Extended slide release?

[S&W Fan]

Unless my goolgefu has failed me it doesn't seem as if anyone offers an extended slide release for the M&P. I have a 2.0 Compact 9 and while I used to use what's called the slingshot method I also have trained extensively using the slide release on my 1911s.

I get back on target faster with this method. I have difficulty hitting the release with my thumb so I've searched to no avail.

Please pass on any info if I've missed this product, thanks.

 

[SoCalDep]

What thumb do you use?

Generally, if ergonomically possible, releasing the slide with the strong thumb is the fastest, but presents the drawback of potentially releasing the slide prior to seating the magazine.

Releasing the slide with the support thumb all but eliminates the potential for releasing the mag early and works very well with minimal training. It is also very fast. Some will say it is a fine motor skill and too hard. They don’t know what they’re talking about and have relatively minimal experience with large groups of shooters. They also don’t understand the actual definition of fine vs gross motor skill.

Releasing the slide via sling shot or “power stroke” (tren-dee) is a viable choice. It is slower than the other alternatives and without intensive and ongoing training, the un-dedicated will almost certainly rack out live rounds when conducting tactical reloads. Also, and while some may lose their minds over this, it is absolutely true... I’ve seen more user-induced malfunctions with racking the slide vs any version of using the slide release.

The biggest variable in a properly functioning semi-automatic pistol is the user. Racking the slide is a much more likely cause of malfunction compared to the the slide release, and this is confirmed thousands of times over. The myth of fine motor vs gross moter skills preventing use of the slide release would also prevent use of the trigger and magazine release. It is a false argument so flawed as to be comparable to an argument that the earth isn’t flat.

All that to say I don’t know of any aftermarket slide releases, though I have found that with practice even my fairly short thumbs can be very fast with both strong and support manipulation of the slide release with proper technique.

 

[S&W Fan]

Thanks for that-have had the advantage of attending some fine schools over the years, used to compete in what was called "combat pistol" in the late 70s, early 80s.

Been using mostly a 1911 for over 40 years, dabbled with Sigs, BHPs and 3rd gen Smiths, a Glock or two. Always use my strong hand thumb to release it.

The M&P is the only one I've had an issue with getting on the release, I have medium sized hands. Still looking.

 

[Saudade]

Short answer is no.

You could buy a spare and bend the tab outward a bit or apply some jb weld, then shape with file/sandpaper.

Larry Vickers had this to say on the topic

Slide stop vs slingshot

BTW, I did the G mod on my Beretta (decock only).

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I'll make another point I didn't see mentioned... (But I read through the man comments pretty rapidly.)

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) changed handgun training almost a decade ago, dropping the slingshot (or hand-over) slide release method, focusing instead on pressing the slide stop/release lever on semi-autos. But they didn't force the shooter to use the strong-hand thumb.

The change came about because they were having a lot of problems with slides not going into battery under combat conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan when personnel used the slingshot method. When that happened, that generally meant racking the slide again and letting it go forward, losing a round, losing time, and maybe repeating the problem.

Part of the problem in Afghanistan and Iraq was likely due to the fact that so many G.I.s wore gloves -- as protection from the harsh climate (hot and cold!) or because of the rocks and rubble.​

When the DoD changed the handgun training program to have the shooter press on the stop lever after a reload, the number of problems was greatly reduced.

As noted in the Vickers video link, there are other ways to get the job done. The handover method works for many shooters, but not with the Beretta/M9 because using that technique can decock the weapon.