Is slide Releasing on an empty chamber bad?

[RocketFoot]

Is it bad for to drop the slide using the slide release lever on an empty chamber?

I've seen this topic on some other forums (Maybe here also, but I couldn't find a definitive answer) so lets put it to the vote! Your thoughts and opinions too...

[roland]

Hey, I'm first to vote! Wahoooooooooooo. Yeah, I'm to excited about that. Uh, no it's not, I''ve done it a few thousand times and I keep shooting at my ability. Hasn't hurt one yet, pistols, rifles or shotguns. It's a little more tricky on an M1 but I can show you how without getting an M1 thumb.

[Pa. Patriot]

Depends on the gun
Yes, it can be bad.

[TonyF]

Short answer is "yes it's bad". Specifically it's hard on the extractor.

However, we have to cycle the slide on an empty chamber in order to practice malfunction clearance drills so even though it's "bad" (relatively speaking), it's also unavoidable.

The way to approach the issue is to go ahead and cycle the slide on an empty chamber when you have to, but just don't do it as a matter of habit.

[PAhunter]

Copied from the Springfield Armory 1911A1 Manual.


If slide is already in “locked back” position:
1. Point gun in safe direction.
2. Press magazine release button to
remove magazine.
3. From top and rear, carefully inspect
chamber to make sure it is empty.
4. Hold slide, disengage slide stop,
ease slide forward.
Notice: The slide of a 1911-A1 pistol should never
be released on an empty chamber; especially one
which has had an action job. Releasing the slide on
an empty chamber causes damage to the breech
face on the barrel and undue stress on all action
parts, including the hammer and the sear. This will
ruin the action job performed on your pistol.
5. Carefully lower hammer as described in the
HAMMER LOWERING section. (Page 22)
Pistol is not empty or unloaded until the chamber is empty and the magazine removed.

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
GENESEO IL USA
MM123456

Hope this helps. Jack

[dnar]

I voted no. I've asked this question many times to knowledgeable firearms users and they all said no. The gun/slide is designed to go back and forth under a lot of pressure according to what they said. I've asked firearms instructors, hunters, cops, gun shop owners, and some individuals who have owned and shot pistols/rifles for many years.


rand

[DaveM55]

Yes it's bad to do that specifically on a 1911.

[Lycanthrope]

Depends on the model, but it's rarely necessary.

For 1911's it will eventually trash a good trigger job.

The extractor shouldn't have any effect in unloaded cycling. On a properly fitted gun it does not contact anything. 1911 extractor problems can occur when you drop alive round in the chamber and then release the slide on it forcing the extractor out around the cartridge rim.

Lycanitsgoodtocheckforhammerfollowthoughthrope

[NineseveN]

My understanding is that it is primarily bad on a 1911 firearm due to how small or comparatively weak the lugs are, they can be bent/peened and that it can also hose a tuned trigger. The resistance or drag created by stripping the round from the mag and loading it into the chamber slows the slide down enough to reduce the impact to safe levels. This is not so much of an issue with non-1911 actions.

I definitely haven't looked too deeply into this, only enough to have faith that it doesn't pose a problem on my non-1911 guns.

[WhiteSS]

I dont do it. my reasoning is the metal on metal friction under spring tension will wear out the release. obviously it will take a lot of abuse to wear it down but its one less thing to worry about. i pull the slide back and lower the release manually and let the slide return to battery easily.