Slide Release or Rack It?

[jthrelf]

Rack it. I'm a lefty so it's not really by choice on most pistols.

[Orive 8]

For me its rack it over the top (as apposed to the sling shot method - but that will work too). Main reason commonality of training. I load my gun, unload my gun, reload my gun, and clear a malfunction with the same method.

Also as an instructor for a PD that issued SIGs, we taught the rack it method - over the top or sling shot, because of the two levers on the SIG pistols sides. There were instances when a shooter would attempt to release the slide by using the slide lock lever and instead hit the decock lever resulting in nothing happening.

When I teach defensive pistol classes, I will show and demonstrate all three, slide release, sling shot, and over the top. I will explain the pros & cons of each and let the student decide what to use for themselves.

[ExFlyinguy]

It doesn't hurt for everybody to consider these things and realize their own limitations.

If it comes down to milliseconds in a gun fight and I'm going up against the Sundance Kid or Jerry Miculek - I'm going to lose. It's as simple as that. I don't practice for speed.

My life's experiences have taught me that when I get rushed - I fuck up, but I don't place that limitation on others, which I think Reid addressed nicely in his video. When I use a gun with a manual safety I have forgotten to disengage it. But if you consider the advancements made to firearms, I'm pretty sure if gunfighters/soldiers could reload black powder muzzleloaders under stress then I can reload a modern day semi-automatic. But you will never see me using a shot timer. That's just me

I have a favorite movie quote by Gene Hackman in the movie "Unforgiven" when he's talking about gun fighting with the book writer-

Little Bill Daggett : Look son, being a good shot, being quick with a pistol, that don't do no harm, but it don't mean much next to being cool-headed. A man who will keep his head and not get rattled under fire, like as not, he'll kill ya.

W.W. Beauchamp : But if the other fella is quicker, and fires first...

Little Bill Daggett : Then he'll be hurrying, and he'll miss. Look here...

[stands and draws his gun]

Little Bill Daggett : That's about as fast as I can draw, and aim, and hit anything more than ten feet away... 'less it's a barn.

[Edg]

My buddy's trying to tell me that the one and only way to reload the semi-auto pistol is to seat the new, loaded mag and rack the slide. I have historically just hit the slide release with my thumb after reloading it and all of my pieces slam closed with more than enough force to seat the round and I like being able to do it one handed. Is one way any better than the other?

That is a slide lock. There technically is no slide release. to save wear you should pull the slide back and let it go into battery. Turning the slide lock down to release the slide causes wear since there is pressure on the metal that you are turning. Also you arent getting the full force of the spring.

[Walleye Hunter]

For me its rack it over the top (as apposed to the sling shot method - but that will work too). Main reason commonality of training. I load my gun, unload my gun, reload my gun, and clear a malfunction with the same method.

Also as an instructor for a PD that issued SIGs, we taught the rack it method - over the top or sling shot, because of the two levers on the SIG pistols sides. There were instances when a shooter would attempt to release the slide by using the slide lock lever and instead hit the decock lever resulting in nothing happening.

When I teach defensive pistol classes, I will show and demonstrate all three, slide release, sling shot, and over the top. I will explain the pros & cons of each and let the student decide what to use for themselves.

And that brings up yet another thought...he also forbids the sling-shot method and I couldn't understand that either. For me full hand over the slide is not the fastest or easiest with my equipment, in fact I find it cumbersome for some reason and my slide release is right there and I have practiced with it so I know how hard I have to press to work it. His reasoning was that the extra spring that's left behind by using the slide release could cause a round to not feed.

[Hodgie]

And that brings up yet another thought...he also forbids the sling-shot method and I couldn't understand that either. For me full hand over the slide is not the fastest or easiest with my equipment, in fact I find it cumbersome for some reason and my slide release is right there and I have practiced with it so I know how hard I have to press to work it. His reasoning was that the extra spring that's left behind by using the slide release could cause a round to not feed.

What kind of pistol are you using? As far as full hand over slide it’s a fine method for some people but I’ve also seen many a beginner catch their hand in the ejection port on a closing slide or the material from a gloved hand.

At 41 years old I’m not interested in anyone’s absolutes especially when you have what I consider true “gun fighters” laughing at these ridiculous arguments.

I try never to pigeon hole myself into one way of thinking or doing something if possible. If there’s more then one way to skin a cat then I’m going to try and learn them all and apply each when required.

[Hodgie]

That is a slide lock. There technically is no slide release. to save wear you should pull the slide back and let it go into battery. Turning the slide lock down to release the slide causes wear since there is pressure on the metal that you are turning. Also you arent getting the full force of the spring.

Ever try that with a standard Beretta 92 an end up with your safety engaged? Oops!

It’s just as much a release as it is a lock and a standard wear part that can be easily and cheaply replaced typically after 10’s of thousands of rounds on a quality pistol. There’s a reason why manufacturers are making them ambidextrous and extended.

[Walleye Hunter]

What kind of pistol are you using? As far as full hand over slide it’s a fine method for some people but I’ve also seen many a beginner catch their hand in the ejection port on a closing slide or the material from a gloved hand.

At 41 years old I’m not interested in anyone’s absolutes especially when you have what I consider true “gun fighters” laughing at these ridiculous arguments.

I try never to pigeon hole myself into one way of thinking or doing something if possible. If there’s more then one way to skin a cat then I’m going to try and learn them all and apply when required.

I'm working with 2 H&K's a VP9, which is a midsize and a USP9C, which is a compact and I just find it much easier to just press down with my thumb. I agree it's a chickenshit argument and I'm more concerned with what other personal preferences he would try to impart on me as 'this is how it is to be done'. I had that bad with a flight instructor so it bothers me more than it might other people.

[Walleye Hunter]

That is a slide lock. There technically is no slide release. to save wear you should pull the slide back and let it go into battery. Turning the slide lock down to release the slide causes wear since there is pressure on the metal that you are turning. Also you arent getting the full force of the spring.

Well...my H&K owner's manual says otherwise and if you felt the wrath of my spring as the battery drives home you might feel differently, that extra 1/4" of travel isn't going to make much difference.

[Hawk]

I'm also a lefty, so I don't have much of a choice on most semi's. However, my Ruger Mark IV Target Pistol has an extended slide release that I use my trigger finger to operate.