Using slide release lever

[mc21]

So at the LGS, I had the slide locked back and was looking inside the gun. Then I used the slide release lever and the slide goes forward like normal. Next thing I know, I was asked by the employee to not do that because it damages/blunts the area on the slide where the level catches it. Is this true? It just doesn't really make sense to me now that I'm sitting here thinking about it. That is the intended use for the slide release lever no?

[redcliff]

Dropping slides without either a round in the magazine to feed (which slows down the slide) or easing the slide forward on an empty gun is considerred bad form and potentially damaging to the pistol and is reason enough not to do it, regardless of the slide notches.

I have seen slide stop notches on soft slides get accelerated wear from using the slide stop as a release. However normally it doesn't seem to cause any problems on a properly hardened slide.

[mc21]

Dropping slides without either a round in the magazine to feed (which slows down the slide) or easing the slide forward on an empty gun is considerred bad form and potentially damaging to the pistol and is reason enough not to do it, regardless of the slide notches.

I have seen slide stop notches on soft slides get accelerated wear from using the slide stop as a release. However normally it doesn't seem to cause any problems on a properly hardened slide.

Ahhh okay, thanks for the clarification. I didn't think about the round slowing it down. Now it makes sense. Still only a few months into this hobby (I know its at least 3 months since I'm on my 3rd purchase...).

[DannyInSoCal]

When loading your sidearms or changing mags -

Do you use the slide release or manually rack the slide...?

[mc21]

When loading your sidearms or changing mags -

Do you use the slide release or manually rack the slide...?

As stated, I was at LGS looking at my next purchase. I used slide release, but now I know better for future visists to the LGS or handling other people and my guns.

[tbc]

This is why most of the gun manuals indicated this part as slide stop not slide release.


Sent from my iPhone

[tileguy]

if its your own pistol no problem it could take many many times to show wear if any, but a firearm that is not yours let the slide down easy.

[shortyforty]

I always cringe at the sight of this...It's probably harmless on most modern quality pistols but still.....I usually advise others not to do this to my firearms prior to me handing them over. Live and learn...no worries mate...problem solved

[mc21]

Ya, learn something new every day huh?

[hossb7]

I literally do it all the time on my handgun. Zero problems and it's been 6+ years.

[Meety Peety]

Two different issues here, with two different results. First, it is a slide stop, it's not intended to be used as a "slide release". Using it as such can and will cause wear on the gun (If it's a shooter you may not care) and really just comes down to personal preference. It won't render your gun useless, it's not that big of an issue. It all just comes down to your preference on how you like to treat your guns. For me, it's slow and uncomfortable, I just prefer to slingshot. Many trainers disagree and urge you to use the non-existent slide "release". To each the own.

That said, dropping the slide in any way on an empty chamber is a different breed of animal. Many LGSs don't like it because it will add wear to the gun on contact points, and when done enough times, it will begin to look less than brand new and the gun will loosen up a bit. Not a major issue, but some LGSs would probably prefer it if you didn't even touch the gun at all until you've already paid for it.. so it comes up from time to time. On top of that, and more specifically in the 1911 world, doing this is also detrimental to the trigger components and can muddy-up the trigger pull - especially if you have a fancy custom trigger job. I think the reason you see this preached so much is mainly because of those two reasons, and most commonly associated with 1911s. This is typically where I might add some witty remark about how it's fine to do this with a Glock... but...

[9mmepiphany]

As already mentioned, until it belongs to you, it is bad etiquette to do it to a gun that doesn't belong to you...especially in a gun shop where they are still trying to sell it. It is a lot like not dry firing their guns without asking first.

Using the correct name for the part...slide stop...is just a sign of a knowledgeable gun owner. A lot of the handgun rituals that we practice come from the manual of arms of the 1911...like holding the trigger back when releasing the slide

[mc21]

As already mentioned, until it belongs to you, it is bad etiquette to do it to a gun that doesn't belong to you...especially in a gun shop where they are still trying to sell it. It is a lot like not dry firing their guns without asking first.

Using the correct name for the part...slide stop...is just a sign of a knowledgeable gun owner. A lot of the handgun rituals that we practice come from the manual of arms of the 1911...like holding the trigger back when releasing the slide

Funny I saw an employee stand there and dry fire over 100 times in a row... anyways.... Yes got it, no more need to repeat the same message. It was not a 1911 if anyone really wanted to know. When I was dry firing, I was making sure I caught the hammer so it didn't hit anything. I only dry fired once or twice like that too. There's a difference between a knowledgeable gun owner and someone who has mistaken the name of a part. I consider myself a knowledgeable gun owner. Maybe not as knowledgeable as some, but still know my stuff for the most part. If I don't know, I either look it up or ask.

[The_Tinman]

So at the LGS, I had the slide locked back and was looking inside the gun. Then I used the slide release lever and the slide goes forward like normal. Next thing I know, I was asked by the employee to not do that because it damages/blunts the area on the slide where the level catches it. Is this true? It just doesn't really make sense to me now that I'm sitting here thinking about it. That is the intended use for the slide release lever no?

This is a pet peeve of mine, along with lgs employees who act like they are more knowledgable than us the ignorant consumer.

Some guns have a slide release, others have a slide stop, I do my best to know the difference and it's usually easy for me as the handguns I'm interested in tend to have a slide stop. When it's yours, do as you wish, when your trying to pass the visual background test from the snot nosed mall ninja lgs ATF agent, do what they want... Can't tell you how many "(un)safe handling demo's" I've done to get a gun out of constitutional prison.

You may have a different experience with the same lgs employee every day of the week... But this is the system we have in Ca. Get in good with a mom & pop shop and you'll reap the benefits.

Oh and don't snap the cylinder closed on revolvers either, save that for the movies. Haha sorry, had to add that. I don't take lgs employees so seriously, they only know what they are told to. They willing and maliciously spread FUD. Often just to make a sale... Some chain stores have this motivator named commission and that isn't something a new gun owner needs starting out.

Your in the right place, 2xx+ posts in just a few months, you'll be an expert before you know it. And you'll get to laugh when you go look for the new addition and over hear what lgs employes say to now customer.

My favorite is in stores that prefer not to ppt, walk in and ask if you can buy this handgun while in the ppt dros process with an ar pistol. I do this as close to a FUD spreading lgs employee who's telling a customer the 1 in 30 rule and failing to mention exemptions. My personal best is 3 handguns in 20 days.

[9mmepiphany]

There's a difference between a knowledgeable gun owner and someone who has mistaken the name of a part. I consider myself a knowledgeable gun owner. Maybe not as knowledgeable as some, but still know my stuff for the most part.

I wasn't referring specifically to you with my statement.

However, statements like "That is the intended use for the slide release lever no? ", "I didn't think about the round slowing it down.", and "I used slide release" would not lead one to believe that you were especially well versed in function or operation of handguns.