Safe to hit slide release when empty? - Page 2 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Tempest · 05-07-2008, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderjohn

According to gunsmiths and most manufactureres, it is advised against doing so when there is no round going in to cushion the impact of the extractor.

What impact to the extractor?

jfdavis58 · 05-07-2008, 03:07 PM

Another perfect example of internet information 'mashing'.

There are two distinct problems, or rather problem areas here.

In turn then...
Feeding (manually) a round into the chamber then allowing the slide to slam home puts undue stress on the extractor as it must snap around the case rim. It-the extractor was designed to 'feed' from the bottom; the lip of the round slides neatly up and under the lip of the extractor as the slide cycles. There should be no contact between the extractor and the frame so it shouldn't be damaged by slamming the slide closed without a round in the chamber, but...

When a round is fed normally from the magazine into the chamber a considerable amount of slide momentum is spent/absorbed in moving the round, energy that must be dissipated somewhere, typically with a jarring slap when the gun is empty. On 1911's with finely machined trigger parts-i.e. trigger job, this slap is thought to cause these parts to bounce, then to crash together and this may result in damage. Hence the suggestion to ride the slide into battery when the gun is empty.

Is this a problem outside the 1911 family of pistols? I don't know, but why risk damage to just look or sound ....

bigjimmy57 · 05-07-2008, 07:01 PM

Thanks for the info. I guess I will have to start using snap caps when I'm practicing my reloads.

thunderjohn · 05-08-2008, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest

What impact to the extractor?

I've read numerous articles abut damage to the extractor from doing this.
The XD manual always states to slowly release the slide when there is no round being chambered. I'll see if I can dig up one of the articles from a gunsmith.

**agalindo** · 05-08-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderjohn

I've read numerous articles abut damage to the extractor from doing this.
The XD manual always states to slowly release the slide when there is no round being chambered. I'll see if I can dig up one of the articles from a gunsmith.

If you drop the slide on a chambered round you risk damage to the extractor, but I've never heard it happening while dropping the slide on an empty chamber.

cammobunker · 05-08-2008, 08:13 PM

Dropping the slide on an empty chamber can batter the face of the breech and the face of the locking lugs.
I've seen a pistol damaged to the point of needing a new barrel (FN Hi-Power) from dropping the slide dry.
I generally avoid doing so on any of my guns. Just because they should be able to take it doesn't mean abusing them is a good idea.
That's just me; you do what you want.

tdyoung58 · 05-09-2008, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breadfan

Correct. Guys, this is not a Walmart toy, this is a combat handgun made out of spare croatian tank parts.
Releasing the slide like that, won't hurt it. Actually, if you listen carefully, you can hear XD saying "Yeah baby! Slap me some more!".

sounds like my ex

GlockConvert · 05-09-2008, 06:16 AM

The gun will be fine, I wouldn't worry about it. More to the point, why are you doing it? If you are practicing combat reloads (as noted above), many schools of thoughts (and the ones I subscribe to) don't recommend using the slide stop/release for anything but locking the slide back. When the slide is locked back, use your off hand to grasp the slide over the top (not between your thumb and finger). By grasping the top of the slide you get the meat of your hand on one side and 4 fingers on the other. Jerk the slide to the rear and let go (do not rid it forward). Return your off hand to the grip and you are good to go.
There are some huge advantages to this:

This is the same motion you would use to clear a stoppage. Builidng muscle memory is important to fighting under stress.
This is a not a fine motor skill. Depending on your ability to get to the slide release in the dark, mud, and blood is not ideal. I know I can grasp the slide (even when I'm freezing cold).
This is not gun specific. It will work with the vast majority of autoloaders out there.

If you train to ignore the slide stop/release and use the slide, that is how you will do it under stress. If you use the slide release in your living room while watching TV, you will be fumbling around for it in the dark.

Just a thought.

thunderjohn · 05-09-2008, 07:19 AM

Sorry for my bad info. I've been reading so many posts that I'm combining
them all.

I should have stated the extractor can be damaged from loading a round into the chamber and releasing the slide as everyone else stated.

But, I still agree that releasing the slide on an empty chamber is bad for the barrel. And as was stated, using the slide stop to release the slide can over time round off the slide stop and possibly cause a failure. The slingshot is best as Glockconvert said.

