Releasing slide on empty chamber

[timbo399]

Would you guys/gals have said anything??-- I picked up my Sig at LGS today and while the gentleman was showing me the safe handling part, he released the slide w empty magazine (no dummy round). I kind of cringed as it slammed shut mainly because I was brought up on 1911's and told never do that-- so I never have, not only on 1911's but on any of my semis.

Would you have said anything? I let it go but still not sure how it affects Sigs- as mentioned, I was always told never to do this, but that was mostly w 1911's.

[edgerly779]

Should have cupped slide in palm of hand and eased it down. When I owned range I told my people never rack an empty handgun. It is rude and injurious to the firearm and you should be bitcjh slapped for doing it. (LOL)

[BarrettM99]

It’s in poor taste...especially if it’s not your firearm. Same goes for dry firing. I always ask if it’s ok to dry fire or rack slide...or pretty much anything. It’s the right thing to do.

[billkohatsu]

A LGS asked me to release the slide on an empty mag during the safe handling demo during pickup.
I shot him a WTF look and removed the mag before proceeding to release the slide.
To all the LGS, don't be an @ss and ask your customers to release the slide on an empty mag.

[Chapped Hide]

Wouldn't bother me, I won't do it though and wouldn't suggest doing it either. It is a gun and it does function under much greater stresses

[Denver Dick]

Wouldn't bother me, I won't do it though and wouldn't suggest doing it either. It is a gun and it does function under much greater stresses

Yeah, I'm sort of with you on this one, but it would bother me. However, one time ain't worth getting all worked up over.

[GM4spd]

[timbo399]

Yeah I'm sure my Sig will be fine. That was never a worry.

To me, it was more about common etiquette w someone else's firearm.

If I were asking to see a gun in the window at that same LGS, I wouldn't be slamming the slide home on empty magazine on any of their guns.

[Chapped Hide]

Yeah I'm sure my Sig will be fine. That was never a worry.

To me, it was more about common etiquette w someone else's firearm.

If I were asking to see a gun in the window at that same LGS, I wouldn't be slamming the slide home on empty magazine on any of their guns.

Next time, ask to see one of their Sig's in the case then proceed to rack/slide release, rack/slide release, rack/slide release staring him straight in the eye the whole time. Then politely ask if you can test the trigger pull and when he says sure while cringing a little, rapid fire DA 10-15 times.

Set the gun on the counter, tell him the trigger sucks and you want to look at 1911's

[timbo399]

Next time, ask to see one of their Sig's in the case then proceed to rack/slide release, rack/slide release, rack/slide release staring him straight in the eye the whole time. Then politely ask if you can test the trigger pull and when he says sure while cringing a little, rapid fire DA 10-15 times.

Set the gun on the counter, tell him the trigger sucks and you want to look at 1911's

HA!! Too funny.

[colt11]

I was taught it's poor practice. The logic is when you load a round some of the slide energy is absorbed by the friction of a round being stripped from the magazine and be inserted into the barrel.

[Tanner68]

Next time, ask to see one of their Sig's in the case then proceed to rack/slide release, rack/slide release, rack/slide release staring him straight in the eye the whole time. Then politely ask if you can test the trigger pull and when he says sure while cringing a little, rapid fire DA 10-15 times.

Set the gun on the counter, tell him the trigger sucks and you want to look at 1911's

Good one!

[Josh3239]

I agree, definitely in poor taste. For one time I'd try to forget about it. Anymore and I'd certainly ask for that person to stop.

[Unsilenced]

For a device designed to be flung open under the force of an explosion, people seem awfully worried about what the force of a small spring will do to their slides.

I know 1911's have a specific weakness that can cause them to get damaged by repeated slide drops, but even then I've only heard vague anecdotes of the damage, where some gun with tens of thousands of rounds "might have lasted longer" if the owner didn't consistently drop the slide over years of use. I'd be curious to see a side by side of a 1911 that's shot 10,000 rounds versus one that's just been racked and let drop that many times. I've never even heard of a modern gun having the same issue.


I guess it might be seen as rude to do to someone else's gun because it might cause them to worry whether or not it actually causes damage, but I don't see it as being in the same category as flicking someone's cylinder shut or letting off both barrels at once on their shotgun.

[Mystery_Milk]

FFLs have done the same thing with my guns when they chamber-check them before starting paperwork. It annoys me too but it's not going to make the gun fall apart or anything.