and there is a chance you won't be able to operate the lever so pull and release the slide which is a gross motor skill.

 

[Rexrider]

I prefer to use the slide release. After a magazine is loaded I can return my weak (left) hand back to a shooting grip and use my weak hand thumb to release the slide as I bring the handgun back on target. This brings the handgun back in to action, so to speak, much faster than using the weak hand to grab the slide and releasing it. I have always practiced that way so it has become second nature to me.

brewer90 does have a point about what would happen in a high stress situation. In my opinion, either method is valid so long as you pick one and practice that way. Your body will do what it was taught even when your mind in a state of "freaking out", as long as you practice enough.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

Suggest you stop thinking of it as a "slide release" and think of it as a "slide lock." Operate it only to lock the slide open. All other times just retract and release the slide. The practice facilitates economy of movement by employing the same motor skills over and over, plus it reduces your mental load. Your brain doesn't have to determine what technique to use when different situations are encountered - you just manipulate the slide and drive on. Progressive, non-diagnostic, stoppage clearing is a perfect example:

1. Misfire.
2. Perform tap, roll & rack (using overhand method to grasp slide).
3. Misfire.
4. Perform Combat Reload.
5. If Combat Reload cannot be completed because installed magazine failed to jettison when magazine release was pressed, immediately proceed to next step.
6. Store fresh magazine between ring & pinky fingers of firing hand.
7. Lock slide open.
8. Forcibly remove installed magazine.
9. Vigorously rack slide three times to clear chamber.
10. Complete Combat Reload.

 

[66gt350]

In the CCW class I took a year or so back, the instructor said that you should always pull the slide back and never user the slide release. The reasoning is that with the slide locked back the release is under pressure. And by just using the release you will over time do damage do the gun, by slowly wearing the metal down around the catch in the slide.

Don't know if it's true or not...I always pull back the slide and let it slam shut on a cartridge. Or if the chamber is empty let the slide close slowly.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I'm sure I'll get flamed by all the Glock guys out there who have tried to turn their Glocks into 1911's. However, that pistol in particular is meant to have the slide pulled instead of being released. That's why the slide release is so small on a Glock, it was only meant to lock the slide back, not be like a 1911. The thought is/was that you get a more consistent group if the slide is pulled to the rear for the first round as it is for all the other rounds. Also, I think the large muscle arguement is a good point.

I don't think that 1/2 an inch or so of travel makes a big difference in groups myself. However, if you're getting a "flyer" in your pistol groups you may want to try pulling it to the rear and seeing if it matters.

I do tend to pull the slide to the rear myself.

 

[RNB65]

Either method works fine as long as it puts the slide into battery.

 

[jashobeam]

I thought it had to do with metal on metal wear.

 

[Grunt]

Here's a question for the argument that using the slide release is a gross motor skill that you will have trouble using during stress. If you can't use a slide release under stress, how about the magazine release that is just as small (or smaller) than the slide release or how about the trigger as far as that goes? Don't these other controls also require a fine motor skill as well?

 

[BullfrogKen]

I pull the slide and release.

As in Shawn Dodson's post, its a non-diagnostic technique. I can use it on any semi-auto, no matter where the slide lock is as in the way Sig has it elsewhere, or on pistols with none at all, like a Kel-Tec.

It instills a universal skill, and cooperates with learning the immediate action drills.

The only time I've seen it won't work is on some 1911's when folks use Shock-buffs.

 

[ABBOBERG]

So what is the purpose of the slide lock/release if it is not generally preferred over pulling on the slide with the weak hand? Is it for when the weak hand is disabled? I would think that most gun manufactures could leave the slide lock/release off and simplify the manufacture of their guns.

 

[Jamie C.]

I use the slide release, since, I figure, if I wasn't supposed to, it'd not have that handy little button-thingy on it.

Also, I can't think of any good reason that there'd be more metal-on-metal wear with it than any other two parts of the gun that rub together... like the slide and the frame, or the hammer (if the gun has one ) and the back/bottom edge of the slide.

The point being here that I think it's a non-issue, and you should use whatever manner or means you like the best and are comfortable with. *shrug*


J.C.

 

[real_name]

If a slide lock/release requires a fine motor skill then what hope do we have operating the trigger?

j/k

 

[Rexrider]

Shawn Dodson posted an excellent and practical technique. I see his point that grabbing the slide on a reload will be the same motion for a misfire drill. No argument there. Keep in mind you still need to practice over and over to allow your body to complete this drill without having to think about what you are doing.

For me, as I said, I have always used the slide stop/release. I also practice misfire drills as Shawn posted. Using the slide release on a reload has not interfered with my ability to perform a misfire drill. If I pull the trigger and nothing happens, my hand goes to the slide and the drill begins. Right or wrong, this is how my handgun shooting evolved.

