Releasing the Slide

MIKEV · January 19th, 2007, 03:33 PM

Hey all.

I was reading a thread where the OP is relating a problem with the decocker activating intermitantly when using the slide lock to free the slide to move forward.

In an earlier post I was made aware of the error I was making by manually inserting a round into the chamber rather than letting the slide strip it out of a loaded magazine. I have thusly corrected that practice.
BTW shooting a SA XD.40.

My question today is this.

Is there a problem looming in the future if one were to simply pull down the slide lock lever with their thumb after swapping out magazines, rather than using the "slingshot" method?

thanks
MikeV

P95Carry · January 19th, 2007, 03:45 PM

I don't personally think use of a slide-lock lever is usually a problem - altho on some 1911's it does seem to result over time in some ''upset'' of the metal on rear of the slot in the slide - which is mostly cosmetic.

''Slingshotting'' does add a small extra distance for slide to travel but does not IMO make that much of a difference overall. I am tempted to think that if a gun HAS to be slingshotted as only way to achieve full battery - something must be amiss.

True enough - loading a chamber and then dropping slide can be prejudicial to extractor claws. More on some guns than others. Best always to strip off mag and then ''top off''.

QKShooter · January 19th, 2007, 04:19 PM

Either is correct. Try to be consistent though.

MIKEV · January 19th, 2007, 04:31 PM

P95CARRY

ok, the reason that I ask this question is due to the fact that, while taking a class The instructor displayed an older 1911 that would basically automatically release the slide upon seating a magazine whether its loaded or not.

In no way did I mean to imply that My XD will not go into battery unless I used the "slingshot" method. My XD functions just fine either way. I was more concerned that I may be inflicting minor assaults that over time could cause problems with the gun over time.

Thanks again
MikeV

P95Carry · January 19th, 2007, 04:37 PM

Ahhh - OK Mike.

My ref to not going into battery was aimed as a general observation actually ....... sorta in passing

Your mention re mag insertion making for a slide release BTW - not at all uncommon it seems. Some Glocks seem to do this and have seen it - plus Bersa .380 also will react this way if mag slammed home. With some 1911's I reckon if the notch in slide is worn enough then they too could release from mag going in - like the one you mentioned.

Actually if a consistent event it's rather useful for quick reloads - but not necessarily gonna happen every time.

QKShooter · January 19th, 2007, 04:37 PM

"The instructor displayed an older 1911 that would basically automatically release the slide upon seating a magazine whether its loaded or not."

That particular firearm would be a pistol in need of repair and having some parts changed out.
That is NOT typical or normal for even an older 1911 pistol.

razorblade · January 19th, 2007, 07:18 PM

I have used Simmunitions in an M9 (the 92F) during actual FoF training. I've found (for myself) during "the push" I'll loose my fine motor skills. I'll try to release the slide using the slide lock, only to get a weird alien-like swiping motion from my thumb. When I switched to the slingshot method, Ive found all I have to do is grab the whole slide with my weak hand, pull it back, and let go. It works for me.

I've also found, releasing the slide using the slide lock has actually rounded the edge (of the slide lock lever), and has made it unable to retain the slide in the locked position. In my 1911, It's been rounded to the point where after my last shot, the slide lock won't hold the slide back. It's an easy fix, just replace the lever with a new one. But you have to take into account I'm the most laziest person on earth.

However (comma)

I've found that releasing the slide using the slingshot method while under stress can have it's own drawback. Namely with pistols with slide-mounted decocking levers. With the M9, I have on several occasions gripped the slide where the palm of my left hand mashes up against the whole left side of the decocking mechanisim, when I release, the decocking lever gets pushed to decock. Trying to fire that freshly chambered round, and getting the "WTF?!?" feeling isn't something you'll easily forget. During FoF, it happend several times. However, back at the armory's cleaning station, I tried it about 20 times and could NOT successfully duplicate the tripping of the decocker.

Just my experiance.

Redneck Repairs · January 19th, 2007, 07:27 PM

Quote:

The instructor displayed an older 1911 that would basically automatically release the slide upon seating a magazine whether its loaded or not.

A 1911 in need of attention since someone bubba'd up the slide stop .

I carry kahrs so i use the slide stop over slingshot tho the way i sling the slide i have never had a mis feed with a kahr or any other auto . Brisk is the key for feed no matter the action , if you slingshot it do it birskly , never ease a slide down in any way . and btw NEVER hand load a chamber on any auto . I once ( with witnesses ) had a S&W 5906 fire doing this , with no mag in it and the safety on , just enough primer wipe to make a ND . oO( dammed near shot my knee off on that one , was loud inside too , but all worked out well since muzzle was in a safe dir )

Ti Carry · January 19th, 2007, 09:34 PM

I would agree that either is correct to do but I have seen rounded off slide stop's from dropping the slide stop with your thumb when used a lot in this manor.

In training the instructors have moved us away from dropping the "Slide Stop" as that is what it really is. IMO as well as most any trainer I have trained with will tell you that the "Sling Shot" method is the better way to do it to save stress on part's such as the slide stop.

Ti.

rocky · January 19th, 2007, 11:33 PM

sling shot or slide release. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I like to be able to operate my pistol w/ one hand , so opt for the slide release. Also I feel the sling shot method slows the reload sequence.

