While I agree with BigDog48, the manual does state it is a slide stop rather than a slide release both my Shield and 40c function reliably as a slide release providing you don't have an empty mag inserted. Either no mag or a full mag it will function as a slide release. Both of them were hit and miss at first but after a few hundred rounds they loosened up and work perfectly as a release. I can still release it on an empty mag but it normally takes two hands.

My 40c has an added bonus as it will auto forward (chamber a round and slide goes into battery) when a full mag is rapidly inserted with a little force. Some folks don't like this but I find it very helpful when doing a quick mag change.