Followup to old post - slide lock or slingshot for speed shooting (with video)

[rhart]

Valor Ridge covers the controversy pretty well...

https://www.full30.com/video/336d978901cd5e34d65da337441e8b54

[MoRivera]

I still slingshot because it's a more sure/reliable action for me, especially since my pistols that are SAO and have a thumb safety that make it harder to clearly reach that slide lock/release.  I want to keep that action consistent for every pistol that I shoot, some of which (like my Sig's) have a very different position for the slide lock/release.  All my mag release buttons are in the same position, and even some guns like HK's that have ambi and/or paddle releases, I still use my strong thumb for consistency.  I am certain that I will lose more time (especially in competition) if I miss the slide release  because of extended safety-lever interference or what have you than the time it takes to manually rack back into action.  Same thing if I try to use any support hand thumb on the slide release, by strong hand thumb is already in the way.

If I used just one gun/model for both defensive and competition shooting, then yes perhaps I would use the slide release if it was easily accessible.  But I shoot various different pistols and like doing so, so again for the sake of consistency I manually rack.  And the consistency I feel also helps when it comes to clearing malfunctions.

[SlvrDragon50]

I use both depending upon where my gun is (if I forgot to rack the slide, I'll use the slide lock, otherwise I'll rack the slide on the reload). That said, I don't think the video is fair since his reload was fumbled in the sling shot run.

[rhart]

I'd like to see him do it again with a competition setup to reduce the effect of slight fumbles (which it seemed to me he fumbled a little in both instances).

[rhart]

I still slingshot because it's a more sure/reliable action for me, especially since my pistols that are SAO and have a thumb safety that make it harder to clearly reach that slide lock/release.  I want to keep that action consistent for every pistol that I shoot, some of which (like my Sig's) have a very different position for the slide lock/release.  All my mag release buttons are in the same position, and even some guns like HK's that have ambi and/or paddle releases, I still use my strong thumb for consistency.  I am certain that I will lose more time (especially in competition) if I miss the slide release  because of extended safety-lever interference or what have you than the time it takes to manually rack back into action.  Same thing if I try to use any support hand thumb on the slide release, by strong hand thumb is already in the way.

If I used just one gun/model for both defensive and competition shooting, then yes perhaps I would use the slide release if it was easily accessible.  But I shoot various different pistols and like doing so, so again for the sake of consistency I manually rack.  And the consistency I feel also helps when it comes to clearing malfunctions.

There is a lot to be said for consistency. Whichever method is used should be consistently practiced so that one doesn't have to consciously think about it during a high-stress event. I use the slide-lock/slide release method on CZs, 1911s, S&W M&P semi's and Glocks because it is faster for me with my grip. I activate the slide lock with my off-hand on the way to establishing my off-hand grip (on both semi auto pistols and ARs with ping-pong paddles). Everyone is different though, so to each his own.