Releasing the Slide - Page 3

DRM · January 25th, 2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lightningstrike02

I paractice a a SLAP RACK AND BANG drill .It clears alot of simple /common type of malfunctions.(induced malfuntions for training, not commonly a problem). When working this drill hard, with full magazines you can find the point of force that slapping in a magazine will release the slide consistently. Not a recommended drill for new shooters, but an option for one handed clearing or reload.Also not recommended for shooters who cant diagnos weapon malfunctions,parts replacement and discussion with others who watch and just think its cool.

The method of "SLAMMING" in the mag into the gun in order to get the slide to drop is fine WHEN and IF it works...

I've seen many shooters try to do it in matches and it has failed them (slide didn't fall when they needed it to).

I have a saying:

"If it WORKS in a match it may or not work on the street. But if it FAILS in a match it will FAIL on the street."

Been there, done it, seen it fail even with me doing it.

Something to think about...

As far as whether or not to rack the slide or use the slide lock/lever/release goes, I have seen a BUNCH of guns not lock open on the last shot.

Bottom Line: Racking the slide ALWAYS works, but it's slower than using the slide release. Using the release is ALWAYS faster, but hard to use with gloves. It's also harder to use on stock Glock levers with slippery hands. So, I train BOTH WAYS, just in case.

Stay safe,

D.R. Middlebrooks - CEO
Tactical Shooting Academy
www.TacticalShooting.com

Fist-Fire Video Clip:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...03&q=fist-fire

Blackeagle · January 25th, 2007, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRM

Bottom Line: Racking the slide ALWAYS works, but it's slower than using the slide release. Using the release is ALWAYS faster, but hard to use with gloves. It's also harder to use on stock Glock levers with slippery hands. So, I train BOTH WAYS, just in case.

I really disagree with this. I think it is far better to pick one way, and do it that way all the time. The goal of self defense training should be to reach a state of unconscious competence, where the proper response is as close to automatic as possible. A big part of this is developing muscle memory to the point where performing the purely mechanical actions associated with gunfighting (shooting, reloads, stoppage reduction, etc.) can be done without conscious thought. Going with two different methods of releasing the slide is going to double the number of repetitions required to ingrain this technique in muscle memory.

More importantly, it's going to force an unnecessary decision on me in a gunfight. No matter how many times I practice the two techniques, every time I need to send the slide forward I will have to decide which one to use. If I'm in a gunfight, I need to be thinking about important things like, "What's the BG doing? Does he have a friend sneaking up behind me? Am I still justified in using lethal force against him?" A few tenths of a second just isn't worth interrupting my train of thought to think about how to release the slide.

Decisionmaking in a gunfight should be concentrated on the big picture: Who do I need to shoot and where do I need to move to survive? Everything else should be as close to autopilot as possible.

Skye · January 26th, 2007, 02:47 AM

I agree with Blackeagle's reply above. I always have used the slide release on 1911's and it is completely natural to me. Also after many thousands of rounds through my carry gun, no wear observed from this practice.

It's worth mentioning that the practice of letting the slide slam home on an empty chamber whether slingshot or slide release is not a good idea. Watch the old-timers at a bullseye match. They will not only ease the slide forward on an empty chamber but will hold the trigger back at the same time - Protects the sear on a nice trigger job.

....Skye....

DRM · January 27th, 2007, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackeagle

I really disagree with this. I think it is far better to pick one way, and do it that way all the time....

If you wish to stay with ONLY one way, then you should be racking the slide everytime. Think about this:

How do you load the gun? You rack it...

How do you clear a jam? You rack it...

How do you unload the gun? You rack it...

On the other side of the coin, AWLAYS using the slide stop is not practical for the above mentioned reasons.

Respectfully,

D.R. Middlebrooks - CEO
Tactical Shooting Academy
www.TacticalShooting.com

OD · January 27th, 2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

And who's calling them slide locks, are you sure all firearm designers designed that part to be only used for locking the slide?

Can't speak for all designers, but John Browning called his a slide stop, not a slide release.

QKShooter · January 27th, 2007, 12:37 PM

My only point is that using the Slide Stop to release the slide should never physically cause damage to either the Slide Stop or the slide.

