Slide racking

[Al Morgan]

When racking the slide, should you use the slide lock/release lever or use the overhand rack method instead?? :confused: And please explain why you prefer one of the other for me, 'cause I'm a newbie. :o Thanks!

[Joe Simone]

The over hand method always works, but it is slower...

[Joe Ford]

neither, you should never run your gun dry.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

neither, you should never run your gun dry.


YOU IPSICK, GAMER, ROUND COUNTING SOB!!! :mad:

Just kiddding, Joe... :D ;) :)

[Joe Ford]

Gee so harsh,, I can feel the love.......... and yep I was the only one with a procedure on the plate racks most likely probably should have got one on stage one also. I honestly dont remember what kinda reload I did.


But any way if you think about it in an actual fight if you go to slidelock one of two things have happened. Your last shot ended the fight and it really doesnt matter how you reload. Or your last shot didnt end the fight and you are now up the creek with an empty gun. much better and faster to drop mag with one still in the tube. It is faster than SLR to get back in action and you still have that one round in the chamber to use if absoulutely necessarry.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

So, are you telling me that you are actually counting rounds in combat? :confused: Just like you do in IPSC/USPSA? :rolleyes: Where you are leaving only (1) round in the chamber? :confused:

Well, I have seen a HUNDREDS of guys TRY to do that in IPSC/USPSA/IDPA and even in TSA competition. And then have their match strategy get all FUBAR to the point that they don't even remember what they did when the last shot was fired and totally screw up the stage. :(

Just like you did at the last match, Joe...where you didn't even remember what kind of reload you did or didn't do...Am I right? :confused:

[Joe Ford]

I know what kinda reload I did I dropped the mag and reloaded with one still in the tube I just wasnt sure if one was left in the mag or not. On the plate rack I just plain forgot to stick the mag in my pocket. I guess it goes back to the question , "Should" you should know how many rounds are in your gun at least close. Sometimes it's not possible but if your gun goes to slidelock you could be in a bad sorts. But if I loose track and go to slidelock I prefer to use my left thumb to hit the release. It's headed there anyway. Your left hand slaps the mag home and as it rotates up assuming a grip your thumb will pass by the slide release.

[Al Morgan]

So, what's the best way to go? Still fuzzy on the answers, but then, I'm the FNG here! ;)

[Joe Ford]

Sorry, you got caught up in some inside jokes and sarcasm. It really depends on your hand size and equipment. Trainers that teach large classes with little one on one time like the over hand slingshot because it works with most platforms and uses less fine motor skills plus it is also the same motor skill you use when initially loading so you have one less movement to learn. This could also apply if you switch back and forth between several platforms. If you are only using one handgun and it fits your hands and you are willing to spend a little extra time practicing using the slide release while reaquiring your weak hand grip it is faster.

[Brad VanHorn]

I agree with Joe, this is equipment and situation dependent. However, I believe it is preferable to use the slide release, so that is my first option and what I train most. As an example of equipment dependence, I found that when I swept over the top on my Beretta M9 I would more often than not inadvertantly sweep the decocking lever to 'safe' thus rendering the weapon unable to immediately fire - this is bad... In another example, I found I routinely but incidentally made contact with the slide release lever of the Springfield XD, so the slide normally wouldn't lock back (because I was unintentionally touching/pressing the release lever) and when I reloaded I had to intentionally sweep and rack the slide to get back in action - this is also bad... Thankfully and fortunately I have had no trouble with either method on my preferred CZ 75's.

[E. Spears]

So, what's the best way to go? Still fuzzy on the answers, but then, I'm the FNG here! ;)

What's "FNG" stand for? :o

[Grumpy]

What's "FNG" stand for? :o

Fucking New Guy...

[Rodney Robbins]

I was at an IPSC match and saw that the smartest, fastest way to get around a certain course was to carefully manipulate the magazine changes so as never to run dry. But I also knew that I could just shoot the darned stage and reload as necessary. That's what I did. While the RO was clicking, shaking his head and feeling sorry for me the whole darned stage, I was just shooting the targets. Maybe I lost a full second off my time (I think three of the five mag changes could be done while moving). Still, I found it much less stressful to just run the gun and get on with it.

Oh, as to the ORIGINAL question, I hit the slide release every time with my left thumb, no fumbling, no looking. I traded away an easy shooting XD because when I used a high thumb grip, the slide would not lock open on the last round. I am also uncomfortable with the Sig and Kahr pistols for the same reason. Glocks and M&Ps are okay in my hand.

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

I think Top Shooter Dave Sevigny said it best on the "Street Gun Nationals" video when I asked him about the SGN courses of fire...

He said something to the effect of when [small] steel targets are thrown in the mix on the course of fire, it can throw a monkey wrench into your well planned time and type of reload. :cool: :D

[R.R. Buenafe]

Is there a technique that would give you an indication of much ammo you still have left in the magazine without taking it out and doing a visual inspection? Is this at all possible to do?

[Joe Ford]

You can use the one little Indian method,,:),,,
One little two little three little Indians, four little five little six,
It comes down to your gun, Mine holds 22 rounds the max number allowed in a USPSA Level III matches is 32 and most lower level matches follow the same rule, further more no more than 8 shots from any given position, so with 22 round mags that leaves a hole bunch of places to reload and no issues with having to keep up with exact numbers, Now if you are shooting single stack or a 10 round only division or game a few misses can fubar a plan I still see no reason to plan on shooting to slide lock. Why plan on loosing or plan on missing ?

[Joe Baker]

I think you are talking about "GAMING IT" vs. "Practical Pistol" type Street Combat tactics and techniques. I really don't care what they do in an IPSICK. Isn't there a competition thread somewhere? :confused:

[D.R. Middlebrooks]

I really don't care what they do in an IPSICK...

Neither do I, that's why I don't shoot IPSC anymore...

I get better measurements out of IDPA, TSA and "Man vs. Man" Speed Steel than anything else. :cool:

[Joe Ford]

the original topic of this thread was what kind of slide drop did we use and why? Since I havent been in any street combat lately I answered truthfully and acurately, So what kind of reloads have you done Mr. baker in all your vast experience in street combat ?