Slide Release Methods

[707electrician]

FWIW, your manual (you did read it, didn't you?) should have this exact text in it somewhere:
"Insert a new magazine and then EITHER push the slide stop lever (27) downwards (see photo), or pull the slide slightly backwards and allow it to spring forwards. The weapon is now again secured and ready to fire."

Again, do whatever you feel comfortable with.

/thread

[negolien]

yup

I've seen people "ride" the slide using the slingshot meathod or they somehow mess it up causing some sort of feeding issue.

I use the slide release just because it's what I'm used to doing.

I have also seens issues with riding the slide...If I can at all help it I do use the slide stop lever.

[SAR_boats]

Do whatever feels best.

The slingshot method is good if youre an operator who may have to improvise and use unfamiliar weapons in a combat situation, some of which do not have a slide release yet still lock back on an empty mag (ex: Walther PPK/s, Makarov), or ones that do not lock back at all (ex: Davis Industries .380) because the slingshot method will get the weapon ready to fire using the same motions whether a slide release is present or not, and whether the slide is locked back or not. Additionally, if the weapon jams it is the same motion to rack the slide to clear the jam. And there have been several examples of autos with slide releases that have failed to lock back on an empty mag. (My Sig 226 used to do this with Meg-Gar 20rd mags until I tuned the slide release return spring) If this happens, you have no choice but to slingshot to get a new round chambered.

IMHO: using the slide release to drop the slide is faster with practice because your firing hand thumb can ride on the slide stop as soon as the mag is released so that when your off hand drives the fresh mag home your thumb can actuate the slide release and make the weapon ready to use while your off hand is moving to its position on the grip of the pistol.

So, I would say that slingshot method has a wider range of applications, but slide stop is faster.

Personally, I slingshot, but that is what I was trained to do.

[ruchik]

We need to make a distinction here. "Slingshot" is when you grasp the slide with your index finger and thumb, then pull it back. "Overhand" is when you come over the top of the gun and use your entire hand to powerstroke the slide back. Let's not confuse the OP.

Powerstroke or slide release, the correct method is the one that works 95% of the time FOR YOU. Generally people tend to stay away from slingshot method, however, as it's easy to slip off the slide using only two fingers.

[BMWguy206]

Travis Haley on Slide Release or Power Stroke

http://youtu.be/-jm4-R4hYy8

[MA2]

OP - yes, metal to metal, of course something will eventually wear out.
But as stated, the slide stop will probably will go first, but might be a long long while.
I would not worry about it with Glock's steel slide. Other guns with aluminum/alloy slides, maybe.

As far as the never ending battle of slide release or rack back method, I would recommend to at least be proficient on both.
My only issue with the rack back is, sometimes see shooter (maybe new shooter) at the range ease it in or their hand rides forward with the slide.

Enjoy the G17!

[MossbergMan]

Recommended reading on the subject of Gross v. Complex v. Fine moter control under stress (G60 feel free to tune out) is Bruce Siddle's "Sharpening the Warriors Edge".
Siddle compiles multiple studies by national and international sources. The U.S. Military and the NRA Law Enforcement training division have done many extensive studies on the effects of extreme stress on the human body and how it reacts to it.
Haley's video was a good example using the "power stroke" slide release method v. Slide Stop releasing. Continuity of techniques goes a long way with me too.
Last time I spoke with Rob Leatham he has not had to use his handgun in self defense. Nor did Cooper ever use a handgun in combat. Almost all of our current gun handling techniques have come from the competitive arena. Not that it's a bad thing, its just apples and oranges on the actual stress level.
If it's your life on the line, use what you're trained in and confident with. If it's my life on the line I'll use the power stoke method every time....unless I get a "Glock Bonus" bounce slide closure upon seating the magazine.
Having been in more than one or two life threatening situations and having experienced the adrenalin dump of fight or flight, I can appreciate the power stroke for what it is, 100% reliable. And let's not forget the left handed minority....power stroke or slinshot is about the only way (S&W M &P pistols excepted). Yes, I know you can reach under the gun "blind", after seating a magazine, and release the slide with the slide stop lever. But if takes two or more attempts at hitting the slide stop.....the power stroke would have been faster.
Not every gun owner is going to dedicate the hundreds of hours required to ingrain a specific behavior. So I say, use what the body is going to do naturally.

just my two cent worth.

[CrippledPidgeon]

Generally when you have to "tap and rack," you're clearing a malfunction of some sort, and in that case, the slide is not locked back to begin with.

[003]

While I do appreciate progress and even being of the age and temperament when I could be called a curmudgeon I really do not see any benefit to using the new improved “slingshot” or overhand method. It has only been the last few years where the new breed of “combat” instructors has started using/pushing this method.

I understand the rational when someone says it is the only method that can be used with all semi automatic pistols. But what is not said is that most shooter only use one or two pistols. Any shooter worth his salt should be familiar enough with his pistol that he has no need to use a universal method. As for instructors that teach a variety of pistols, if they are competent, they should be familiar and comfortable with all of the weapons they are “teaching”.

The slide release/stop/lock was designed to both hold the slide open and release the slide when reloading a fresh magazine.

While I most certainly do agree that the slide release/stop/lock on most Glock pistols is almost too small and close to the frame to be practical to use as a release, I find it interesting the Glock installs an extended slide release on their target pistols (models 34 & 35), and makes them available to those that want to use them on other model's.

There is no question that using the slide release is much faster that using an overhand grip on the rear of the side to release it into battery.

To my way of thinking this “new and improved” method is nothing more than a change, and while change to improve something is good, change for the sake of change is not only silly, but a waste of time and energy.

[Bert Gamble]

I can tell you for sure that you should not do it with a Nighthawk 1911. I have no idea how many times it took for the stop notch to be rounded off enough to fail to lock back, but it is now at the shop being repaired.

[JB-Norcal]

Slide release method will vary from make and model, overhand or sling shot will not. What ever works for you, I like to keep it simple and consistant, JM .02

[Echidin]

There are 1911s out there that have been used HARD for thousands of rounds for centuries and have no peening of the slide stop notch in the slide.

I'm not sure if you're intentionally overexaggerating to get your point across, but the M1911 came about in the late 1890s putting it somewhere around 115 years old.

[SilverTauron]

I'm not sure if you're intentionally overexaggerating to get your point across, but the M1911 came about in the late 1890s putting it somewhere around 115 years old.

According to some classified archaeology data from Ancient Egypt , there's a stone tablet depicting King Tut wielding a 1911.Its why people thought the Egyptian royalty were gods on earth.

Funny math aside I don't take stock in what the trendy & tactical fringes of society advocate. There will always be some old technique that comes back as a 'tactical' feature, which eventually is replaced by some other technique which was new long before any of us were around to have a say on the matter.

I do not operate in Military Special Forces, and the likelihood of me being in a firefight period is so low Id stand a greater chance willing the lottery.The odds of me shooting to slide lock having to reload are even lower.

[paul0660]

Overhand, with thumb and pointer finger, actually tightens your grip as you rack the slide. Slingshot does the opposite. Slingshot also offers your gun to a nearby opponent.

I always go overhand, unless it is slow pitch.

[STAGE 2]

This debate pops up from time to time and I swear if it wasn't created by some instructor trying to sell slots in one of his classes. Unless the gun guru who is advocating a particular technique on the basis of motor skills is an MD, physical therapist or something similar, he ain't qualified to discuss motor skills. Case in point, from web MD...

that use the large muscles in the arms, legs, torso, and feet.

So the 'fine motor skills argument' is stupid because regardless of which method you use, they are both fine motor skills. Anyone who pedals this line should be avoided at all costs.