question for southpaws - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

dirtyvicar · 08-26-2005, 06:15 AM

It's probably a dumb question, but I sometimes shoot left handed. How do you lefties smoothly work the slide release on your XD? When I shoot right handed, it's easy to reach with my thumb. I wasn't able to work it with my index finger. What's the trick?

c22m22c · 08-26-2005, 08:25 AM

there are a few methods for this...

one...

don't use the slide release. instead reach up there, and "slingshot" the slide forward. this technique has a large following since it doesn't rely on the "fine motor skill" of using a finger to disengage the slide release. also this is very similar in form to a malfunction correction drill. with practice, this method is just as fast as a regular reload.

two...MY technique

adjust your grip on the pistol slightly so that it orients a bit more to the right while in your hand. this should allow you to disengage the slide release with your trigger finger. with practice, you may not even need to readjust the pistol's orientation.

three...

once you've inserted the mag into the well, and heard/felt that click...with your hand in the same configuration (palm on the mag floor plate, fingers on the knuckles of the shooting hand) reach your finger tips a bit higher, and pull down the slide release.

there are pro's and con's for each method...i would suggest you practice them all, at slow AND fast speeds in order to determine which one you like. or if this is a carry/duty pistol...which one is fastest for you.

Matt`G · 08-26-2005, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c22m22c

one...

don't use the slide release. instead reach up there, and "slingshot" the slide forward. this technique has a large following since it doesn't rely on the "fine motor skill" of using a finger to disengage the slide release. also this is very similar in form to a malfunction correction drill. with practice, this method is just as fast as a regular reload.

two...MY technique

adjust your grip on the pistol slightly so that it orients a bit more to the right while in your hand. this should allow you to disengage the slide release with your trigger finger. with practice, you may not even need to readjust the pistol's orientation.

I use method "one" to release the slide, due to the fact that it does not rely on fine motor skills. Method "two" is how I lock the slide back... I use my right hand to pull the slide all the way back, then slide my left index finger up the frame of the gun and push the slide release up to catch the slide. Good luck to ya.

c22m22c · 08-26-2005, 08:56 AM

oh...thanks matt`g for reminding me...

a technique my (left-handed, as well) best friend use for locking the slide to the rear is to invert the pistol (upsidedown, barrel pointing safely away) reach over the top of the slide with his right thumb on the left side of the slide. as he pulls the slide to the rear, he uses his thumb to pull the slide release into the groove..

he also does this on a SIG228. it might be the best for everypistol, but its just one more way for anyone to consider.

**agalindo** · 08-26-2005, 09:20 AM

I reach up with my index finger.

dirtyvicar · 08-26-2005, 10:13 AM

Thanks for the pointers. I'll test them out and report back (won't be til next week though)!

baa · 08-27-2005, 08:27 AM

Lefty here-

Options 1 and 2. Generally option 2 (using my left index finger, which is muscle memory movement for me.)

pauli · 08-27-2005, 02:34 PM

whenever possible, always slingshot autoloaders, whether you're shooting them left or right handed.

stunksinatl · 08-28-2005, 06:30 AM

Agree on "slingshotting" semiautos. That extra little bit of velocity you attain helps prevent feeding failures. That motion is how the firearm was designed to load cartridges anyways.

-stunks

panther308 · 08-29-2005, 05:40 PM

What is "slingshotting" ? or is this the same as jacking the slide ?

08-26-2005, 06:15 AM	#1
dirtyvicar XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 449	question for southpaws It's probably a dumb question, but I sometimes shoot left handed. How do you lefties smoothly work the slide release on your XD? When I shoot right handed, it's easy to reach with my thumb. I wasn't able to work it with my index finger. What's the trick? __________________ Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. -Edmund Burke, statesman and writer (1729-1797)

08-26-2005, 08:25 AM	#2
c22m22c XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: east coast Posts: 582	there are a few methods for this... one... don't use the slide release. instead reach up there, and "slingshot" the slide forward. this technique has a large following since it doesn't rely on the "fine motor skill" of using a finger to disengage the slide release. also this is very similar in form to a malfunction correction drill. with practice, this method is just as fast as a regular reload. two...MY technique adjust your grip on the pistol slightly so that it orients a bit more to the right while in your hand. this should allow you to disengage the slide release with your trigger finger. with practice, you may not even need to readjust the pistol's orientation. three... once you've inserted the mag into the well, and heard/felt that click...with your hand in the same configuration (palm on the mag floor plate, fingers on the knuckles of the shooting hand) reach your finger tips a bit higher, and pull down the slide release. there are pro's and con's for each method...i would suggest you practice them all, at slow AND fast speeds in order to determine which one you like. or if this is a carry/duty pistol...which one is fastest for you. __________________ HK USP 9mm Fullsize HK USP 9mm Compact Springfield XD9 4\" and assorted other goodies.

08-26-2005, 08:56 AM	#4
c22m22c XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: east coast Posts: 582	oh...thanks matt`g for reminding me... a technique my (left-handed, as well) best friend use for locking the slide to the rear is to invert the pistol (upsidedown, barrel pointing safely away) reach over the top of the slide with his right thumb on the left side of the slide. as he pulls the slide to the rear, he uses his thumb to pull the slide release into the groove.. he also does this on a SIG228. it might be the best for everypistol, but its just one more way for anyone to consider. __________________ HK USP 9mm Fullsize HK USP 9mm Compact Springfield XD9 4\" and assorted other goodies.

08-26-2005, 10:13 AM	#6
dirtyvicar XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 449	Thanks for the pointers. I'll test them out and report back (won't be til next week though)! __________________ Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little. -Edmund Burke, statesman and writer (1729-1797)

08-27-2005, 08:27 AM	#7
baa XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 209	Lefty here- Options 1 and 2. Generally option 2 (using my left index finger, which is muscle memory movement for me.) __________________ Baa!

08-27-2005, 02:34 PM	#8
pauli XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: herndon, va, usa Posts: 27	whenever possible, always slingshot autoloaders, whether you're shooting them left or right handed.

08-28-2005, 06:30 AM	#9
stunksinatl XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 341	Agree on "slingshotting" semiautos. That extra little bit of velocity you attain helps prevent feeding failures. That motion is how the firearm was designed to load cartridges anyways. -stunks

08-29-2005, 05:40 PM	#10
panther308 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 517	What is "slingshotting" ? or is this the same as jacking the slide ? __________________ panther308 Always Remember: A firearm is only an instrument. It contains no evil, no conscience, and no ability. It is strictly the intent, competence, and character of its user that decide the outcome of any and all actions taken with it.

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