Do you use the slide stop as a slide release to chamber a round or do you pull back the slide to do it? Yes, no, both? Why or why not?

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Born to protect those I love.

Pull back on slide. Consistent across platforms, does not require as fine of motor skills, same muscle memory as chamber from a malfunction, or failure of the slide to lock back.

Slide lock or slingshot sometimes, depends on what stage of battery my auto is in.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

seldon14 got it right.

Also, the slide stops on S&W Shields can be very difficult to push down to release the slide, so I don't even try. Also, not using the slide stop as a slide release eliminates possible wear on the contact surfaces.

I slingshot all of mine. It works best on my Shield so I dont see a reason to have different methods based on what else may be in my range bag or on my person. Easy to be consistent that way.

On some of my pistols, the slide stop/release is easy to reach. On others, not so much. So I overhand rack them all to be consistent.

Yes, my Beretta can be finicky in that regard so I did the "G" mod (decocker only) to solve that problem.

YMMV

Overhand slingshot all the time, as a leftie, for me personally it's much better. My firing hand grip is then consistent.

I don't use the slide stop as a release because the owner's manual says not to. I slingshot the slide.

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What, me worry?

Right thumb on the slide stop. We have to use it to drop the empty mag, so it's already in motion and being thought about.

Been doing it too long to change!

Page 17 from the M&P Pistols Safety and Instruction Manual (1.0/MPF series serial #s) seems to have a contradiction to that. With the slide locked back, the instruction states: "Press down on the slide stop to release the slide and allow it to carry fully forward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine and seats it in the chamber of the barrel."

Admittedly, the writer seems not totally familiar with how firearms work and the proof reader apparently didn't either as they assume that the slide will lock back when moved to the rear with a loaded magazine in place. However, the method of slide release is plain. It would appear that the use of the slide stop is an approved method of releasing a slide from the locked back position to load.

The current version for the 2.0 on page 18 gives the method of loading from the slide forward/magazine in place as the slingshot method of pulling the side. This is the easiest way to load from that condition. In fact, on page 20, in bold red letters it advises that releasing the slide with the slide stop will cause the slide to move forward at high velocity. No where did I see it say not to use the slide stop to release the slide.

Now, I personally don't give a hoot which way you choose to release the slide, but I'd suggest that you become familiar with both methods. One does not always have the use of both hands. Learning how to hook the rear sight on things to rack the slide also helps. The slide stop release is generally faster and somewhat less fumble prone, but that can vary depending upon your hand size. When reloading one can always reach upward with a digit on the support hand to operate the slide stop.

For at least the last 25 years I've used the slide lock as a release with no problem on all my semiautos. However over the past year I've acquired two that I can't reliably drop the slide on using that method. Since I like those guns and will not be getting rid of them I will be retraining myself to overhand or slingshot the slide to release it for consistency.

Both. Depends. Because they both work.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I have three Safety & Instruction Manuals for M&P pistols, all purchased new. One is for my 1.0 40c, purchased Dec., 2014, the second for my 1.0 Shield 9, purchased June, 2015, and the third for my Shield 45, purchased Feb., 2017. All three chambering instructions are identical, and all say the following (on p. 17 for the 40c, p. 18 for the Shields):

"Pull the slide to the rear and release it, allowing it to carry fully forward. This strips a cartridge from the magazine and seats it in the chamber of the barrel."

While it doesn't explicitly forbid using the slide stop to release the slide, the clear implication is that they don't recommend it. Apparently S&W had a change of heart from the time they published the Manual you cited, and after experimenting with the slide stop release method on my M&Ps, I can see why. While sometimes it worked just fine, at other times I found the slide stop to be so stiff, that it slowed loading by the time I got it pushed down, and a few times, it did not release with enough force to fully chamber a round. On the other hand, slingshotting the slide, as per the Manual, has worked for me every time, so that's what I do.

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What, me worry?

I use the slide stop because it's a little faster. I first saw a thoughtful demonstration of that by Larry Vickers on YouTube in connection with 1911s (which I shoot most of the time).

The argument against "fine motor skills" carries less weight when you consider that pulling the trigger is a fine motor skill.

Also, for my pistols running an RDS, it can be awkward to find the right place to grab for a slingshot approach.

My M&P 1.0 auto-forwards so often that it's pretty much a moot point, for me.

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Bob
1911, Beretta, M&P

The name says it all. Slide stop or slide lock. I’ve not run across any firearms mfg that call this particular part a slide release. It’s sole purpose is to lock the slide to the rear position.

Go run a half mile then empty your magazine on target at 15 yds might get 30% where you want them to go. Now reload and try to find the slide lock to release the slide. Good luck. The proper slide release is to sling shot the slide. This is what most law enforcement agencies teach.

