proper method

[mred]

On a 1911, if you shoot all the rounds and slide is back, then you reload the mag, insert it, should you pull the slide back to chamber the round? The question is can it damage the gun to just to kick the slide lock off or should you pull it back? Thanks.

[joe817]

I always just used the slide release, as I'm left handed and was much easier to do it that way.

[InfoTechCHL2007]

I just use the slide release as well. It never occurred to me to try anything different.

[The Annoyed Man]

I always just used the slide release, as I'm left handed and was much easier to do it that way.

I'm left handed too, and I use my index finger to drop the slide release lever with. Either way is probably fine, but I just use the slide release. I have heard, but don't know if it is true or not, that if you release the slide by pulling back on it, there is some risk that the slide will not go 100% into battery. I've never personally had that problem when I've done it that way.

[joe817]

I always just used the slide release, as I'm left handed and was much easier to do it that way.

I'm left handed too, and I use my index finger to drop the slide release lever with. Either way is probably fine, but I just use the slide release. I have heard, but don't know if it is true or not, that if you release the slide by pulling back on it, there is some risk that the slide will not go 100% into battery. I've never personally had that problem when I've done it that way.

That's exactly my method too, TAM. And I'm with you InfoTech. It never occurred to me to do it any other way. It's just....to easy that way.

[kbarrick]

The instructor for my first CHL class was an old time gun-hand and he corrected me rather abruptly when I was using the slide release to close the slide after a magazine change. The proper operation for the slide is from the far rear position instead of a little bit forward resting on the slide stop and it is supposed to be more likely to cause a malfunction if you use the slide stop. I couldn't be sure how much difference it made but have always pulled the slide back since and have taught that method to a few others.

Keith

[dicion]

The instructor for my first CHL class was an old time gun-hand and he corrected me rather abruptly when I was using the slide release to close the slide after a magazine change. The proper operation for the slide is from the far rear position instead of a little bit forward resting on the slide stop and it is supposed to be more likely to cause a malfunction if you use the slide stop. I couldn't be sure how much difference it made but have always pulled the slide back since and have taught that method to a few others.

Keith

This is how I was taught and instructed as well. I was told this was for a few different reasons.

1) Pulling it back All the way, gave it more strength to chamber the round (since you are compressing the spring more, and it has more forward travel distance to gain momentum) and would result in less FTF's from bad, overtight mags, out of spec rounds, marred tip rounds, etc. Remember, the 1911 was designed as a Service Pistol, and JMB knew that not every round/mag would be 100% perfect. Also, it would result in possibly better seated rounds in the chamber. This is how all rounds After the initial are seated, as the blowback of the slide when a round is fired, is completely to the rear of it's travel.

2) Releasing it via the slide stop causes wear to the slide stop, since you are essentially grinding it against the slide when you release it. Over time, this can result in slides not locking back properly, etc, due to the wear between the points of contact. Pulling the slide all the way back, lets the slide stop drop out of the way, rather then 'grinding' it out of the way by using the tab to release it does.

You ask, well then, if this was supposed to be how its done, why even include a slide stop tab to release it? Once again, look to it's Service Pistol Origins. If a soldier was busy with his other hand, or had his other hand wounded, you would still want a way for him to be able to drop the slide if needed. Basically, it was 'release it properly when you can, but if you cannot, then release it via the tab'. I'd say a modern 1911 owner's Range practice falls into the prior category :)

Also.. NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER... EVER!!! Drop the slide on a 1911, EITHER WAY, without a round being there. Eg, on an empty mag, or with no mag. This will damage the lockup of the barrel/slide over time. The round provides the resistance in the slide's return to battery to prevent this damage. Simply releasing the slide to an empty chamber essentially just slams the lockup together at full bore, and will cause damage.
If you must release the slide on an empty chamber, pull it back, and slowly guide it forward with your hand

These are the rules I was taught in regards to the 1911, and I follow them, pretty religiously. If I hand you an unloaded 1911, please do not take offense if I remind you not to drop the slide on it, like so many people love to do for some reason.

[mred]

Thanks Dicion, your # 2 reason was the damage on wear over time was exactly the question. Makes sense to me.

[dicion]

Now granted, the original all-steel 1911 design has changed over the years.
Newer metals may not wear as fast, or may wear even faster (MIM, Aluminum, etc)... so each differently designed 1911 will have different results on wear issues.

[particle]

My Kahr P9 has failed to close completely on several occasions when I dropped the slide with the slide release - the only gun I've experienced that with. However, after a few hundred rounds down range, the problem seems to have resolved itself.

I typically just pull the slide back and release it - I was also concerned about friction causing damage over time by using the slide release. I do this with my 1911 as well.

[geoelectro]

Excellent info! Thanks!

Geoelectro

[joe817]

I think both methods are correct. One is not better than the other.

With saying that, releasing the slide lock on a full magazine, is how the U.S. Army taught its troops.

See FM23-35 Sect IV, P.11:

• 12. METHOD OF OPERATION.-a. A loaded magazine is placed
in the receiver and the slide drawn fully back and released,
thus bringing the first cartridge into the chamber. (If the
slide is open push down the slide stop to let the slide go for-
ward.) The hammer is thus cocked and the pistol is ready
for firing.

This is a fascinating look back into history. The date of the FM is 1940.

But admittedly that was then, this is now. The materials used in the manufacture of the Colt 1911 & 1911A1 clones of todaymay be different than those used back then, with current production models using alloys which may be inherently weaker than the all steel models of the military issue 1911 and 1911A1, and not able to take that kind of stress.

At best I think the argument is marginal.

To see the original TM, see:

http://www.sightm1911.com/manual/manual.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[android]

I think both methods are correct. One is not better than the other.

With saying that, releasing the slide lock on a full magazine, is how the U.S. Army taught its troops.

See FM23-35 Sect IV, P.11:

• 12. METHOD OF OPERATION.-a. A loaded magazine is placed
in the receiver and the slide drawn fully back and released,
thus bringing the first cartridge into the chamber. (If the
slide is open push down the slide stop to let the slide go for-
ward.) The hammer is thus cocked and the pistol is ready
for firing.

This is a fascinating look back into history. The date of the FM is 1940.

But admittedly that was then, this is now. The materials used in the manufacture of the Colt 1911 & 1911A1 clones of todaymay be different than those used back then, with current production models using alloys which may be inherently weaker than the all steel models of the military issue 1911 and 1911A1, and not able to take that kind of stress.

At best I think the argument is marginal.

To see the original TM, see:

http://www.sightm1911.com/manual/manual.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It appears that this is pistol specific. Glock owning friends tell me that Glock owner's manual calls the lever a "slide lock" and mfg docs advise to load a round by pulling and releasing the slide.

My P2000sk manual quite specifically calls the lever a "slide release" and advised to either press the lever or pull and release the slide. (In that order) My manual advised against riding the slide if you use the 2nd method.

[bdickens]

Six of one, half-a-dozen of the other.

[USA1]

i think its just cooler to use the slide release