Proper operation of the 1911.

Skinny 1950

Skinny 1950

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I have had no formal training in the operation of a 1911 pistol, when I am ready to shoot I insert the magazine pull back on the slide and let the spring push the slide and a round into the chamber.
I could use the slide release but I don't.... probably because I can't reach it conveniently.
What is the proper way to do it?
 
I believe they call what your are doing "power stroking". It's a common manual of arms.

Not all auto pistols will have the slide release in the same place, but most all with release by pulling the slide back. So lots of people train using that technique so they are squared away with any gun they pick up.

I use the slide release on my 1911, but mine came with an extended lever that I can reach no problem.
On some pistols, like Glocks and M&Ps, the slide will release with a good bump to the mag as you slide it in.
 
Pulling the slide to the rear and releasing it to chamber a round is also commonly called "slingshotting" the slide. It saves a teeny amount of wear on the slide release notch, but takes a little more time to do than using the slide release. Unless I'm shooting IPSC or such I will slingshot the slide to chamber the round. Having said that, some people pull back the slide and then ease it forward to chamber the round, and that's wrong. The force of the recoil spring should be used to chamber the round, not manual pressure. Easing the slide forward often doesn't provide the force required to put the extractor into the rim of the cartridge correctly and can cause a failure to eject on the first shot.
 
EdGCNM said:
Pulling the slide to the rear and releasing it to chamber a round is also commonly called "slingshotting" the slide. It saves a teeny amount of wear on the slide release notch, but takes a little more time to do than using the slide release. Unless I'm shooting IPSC or such I will slingshot the slide to chamber the round. Having said that, some people pull back the slide and then ease it forward to chamber the round, and that's wrong. The force of the recoil spring should be used to chamber the round, not manual pressure. Easing the slide forward often doesn't provide the force required to put the extractor into the rim of the cartridge correctly and can cause a failure to eject on the first shot.
Click to expand...
I slingshot as well. I plan on owning them for my lifetime so I want the least amount of wear on the slide catch as possible. Plus it just feels cooler!
 
EdGCNM said:
Pulling the slide to the rear and releasing it to chamber a round is also commonly called "slingshotting" the slide. It saves a teeny amount of wear on the slide release notch, but takes a little more time to do than using the slide release. Unless I'm shooting IPSC or such I will slingshot the slide to chamber the round. Having said that, some people pull back the slide and then ease it forward to chamber the round, and that's wrong. The force of the recoil spring should be used to chamber the round, not manual pressure. Easing the slide forward often doesn't provide the force required to put the extractor into the rim of the cartridge correctly and can cause a failure to eject on the first shot.
Click to expand...

That's the best explanation I've heard to date. Well said!
 
sling shot had a greater chance to chambering a round.
I could explain but TDC has already posted in this thread, being the tactical god that he is... im sure my answer would be incorrect.. :)
BBB
 
The term "slingshot" is generally used to describe the method of racking the slide in which the slide is pinched between the thumb and forefinger, just like you pull back a slingshot.

"Powerstroking" is usually used to mean the overhand rack method.

If you use the slide release, the best approach is to hit it with your left hand thumb.
 
TDC said:
Easier said than done. If a magazine gets inserted the slide gets racked. An in battery slide is no guarantee a round is chambered.

Tdc
Click to expand...

The time it takes to do that every single time adds up to far more than the very occasional *click* before you rack...

I trust my equipment and counting abilities to know when I'm empty. Apart from my race gun. That sucker doesn't lock the slide back...
 
Some guns it is a slide lock. Some it is a slide lock/release. Glock for example advises not to use the slide lock as a slide release as it will cause excessive wear. Just wasn't designed for that. 1911s though I've been told are designed as a slide release. Different mechanisms for the same job.
 
Depends on how you think of your guns. My guns are tools for shooting. I use slide release when I'm doing IDPA style shooting, but just plinking, I will slingshot. If you're worried about wear on the slide release notch, just add a dob of grease when you clean and lube.
 
fenceline said:
Some guns it is a slide lock. Some it is a slide lock/release. Glock for example advises not to use the slide lock as a slide release as it will cause excessive wear. Just wasn't designed for that. 1911s though I've been told are designed as a slide release. Different mechanisms for the same job.
Click to expand...
This is incorrect. Glock does not advise against the use of the slide release; some Glock armourers used to but you can get certified as a Glock armourer in a few hours so pretty much anyone can do it if they want.

Glock also supplies extended factory slide releases on some models and makes them available for purchase. They don't wear down your slide.
 
TDC said:
Easier said than done. If a magazine gets inserted the slide gets racked. An in battery slide is no guarantee a round is chambered.
Click to expand...


Okay...to be a little more pertinent... I go with the overhand rack method, as it's the way I was trained and after many hundreds of reloads it has become a reflex. The theory is that the 'slingshot' method or thumbing the slide release requires too much fine motor control to be dependable in a stress situation. True or not? Dunno, but it makes sense and as I say, the method I was taught is now a reflex and serves me on all occasions.

As for wear on the slide stop notch, I'll believe it when I see it. As with excessive wear on alloy frame guns, has anybody _actually_seen it?
 
Tengoo said:
Okay...to be a little more pertinent... I go with the overhand rack method, as it's the way I was trained and after many hundreds of reloads it has become a reflex. The theory is that the 'slingshot' method or thumbing the slide release requires too much fine motor control to be dependable in a stress situation. True or not? Dunno, but it makes sense and as I say, the method I was taught is now a reflex and serves me on all occasions.

As for wear on the slide stop notch, I'll believe it when I see it. As with excessive wear on alloy frame guns, has anybody _actually_seen it?
Click to expand...

If you loose enough fine motor function that you can't work the slide release, how do you figure you'll do with the striker or hammer release? Because those need much more modulated force to work correctly...


My favourite fine motor vs. gross motor comparison ever is this...


which would you rather do under extreme stress:

1) operate a click pen (100% fine motor)

2) do a backflip (100% gross motor)
 
misanthropist said:
If you loose enough fine motor function that you can't work the slide release, how do you figure you'll do with the striker or hammer release? Because those need much more modulated force to work correctly...


My favourite fine motor vs. gross motor comparison ever is this...


which would you rather do under extreme stress:

1) operate a click pen (100% fine motor)

2) do a backflip (100% gross motor)
Click to expand...

The loss of fine motor skill is very real. It is a loss or degredation. Not a complete loss of function. The same goes for trigger control, it too is degraded under stress. The time spent working the trigger is much greater than the time spent working the slide lock. Which means your skill set with the slide lock will be lesser regardless of the situation. I would sooner smash the trigger than fumble with the reload. Your fingers work best as a team. The surface area of the slide lock is much smaller than that of the slide. Which method offers the greater chance of successfully chambering a round?

Tdc
 
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