racking slide

sleepygreen · 02-21-2011, 19:33

I am new to 1911s and just took my first one to the range today. I remember watching a video that said because the slide release may be in different positions on different guns, it is typically better practice to release the slide from being locked back by pulling on it and releasing it rather then hitting the slide release. I know on my glock and p22 when you do this a spring pulls the slide release out of the way and allows the slide to move forward. On my 1911 there is no spring to do this so is the only way to release it to push the button?

Quack · 02-21-2011, 19:36

The 1911 works the same way. I use the overhand slingshot.

sleepygreen · 02-21-2011, 19:41

In looking at it, it looks like the slide is machined such that it would push the slide stop out of the way if you pull it back far enough, but it cant travel back far enough.

come to think of it i am using a shock buff. Would that cause it to not travel as far back as it should, therefore not allowing the slide to push its stop out of the way?

rsxr22 · 02-21-2011, 19:41

I use the same style of charging the gun. However, ive been seeing a lot of things lately with people using the slide lock to release the slide. Quack posted something awhile back from a rep at NH saying to use the SS as a release. I just received a Wilson Combat. He says in the manual and shows you on the video to use the button... I dont get it! Maybe because people like to walk the slide home?

rsxr22 · 02-21-2011, 19:43

I would take the Shok buff out. That could be the reason. My WC has a shok buff installed, but still has enough clearance to slingshot the slide.

Quack · 02-21-2011, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepygreen

In looking at it, it looks like the slide is machined such that it would push the slide stop out of the way if you pull it back far enough, but it cant travel back far enough.

come to think of it i am using a shock buff. Would that cause it to not travel as far back as it should, therefore not allowing the slide to push its stop out of the way?

Get rid of the shock buff. It's limiting the rearward travel of the slide.

Rinspeed · 02-21-2011, 19:46

Some 1911s will slingshot with a shock buff but many will not. I have no use for them myself. I practice both but mainly use the slide stop because it's slightly quicker for me.

rsxr22 · 02-21-2011, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rinspeed

Some 1911s will slingshot with a shock buff but many will not. I have no use for them myself. I practice both but mainly use the slide stop because it's slightly quicker for me.

It will be slightly quicker.. But from all the training courses ive went through, all have said the same.

Its a fine motor skill you wont have under stress, it screws up the practice of consistency, and the spring isnt at full compression which can attribute FTF or failure to return to battery

sleepygreen · 02-21-2011, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsxr22

Its a fine motor skill you wont have under stress, it screws up the practice of consistency, and the spring isnt at full compression which can attribute FTF or failure to return to battery

This is why i have gotten used to racking the slide rather than hitting the slide stop. Its much easier to do under pressure and dont have to think about the different types of buttons for different guns.

Nakanokalronin · 02-21-2011, 20:02

I load a round exactly the way Clint Smith demonstrates here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVGQQ...eature=related

Insert mag with palm, wrap hand up and over the slide,pull slide back and release while keeping the muzzle pointed at the target.

rsxr22 · 02-21-2011, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nakanokalronin

I load a round exactly the way Clint Smith demonstrates here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVGQQ...eature=related

Insert mag with palm, wrap hand up and over the slide,pull slide back and release while keeping the muzzle pointed at the target.

Mr. Smith is a lot like Todd Jarrett to me!

Great info and instruction, but listening to them talk annoys the hell out of me LOL.

Great guy though! I was really looking forward to instruction when i was at Gunsite, i didnt find out until after though that he broke away.

Nest · 02-21-2011, 20:21

I overhand everything but my 1911. Never had an issue when running drills with getting any of them mixed up. Saying you should do the exact same way all the time means if you have miltiple carry weapons, then unless they are all 1911s you should never carry a 1911. They are one of the few weapons with a slide safety you disengage when you draw your weapon. If you think you can't do a slide stop release one one weapon and a slingshot on the other, what makes you think you will remember to hit that safety as you draw your weapon when chances are every other weapon you carry doesn't have that feature?

If you train equally with everything you will carry, you will use each one as it needs to be used. For every pro you find doing it one way, you will find one doing it the other way.

R0CKETMAN · 02-21-2011, 20:22

Using the slide stop is fine if you practice using the slide stop.
Muscle memory is all that is needed.

mr.scott · 02-21-2011, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsxr22

I use the same style of charging the gun. However, ive been seeing a lot of things lately with people using the slide lock to release the slide. Quack posted something awhile back from a rep at NH saying to use the SS as a release. I just received a Wilson Combat. He says in the manual and shows you on the video to use the button... I dont get it! Maybe because people like to walk the slide home?

