Slide release or rack the slide??

[TrappedinCalifornia]

Same guy, three years apart on the articles. Same story. Both methods work, but he has his reasons why he prefers one over the other, reasons, as I've already partly stated, I share. But, whatever works best for you, your firearm, and your circumstances.

Why I Don’t Use My Gun’s Slide Release Lever

SLIDE RELEASE VS. RACKING: PROS AND CONS

The bottom line is that there is no 'right/wrong' answer between the two options. In fact, the OP's question wasn't about right or wrong, but: "Which do you prefer?"

[sigstroker]

I've seen a semi-auto fail to return to battery too many times when using the slide lock to release the slide.

I have never seen that even once in over 40 years of shooting.

[TMB 1]

1934 Mauser really mess with the rack slide guys.




P08 Luger mess with rack slide and slide release guys.

[solipsism]

Slide release all day everyday.

[FresnoRob]

Yup, if you slam the mag in with the right technique, the slide will do its thing automatically on some pistols. Very common on Beretta 92s.

Otherwise slide release. Combat reloads much faster than racking the slide.

[NapaPlinker]

Well. The "Lever" in question isn't called a slide release soooooooooooo which of you b f n up?

[IVC]

Take a shooting class with a Grand Master or former member of a tier 1 military unit. Take several. You'll see a pattern as to which the best shooters in the world utilize, and their decisions are not based on feelings.

True, but they also use a very specific class of handguns - full size and carefully selected.

Just to play devil's advocate, there are guns that don't even have exposed slide lock. Then, some compact and subcompacts with stiff recoil springs (required for stronger calibers on shorter slides) are at the point where the slide cannot be released reliably by using the slide stop because it's way too tight for the size of the lever. Also, very sweaty hands might prevent engagement of some levers, and an incapacitated hand would necessarily require the use of anchor points and a version of the slingshot method.

Different methods for different applications. For competition, slide lock lever is the way to go without doubt.

[anonymouscuban]

Just remember that different games have different rules. IDPA doesn't allow ammunition to be left behind, so they almost always shoot to the slide lock. Also, most would consider "tactical reload" a reload where you keep your unspent magazine, not what you do in USPSA.



I saw your first stage from your first match on Enos forum, but no video of Texas Star. Are you going to post it? I would like to see the order you took and the transition times...

I didn't know that about IDPA. Not too familiar with the rules.

I shot 2 Texas Stars during my first match. Two different stages. I will upload and share video.

First star I did well. I think I completed it 7 shots. The 2nd one I choked. I think it took me 12 rounds.

The first star... order I shot was from top to bottom. Started with the very top plate first which was perfectly vertical. Then I shot the plate at 10 and then 2. Then moved on to the last 2 plates.

I did the 2nd star in the same order or tried but I choked on hitting the plate at 2 o'clock and it started moving. Then it went downhill because I got frustrated.

I've watched a few different videos since and have read some materials online since then. I think next time I will shoot the top plate first. Then move to the plate at 2, shoot it and then let the other plates rotate and come to me.

I learned that this method is slow but easier. The fastest way is to shoot a bottom plate and then let the plates rotate down and shoot as they present themselves. I don't think I'm good enough to do this yet.


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[SomeGuy75]

Great comments from everyone. I think because my handgun training came from competition rather than military or law enforcement might explain why I always used the slide release. Seems like a common theme here is competition shooters tend to use the slide stop more than combat trained shooters. Always interesting to see my fellow shooters thoughts on things like this.

[wilderness medic]

I've seen more people screw up racking the slide. Put them on a timer, in front of peers, and it'll happen.

1. They pull the slide back but not far enough to disengage the slide stop, so they have to circle back 'round again.

2. They pull the slide back but then ride it forward a little, causing a malfunction.

[Jimvh2]

Being left handed those pesky slide releases are on the wrong side of the gun!

Slingshot!

[Robert1234]

Which guns?

Most available in CA.

That said, I've adapted to using my trigger finger on the slide stop, as the mag goes in the gun, my hand slams it home and the slide stop releases the slide.

Easier on 1911 than most plastic guns, but sometimes you gotta adapt, improvise and overcome.

I like the M&P cause the slide goes home of its own accord when you slam the magazine home.

Glocks do that sometimes, though not reliably enough to expect it so I just slingshot them.

[oldveteran]

Of the two different semi-auto pistols I have neither owners manual calls that lever a slide release lever.

S&W calls it a Slide Stop

Sig calls it a Slide Catch Lever

What does your manuals call it?

[Rez805]

Most available in CA.

That said, I've adapted to using my trigger finger on the slide stop, as the mag goes in the gun, my hand slams it home and the slide stop releases the slide.

Easier on 1911 than most plastic guns, but sometimes you gotta adapt, improvise and overcome.

I like the M&P cause the slide goes home of its own accord when you slam the magazine home.

Glocks do that sometimes, though not reliably enough to expect it so I just slingshot them.

Yup. A wonderful feature that they apparently "corrected" in the 2.0



That being said, I agree that you should be comfortable with both and then decide which one you prefer.

Here's a GM who does an overhand rack around 1:07


Pretty sporty. Probably because he's practiced and done it a million times.

[nitroxdiver]

HK P7M8. Slide goes to lock on empty. Hit the paddle release with your trigger finger and empty mag shoots out. Insert new magazine with weak hand. Re-squeeze the squeeze cocker and slide closes, chambering a round, and cocking the striker. Resume sending rounds downrange. Perfection. On other less refined handguns, I hit the slide release.


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