Do you rack the slide or use the slide release when reloading?
OK, I was going to respond to another thread regarding my preference but my response was a little long winded and off the original subject, so I decided to start another post.
Which do you prefer between racking the slide after a reload and using the slide release/stop, and why? I don't want to start any lame internet arguments. I just want to hear some intelligent reasoning for why you do what you do. There are a lot of guys on here that are much more experienced than I am and I want to see if there is a better way than what I am already doing.
I personally rack the slide on reloads, but I look at things a little differently than most of the people I have discussed this with. I think that the fewer manipulations that I have to know, the better. Since I already rack the slide to charge the pistol, I do the same during reloads. If I get a "combat slap" where the slide falls on the loaded mag after insertion, I still go ahead and rack the slide. If the slide fails to lock open on the last round, I reload the pistol and rack the slide (without needing to change anything that I already do). That way I only have to worry about that one action for several situations.
I kind of look at it the same way I view combatives; the fewer options I have to consider, the less time it takes to respond. 'Too many options and the OODA loop goes into overdrive while you are getting your butt handed to you. If you can narrow things down to one action that solves the vast majority of problems you are likely to face, then you'll probably be better off for it.
I notice that a lot of the guys that prefer using the slide release do so because it is a little quicker than racking the slide. I would argue that in many cases, a moderately slower manipulation that is executed deliberately and immediately can sometimes be faster in the long run than applying the most appropriate mechanical response for a given situation, simply because there is no need to take time observing the situation and deciding what action is appropriate to respond with. I understand that recognizing the situation and acting accordingly doesn't take much time for well trained individuals, but the time difference between racking the slide and dropping it with the release isn't all that much either.
So what are your thoughts on the matter?