They tell you to use it as a release because that is what it is. You need to be able to use the gun one handed.

Using it doesn't cause any appreciable damage. Also using it allows for faster reloads.

Quack · 02-21-2011, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.scott

They tell you to use it as a release because that is what it is. You need to be able to use the gun one handed.

Using it doesn't cause any appreciable damage. Also using it allows for faster reloads.

Then why do they sell them as a slide stop and not a slide release?

If you're left handed its not so fast using the slide stop because you can't get to it with your thumb.
A notched rear sight facilitates one handed manipulation.

Nest · 02-21-2011, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

Then why do they sell them as a slide stop and not a slide release?

If you're left handed its not so fast using the slide stop because you can't get to it with your thumb.
A notched rear sight facilitates one handed manipulation.

Not arguing or anything, but I am lefty and find using the slide release on my 1911 easy. I drop the mag and my index finger immediately goes to the slide release. Put in the fresh mag and pop the release down with my index finger as it travels back down to the trigger. The longer lever of the 1911 slide release makes releasing it with an index finger mich easier than any other handgun.

sleepygreen · 02-21-2011, 22:35

Took the shock buff out which allows the slide to move back further, moving the slide stop out of the way. Seems to work perfectly now.

Cobra64 · 02-22-2011, 00:15

I only use the over hand method to rack and release the slide. Watch Clint Smith, owner of Thunder Ranch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfyULpEhmug

Keep in mind that some pistols do not even have a slide lock lever.

Cobra64 · 02-22-2011, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepygreen

This is why i have gotten used to racking the slide rather than hitting the slide stop. Its much easier to do under pressure and dont have to think about the different types of buttons for different guns.

On both points! The slide is always in the same place on every semi, and it's bigger than a lever.

Furthermore, there are some pistols like my Sig P232SL that don't even have a slide lock lever!

We go over this at least once a week. This topic should be a "sticky."

Cobra64 · 02-22-2011, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

Then why do they sell them as a slide stop and not a slide release?

If you're left handed its not so fast using the slide stop because you can't get to it with your thumb.
A notched rear sight facilitates one handed manipulation.

I see you've been well trained and understand the disadvantages of being left handed (as I am).

Too bad some others don't get an education in learning how to "run the gun" instead of watching the bruthas on TV

Waiting for the questions re your comment regarding the rear sight.

***BuckyP*** · 02-22-2011, 06:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

If you're left handed its not so fast using the slide stop because you can't get to it with your thumb.
A notched rear sight facilitates one handed manipulation.

But wasn't it Jeff Cooper who stated that with the exception of the safety, the 1911 favored the left handed shooter because the mag release and slide release (

) was more accessible to the trigger finger than the thumb?

rsxr22 · 02-22-2011, 06:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr.scott

They tell you to use it as a release because that is what it is. You need to be able to use the gun one handed.

Using it doesn't cause any appreciable damage. Also using it allows for faster reloads.

I can manipulate the gun one handed w/o using the slide stop lever. It called ledge sights

Quack · 02-22-2011, 06:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsxr22

I can manipulate the gun one handed w/o using the slide stop lever. It called ledge sights

knedrgr · 02-22-2011, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra64

On both points! The slide is always in the same place on every semi, and it's bigger than a lever.

Furthermore, there are some pistols like my Sig P232SL that don't even have a slide lock lever!

We go over this at least once a week. This topic should be a "sticky."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra64

I see you've been well trained and understand the disadvantages of being left handed (as I am).

Too bad some others don't get an education in learning how to "run the gun" instead of watching the bruthas on TV

Waiting for the questions re your comment regarding the rear sight.

I'm also a lefty and use the same method of slinging the slide home.

One of our instructor actually modified his mags to NOT lock the slide back when empty. He said, most of the time, when under stressed, you're not really counting your rounds, so when you pull the trigger and it doesn't go bang, time to change your mag.

***BuckyP*** · 02-22-2011, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by knedrgr

One of our instructor actually modified his mags to NOT lock the slide back when empty. He said, most of the time, when under stressed, you're not really counting your rounds, so when you pull the trigger and it doesn't go bang, time to change your mag.

With most of my guns, I can feel when the slide locks back. In competition, I've had times when I unexpectedly ran empty, felt the gun it lock open and instinctively reloaded without trying to pull the trigger. Admittedly, I don't know if that would carry over under more dire circumstances.