Do you use the slide stop as a slide release?

[lionheart45]

I stole this pole off another website, just curious to what LEO's do.

I always pull back and let the slide fly forward because that's the way I was taught in the academy to clear jams and it stuck.

[NorwichGrad05]

The way I was taught in the academy was 4 fingers over the slide and pull it back...since you have only gross motor skills during a confrontation...pressing the slide release is a fine motor skill and you may not be able to do it...

[holding1]

Tap, rack, ready...right norwhich? it looks cool to do the slide stop push, thats why you see it in the movies.

[nobody33]

I use the slide stop to drop the slide. But then I carry an HK, and it's easy to reach and I train that way. Easier and quicker than pulling it back. I wouldn't do it with a glock, because they are specifically designed to not be used to drop the slide. Reason #532 I dislike glocks.

[kcr]

When we carried the SW 5906 anchor edition, that's how we were trained use the slide stop. But on that gun it's designed as a release. Since we went to Glocks we train to rack. It wasn't that hard of a transition and it makes more sense since that is what is done to clear a malfunction.

I was a Glock hater too for no good reason. Then I was forced to carry one and now I'm in love.

[Nightshift va]

Slingshot mostly

I stole this pole off another website, just curious to what LEO's do.

I always pull back and let the slide fly forward because that's the way I was taught in the academy to clear jams and it stuck.

The older smiths are the exception, the 2nd generation and third the ones with 4 numbered model numbers, ex: 4006,5906, Smith actually request in the manual you use the slide stop as a slide release as well because a great deal of the rotating safety levers are mounted on the actual slide so you dont inadvertently pull the safety down when using the method you speek of which I call the Slingshot method. Most all striker fired modern guns and to include the tradition double action ones like the Sigs 229,228,226,220 and all the Double action only Beretta's In my opinion do well with the slingshot method. Sig actually reccomends it. The agressive nature of pulling the slide to the rear to put the gun in battery insures good compression and extension of the guide rod springs on most firearms. I train people not only to grab the slide like a slingshot but while you grab with the nonshooting hand to use the hand you are holding the gun with to assist in going forward into your shooting position so you arent doing it all with one hand. This technique helps with speed at getting rounds down range and especially the weaker handed females who have issues in this area. I was trained that way with the 1911 Colt when i was a jarhead also and it works for me.

[Nightshift va]

Another note, when I was an infantry machinegunner and carried the 1911 as a sidearm the other reason we trained in slingshot while moving gun holding hand towards the target is because we had to carry our pistols in condition two which in the military is loaded magazine with empty chamber. Its also like someone said in here better for gross motor skills versus finding the slide release to munipulate in a hot situation. But there is a slight difference in the slingshot method versus "Rack and let fly" method. Slingshot is very much a quicker fashion if practiced.

[kcr]

The older smiths are the exception, the 2nd generation and third the ones with 4 numbered model numbers, ex: 4006,5906, Smith actually request in the manual you use the slide stop as a slide release as well because a great deal of the rotating safety levers are mounted on the actual slide so you dont inadvertently pull the safety down when using the method you speek of which I call the Slingshot method.

That makes all the sense in the world. It is highly probably that the decocking lever would be rotated to the safe position.

I just tried it as I elected to buy the anchor since it was my first duty weapon. It can be done but it isn't practical. The decocker makes it slower and uncomfortable.

[ateamer]

I carry a Glock, so the slide stop is a slide stop. It was designed to be flat against the gun so it wouldn't be used a slide release. We train to use the C-clamp grip over the top of the slide - rack it and release.

[Rita]

I use the slide stop to drop the slide. But then I carry an HK, and it's easy to reach and I train that way. Easier and quicker than pulling it back. I wouldn't do it with a glock, because they are specifically designed to not be used to drop the slide. Reason #532 I dislike glocks.

Although I think that H&K's are the best around, they are not made to use the slide stop. Also, like someone else said, using the slide stop is a fine motor skill and you'll remember the gross motor skill in a confrontation. I dont like Glocks because they are ugly (it's a girl thing).

[GCPD0171]

It depends on what I'm shooting but for my duty weapon (H&K USP) I use the slide release. I'm a lefty and can hit it pretty easy with my trigger finger without having to change my grip too much. On my Glocks I rack the slide because it seems to be harder to use the slide release.

[Kieth M.]

Just made the switch, six months ago, to a Glock 21.

Taught to pull it back with four fingers and let is fly...however...on reloading a fresh mag, I usually slap the incoming mag up the well, hard enough, that the slide racks a round and closes on its own, allowing me to fire.

[Tunkle]

Just made the switch, six months ago, to a Glock 21.

Taught to pull it back with four fingers and let is fly...however...on reloading a fresh mag, I usually slap the incoming mag up the well, hard enough, that the slide racks a round and closes on its own, allowing me to fire.

I've found out like Kieth that when doing a tactical reload, I find it easier to slide the magazine in and 'tap' it in with my support hand hard enough to make the slide go forward. I've found that I get about 2-4 seconds on the guy next to me. I hold the exchanged magazine while I am ready to shoot, then when I have the time I put it in a safe spot or the magazine holder.

[Smurfette_76]

I'm changing my name to : Lovesaglock...love 'em love 'em love 'em. And it's a no-no to use to slide lock to release it. I will admit to making the mistake ONE time and my other half (a firearms trainer and glock armour) about fell out in the floor... LOL

[SA13]

The way I was taught in the academy was 4 fingers over the slide and pull it back...since you have only gross motor skills during a confrontation...pressing the slide release is a fine motor skill and you may not be able to do it...

I used to buy into that "gross motor skills" comment too. But a firearms instructor once pointed out to me the slide release on my gun is bigger than the mag release button, and no one ever comments that I won't be able to mash that little button during a fight. No one ever comments that I won't be able to move the trigger finger independent of the other fingers during a fight. The reality is mashing the slide release is no more or less a gross motor skill than working the trigger or hitting the mag release, AND using the slide release is faster than doing a slingshot.

Do whatever is more comfortable for you, but I now train to use the slide release.