Slide Release?

[Dr.12ga]

Ive heard on 1911's over use of the slide stop to release the slide can round some edges and make it infective as a slide stop

[Hans Gruber]

I use the slide release on my Sig because it's fast and smooth and gets me back on target much faster (for me at least). As soon as my fresh mag is seated I'm moving back on target and dropping the slide as I go. I practice empty reloads fairly extensively with my rifles and pistols by loading two rounds per mag and cycle through them.

[Jonathan Doe]

I am used to using the slide release.

[JMB1911]

It's actually a slide release. Slide stop prevents the slide from sliding off the frame. In a 1911 unless you have an extended slide release, the slingshot method is the preferred method in order to stay on target. Otherwise you have to reposition your hand and re-orient yourself to the target or use your non-shooting hand to relase the slide. That said, in some 1911s with recoil buffers, you have to use the slide release because "slingshotting" will not fully relase the slide. This happened to both a Les Baer PII and Kimber TLE/RL II I had.

its a slide stop not release, sling shot it. Well i almost always sling shot it, sometimes i find myself going back to my roots (slide stop).

[Mug]

I use the slide release on my PT-99AFD, it is much faster to get on target than using the slingshot method. The slide release is large and easy to reach plus it's ambidextrous because there is one on each side.

Also, if I decided to train using an alternate method, I would use the over hand technique because it is stronger, less likely to slip and allow you to feel/clear a stovepipe jam.

[HCz]

I use slide stop/release for my CZ P-01. It has a decent sized slide stop, and I don't, if ever, have problems with releasing the slide using that way.

However there are several guns that I prefer overhand method, and those are;
Les Baer TRS - slide stop is somewhat hard for me to reach and seem heavier
Glocks - For some reason doesn't work for me often enough
Sigs - similar reason as Glocks
HK P2000 - large slide and slide lock is not that big enough for me.

The problem with overhand method is that it may not be as fast as sing the slide lock. Also, for guns with decockers, you may accidently press the decocker and put it on safe.

[BigDogatPlay]

When I converted from revolvers our trainers taught us to use the lever, so I still do. S&W, Colt, SiG, Beretta... I use the lever on all. The only piece I have that I have to grasp and release is my SiG P230, as there is no lever.

Doctrine now, at least for some schools and trainers has gone to grasp over the top and release. It seems like it would be natural to insert and seat the mag and keep your hand moving up to make the grasp. But my routine has always been to insert and seat the mag, re-establish my weak hand to the firing grip and then push the lever.

+1 on the above re: decockers. That would be a potential issue for sure on a Gen 1, 2 or 3 S&W.

ETA: As I think about it more, over the top grasp and release on a compact, such as a Colt Officer's , or perhaps my P230, I think you'd have to be very aware of not muzzling the fingers of your off hand (or getting them too close to the muzzle for comfort) as you re-establish grip.

[HCz]

+1 on the above re: decockers. That would be a potential issue for sure on a Gen 1, 2 or 3 S&W.

I really should have mentioned "slide mounted decockers". Thank you for pointing it out.

ETA: As I think about it more, over the top grasp and release on a compact, such as a Colt Officer's , or perhaps my P230, I think you'd have to be very aware of not muzzling the fingers of your off hand (or getting them too close to the muzzle for comfort) as you re-establish grip.

That's another issue I thought about, but decided not to include as I saw it as a training issue.

[Sig357]

i use both. In the case of self defense, gotta use the sling shot method for reload. At the range it doesn't really matter. I think it's important to feel comfortable with both.

What if you are injured on one hand, and can't use the sling shot method?

[HCz]

Find a corner, use belt, boot.

[Sig357]

Find a corner, use belt, boot.

The slide stop lever would be much easier, and safer than having the muzzle pointed at your leg.

[BigDogatPlay]

I really should have mentioned "slide mounted decockers". Thank you for pointing it out.

No worries there... I probably could have been more specific as it would certainly be no issue at all with a SiG frame mounted decocker. That's the fun, of course, of hashing these things... getting it all out there.

[paintballergb]

It was my understanding that leo training indicates pulling back on the slide as it, as mentioned, becomes a muscle memory item and is better practice and preferable for emergency as well as jamming situations.

Yup. That's how my federal agent brother taught me.

[kato4moto]

I usually slam the magazine in hard enough that the slide releases without any other manipulations. Doesn't seem to matter if it's a Glock 19 or a 1911. At least that's what happens in competition and classes. If I'm just doing slow-fire accuracy-type shooting, I notice I must use the slide release.

[bubbagump]

ETA: As I think about it more, over the top grasp and release on a compact, such as a Colt Officer's , or perhaps my P230, I think you'd have to be very aware of not muzzling the fingers of your off hand (or getting them too close to the muzzle for comfort) as you re-establish grip.

+1

Blowing your finger(s) off would suck.

I always keep that in mind when using slingshot method. I always try to stay aware of where my hands are when "pushing" the pistol forward to get back on target (when re-establishing grip).