How many use slide stop as a slide release for speed shooting?

[randyflycaster]

This is a follow up to my previous post. How many of you folks use the slide stop for speed shooting? I know many shooters recommend using only the slingshot method, partly because they feel using the slide stop as a release can damage some guns.

Being a lefty I'm debating whether I should by a CZ with a ambi slide stops.

Randy

[oldfrank]

I use the slide stop on all my guns when shooting fast. (fast for me is a relative term ).

I use this method with 1911's, CZ's, Glocks and any other semi auto I shoot.

I have run it against the timer many times  and there is no way overhand or sling shotting is faster than hitting the release with my left hand as the gun comes up.
Of course Tactical Ted will tell you all about fine motor skills and all that but I believe in train like you fight. I shoot about four matches a month and I definitely am not saying it is the same as being in a gun fight but there is stress there and I have never missed or fumbled the slide release.

It is hard for me to relate to what a left hander would do but if you could try a gun with an ambi safety and see how it feels to you, that would be a help.

[rhart]

While I try to count my shots and reload before going to slide lock in a match, when I do go to slide lock I almost always use the slide stop lever - if ramming the magazine home doesn't move the slide home "automatically." I agree that there is no way the so called "slingshot" method is faster as I can activate the slide stop with my support hand thumb while achieving my two-hand grip and acquiring the next target and can pull the trigger the instant the slide rams home if on target. I'm right handed so it works for me on all guns I have shot. While "making ready" before starting a stage however, I will use the "slingshot" method.

[ThompsonCustom]

I try to never let my slide lock back when speed shooting(USPSA) because it's a lot faster than running dry and having to use the slide release or dropping the slide by hand. But when it does happen I try and hit the mainspring plug hard enough when loading the mag that it drops the slide.

[Grendel]

If practising shooting for speed - slide catch, if practising shooting for reality - slingshot.

Since I don't shoot competition (speed), I only shoot for reality, I slingshot the slide, and always have. Works on any gun, regardless of the position of the slide catch, and whether the shooter is left or right handed.

[7Left]

I always use the slide lever when actively shooting. The only time I can think of using the sling shot method is when loading to make ready, clearing at the end of a stage, or when I'm not engaged in a stage. I find using the slide lever to release the slide much faster and more fluid in motion. Obviously, I try not to run dry, but it happens on occasion.

[s0nspark]

I always use the slide stop lever - it has always been faster for me and, with enough practice, it is a lot less motion and more fluid. I say that as one who shoots two-handed in both right-handed and left-handed configurations. (I am decidedly right-handed but I work to build up my comfort level just in case I ever need to shoot left-handed...)

When I shoot left-handed, I release the slide with my right index finger - when I shoot right-handed, I release the slide with my left-hand thumb or (sometimes) my right-hand thumb.

I tend to favor the off-hand digit method the most simply because I do not run the risk of breaking my strong-hand grip during the process.

[larryflew]

Plus another 1

[1SOW]

With a 1911-type  pistol reload when locked back,  I use the slide release.  It's large easy to reach slide release makes this fast.

With 9mm CZ pistols I use a firm insert to release the slide,  and rarely use the slide release except after cleaning the pistols to check for function.  After a jam clearing,  I always rack the slide fully back after clearing the malfunction to optimize feeding.

If speed is NOT an issue,  racking the slide fully back is the most reliable way to firmly seat the cartridge fully into the chamber and make the pistol trouble free.

Max. speed involves some compromise.

[M1A4ME]

1911 guy transitioning through several brands of plastic framed guns before finding CZ pistols (boy, did I waste a few years and a lot of money) and I always use the slide strop/release.  No issues getting my thumb on it or pushing it down.

Habit, habit, habit.

Some people/instructors don't recommend it due to the fear/chance that people will miss the slide release.  Something about gross vs. fine motor skills (maybe I said that wrong,  but using the slide stop works for me so I don't spend a lot of time researching why it doesn't work for others - sort of like trying to understand why someone prefers a Glock to a CZ, just not worth my time.)

[randyflycaster]

Folks,
Thanks. Great replies. Very helpful.
Randy

[s0nspark]

Some people/instructors don't recommend it due to the fear/chance that people will miss the slide release.  Something about gross vs. fine motor skills (maybe I said that wrong,  but using the slide stop works for me so I don't spend a lot of time researching why it doesn't work for others - sort of like trying to understand why someone prefers a Glock to a CZ, just not worth my time.)

You said that right BUT many instructors forget that trigger manipulation is also a fine motor skill ;-0

My personal take is that that is "confirmation bias" more than anything... arguments designed to support their pre-existing conclusions. I tend to take all of that kind of stuff in and weigh it against what I find works best for ME through a LOT of practice...

That said, it is amazing what kind of qualifications one needs to make in order to guide people who simply do not practice enough... or at all! :-D

[rhart]

Economy of motion is essential for speed. IMHO, the most economical motion for releasing the slide after slide lock is the "automatic" release achieved by firmly seating the magazine (assuming your pistol will do this). The second most economical motion-wize is to wipe off the slide release with your offhand thumb while reacquiring your two-handed grip  - assuming controls are accessible to your offhand or that you even have one and that you use a proper thumbs forward grip.

I do the same with my AR - I hit the ping-pong paddle with my offhand thumb after inserting the mag and on the way toward re-establishing my grip on the forearm instead of racking the charging handle, even though I have a tacticool charging handle for one-handed racking. Using the ping-pong paddle may not look all tactical and all, but it is more efficient and therefore faster.

I primarily try to use the most efficient method when competing and when training for defensive weapon use.   

[Mac-427]

I don't shoot competition but do train tactically.  My instructor teaches the sling shot method for two reasons:  (1) More reliable in defensive situations, and (2) Minimizes wear on the slide stop due to continued metal to metal friction between the stop and the slide.  Since I only use the sling shot method, I've managed to get reasonably good at it.

[rhart]

I'm not sure that it is always more reliable in defensive situations - if my gun does not reliably feed and go into battery via slidestop every time, I won't carry it. I'm sure that it takes more time to rack the slide though, and in a life or death situation where a tenth (or a hundredth or a thousandth) of a second could mean the difference between winning and losing a gunfight, I'll take the most efficient (and therefore the fastest) route. If I'm behind cover and not worried about being immediately over run, I can see racking the slide if my cover allows me the freedom of space to do so, assuming my offhand arm is up and running to allow me the physical capacity to rack the slide.

Someone with a timer should clock doing it both ways several times. Maybe even film it and post it. I'll look on Youtube to see if anyone has done something like this. The important thing is to not activate the slide stop in a separate motion and then acquire the grip and then aim and shoot, but to incorporate the activation with the acquiring of the two-handed grip and target acquisition to truly see how much faster it is.
NOTE: I am coming from a 1911 and or CZ model background and so this may not hold in reference to Glocks or clones that have a very small slide lock lever that is very close to the frame. It may be truly more reliable to rack the slide with these guns. I forget that other shooters may have other preferences than mine.

In a defensive situation, I don't think I would be concerned about the life of my slide stop at that moment.