Slide Stop Vs. Slingshot

[WARFAB]

I've been told by a number of people that the proper method to practice releasing the slide on a reload is to slingshot it. I ran across this video comparing the methods side by side and thought it was interesting. Personally I like using the slide stop, but I haven't really committed to practicing either way yet.

[usmcveteran]

I didn't watch video yet but slingshot is the better method simply because it's a gross skill while slide stop is a fine motor skills.

But it really all boils down to your own preference.

[thughes]

Slingshot. There are handguns that don't have slide stops, what if you happen to pick one of those up in the middle of a zombie apocalypse fire fight? What if you have to use somebody else's pistol and the slide stop is not where your thumb is used to finding it? I have several handguns where I have to shift my firing grip if I wanted to activate the slide release with my firing thumb....I suppose I could train to use the support hand thumb but why bother? It's also a very natural motion to slam the mag in and then continue over the top of the slide to slingshot it.....a very fluid motion once you've done it just a couple of times.

We really have to get you signed up for a training class......

[thughes]

And the SEALS train with the same brand/model firearm......familiarity breeds speed. Like I asked above, what happens when you have to work with an unfamiliar firearm?

[masterswimmer]

Undue wear on the slide stop is just one more reason for slingshot IMO

[WARFAB]

I have several handguns where I have to shift my firing grip if I wanted to activate the slide release with my firing thumb....

Do you carry those handguns?

Natural movements aside, does the video not show that using the slide stop puts more rounds on target faster?

[usmcveteran]

If you can stay as cool under pressure and navy seals and practice with ad many rounds a year as navy seals as often as they train then that might be the right method for you to save a second.

Otherwise sling shot will save you time by not fumbling for slide stop under pressure.

This is not directed specifically at you warfab but in general.

[WARFAB]

You were trained to slingshot USMC?

[usmcveteran]

I'm not positive to be honest but I think slide stop. I could probably look up in manual what I was taught for sure though.

[usmcveteran]

Just confirmed I was taught slide stop method.

This is what manual says after inserting new magazine.....

Roll both hands inward to establish a two-
handed grip and press the slide release with the
left thumb to allow the slide to move forward,
chambering the first round, and present the pis-
tol to the target
​​​​​​

[thughes]

Do you carry those handguns?

Yes, on occasion.

Natural movements aside, does the video not show that using the slide stop puts more rounds on target faster?

Yes it does, I won't argue that. My position is that sling shot works on every single semi-auto out there.....might be 3/10th's of a second slower but it will definitely work no matter what you are holding in your hand at the time. We each use what works best for ourselves.

My second argument in favor of slingshot concerns malfunction clearing. Performing "tap/rack" and "rip/rack/reload/rack" requires the slingshot method, I don't want to have to train to remember "If loading from slide stop I use the slide release but if clearing a malfunction I slingshot"......just slingshot exclusively and I'm GTG. I run 200-300 rounds a month through my handgun plus 2-3 training classes (300-500 rounds per class) per year so any habits I have developed aren't going to be changing easily at this point.

As always, YMMV.

[dwa12479]

I slingshot everything all the time. It's called a slide stop (not a slide release) for a reason. I'd much rather grab the big bulky slide with my full hand and slingshot it than to fumble around looking for a tiny little lever with my thumb. Under the pressure of a fire fight, gross motor skills reign supreme. KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid.

[WARFAB]

My second argument in favor of slingshot concerns malfunction clearing. Performing "tap/rack" and "rip/rack/reload/rack" requires the slingshot method, I don't want to have to train to remember "If loading from slide stop I use the slide release but if clearing a malfunction I slingshot"......just slingshot exclusively and I'm GTG.

That's the best argument I've heard so far based on my limited (zero) instruction.

You guys are too unified in your responses. The forum has been pretty dead lately and I was hoping to stir up a more heated debate.

I'm waiting for USMC to come back with an explanation of why he was taught to use the slide stop.

[usmcveteran]

I was taught slide stop because it's in the manual really lol. We were never given a good reason other then it's in the manual.

Maybe because it's quicker but again that boils down to lots of training on one specific pistol.

Another thing in the manual was when wearing gloves it makes manipulation harder and more pressure may be needed. This would not be the case with slingshot either.

[WARFAB]

Did you carry a Beretta or 1911?