Glock 20/21 owners, I need your help/input. Slide lock lever question.

[Nitroman]

My G17 (Gen-1) and my other G17 (Gen-3) all easily released the slide using the lever (even when new). The slide on my G20, on the other hand, is a bear to release with the factory lever. I simply installed one of those chrome extended release levers and "voila" problem solved. Rack the slide any way that you are comfortable with (just be safe). Glock may have intended their pistols to be charged without using the release lever, but who the heck cares? I don't think it really matters what technique is used unless you plan on (or are preparing for) getting into a gunfight.

Rich

[Waterfowler]

I doubt there is anything wrong with your glock. My G19 did the same thing when it was new. Break it in and after a few hundred rounds,I bet it loosens up.

You are probably right. But since all I own and have shot is standard frame 9mm and .40 Glocks, in which the slide lock functions flawlessly as a release, I thought I'd make sure they are all that way before I started tinkering with it. I bought an extra practice box of Buffalo Bore 180gr FMJ(trail)and Double Tap 165gr@1425fps JHP(home) so hopefully those will start the process of wearing her in.

[9mmepiphany]

if you want the fastest slide release, learn to slam the mag in hard enough to cause the slide to close as you seat the mag.

the Glock has a lot of play between the main body of the frame and the slide, but it's easier with the 9mm models as they have less mass

[L-2]

I just tried it on my G21SF and my slide drops fine, but with a bit more difficulty than, say, my 1911s. I normally use the other-hand-on-top-of-the-slide-method when chambering a round.
-On many guns, it's difficult if there's still an empty mag in the gun. From the original post, it appears an empty mag was still inserted. If the empty mag was still in the gun, then one would be fighting the mag spring & follower with not much leverage from that slide stop.
-Agreed, there is not much surface area for a thumb to press down. Glock's extended slide stop lever would work better if this is going to be the favored method of dropping the slide.
-Otherwise, that new G20SF sounds like it's working fine.

[abuttieri]

Man I am glad to hear that about your new glock 20. I just bought one on 12/05/2009. Mine is the same. compared to my 23 the 20 slide lock is a perfect 45 angle . The 23 is actually angled out which makes it easier to use. The thing I did notice is . When I use a hot mag or in my case a 10mm zoom dummy bullet. I do not have a problem. I still have yet to fire my new love. But I too was a little concerned about the slide lock being so flush against the frame. I even called my dealer and asked him . he only wanted to sell me a extended slide release. But Do not worry your 20 is the same as mine. Try it with a loaded clip. made a HUGE difference in mine.

[PutTogether]

Well, the obvious reason would be to assist in locking the slide open without using an empty mag to do so.

This.

[CWM4A1]

I say take the empty mag out and try again. I have handle quite a bit of Glock, and by their design it was not design to be use to release the slide. If you want to use slide stop to release the slide, get the on that they put on G34/35; not sure if the G34/35 slide stop would work for G20/21 though.

[RangemasterP226]

The Glock tech is right. The correct way to release a glock slide is to grasp it with your off hand after you have inserted a full mag and "sling-shot" it forward. This is what most combat shooting instructors will teach. In this way you don't need to use a "fine motor skill" such as hitting a small slide release lever, you get to use a "gross motor skill" which shouldn't fail you in a stressful situation.
My advice: Don't use the lever as a slide release.

[shmeddie]

To OP: If it is that important to you just get an extended slide release. I'd bet money that it would solve your problem right away.

[joelberg]

Works fine on my Sigma 40VE, and it's just a Glock knockoff. Either you got a lemon or the parts just need to wear in...

[Waterfowler]

Man I am glad to hear that about your new glock 20. I just bought one on 12/05/2009. Mine is the same. compared to my 23 the 20 slide lock is a perfect 45 angle . The 23 is actually angled out which makes it easier to use. The thing I did notice is . When I use a hot mag or in my case a 10mm zoom dummy bullet. I do not have a problem. I still have yet to fire my new love. But I too was a little concerned about the slide lock being so flush against the frame. I even called my dealer and asked him . he only wanted to sell me a extended slide release. But Do not worry your 20 is the same as mine. Try it with a loaded clip. made a HUGE difference in mine.

I took the advice of many here and just bought an extended "slide release". It's funny because Glockworld calls the slide lock lever a slide "release". Anyways I installed it on Monday. Took like 30 seconds after I punched the pin out. Now it works beautifully as a slide lock and slide release with an empty mag, loaded mag or no mag.