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I have noticed that some people, especially competitors, are able to rack their 9 mm pistol slides, often Glocks, with their offhand fingers in almost a firing position and their off hand thumb on top of the slide in front of the breech.
The rationale is that doing a press check or even a first round administrative load with the slide starting closed is faster. The off hand is almost in proper position already and only the thumb needs to be brought down to the side of the gun.
I’m not sure any of these folks actually do any other more critical slide manipulations in this fashion. It appears to be purely administrative. I wouldn’t use it for tactical/emergency reloads or to clear a malfunction or lock a slide back for a stoppage.
I thought I’d give it a try. Nope. I can’t budge the slides on two full sized M&P’s and even a .380 EZ out of lockup using only my thumb for rearward pressure on top of the slide. I didn’t bother to try it on my Kahr TP as that slide takes a gorilla and a six pack of bananas to manipulate on a good day. I have average strength in my hands, no arthritis.
One person using this method said he uses skate board tape on the top of his slide. I’m not willing to tear up my skin with that “fix”.
Perhaps these guys have loose lockup’s? Reduced rate recoil spring and light competitive reloads? I have standard springs and tight lockups.
Maybe I don’t understand the technique, or maybe I should just forget the whole idea.
Comments welcome.
I have noticed that some people, especially competitors, are able to rack their 9 mm pistol slides, often Glocks, with their offhand fingers in almost a firing position and their off hand thumb on top of the slide in front of the breech.
The rationale is that doing a press check or even a first round administrative load with the slide starting closed is faster. The off hand is almost in proper position already and only the thumb needs to be brought down to the side of the gun.
I’m not sure any of these folks actually do any other more critical slide manipulations in this fashion. It appears to be purely administrative. I wouldn’t use it for tactical/emergency reloads or to clear a malfunction or lock a slide back for a stoppage.
I thought I’d give it a try. Nope. I can’t budge the slides on two full sized M&P’s and even a .380 EZ out of lockup using only my thumb for rearward pressure on top of the slide. I didn’t bother to try it on my Kahr TP as that slide takes a gorilla and a six pack of bananas to manipulate on a good day. I have average strength in my hands, no arthritis.
One person using this method said he uses skate board tape on the top of his slide. I’m not willing to tear up my skin with that “fix”.
Perhaps these guys have loose lockup’s? Reduced rate recoil spring and light competitive reloads? I have standard springs and tight lockups.
Maybe I don’t understand the technique, or maybe I should just forget the whole idea.
Comments welcome.
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