I will try and bring some facts to light:
A) Casings barrely ejecting: Make sure you are holding it with a high grip, it help with limp wrists. I can make my G17 do that just by changing my grip, I have shown some people this, it's very predictable. It surprised me the first time, the casing actually got caught in the action.
B) Slide release: well it was never intented as a slide 'release', it's a slide catch, you should be releasing it by racking the slide. If not an aftermarket slide release may help. I can operate it on my G17, but the recoil spring is likely softer due to the longer slide.
Added for humor: Should have bought an XCR