How does using the slide release damage a glock17?

[huck]

I used to be a slide stop/release guy, but have changed my technique. I did not change because I'm worried about wearing out my gun. I switched because coming over the top and racking the slide helps with training. It's the same motion I'd use in a malfuction, so I figure it best to use the technique.

In competition, the trick is to never let your gun run out. Change mags while moving - before you need to. You never have to manually close the slide either way.

[Ed_in_Sac]

Thought I read that Glock originally did not want there to be a slide release on the 17. They wanted the user to pull back on the slide to release it rather than using a button. Don't know if this is true or not, think one of my instructors was talking about it.

Anyway, so what if it does...like most things in the Glock it is cheaply and easily replaced.

[HighLander51]

The slide stop will wear sooner than the slide. It's a $5 part, don't worry about it.

[Falstaff]

If the Glock piece is a "slide stop" and not a slide release then WHY do they even bother to put the button there for a slide release operation? Glock could make the gun even more "perfect" by omitting that piece methinks! (since we're not supposed to use it anyway, right?)

[hnoppenberger]

I stopped using the slide lock when i realized no training classes would ever teach you to use the lock as a release, so it made sense to me. One motion to clear a jam or rack a slide, simple.

[L-2]

If I could close this thread, I would.
Here's an excerpt from page 23 of a Glock owner's manual, Rev. 11/08, which states:

"After the last round has been fired, the slide remains open. Remove the empty magazine from the weapon by pushing the magazine catch (19). Insert a new magazine and then either push the slide stop lever (27) downward (see photo 2), or pull the slide slightly backward and allow it to spring forward. The weapon is now again ready to fire."

Can a slide stop wear out? I suppose it can as it can on any slide stop equipped semi-auto. What I've seen are slide stop springs break, but I can't attribute this to someone having used the slide stop lever to release the slide. I've heard the gross vs. fine motor skills argument, but I believe this is a training issue. Training in both methods allows the shooter to decide which method to use given a particular situation, which might include methods of one-handed operation due to injury, flashlight techniques, or even inadvertently causing a premature slide lockback from accidently pushing up on the slide lock while shooting.

I believe starting out a new-to-Glock shooter using the "gross motor skill" off-hand over slide is good, but shouldn't be the only way ever to use a Glock.

A related subject is if using a thumb of either hand to release the slide lock is a fine motor skill, what is using the trigger finger to pull the trigger? (Answer: that's a fine motor skill, too.)

L-2, cop and Certified Glock Armorer

[mswanson223]

Would a stainless aftermarket slide release solve the problem? Smells like a big pot of B.S. brewing here. Thier Glocks not toys.

[sirgiles]

even though i don't use it as a "release", the slide stop was the first part that broke in my glock. the pistol kept on going though...

[HighLander51]

I used to load my first G21 that way, and it went to about 120,000 rounds before the barrel lug sheared off. The slide stop never did fail....

[erratikmind]

Myself, as a matter of standard practice, I have always returned the slide back in to battery by either the sling shot or overhand method.

[davy]

Oh darn, opened a giant can of worms did I.

I honestly didn't think this was even a debated subject, but something that has a definite answer and worked out by the gun owners already but in my noobness, was unbeknownst to me.

I've seen some people do the overhand rack when chambering, but after I've watched a guy chambering with just his right thumb by pushing down the slide release, I decided that was the superior method as IT SEEMED QUICKER and only took one hand.

Now I'm not so sure. To me, the motion of using the slide release is superior to racking the slide back, but there is a reliability problem in feeding, then I would choose to be safe.

I think I'm going to think some more.

[davy]

Don't worry about it. Just don't do it on an empty chamber where there's no steel-brass-steel, and instead is just steel-steel.

Since I'm already in neck-deep, I'm just going to ask. Why not? How does having a round feeding in soften the damage? On which part?

[joelogic]

People are moving away from "slide release" to "slide catch", "slide stop".
Pulling the slide back you gain more spring pressure than just working the catch.
Fine motor skill vs. Gross motor skill.
+1 on not running your gun to lock.

[joelogic]

Since I'm already in neck-deep, I'm just going to ask. Why not? How does having a round feeding in soften the damage? On which part?

Have you ever just swung a bat at full speed and it kind of hurts? But when you hit the ball it feels right. I suppose it something like that. But AFAIK, the steel slamming into steel can cause cracking on the bolt. But its late and maybe I just made that up.

[jtmkinsd]

Oh darn, opened a giant can of worms did I.

I honestly didn't think this was even a debated subject, but something that has a definite answer and worked out by the gun owners already but in my noobness, was unbeknownst to me.

I've seen some people do the overhand rack when chambering, but after I've watched a guy chambering with just his right thumb by pushing down the slide release, I decided that was the superior method as IT SEEMED QUICKER and only took one hand.

Now I'm not so sure. To me, the motion of using the slide release is superior to racking the slide back, but there is a reliability problem in feeding, then I would choose to be safe.

I think I'm going to think some more.

Just load your gun and shoot man...the gun was designed to operate a certain way...when the user intervenes with the designed operation (chambering a round when the slide is locked by pulling back on the slide...overhand or otherwise) is when problems start to occur over the life of the gun. Glock is a rugged piece of hardware, so the chances of something happening are slim...but I have repaired some, and when I see the owner handle it...I know why.