If it does....then shop for a better quality firearm that does not have Made In Pakistan roll marked on it.

floridaguy911 · June 27th, 2007, 08:19 PM

Hate to add more fuel to the fire.. but I was taught a different way than using the slide stop, or slingshotting. I was told not to slingshot (thumb and pointer) I was told to grab the slide with palm on one side, fingers on the other, stay out of the ejection port or it'll hurt, pull back swiftly, and release. I was also told as part of practice to slap my shoulder after I released.

The reason I was told this is better, is that you have less motion in your hand that is holding the weapon. If you slingshot slowly, and pay attention the weapon has to angle off your target or wherever it is currently pointing to slingshot.

IE: If you are right handed, begin your slingshot technique with your (unloaded) weapon pointing straight in front of you. You will notice that you almost have to point the weapon to the right even more, to properly grab the slide from the back using the slingshot technique. (lefties go left with it)With palm on one side, and fingers on the other, you can keep your weapon pointed straight, instead of veering off to one side.

This was taught to me in a Randy Cain handgun 101 class, and it makes sense to me, so I try to remember to do it as much as possible. Before I was taught that, I was also guilty of releasing using the slide stop lever.

To each his own, just thought I would add something additional.

FIREARMZ · June 27th, 2007, 10:57 PM

I have been playing with this lately and the only method that is consistent from one gun to another or with gloved hands is the over the top slide manipulation.

I think DR pretty much nailed it here. It is a commonality of robust pistol manipulation. Slamming a magazine in hard enough to make the slide go forward is not good practice. I have seen it fail many times. If your slide goes forward when you insert the magazine run it any way just to make sure.

Running the slide works on a great variety of guns, slide locks are in different positions on a great variety of different guns.

I will stick to running the slide.

January 27th, 2007, 12:37 PM	#26
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 19,804	My only point is that using the Slide Stop to release the slide should never physically cause damage to either the Slide Stop or the slide. If it does....then shop for a better quality firearm that does not have Made In Pakistan roll marked on it. __________________ Support Our Military. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

June 27th, 2007, 08:19 PM	#27
floridaguy911 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 487	Hate to add more fuel to the fire.. but I was taught a different way than using the slide stop, or slingshotting. I was told not to slingshot (thumb and pointer) I was told to grab the slide with palm on one side, fingers on the other, stay out of the ejection port or it'll hurt, pull back swiftly, and release. I was also told as part of practice to slap my shoulder after I released. The reason I was told this is better, is that you have less motion in your hand that is holding the weapon. If you slingshot slowly, and pay attention the weapon has to angle off your target or wherever it is currently pointing to slingshot. IE: If you are right handed, begin your slingshot technique with your (unloaded) weapon pointing straight in front of you. You will notice that you almost have to point the weapon to the right even more, to properly grab the slide from the back using the slingshot technique. (lefties go left with it)With palm on one side, and fingers on the other, you can keep your weapon pointed straight, instead of veering off to one side. This was taught to me in a Randy Cain handgun 101 class, and it makes sense to me, so I try to remember to do it as much as possible. Before I was taught that, I was also guilty of releasing using the slide stop lever. To each his own, just thought I would add something additional. __________________ N.R.A. Member G.O.A. Member Unified Sportsmen of Florida Member

June 27th, 2007, 10:57 PM	#28
FIREARMZ Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 250	I have been playing with this lately and the only method that is consistent from one gun to another or with gloved hands is the over the top slide manipulation. I think DR pretty much nailed it here. It is a commonality of robust pistol manipulation. Slamming a magazine in hard enough to make the slide go forward is not good practice. I have seen it fail many times. If your slide goes forward when you insert the magazine run it any way just to make sure. Running the slide works on a great variety of guns, slide locks are in different positions on a great variety of different guns. I will stick to running the slide. __________________ Ken Forbus Owner of FIREARMZ FIREARMZ FORUM

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January 26th, 2007, 02:47 AM	#23
Skye Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 68	I agree with Blackeagle's reply above. I always have used the slide release on 1911's and it is completely natural to me. Also after many thousands of rounds through my carry gun, no wear observed from this practice. It's worth mentioning that the practice of letting the slide slam home on an empty chamber whether slingshot or slide release is not a good idea. Watch the old-timers at a bullseye match. They will not only ease the slide forward on an empty chamber but will hold the trigger back at the same time - Protects the sear on a nice trigger job. ....Skye....