Slingshot or slide release

How do you release your slide after a reload?

  • Slide release

    Votes: 54 31.2%

  • Slingshot (Hand over the slide)

    Votes: 48 27.7%

  • Slingshot (Grasp from the rear)

    Votes: 36 20.8%

  • It depends of the gun/game/my mood

    Votes: 35 20.2%
  • Total voters
    173
kokanee king said:
I use the slide release for what it was intended to be used for......to release the slide. Not to worried about the marred slide as it adds character :)
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It's actually called a "slide stop"..... original purpose is to lock the slide back on an empty magazine to alert the shooter that he/she is out of ammo.... ;)

Merlin said:
Never heard it called a slide release... I always thought it was a slide stop. Slingshot for me.
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+1

My preference to get the pistol back into action is the hand-over rear of slide technique.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
On my 1911 I usually use my slide release, but I usually use the slingshot (hand over top) to release. On the Colt I usually can't get enough purchase on the slide unless i'm wearing a glove -- sadly, i'm bothered by sweaty hands.
 
Looking at the serrations on my glock, and comparing them to the slide stop, I'd have to come to the conclusion, that He (Gaston, of course), wanted me to use the serrations to slingshot the slide. I grab it from behind, cause that's just how I like to grab things ;)
 
Clamshell over the top of the slide and rip it off. It's a gross motor skill that will never fail you under stress. Both the slingshot and slide stop are fine motor skills that will desert you when the chips are down.
 
canucklehead said:
I can work the slide release on a 1911 super fast with my trigger finger (I'm a lefty).
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Until your super fast flicking of the slide stop happens a fraction of a second before you have the mag fully seated (because you're being "super-fast"). Now you've got an empty chamber and have to do a failure drill. In a fight that could well kill you. On the range you just look like a stooge.
 
BigUglyMan said:
Until your super fast flicking of the slide stop happens a fraction of a second before you have the mag fully seated (because you're being "super-fast"). Now you've got an empty chamber and have to do a failure drill. In a fight that could well kill you. On the range you just look like a stooge.
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You have a point - gladly, I can deal with looking like a stooge. :)

As noted, I'm surprised by this poll... I would think the thumb back towards you while keeping the gun in a safe direction would be tougher than slide release.
 
My Glock manual says the following:

Remove the empty magazine from the weapon by pushing the magazine catch (19). Insert a new magazine and then either push the slide stop lever (27) downward (see photo 2), or pull the slide slightly backward and allow it to spring forward. The weapon is now again ready to fire.
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My Para Ordnance 1911 manual says the following:

DO NOT SLAM THE MAGAZINE INTO PLACE.
With the thumb and forefinger of the other hand on the serrated finger grips of the slide, pull the slide back, as far as it will go, to #### the hammer.
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My Taurus PT92 (Beretta 92 Copy) manual says:

f**k ALL.
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Because Taurus sucks.

For reference, I don't think the slingshot technique was used once here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFF0TbhgQMY&feature=related

or here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKc2w2sPxs&feature=related
 
Last edited:
It really depends on the gun and the situation. When I'm just shooting casually I usually switch between using the slide stop and slingshot (grasp from the rear).
 
canucklehead said:
As noted, I'm surprised by this poll... I would think the thumb back towards you while keeping the gun in a safe direction would be tougher than slide release.
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With your left hand (presuming you're a rightie) over the slide and your palm over the top your left arm should be at 90 degrees to the barrel of the pistol. Presuming proper muzzle control the pistol shouldn't deviate too far from straight in front of you, covering the target (where your pistol should alwasy be pointed). I believe this will get your pistol back into action faster than workign the slide stop with your thumb of your strong hand. My brother has fairly short fingers and his thumb does not reach the slide stop on his 1911 without adjusting his grip. This is a no-no as you always want to maintain a proper firing grip. If he waits until he gets his weak hand onto the pistol to work the slide stop he will be slower getting the pistol back into action than if he used the clamshell technique. Remember, "back in action" means a loaded chamber. You cycle the action using the clamshell and, if you have to, you can fire before you reacquire a two-handed grip.

Too, using the slingshot method requires you to tilt the pistol to the weak hand side, usually tilting the rear of the pistol to the left and down - that's just the mechanics of the human hand. You're off target and that much slower getting back into the fight.

Worse still, is the muscle memory in a failure drill. You're in a fight and shooting. BANG, BANG, CLICK... Now you have to do a failure drill. Tap the mag to ensure it's seated and now cycle the action. This is where adrenaline goes through the roof. Plus you have the weight of the hammer spring to overcome when you cycle the action. If you use the slingshot you are using an inherently weaker grip and using it in a stressful situation. This is where the fine motor skills will kill you. If your thumb slips off the slide as you're trying to cycle the action you've compounded the felony and your adrenaline will spike even higher as you try to get the pistol back in action. If you use the clamshell you are less likely to have a fumble when the chips are down.

For 90% of shooters it will never matter. But for those engaged in defending themselves, from bad guys or the zombipocalypse, it's vital that things work every time.
 
X2 on The Big ugly Man's advice.
I would alo add to the over hand technique is to pull the pistol from your firing position closer in to your body while tapping/racking/emergency mag change, then punch the pistol back out on target.
It saves time and distance while doing immediate action drills instead standing with a fully extended arm trying to do these techniques.
 
I was originally trained to use the slide release in The Army for reloads, but was recently updated to use the slingshot method. None of this "fine motor control" BS. It simply comes down to this... Who says you are using your pistol? Who says the pistol in your hand even HAS a slide catch/release?
 
I have used the slide release both proffessionally and recreationally and find that it works best for me, especially if there is any stress involved or speed required.

However, whatever works best for you and you can do consistantly is really what it boils down to.

Professional trainers have differing views on this subject, each explaining why each personal method is the best for whatever reason. Although, like most things in firearms training, consistantcy is the key to profincientcy (keeping in mind, ofcourse, practice does not make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect:D).
 
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