Side Note: One way to practice misfire drills is to have someone load a snap cap in your magazine. It works even better if you have several mags loaded and one with a snap cap so you don't know when to expect it. I will take a few times for you to react to the misfire. It is quite the eye opener when you first stand there like a zombie not knowing what happened or what to do. But that's okay, the more you do it, the faster you will react and completed the drill. Don't worry about speed at first. Just get through all the steps. Your speed will increase on it's own.

I did want to add one point concerning metal-to-metal wear when using the slide stop/release. I personally have never seen any wear on the slide or slide stop on my handguns. Having said that, the handguns I own at this time are not that old. The oldest one is a stainless Kimber 1911 I have had for 5 yrs now. No wear is visible on the slide or stop. My Glocks are younger but no signs of wear either. As a matter of fact, the black finish is still on the slide where the stop makes contact. I am pretty sure the stamped metal slide stop will wear before the slide does.

The bottom line is you will have to decide what works best for you. But whatever you do, do it consistently and do it a lot.

Cheers

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

My first instructor said use the slide release, and practice, practice, practice.
My gunsmith said use the slide release, "that's why they call it a 'slide release'".
In competition, using the slide release demonstrably saves time.

I use the slide release, and accept the possible wear and tear.

 

[isp2605]

"how about the magazine release that is just as small (or smaller) than the slide release or how about the trigger as far as that goes? Don't these other controls also require a fine motor skill as well? "

Not for the internet commandos. They don't think about those things, and choose to ignore them. Trigger control and sight alignment involves a lot more fine motor skills than hitting the slide release.
But if they want to continue believing it, let em. Probably the most dangerous and threatening thing that has ever happened to them is dropping their butter knife on their bare foot.
Rexrider gives a good example of getting back into action a lot quicker. Been thru a lot of tactical training and situations and the slide release lever is a lot quicker to get back in action.

 

[Shootcraps]

+1 for Jamie C's post. He speaks true.

 

[Mulliga]

I always slingshot it back. My primary CCW is a CZ RAMI; the slide release on that gun is an afterthought for the American market - very thin and stiff. I would not want to rely on it to release the slide.

Not all guns have slide releases, and some guns don't even have slide locks. Pulling the slide back works for them all. Sometimes you may be wearing thick gloves, your hands may be wet, etc. I just like to keep things consistent.

If all the guns you own have slide releases that are easy to use, I suppose there's no harm in using them. They are certainly faster and won't do any harm to the gun.

 

[farscott]

I like to sling shot because it is how I was trained; however, I have a pistol that, so far, will not allow me to chamber a round from slide lock with a sling shot. It is a Baer TRS Comanche, and there is not enough rearward slide travel to allow the slide lock to drop when retracting the slide.

From investigating, this appears to be a design issue as the Bear Comanche frame appears to be dimensioned like a five-inch frame with the dust cover cut back to Commander length. I need to compare the Comanche frame to a Colt Commander frame to get some accurate measurements of the differences. I believe that root cause is the Comanche recoil spring guide recess is not set as far back in the frame as the Commander.

 

[Kevinch]

Not all guns have slide releases, and some guns don't even have slide locks.

True - my little Walther doesn't have a release; you have to pull the slide back.

Another note: there is no danger of releasing the slide on an empty chamber if you aren't in the habit of using the slide release (assuming a mag is inserted).

 

[StrikeEagle]

The reason was that your fine motor skills deteriorate under stress and there is a chance you won't be able to operate the lever so pull and release the slide which is a gross motor skill.

I generally 'slingshot' just to avoid extra wear on slide/slide stop. But I do question this 'fine motor skill' thing. It's been pointed out that it's impossible to work the slide stop incorrectly... and it's CHECKERED on top for better purchase. But... it IS possible to 'slingshot' incorrectly, by 'riding' the slide home, even a bit. (Maybe THAT is the 'fine motor skill'?)

StrikeEagle

 

[Bix]

I have moved from using the slide release to overhanding the slide. I found that, under the slight pressure of a competitive event or qualifying drill in a class, I would occassionally hit the slide release with my strong-side thumb an instant before I'd fully seated a fresh magazine.

The result, obviously, is that the slide would drop on an empty chamber, and I'd get a 'click' instead of a 'bang'. I recognize that this is a sequencing/training issue, but it's not one that shows up in practice. This has only happened a couple times when I was trying to hit a reload at warp speed in a class or in a match.

So, until I can get a solution sorted out, I've gone to overhanding. It is unquestinoably slower, but -at least for me, for now- it's more positive.

 

[JDGray]

If doing speed drills, its faster for me to drop the slide stop with my left thumb. 99% of the time , I just pull the slide back. It's good to be proficeint at both.

 

[AirForceShooter]

I'm a lefty and I use the slide lock to drop the slide into battery.
It's a cheap part and I've never had one wear out anyway.

AFS