Does using the slide release on a empty gun damage it?

[ohsmily]

The only guns I care about this on are my 1911s. I don't mind releasing the slide freely on an empty chamber in any of my other handguns (HKs, Rugers, Glocks, etc) but I refrain from doing so in my 1911s, especially my 'high end' ones.

[USN CHIEF]

The only guns I care about this on are my 1911s. I don't mind releasing the slide freely on an empty chamber in any of my other handguns (HKs, Rugers, Glocks, etc) but I refrain from doing so in my 1911s, especially my 'high end' ones.

Is it the same with all 1911's or is this just a myth I have a Colt Combat Commander that I have had for about 13 years now. I have shot approximately 5k rounds, and I cannot tell you how many thousand times I have let the slide go forward on an empty chamber and have not had a single issue with it, I have not replaced any parts on it and it still shoots pretty great.... I am beggining to believe that it is a myth....

[double_action]

Opposite. Bad for the extractor to drop the slide on a 1911 if there is brass/round in the chamber.

Thanks for clearing that up.

[RomanDad]

Releasing slide stop without easing the slide down.

Thanks.

[DWill]

Releasing the slide on an empty chamber is not good for any gun. The process of stripping a round off the top of the mag, forcing it up the feed ramp and pushing the round into the chamber slows down the slide. The round actually acts as a cushion for the slide.

[bohoki]

it could cause damage

like smoking could cause cancer

some people live their whole lives smoking and never get cancer and then get hit by a bus at age 80

[slick_711]

Chief your Combat Commander likely doesn't have a high grade trigger job? And certainly not one under 2 pounds?

Doing this repeatedly *can* damage any 1911, doesn't necessarily mean it will, just that it can. Doing it on a pistol with a very light and/or carefully worked trigger will destroy the work that went into that trigger pull because your hammer/sear are much more precisely fitted in such situations.

As to other guns, I would imagine it's not [as] harmful to the internals, but it's going to be unnecessary wear on any gun. Why not avoid it? And it's certainly something that should be avoided on guns that aren't yours.

[pullnshoot25]

I have always heard and was raised under the premise that slamming the slide home on an empty chamber was not good for the pistol and was to be avoided whenever possible. With that being said, I do not do that to any pistol that I am handling and I ask the same of people that are handling mine. Aside from being simple firearms common sense it is kind of a matter of etiquette as well, treat other people's stuff as well or preferably better than your own.

Just learned something new, seriously. Time to stop my bad habit!

[bohoki]

Chief your Combat Commander likely doesn't have a high grade trigger job? And certainly not one under 2 pounds?

Doing this repeatedly *can* damage any 1911, doesn't necessarily mean it will, just that it can. Doing it on a pistol with a very light and/or carefully worked trigger will destroy the work that went into that trigger pull because your hammer/sear are much more precisely fitted in such situations.

As to other guns, I would imagine it's not [as] harmful to the internals, but it's going to be unnecessary wear on any gun. Why not avoid it? And it's certainly something that should be avoided on guns that aren't yours.

i dont understand how the slide slamming foward would affect the trigger, ,sear, and/or hammer in any way

but i'm fairly uninformed maybe you could explain it to me

[JTROKS]

Is it the same with all 1911's or is this just a myth I have a Colt Combat Commander that I have had for about 13 years now. I have shot approximately 5k rounds, and I cannot tell you how many thousand times I have let the slide go forward on an empty chamber and have not had a single issue with it, I have not replaced any parts on it and it still shoots pretty great.... I am beggining to believe that it is a myth....

Chief, It's not a myth. Just to make sure folks understand, on the 1911 the sear and hammer damage happens only after a hammer follow due to a slide being dropped on an empty chamber. On botched trigger jobs this can happen even when live rounds are being cycled and can cause full autos. I've had one happen to me on a titanium hammer, 5 rounds of 10mm in full auto is very surprising.

Now dropping the slide on a custom fitted barrel is just asking for it to wear out quickly. Now if the recoil spring is on the light side then it may not cause damage right away. Try dropping it with one of the extra power recoil springs and you'll cause premature wear or even lugs shrearing off. If you have an old and used 1911 look at the slide stop and barrel feet/lugs. You'll see shiny spots or even peened metal where the lugs contact the slide stop. When this happens accuracy will start going south.

[FlyingPen]

Are there any photos of what peened metal look like?

Also, I've also heard and dismissed that cocking the pistol by pushing back on the hammer also stresses internals...

[trinydex]

Opposite. Bad for the extractor to drop the slide on a 1911 if there is brass/round in the chamber. Bad for any extractor really, but it's the 1911 guys that tend to care about such things. Glock extractors don't really require any fitting ya know?

It is considered impolite to release the slide on a new gun or any gun that isn't yours by many people (including myself) as it causes unnecessary wear. With 1911s it can cause damage if done repeatedly, it damages the hammer/sear engagement. I've personally seen a 1911 go full auto due to damaged hammer/sear engagement. Guy pissed himself.

is or isn't? dropping the slide on a round in the chamber forcing the extractor to jump over the rim of the cartridge is what you're addressing right?

The only guns I care about this on are my 1911s. I don't mind releasing the slide freely on an empty chamber in any of my other handguns (HKs, Rugers, Glocks, etc) but I refrain from doing so in my 1911s, especially my 'high end' ones.

so it's a design difference thing?

now i feel bad about doing my function checks after cleaning wtihout the snapcaps...

[ghostrider4evr]

I always ease the slide home if there is no round in the chamber, whether its one of my guns or one at a shop. I never knew if it was a myth or fact, but this how my Dad always taught me.

[Waingro]

So is it better to release the slide back with a snap cap in a mag/chamber?

[DrunkSkunk]

to each their own - i've done it probably 500,000 times with my 92f and it had no problems at all.