I've used both. Practice both. They both have their strengths and limitations. Slide releases can be hard to manipulate, or just be non-existent, on some guns. Some guns don't have a last-round-hold-open capability even if they have slide stops/releases. But people can fumble slide racks, too.

Consistency is a good argument in favor of racking the slide. Probably the best one, IMO.

The "fine motor skills" argument is a little over done. Hitting the slide release isn't any more difficult than hitting the mag release, but I never hear people claim it's difficult to hit the mag release under stress. And yes, pulling the trigger on a gun is a "fine motor skill."

Also, for one-handed gun manipulations, it may actually be easier to hit the slide release with your thumb than trying to snag the rear sight (or something else on the slide) on a belt or something if the slide is locked back.

When I use the slide release, I hit it with my left thumb once a mag is inserted. I find it the most efficient way to get the gun back on target after reloading. I use my right thumb if I need to close a locked-open slide one-handed.

When I rack the slide, I prefer the slingshot method vs the overhand method because it's a little easier to keep the muzzle oriented downrange and my hand doesn't cover the ejection port. Also, with my 92, I have a harder time getting a solid grasp on the rear of the slide with the overhand method than slingshotting. But either method can be used effectively.

Sometimes the best method depends on the gun. Sometimes the best method depends on the user. Sometimes it depends on both.

So practice each method, ideally with some time pressure, and see which one works for you. Focus your efforts on that method, but I think it's a good idea to maintain at least some familiarity with the other method(s).

Just my opinion.

As previously noted, easiest way to load from slide forward, full magazine inserted.

You're assuming facts not in evidence. You've also obviously never been through transition training per S&W. I spent over 27 years as a LE Firearms Instructor. All with S&W sidearms as standard. That said, whatever works for you.

I've also found the "fine motor skills" argument to be a justification in search of someone's preference/prejudice. You've fired the firearm empty, dropped the empty magazine, fetched a loaded magazine and inserted it into the magazine well all using fine motor skills and now, suddenly, your fine motor skills desert you when it's time to operate the slide stop? This is not logical.

As to nomenclature: many/most early semi-auto designs use the slide stop pin to retain the slide assembly. "Stopping" the pistol from disassembling itself. It also "stops" the slide in the proper position to load a fresh magazine. in other words, it's a logical label. Does not mean that's the only application for it. Does hint that some look for any possible hook to hang their practices/preferences on.

Well, they sure come home pretty stiff. Both of mine have some travel on them now, and the slide stop can be managed with one hand, same for my BG .380's, but I no longer "have the habit" and simply sling shot the slide.
Actually, the same can be said for the safety's. I use them when I put the holstered gun down for the day, otherwise it's too small and stiff to play with if I need to use it quickly.

It depends on the firearm. My Kahr PM 9 specifically uses the slide stop/release. Says so in the owner's manual. Slingshot method can (and usually will) cause it to not feed.

Hmmmm? Wonder why there's so many "extended" slide releases on the market?

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

03hemi Because people just gota have um !! If you hype it well then make it some one will buy it .

I'm old school , Pull back the slide and let fly or even more often like on the range control the slide into battery unless running drills most times .

When using my M&P 45 first edition I don't use either. If the slide is locked back, just firmly insert a new mag and the slide goes forward on its own. Faster than either method.

Assuming yours doesn't do that, press the slide release or rack the slide. It doesn't matter to the gun. However, there are times when you may have to do it one way or another.

If you only have one hand available, the slide release is the easiest. However, you can also rack the slide using the rear sight, front sight, ejection port or even by pressing the whole slide against something. Everyone forgets that sometimes you might only have one hand.

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Freedom isn't free.

I absolutely agree that whatever works for you is right for you.

I have preferences, but I do train sufficiently with all methods that I have a cascading set of manipulations to make sure a slide locked back will chamber a round from a new mag inserted into the grip.

I also agree that being proficient with the overhand grip (not slingshot), or secondarily a thumb and forefinger squeezing the rear of the slide (slingshot) is important to have in your skill set for certain malfunction drills or for certain guns. Many folks give up on using pistols because they are taught Only the slingshot method and do not have the strength in their thumb and forefinger to overcome the recoil spring/slide/slide stop friction.

I have expressed here many times that a slide stop can very easily be adjusted to work any way you want it to. So, I have adjusted all my semi-autos with slide stops for the past 25 years to auto-forward. I insert a mag briskly (not stupidly hard) and the slide automatically closes, chambering a round. It is simply a function of polishing the correct friction between the slide stop and the slide. I can use the stop as a finger release. I can still overhand grip release them. I could still slingshot any of them, but I never do.

If I ever to get to slide lock and absolutely need to reload, I’m already in trouble and need speed. The overhand/slingshot methods are the slowest because they require so much movement and require more time and effort to get the gun pointing correctly again. Training only with these methods, neither of which is fool proof (none are), limits options. It is important to know and train one hand closing, and a slide stop adjusted to auto-forward and release with finger pressure gives you options.

