Releasing the slide after reload: slide release or slingshot?

[m4brian]

Slide release always faster. P series CZ is blocked by the decockee so you hit as you drive the support had out and easy peasy.

[dwhitehorne]

Instructors have beat the "gross motor skill" drum for years, but it isn't valid. The other stuff can be, but not for as many shooter, as many systems, or as often as we've proclaimed.

Many still do. I always questioned if the slide release is such a difficult fine motor skill what is the trigger pull. I’m a slide release shooter but I teach shooters to do what works best for them. It is amazing watching people during simmunitions what they can and can’t do under the most minor stress. David

[ST911]

LIKE.

Man, it's almost like you teach this stuff or something.....

I watched a youtube video.

Both. Either. Whatever works for you.

I’m a slide release shooter but I teach shooters to do what works best for them. It is amazing watching people during simmunitions what they can and can’t do under the most minor stress. David

I'm a fan of shooter choice, with the caveat that it's an intelligent and informed choice. The problem with "do what works" is that many won't pressure test it. Almost everything works on a 72 degree indoor square range with a clean, lubricated, full size service gun. What happens when you apply your method to adverse weather, micro guns, mediocre ammunition, worn springs, etc. Now, add the gun-of-the-day guy that lacks consistency in anything.

Many still do. I always questioned if the slide release is such a difficult fine motor skill what is the trigger pull.

It's like asking them to divide by zero. But a great way to identify actual thinkers, shooters, and teachers, rather than certificate holders.

[T2C]

Use whichever technique you can do proficiently and consistently under stress in all scenarios on which you train.

Master the other techniques in case a situation turns to mud and your preferred technique does not work due to injury, i.e. you suffer broken fingers, a gash on a hand, a wound inflicted to an arm, etc.

[dwhitehorne]

The problem with "do what works" is that many won't pressure it. Almost everything works on a 72 degree indoor square range with a clean, lubricated, full size service gun. What happens when you apply your method to adverse weather, micro guns, mediocre ammunition, worn springs, etc. Now, add the gun-of-the-day guy that lacks consistency in anything.

Good point. I guess I should qualify my statement. We stress using the slide release and push it really hard in our program. Our issue is at the basic academy it is all sling shot and they are not allowed to use the slide release. (gross motor skill thing) Even though we have pushed using the slide release for years as a HK agency, under any type of stress the officers revert to their beginning basic training and sling shot the slide. After years of watching multiple officers revert back in training I just remind them of the benefits of the slide release, shake my head and tell them do what works best for them.

I see the same thing with the AR weapons and officers pulling the charging handle with strong hand instead of hitting the bolt release on a emergency reload. We have never taught that in 16 years of our patrol rifle program, but all the former Marines still glue their support hand to the rifle and want to do everything with their strong hand. David

[Uni-Vibe]

I don't know of any person who can reach a non-extended slide release on a stock 1911 with their strong hand thumb. 1911s and some other pistols are best handled by releasing a slide lever with a support hand thumb, after you've seated a fresh mag with said support hand. Incidentally, this is also a technique that is probably the best compromise between speed and reliability. Dropping the slide stop with strong hand thumb is the fastest but it is very easy to drop the slide before seating the mag fully, especially when pushing for speed. More so with pistols with larger slide release levers, less so with smaller ones. You can't drop the slide too soon with overhand or sling shot, but those are slow and can get screwed up by short cycling or riding the slide. I've been in a strong hand thumb camp for years but I am considering to switch to a support hand thumb. I think it is more fool proof and more universal even if slightly slower.

U-Vibe is 5'10" and has to hunt for XXL gloves.

[Zirk208]

This video was posted by Jon Lovell just a few weeks ago on the very subject:

[ST911]

This video was posted by Jon Lovell just a few weeks ago on the very subject:

"Pick something, have a good reason, and shut up." Like.

[gunnut284]

I use the slide release. Our other instructors tend to preach overhand for the “gross motor skill” reason, which I’ve been trying to break. On the line I’m much faster than the others using the overhand method, works for me.

[Buncheong]

I prefer slide stop, but...

...small arms instructors told us that using the slide stop will lead the part to breaking much sooner than it otherwise would.

Is this false? Please advise...