January 19th, 2007, 03:33 PM	#1
MIKEV Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: PDRMD Posts: 268	Releasing the Slide Hey all. I was reading a thread where the OP is relating a problem with the decocker activating intermitantly when using the slide lock to free the slide to move forward. In an earlier post I was made aware of the error I was making by manually inserting a round into the chamber rather than letting the slide strip it out of a loaded magazine. I have thusly corrected that practice. BTW shooting a SA XD.40. My question today is this. Is there a problem looming in the future if one were to simply pull down the slide lock lever with their thumb after swapping out magazines, rather than using the "slingshot" method? thanks MikeV Last edited by QKShooter; January 19th, 2007 at 04:18 PM. Reason: spelling correction

January 19th, 2007, 03:45 PM	#2
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	I don't personally think use of a slide-lock lever is usually a problem - altho on some 1911's it does seem to result over time in some ''upset'' of the metal on rear of the slot in the slide - which is mostly cosmetic. ''Slingshotting'' does add a small extra distance for slide to travel but does not IMO make that much of a difference overall. I am tempted to think that if a gun HAS to be slingshotted as only way to achieve full battery - something must be amiss. True enough - loading a chamber and then dropping slide can be prejudicial to extractor claws. More on some guns than others. Best always to strip off mag and then ''top off''. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug

January 19th, 2007, 04:19 PM	#3
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 19,810	Either is correct. Try to be consistent though. __________________ Support Our Military. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January 19th, 2007, 04:31 PM	#4
MIKEV Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: PDRMD Posts: 268	P95CARRY ok, the reason that I ask this question is due to the fact that, while taking a class The instructor displayed an older 1911 that would basically automatically release the slide upon seating a magazine whether its loaded or not. In no way did I mean to imply that My XD will not go into battery unless I used the "slingshot" method. My XD functions just fine either way. I was more concerned that I may be inflicting minor assaults that over time could cause problems with the gun over time. Thanks again MikeV Last edited by QKShooter; January 19th, 2007 at 04:35 PM. Reason: spelling

January 19th, 2007, 04:37 PM	#5
P95Carry Assistant Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South West PA Posts: 25,366	Ahhh - OK Mike. My ref to not going into battery was aimed as a general observation actually ....... sorta in passing Your mention re mag insertion making for a slide release BTW - not at all uncommon it seems. Some Glocks seem to do this and have seen it - plus Bersa .380 also will react this way if mag slammed home. With some 1911's I reckon if the notch in slide is worn enough then they too could release from mag going in - like the one you mentioned. Actually if a consistent event it's rather useful for quick reloads - but not necessarily gonna happen every time. __________________ Chris - P95 NRA Certified Instructor & NRA Life Member. "To own a gun and assume that you are armed is like owning a piano and assuming that you are a musician!." If a BG dies as the result of pointing a gun at me, then he has merely succumbed to an occupational hazard of being a thug Last edited by P95Carry; January 19th, 2007 at 04:44 PM.

January 19th, 2007, 07:18 PM	#7
razorblade Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alexandria, Va Posts: 523	I have used Simmunitions in an M9 (the 92F) during actual FoF training. I've found (for myself) during "the push" I'll loose my fine motor skills. I'll try to release the slide using the slide lock, only to get a weird alien-like swiping motion from my thumb. When I switched to the slingshot method, Ive found all I have to do is grab the whole slide with my weak hand, pull it back, and let go. It works for me. I've also found, releasing the slide using the slide lock has actually rounded the edge (of the slide lock lever), and has made it unable to retain the slide in the locked position. In my 1911, It's been rounded to the point where after my last shot, the slide lock won't hold the slide back. It's an easy fix, just replace the lever with a new one. But you have to take into account I'm the most laziest person on earth. However (comma) I've found that releasing the slide using the slingshot method while under stress can have it's own drawback. Namely with pistols with slide-mounted decocking levers. With the M9, I have on several occasions gripped the slide where the palm of my left hand mashes up against the whole left side of the decocking mechanisim, when I release, the decocking lever gets pushed to decock. Trying to fire that freshly chambered round, and getting the "WTF?!?" feeling isn't something you'll easily forget. During FoF, it happend several times. However, back at the armory's cleaning station, I tried it about 20 times and could NOT successfully duplicate the tripping of the decocker. Just my experiance. __________________ "Why? Why, to give you a taste of your future...a preview of things to come. Con permiso, Capitan? The hall's been rented, the orchestra engaged...it's time to see if you can dance." ~ Q.

January 19th, 2007, 09:34 PM	#9
Ti Carry VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Under Cover Posts: 2,035	I would agree that either is correct to do but I have seen rounded off slide stop's from dropping the slide stop with your thumb when used a lot in this manor. In training the instructors have moved us away from dropping the "Slide Stop" as that is what it really is. IMO as well as most any trainer I have trained with will tell you that the "Sling Shot" method is the better way to do it to save stress on part's such as the slide stop. Ti. __________________ Train and train hard, you might not get a second chance to make a first impression! I vote for Monica Lewinsky's Ex-Boyfriend's Wife for President.....Not!

January 19th, 2007, 11:33 PM	#10
rocky Senior Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: MI Posts: 11,628	sling shot or slide release. Both have advantages and disadvantages. I like to be able to operate my pistol w/ one hand , so opt for the slide release. Also I feel the sling shot method slows the reload sequence. __________________ "In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Thomas Jefferson Nemo Me Impune Lacesset Link to my kydex builds:http://rocknloadkydex.blogspot.com/

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