What does the manual say in reference to the shield?
Well...It says this:
and this:
Explain this for me pls. There are serrations on the entire Slide Stop because a thumb will engulf the entire Slide Stop while operating it. I'm not following your logic here on why you believe that makes it a Slide Release?
The thumb may engulf the entire slide stop but serrations on a downward slope do nothing to assist on upward movement of the slide stop/release. The only purpose of serrations on a downward slope is to prevent slipping on the lever when pushing down. Thus serrations on the upper part (downward slope) of the lever are clearly and undeniably intended to assist in pushing down (releasing).
Actually, no. Studies have been done by the USAF(?) that concluded flying an airplane involves mostly upper arm movements. This is especially true for stick control in a fighter jet. Because of this, it was a task less affected by the use of either the dominant or weak hand.
Operating the various weapons controls and buttons on the stick would obviously require fine motor skills. Basic flight controls, no.
"Actually".... I think you are correct and I was wrong... I had what seems to be a common misconception regarding what "fine motor skills" actually are. I checked on line and couldn't fine any of the USAF studies, but I found enough to see that basic flight controls wouldn't fall under the proper definition of fine motor skills. At the same time, I found some information that calls into question much of what most of us think of as fine vs. gross motor skills.
I will refer to this article...
Dexterity & Motor Skills
...to illustrate what I have erroneously categorized as fine motor skills, and what might be more aptly called coordination skills...or something of that sort. Just for information, Mike Pannone is former USMC Recon AND Army 1sr SFOD-D.
Thank you M&Pmeister for pointing this out... I have definitely learned something from this thread!
I agree and prefer pistols that make this easy. A lot of polymer guns, though, don't. I don't know if S&W designed the Shield's slide stop to be a release also. If they did, they'd done a lousy job. All of the M&Ps have similar slide stop style and serration. My 40C is next to impossible to release, whereas the 40FS is easy - almost too easy. In fact, most often, it will release on its own just from me slamming the mag in.
My Shield 40 is somewhat in the middle. Possible to release, but not "like buttah" as with other guns with proper release levers (CZs, 92s, 1911s, etc.).
I agree that the slide stop on a Shield is nowhere near as user-friendly as on a 1911 or Beretta 92F, etc. That said, there are always sacrifices and balances made when designing compact (or sub compact) pistols vs. full size guns.
My S&W 915 has a slide stop/release that has several pronounced steps on the downward slope making it work very well as a release. My compact 3914 has the same type of lever, but it is thinner, and thus is more difficult to actuate. This is not because the lever isn't intended for the same job, but that ease of use was sacrificed for concealment and overall reduction in width.
Glock pistols use a very small slide "stop" lever, but I have no problem using as a release. Glock even manufactures a factory release that is more pronounced (standard on initial FBI contract Glocks as well as the Glock 34 and 35) though the internal interface (what would wear over time) is the same between the two levers...so regardless of what has been "said", Glock seems perfectly content with users manipulating that lever as a release.
I'm not so caught up on how one releases the slide (lever or powerstroke/racking) as I feel that it is largely dependent on how much training one has, expects to receive, practice, dedication to the individual platform (will they be using a variety of guns, etc.), and the individual situation presented at the time.
I'm not trying to say one way is "better" because "better" doesn't exist in a vaccum... A cop using the same firearm every day might train specifically for that platform. Someone who has to carry one gun at a certain time, and a completely different platform at another might do things differently. Slide mounted safeties vs. frame mounted safeties vs. no safeties might change one's specific technique. The use of a full-size gun vs. a compact might change technique or require additional practice/training.
All I'm saying, is those who claim something should "only" be done a particular way, usually end up wrong at some point. I'm an advocate of solving problems, not being married to dogma.
) I use the slide lock to release the slide after I reload (if the act of inserting the mag doesn't release it
). Personally I don't think the edges will wear to the point that it won't catch the slide, look at the picture below. My slide lock button broke off at ~ 60K rounds, and it was still catching the slide normally (I shoot to slide lock during practice, not in a match).
