Thoughts on slide release for lefties - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**Powerman** · 03-31-2007, 08:57 AM

So what is holding up an extended slide release for the XDs? Yes I am a lefty, and a rookie. I tried using my right to bump the slide back to release my slide, but don't really like it. Both doing it like a sling shot, and doing it with both hands counter each other. (does that make sense?) I don't have a problem using my index finger other that the slide release being far to the rear.

The only gun I have come across that is great at this is H&Ks. Those releases are long, thick, and super easy to do as a lefty. I have seen Springer's work but don't care for it. No offense. I'm sending him my pistol next week for work. For me, grip on the release is not the problem, the position of it is.

So when are we going to get a better part? What has to happen? Can we order a slide release from SA and do a custom one.? I've thought about it, but if I can do it so can part makers, so I have to be missing something. Discuss.

deepdiver · 03-31-2007, 09:22 AM

I can see how that would be an issue. I have been practicing some dry fire left handed (I'm a righty shooter) for training purposes and I keep pinching the meat of my palm in the ejector port between the slide and the barrel when racking the slide.

I have a lefty buddy who shoots an XD .40 service and he reaches under the gun with his right hand and releases the slide stop with his right index finger (at least I think that is what he was doing -- I didn't' ask him, just watched him a few times). I can reach the slide stop comfortably doing that dry fire as long as I bring the gun in towards my body as I was taught for reloads in class.

**Powerman** · 03-31-2007, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deepdiver

I can see how that would be an issue. I have been practicing some dry fire left handed (I'm a righty shooter) for training purposes and I keep pinching the meat of my palm in the ejector port between the slide and the barrel when racking the slide.

I have a lefty buddy who shoots an XD .40 service and he reaches under the gun with his right hand and releases the slide stop with his right index finger (at least I think that is what he was doing -- I didn't' ask him, just watched him a few times). I can reach the slide stop comfortably doing that dry fire as long as I bring the gun in towards my body as I was taught for reloads in class.

I'll have to practice that. I actually forgot about that one. Using the slide does not seem natural since you already have your weak hand in position to grip after placing the mag is. Using my index finger is easy, but I have to reposition my gun in my hand to do so which again isn't natural because I have to reposition into a grip. Thanks for the tip. It's funny because practicing with my right is easier because everything is right there. It isn't awkward to manipulate, even though it is awkward because it is my weak hand.

mpak87 · 04-01-2007, 01:42 AM

I'm also a lefty, and I considered this too when I was beginning to train myself with the XD. I personally grasp the slide with the palm of my right hand, and pull back to release. It isn't quite as fast as being able to actuate the mag release, but if you are doing a reload in a combat situation, you tend to lose fine muscle control, especially if you have to do an unusual stretch to find the catch. An extended mag catch might make sense for competition, but I don't think I would personally do it, because that would be building bad habits that could come back and bite me later. Also, it helps the muscle memory if you use the same motion for clearing jams that you do to release the slide. Fewer things to remember. Just my $.02, but if you practice it, you can become pretty fast.

**Alaskapopo** · 04-01-2007, 02:08 AM

I use the hand over the top of the slide and pull back technique Commonly referred to as the slingshot technique. I don't use the slide release on my guns and I am right handed.
Pat

DN1911 · 04-01-2007, 11:43 AM

mpak87 has the right idea here. now i am not a lefty but i do try to practice a technique i was told was the FBI reload. Tap, Rack, Fire: tap would be inserting the new mag. Rack would be were you do not try to use the slide stop to release the slide, but rather use your right hand and slap the slide back to release. with practice and a little pain this can be accomplished very quickly and you are less likely to screw it up under stress.

**Powerman** · 04-02-2007, 12:01 PM

So any responce from so of our sponsors as to a extended slide release?

I am going to try more practice though with some of the techniques listed. It's funny some of you righties don't use it, and it was placed for you.

AZXD40 · 04-02-2007, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerman

So any responce from so of our sponsors as to a extended slide release?

I am going to try more practice though with some of the techniques listed. It's funny some of you righties don't use it, and it was placed for you.

It is a slide stop, not a release.

As a righty, I do not use it to release the slide.. ALL of my Training has instructed me not to use it as a release. Rather to use your offhand to release slide w/slingshot method.. Ensures less chance of malfunction when putting the weapon into battery.

