Mine is brand new, suppressor ready, ambi everything, born on 11/18 USA made. On an empty mag its impossible to release slide, but if I activate from both sides of slide release buttons it will release but it is hard. now with a loaded mag she releases just fine from one side. My other guns release easily whether with empty or full mags. If I slam the mag in she auto releases slide, I like that. I want to pick up some snap caps so I can do this on the couch to smooth it out more, any snap cap recommendations?