Sorry again. I'll start reading a little slower and thinking a little longer.

dreydin · 05-09-2008, 08:44 AM

wait, im a little confused after reading this thread

i know to not hit the slide release on an empty chamber. i hold the top of the slide and slowly let it down. but whats this talk about "loading a round into the chamber by slide release is damaging?"

does this mean, when i have nothing in the chamber and load a full mag.. that i shouldnt hit the slide release to load the first round? huh???

05-07-2008, 07:01 PM	#13
bigjimmy57 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ellabell, Ga outside of savannah Posts: 115	Thanks for the info. I guess I will have to start using snap caps when I'm practicing my reloads. __________________ Jimmy Oliver

05-09-2008, 06:16 AM	#18
GlockConvert XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PAC NW Posts: 372	The gun will be fine, I wouldn't worry about it. More to the point, why are you doing it? If you are practicing combat reloads (as noted above), many schools of thoughts (and the ones I subscribe to) don't recommend using the slide stop/release for anything but locking the slide back. When the slide is locked back, use your off hand to grasp the slide over the top (not between your thumb and finger). By grasping the top of the slide you get the meat of your hand on one side and 4 fingers on the other. Jerk the slide to the rear and let go (do not rid it forward). Return your off hand to the grip and you are good to go. There are some huge advantages to this: This is the same motion you would use to clear a stoppage. Builidng muscle memory is important to fighting under stress. This is a not a fine motor skill. Depending on your ability to get to the slide release in the dark, mud, and blood is not ideal. I know I can grasp the slide (even when I'm freezing cold). This is not gun specific. It will work with the vast majority of autoloaders out there. If you train to ignore the slide stop/release and use the slide, that is how you will do it under stress. If you use the slide release in your living room while watching TV, you will be fumbling around for it in the dark. Just a thought. __________________ Damien in Seattle I don't list my guns - I know glocks, FALs, and AKs but I'm not sure my ability to fill a gunsafe with guns make me an expert on anything. All that you can depend on from a 45 is that it will drill a .45 - .70 inch hole about 14 inches into someone. There will not be "energy dump", people will not fly backwards, and they will not necessarily fall as if they have been struck by lighting.

05-09-2008, 07:19 AM	#19
thunderjohn XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 743	Sorry for my bad info. I've been reading so many posts that I'm combining them all. I should have stated the extractor can be damaged from loading a round into the chamber and releasing the slide as everyone else stated. But, I still agree that releasing the slide on an empty chamber is bad for the barrel. And as was stated, using the slide stop to release the slide can over time round off the slide stop and possibly cause a failure. The slingshot is best as Glockconvert said. Sorry again. I'll start reading a little slower and thinking a little longer. __________________ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

05-09-2008, 08:44 AM	#20
dreydin XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,215	wait, im a little confused after reading this thread i know to not hit the slide release on an empty chamber. i hold the top of the slide and slowly let it down. but whats this talk about "loading a round into the chamber by slide release is damaging?" does this mean, when i have nothing in the chamber and load a full mag.. that i shouldnt hit the slide release to load the first round? huh??? __________________ XD-40 SC bi-tone - hard chromed w/TFOs + PRP goodies

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05-07-2008, 03:07 PM	#12
jfdavis58 XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 92	Another perfect example of internet information 'mashing'. There are two distinct problems, or rather problem areas here. In turn then... Feeding (manually) a round into the chamber then allowing the slide to slam home puts undue stress on the extractor as it must snap around the case rim. It-the extractor was designed to 'feed' from the bottom; the lip of the round slides neatly up and under the lip of the extractor as the slide cycles. There should be no contact between the extractor and the frame so it shouldn't be damaged by slamming the slide closed without a round in the chamber, but... When a round is fed normally from the magazine into the chamber a considerable amount of slide momentum is spent/absorbed in moving the round, energy that must be dissipated somewhere, typically with a jarring slap when the gun is empty. On 1911's with finely machined trigger parts-i.e. trigger job, this slap is thought to cause these parts to bounce, then to crash together and this may result in damage. Hence the suggestion to ride the slide into battery when the gun is empty. Is this a problem outside the 1911 family of pistols? I don't know, but why risk damage to just look or sound ....

05-08-2008, 08:13 PM	#16
cammobunker XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6	Dropping the slide on an empty chamber can batter the face of the breech and the face of the locking lugs. I've seen a pistol damaged to the point of needing a new barrel (FN Hi-Power) from dropping the slide dry. I generally avoid doing so on any of my guns. Just because they should be able to take it doesn't mean abusing them is a good idea. That's just me; you do what you want.