slide release.

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by AZXD40

The part you are referring to is called a slide stop. It is meant to hold the slide open at the end of a magazine. You can use it to release the slide, but that method should only be reserved for when you cannot use you offhand to slingshot the slide into battery. Using your offhand helps insure that the reload goes into to battery properly.

Just my 2 cents

Those professing the slingshot method is the only proper way to load a fresh round believe it to be more reliable under the stress of battle. This primarily taught to military organization who may use various makes and models of weapons with slide locks in different locations. It has nothing to do with the function of the gun and is not the preferred method specified by Springfield XD gun manual is to press the slide lock to release the slide into battery (see pg. 16 in the XD manual). I personally find the slingshot method less reliable for many people under stress or not having the hand strength to fully pull the slide back, thus running the risk of the slide not completely returning to battery. When the slide lock is used you will always get the full force of the return spring. The location of the slide lock is very easily reached on the XDs should be used whenever a round is chambered. When releasing the slide on an empty chamber it is a good practice to ease the slide forward because no force is required to seat a round in the chamber (see pg 19 in the XD manual).

Like anything this is just my opinion

[bountyhunter]

Originally Posted by tcr03

hopfully ill be getting my xd today and have a question about letting the slide close once locked open. is it ok to just push the slide release down and let the slide close on its own.

I always get a kick out of this one..... if they didn't want you to release the slide with the slide release lever (the name kind of gives it away)....

then why would gun makers keep putting that lever there?

[bountyhunter]

Originally Posted by XDONBOARD

I often just push the release and let it slide. If it breaks SA will fix it.

If a slide stop is going to fail, it will break from the battering force of the slide banging into it as it stops the slide's forward motion. The recoil spring is fully compressed at that point and is exerting maximum push. The "peening" you see on the face of the slide stop and the notch in the slide over time is from this battering.

Lowering the slide stop to release the slide does virtually NOTHING to wear it out or stress it.

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by bountyhunter

I always get a kick out of this one..... if they didn't want you to release the slide with the slide release lever (the name kind of gives it away)....

then why would gun makers keep putting that lever there?

Page 28 of the XD Owners manual: Part# 18 Slide Stop Lever

[bountyhunter]

Originally Posted by rgeliske

Those professing the slingshot method is the only proper way to load a fresh round believe it to be more reliable under the stress of battle. This primarily taught to military organization who may use various makes and models of weapons with slide locks in different locations. It has nothing to do with the function of the gun and is not the preferred method specified by Springfield XD gun manual is to press the slide lock to release the slide into battery (see pg. 16 in the XD manual). I personally find the slingshot method less reliable for many people under stress or not having the hand strength to fully pull the slide back, thus running the risk of the slide not completely returning to battery.

Correct for a multitude of reasons.

Under stress when your hands sweat, the slide can easily slip through the hold of the weak hand.

The sharp edges on the slide can actually slice your fingers (been there, done that more than once).

The gun makers put a tab on the slide release for a reason: use your thumb to release the lever and drop the slide.

[tcr03]

that would be all good if i was right handed.

[AZXD40]

Originally Posted by rgeliske

Page 28 of the XD Owners manual: Part# 18 Slide Stop Lever

+1

[bountyhunter]

Originally Posted by tcr03

that would be all good if i was right handed.

Good point. In your case, you may have to manually drop the slide since the lever is on the wrong side.

[rgeliske]

Originally Posted by tcr03

that would be all good if i was right handed.

I usually release with my right thumb and tried a left hand grip left thumb release it is awkward but can be done. You do have to bring the thumb around or over the back of the slide.

[AZXD40]

Originally Posted by bountyhunter

Correct for a multitude of reasons.

Under stress when your hands sweat, the slide can easily slip through the hold of the weak hand.

The sharp edges on the slide can actually slice your fingers (been there, done that more than once).

The gun makers put a tab on the slide release for a reason: use your thumb to release the lever and drop the slide.

most people have to readjust there grip to release the slide using the slide stop lever. Under stress or combat situation doing so could be the seconds or even split seconds you needed to get the drop. The strength your hand possesses between your fingers and thumb inn far great than the strength you thumb possesses specifically when the rest of the hand is preoccupied griping the weapon.


In regards to your reasoning

1. my hand could be covered in oil and I could still release the slide with my off hand 4 fingers and the palm of your hand can have more surface area than just your thumb and fore finger. As well if your hand was so slippery that you could not grip the slide then. I would think that gripping the weapon itself would be impossible using that logic.

As well in the event that this becomes a factor Then please proceed to release the slide using the slide stop lever. Again it can be used for that.

2. In a defensive situation the last thing you should care about it the surface abrasion that may or may not be caused by releasing the slide with your offhand. Assuming you survive your encounter there will be time to put a band aid on your boo boo.

3. The tab the Gun Makers put the slide stop lever on the side of the weapon is to make it so you can hold the slide open. By virtue of mechanics it can be used to do the reciprocal.

As Well I do not consider any guns Manual to be anything but a liability avoider. Please consider getting more firearms training than is available in any factory gun manual - remember the lawyers are dying to hold that manufactures liable for anything they can.

My final point is

this is just my opinion, and the only one that matters to is me. This is how I have been trained. Any body that wants to use there slide stop as a slide release please feel free. There are tactical reasonings for the method I described. the only reason I bother to share them.