Lefty Slide Stop Lever - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

shappero · 04-07-2006, 10:08 AM

Has anybody heard of anyone installing a left handed slide stop lever on the XD? I just got an XD and it is my first handgun so I am not super knowledgable about what is possible or not. After a quick look inside, it looks like part of the trigger would be in the way, but it would be a nice thing to have.

-Keith

ttheobald · 04-07-2006, 11:27 AM

Unlikely - I'm lefty as well, and I have to use my left index finger to release the slide.

T

Diode · 04-07-2006, 11:34 AM

TO lock my slide open I have to hold the gun in my right hand, I got used to it after a while. I figured releasing the slide with the lock was a bad idea so I made it a habit to pull and release with my right hand., Watch us South Paws operate a pistol you think the Mfg's would have mercy on us!

Charles Daly "was" importing a eastern european pistol that had the lock and de-cocker as one lever and was amby as well! forgot the name of it tho. I'd like to see one.

wcsnipes_2424 · 04-07-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diode

TO lock my slide open I have to hold the gun in my right hand, I got used to it after a while. I figured releasing the slide with the lock was a bad idea so I made it a habit to pull and release with my right hand., Watch us South Paws operate a pistol you think the Mfg's would have mercy on us!

I'm a lefty too and that is exactly how I handle when shooting, it sucks, but I guess you get used to it. Maybe one day these gun companies will show us lefties some love!

I do like the fact that the XD has the mag release on both sides. As far as installing a lefty slide release, haven't seen nor heard of such a thing.

poortrader · 04-07-2006, 01:46 PM

Try to practice releasing the slide without using the slide stop. Just pull the slide with your free hand. It's a slide stop and not a slide release.

Matt`G · 04-07-2006, 01:51 PM

I use my left index finger to engage the slide stop in order to lock back the slide. I pull the slide back with my right hand and slide my trigger finger up the frame til it catches the slide stop (catches around my middle knuckle on my finger). Make sense? Give it a try, it'll keep you from having to switch hands.

shappero · 04-07-2006, 03:27 PM

Well, I guess a little practice is in order.

nightraider · 04-07-2006, 04:53 PM

I'm a lefty also and have been doing that procedure that you all in the previous post do.

I am now starting to shoot right handed because I'm sick of it. Oddly enough I shoot pistols better right handed anyway.

**Frenchy** · 04-08-2006, 08:03 AM

I too use the "sling shot" method with my weak hand.

abnrgrcol · 04-08-2006, 09:52 PM

At the Police Academy we teach releasing the slide using the "slingshot" method because most of the recruits carry Glocks and the slide stop is not a slide release and the Glock shooters risk breaking the slide stop using it as a slide release.
And, under stress fine motor skills degrade. Pushing the slide stop down is a fine motor skill while "slingshoting" the slide is not.
I'm a lefty and could do a magazine change faster than a right-hander when I shot a 1911. With a 1911, you push the mag release with your left trigger finger, insert new magazine, push down on slide stop with left trigger finger.
However, the XD slide stop is shaped differently from a 1911 slide stop. So here's my method:

1. Dump magazine using your left trigger finger on the mag release. That way, you don't break your firing grip.
2. Insert new magazine
3. Cant slide to right. Reach over the slide with your right hand. Press the slide stop down with your right thumb. Reacquire right hand support grip.

Above method is faster than slingshot method, and faster than any right-hander method.
I've always believed that Lefties can change mags faster than righties.

04-07-2006, 10:08 AM	#1
shappero XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellensburg, WA Posts: 14	Lefty Slide Stop Lever Has anybody heard of anyone installing a left handed slide stop lever on the XD? I just got an XD and it is my first handgun so I am not super knowledgable about what is possible or not. After a quick look inside, it looks like part of the trigger would be in the way, but it would be a nice thing to have. -Keith

04-07-2006, 01:46 PM	#5
poortrader XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Philly, back to school Posts: 231	Try to practice releasing the slide without using the slide stop. Just pull the slide with your free hand. It's a slide stop and not a slide release. __________________ Stupid people will Always be stupid. XD-40 SC Les Baer PII, Kimber Warrior,Kimber Ultra Carry II/SS Walther P22 5" Sig P226R, Sig P225 DSA STG 58 Para, Colt 6721, RRA Entry Tactical

04-07-2006, 01:51 PM	#6
Matt`G XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 602	I use my left index finger to engage the slide stop in order to lock back the slide. I pull the slide back with my right hand and slide my trigger finger up the frame til it catches the slide stop (catches around my middle knuckle on my finger). Make sense? Give it a try, it'll keep you from having to switch hands. __________________ Matt G. Got Jabber? matt [ at ] accordingtomatt [ dot ] com

04-08-2006, 08:03 AM	#9
Frenchy XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 13,140	I too use the "sling shot" method with my weak hand. __________________ ~SC Harvey~ 2008 Election..."Imbrace your ignorance, and vote your preference". It's quite simple, really... *If you vote for Obama, you are a fuking idiot. If you vote for McCain, you are a fuking idiot.* *If your vote is for the lessor of two evils, then you can be comforted knowing that you're less of a fuking idiot than the other guy! Because Fritz says so! RON PAUL IN 2008**

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04-07-2006, 11:27 AM	#2
ttheobald XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Columbia, MO Posts: 223	Unlikely - I'm lefty as well, and I have to use my left index finger to release the slide. T

04-07-2006, 11:34 AM	#3
Diode XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Spring Tx Posts: 59	TO lock my slide open I have to hold the gun in my right hand, I got used to it after a while. I figured releasing the slide with the lock was a bad idea so I made it a habit to pull and release with my right hand., Watch us South Paws operate a pistol you think the Mfg's would have mercy on us! Charles Daly "was" importing a eastern european pistol that had the lock and de-cocker as one lever and was amby as well! forgot the name of it tho. I'd like to see one.

04-07-2006, 03:27 PM	#7
shappero XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ellensburg, WA Posts: 14	Well, I guess a little practice is in order.

04-07-2006, 04:53 PM	#8
nightraider XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,483	I'm a lefty also and have been doing that procedure that you all in the previous post do. I am now starting to shoot right handed because I'm sick of it. Oddly enough I shoot pistols better right handed anyway.

04-08-2006, 09:52 PM	#10
abnrgrcol XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 51	At the Police Academy we teach releasing the slide using the "slingshot" method because most of the recruits carry Glocks and the slide stop is not a slide release and the Glock shooters risk breaking the slide stop using it as a slide release. And, under stress fine motor skills degrade. Pushing the slide stop down is a fine motor skill while "slingshoting" the slide is not. I'm a lefty and could do a magazine change faster than a right-hander when I shot a 1911. With a 1911, you push the mag release with your left trigger finger, insert new magazine, push down on slide stop with left trigger finger. However, the XD slide stop is shaped differently from a 1911 slide stop. So here's my method: 1. Dump magazine using your left trigger finger on the mag release. That way, you don't break your firing grip. 2. Insert new magazine 3. Cant slide to right. Reach over the slide with your right hand. Press the slide stop down with your right thumb. Reacquire right hand support grip. Above method is faster than slingshot method, and faster than any right-hander method. I've always believed that Lefties can change mags faster than righties.