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How to Reload a Semi-Automatic Pistol. The auto-forward is not a feature. But it seems to work reliably in one of my guns. I’m also an advocate of gripping the slide as I find that my thumb sometimes doesn’t quite get enough purchase on the slide stop.
February 22nd, 2017 at 10:03 pm
I’ve read that you should not use the slide stop to release the slide and that you should always rack it to release the stop to the down position. Don’t know if this is true or not.
I think the habit of gripping the slide is better anyway. Sweat, adrenaline, fear, among others. There are a lot of reasons you could miss the lever with the thumb when time matters most.
February 23rd, 2017 at 3:27 am
I just use guns that have a good slide release for me. That is why I don’t use the 1911, my thumbs are too short to effectively use the stock slid release. Both my carry guns have a very nice slide release for me. That is actually one of the tests I use when selecting a gun, are all the controls in a natural place for my hands, can I use them instinctively? If the answer is “no” then I move on to the next gun behind the counter.
Not everyone has the same hands. Some of my friends can use the 1911 slide release with no issues. Some of those same guys cannot quickly and reliably hit the release for my Kahr.
Find a gun that fits your hand. This is far more importation than any brand loyalty or fanboyism. If I stuck to fanboyism I would be carrying a 1911 despite their lack of proper ergonomics for me, because they are sexy and have gravitas. I like them, I just don’t have the hands for them.
The overhand slingshot works, but like old fashioned pistol marksmanship, it has been replaces with a faster and more versatile methodology. If you cannot effectively use all the controls on your pistol I might recommend you shop around and find one where you can.
The sligshot method is still in my repertoire, but it is there as a malfunction clearing methodology, not a standard reload.
February 23rd, 2017 at 10:30 am
Shooting with my left hand, it’s over the top of the slide if I need to cycle the action.
February 23rd, 2017 at 11:05 am
I can’t do the C-clamp grip on slides because I end up gripping the frame, not the slide, but I do end up manipulating the slide more than the release.