40SWXDSHOOTER · 04-02-2007, 01:29 PM

I am right handed, and I never use the slide stop to release the slide, I use the slingshot as they say, but most of the time the slaming the mag in will send the slide forward, like the Glocks, and alot of other guns.

**Powerman** · 04-02-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZXD40

It is a slide stop, not a release.

As a righty, I do not use it to release the slide.. ALL of my Training has instructed me not to use it as a release. Rather to use your offhand to release slide w/slingshot method.. Ensures less chance of malfunction when putting the weapon into battery.

Thanks for setting me straight. I hate being ignorant. Serious. I need to practice more.

03-31-2007, 08:57 AM	#1
Powerman XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,720	Thoughts on slide release for lefties So what is holding up an extended slide release for the XDs? Yes I am a lefty, and a rookie. I tried using my right to bump the slide back to release my slide, but don't really like it. Both doing it like a sling shot, and doing it with both hands counter each other. (does that make sense?) I don't have a problem using my index finger other that the slide release being far to the rear. The only gun I have come across that is great at this is H&Ks. Those releases are long, thick, and super easy to do as a lefty. I have seen Springer's work but don't care for it. No offense. I'm sending him my pistol next week for work. For me, grip on the release is not the problem, the position of it is. So when are we going to get a better part? What has to happen? Can we order a slide release from SA and do a custom one.? I've thought about it, but if I can do it so can part makers, so I have to be missing something. Discuss. __________________ XD-45 service Springer Trigger job TFOs Coal... Improving our lives one degree at a time.

04-01-2007, 01:42 AM	#4
mpak87 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Weiser, ID Posts: 319	I'm also a lefty, and I considered this too when I was beginning to train myself with the XD. I personally grasp the slide with the palm of my right hand, and pull back to release. It isn't quite as fast as being able to actuate the mag release, but if you are doing a reload in a combat situation, you tend to lose fine muscle control, especially if you have to do an unusual stretch to find the catch. An extended mag catch might make sense for competition, but I don't think I would personally do it, because that would be building bad habits that could come back and bite me later. Also, it helps the muscle memory if you use the same motion for clearing jams that you do to release the slide. Fewer things to remember. Just my $.02, but if you practice it, you can become pretty fast. __________________ XD-9 Service Stag Arms Mod. 2L Lefty M-4gery (KB!'d ) A couple others

04-01-2007, 02:08 AM	#5
Alaskapopo XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,865	I use the hand over the top of the slide and pull back technique Commonly referred to as the slingshot technique. I don't use the slide release on my guns and I am right handed. Pat __________________ Colt M16/AR15,1911 & Glock Armorer. Certified Firearms Instructor & Urban Rifle Instructor. Completed SWAT Entry Team and SWAT Sniper courses. NRA Endowment Member IDPA Expert level shooter in CDP, ESP and SSP. USPSA A 56876 IDPA A27468

04-02-2007, 12:01 PM	#7
Powerman XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,720	So any responce from so of our sponsors as to a extended slide release? I am going to try more practice though with some of the techniques listed. It's funny some of you righties don't use it, and it was placed for you. __________________ XD-45 service Springer Trigger job TFOs Coal... Improving our lives one degree at a time.

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03-31-2007, 09:22 AM	#2
deepdiver XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SE Missouri Posts: 1,585	I can see how that would be an issue. I have been practicing some dry fire left handed (I'm a righty shooter) for training purposes and I keep pinching the meat of my palm in the ejector port between the slide and the barrel when racking the slide. I have a lefty buddy who shoots an XD .40 service and he reaches under the gun with his right hand and releases the slide stop with his right index finger (at least I think that is what he was doing -- I didn't' ask him, just watched him a few times). I can reach the slide stop comfortably doing that dry fire as long as I bring the gun in towards my body as I was taught for reloads in class.

04-01-2007, 11:43 AM	#6
DN1911 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7	mpak87 has the right idea here. now i am not a lefty but i do try to practice a technique i was told was the FBI reload. Tap, Rack, Fire: tap would be inserting the new mag. Rack would be were you do not try to use the slide stop to release the slide, but rather use your right hand and slap the slide back to release. with practice and a little pain this can be accomplished very quickly and you are less likely to screw it up under stress.

04-02-2007, 01:29 PM	#9
40SWXDSHOOTER XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 891	I am right handed, and I never use the slide stop to release the slide, I use the slingshot as they say, but most of the time the slaming the mag in will send the slide forward, like the Glocks, and alot of other guns.