So, for me:

A. Auto-forward (works one handed as long as you can get the mag inserted)
B. Off hand thumb hits slide lock to release it every time anyway
C. Overhand if all else fails or the gun requires it.

If I have to shoot a strange gun I don’t know in an emergency, overhand. As has been said, it works. I train with it. Hardly ever use it.

BTW, what’s the thingy that stops the mag in the grip so you can load and fire the gun? The mag stop? Nah. It’s a release. Read the manual. It’s nomenclature is always correct, and by following the manual you will ALWAYS be doing what is right and best—for the average user of the average gun, kind of a lowest common denominator essay. That’s how manuals are written. Some of us prefer to enhance our performance and guns beyond the bland oatmeal that is the manual.

I use the slide stop on all my semi-autos, as that is how they were designed to assure going into battery. Obviously, the sling shot method is fine also as long as you are consistent and don’t ride the slide or otherwise interfere with it.

I have a friend that uses the sling shot method because his hand isn’t big enough to comfortably hit the slide release without repositioning.

I've been training over the top with my Shield, not blazing fast but ain't slow neither

Theres a video by Garand Thumb about the Sig M18 on YouTube. Great review/overview btw. Its at the 14:30 mark. I had to rewind it and listen to it about four times at least.

One of the best lines in the video is about the slide lock. He says,
"Slide lock" - "Slide release", ", if you argue which kne its for, nobody gives a ______ what you call it (or think it should be called/used for)" .

He's right ya know.

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ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I use the slide stop on the M&P 2.0 to release the slide because I trained that way on the 1911. However, on the 5" M&P (13113) the slide stop is so stiff that it's impossible to use it, so the manual of arms must be revised to slingshot the slide. I'm looking for a solution to that problem that the shorter models don't have.

If you carry a defensive handgun you should also do Tap Rap bang drills and if you do that you will naturally lean toward grasping the slide pulling to the reat and let it fly !! Now the 2.0 are nor suppose to auto close when a new mag is slapped home but it it does , Great .

On a match gun most guys will be shooting Minor Power Level so take advantage of that and if you do not reload ammo then buy ammo that comes closest to minor power and run a lighter recoil spring to go along with it so the wittle bitty slide hold open works a bit easier for the some here . Spike think the 5" means the force needed is higher ? Its Not as both come from the factory with the same recoil springs .

One thing being overlooked is how smoothly (or not) your auto chambers a round?
I always lock my slide back, insert a mag and drop the slide striping a round into battery. Why?
The feel of the way the round is chambered is very foretelling and is more difficult to feel when using the sling shot method.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

“Drop the slide?”

Yes, normally that's what happens when you release the slide lock.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Walther must have responded to market pressure when they added a slide latch to their modern guns. The timeless PPK/S family had nothing of the sort and worked fine. Then came their neat little P22 had a slide latch lever but a soft pot metal slide to cut the notch in. The hardened steel slide stop and release lever would chew out and round off the sear notch in the slide if used a lot as a slide release. Much wiser to use the slide release as intended, pulling slide and pushing release lever simultaneously. Methink those that revel in dropping the slide with the release button only, also like to one handed sling revolver cylinders shut. It is slightly faster and not really wrong, but I prefer to baby my firearms. I hold my right thumb against the barrel latch lever when gently closing a double gun, but I don't care if others don't. Their guns.

"Methink those that revel in dropping the slide with the release button only, also like to one handed sling revolver cylinders shut."
This is an ignorant assumption? Why would you assume someone would mistreat a pistol because they use a different correct method than you?
Chambering a round by using the slide release is just as safe as the sling shot method. smh
It makes absolutely zero difference in the wellbeing of the firearm to use either method, whether be it using the slide lock/stop/release (all correct terms) versus the sling shot method except one's faster to some than others.
Neither will cause any harm to the firearm as long as there's a round to be chambered.

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Dave Ramsey Cultist

Very interesting discussion. I am a lefty and carried a 1911 for many of my LE years. I used my trigger finger to hit both the mag release and the slide lock/slide release and never went over the top. Glock teaches over the top only with the fine motor skill argument and the fact that it works on all semi auto's. The fast competition and combat shooter use the slide release method because it is faster. I train all of them and use the one that works best for the type of firearm I am using at the particular time. I have recently tried to transition to firearms that have the slide lock/release on the right as well as the left side so I have the option of using it for both a slide lock and release should I choose to do so.
One interesting note here is that I read and have found that with the M&P 2.0 series, the release works fine for the righty shooter but not so much for the lefty shooter. I have a Glock Gen 5 model 45 that works fine on both sides. The CZ P10-c works somewhat better than the M&P but not as well as the Glock. I have carried and shot a Gen 4 Glock 19 for several years and did not have the option with it. I did over the top that gun cuz I didn't have a choice. That method I have found is definitely slower.