1911 slide lock reloads

[EVP]

So I am playing around and running a 1911 and curious to techniques of other 1911 users.

I assume most are using WH thumb technique?

What is the consensus on extended releases? Seems people are not to favorable about them.


Thanks!

[Amp]

Extended slide release is not needed.

After seating the magazine, I use my support hand thumb to depress the slide stop as I roll back into my two hand firing grip.

[Greg]

Extended slide release is not needed.

After seating the magazine, I use my support hand thumb to depress the slide stop as I roll back into my two hand firing grip.

This.

I've read that Bill Wilson thinks an extended slide release is the single dumbest product they make, but because some people insist on buying them, they'll keep making them.

[SoCalDep]

One of my partners swears by his extended 1911 slide releases, shoots a ton, and has never had a problem. That said, I've seen issues with them (hitting grips making the gun unable to disassemble and potentially affecting reliability) and would highly recommend really thinking about whether you "need" them or just think it would be "easier".

I personally won't use them. I generally use the support thumb to release the slide except with my Berettas, which I can actually reach with my strong thumb. This means I'm generally using support hand thumb for everything including the Berettas unless I'm really trying to go fast.

[JohnO]

Extended slide release is not needed.

After seating the magazine, I use my support hand thumb to depress the slide stop as I roll back into my two hand firing grip.

This is the buy far the best method.

[Robinson]

Extended slide release is not needed.

After seating the magazine, I use my support hand thumb to depress the slide stop as I roll back into my two hand firing grip.

This is how I do it as well. No need for an extended slide release.

[Edwin]

I use my SH thumb as I can reach and use the standard slide release without issue.

[Jim Watson]

I had one sort of like the Wilson. It was subject to premature engagement. I assumed it was by an errant thumb, so I got the swoopy Pachmayr that angled the lever higher and closer to the gun. It prematured too, so I learned to use my off thumb.

[EVP]

That's what I figured and assumed most who run 1911s use the WH thumb.

Thanks for the feedback

[Gio]

Extended slide release is not needed.

After seating the magazine, I use my support hand thumb to depress the slide stop as I roll back into my two hand firing grip.

This is pretty much standard, however it is *significantly* slower than using your strong hand thumb on a Glock or Sig. Even watching guys like Rob Leatham and Travis Tomasie reloading from slide lock on a 1911 is painfully slow compared to slide lock reloads on a Glock, which has almost no time difference from in-battery reloads.

[jetfire]

So I am playing around and running a 1911 and curious to techniques of other 1911 users.

I assume most are using WH thumb technique?

What is the consensus on extended releases? Seems people are not to favorable about them.


Thanks!

I'm in the minority that use my WH thumb to drop the slide on SL reloads with a 1911. For me it's more consistent than reaching out with my SH thumb and hitting the release. The reason I do this is I don't like to break my main firing grip as much as it would require to hit the slide release with my strong hand.

[Malamute]

I roll the gun somewhat and use the strong hand. I'm not very high speed and have no real idea what speed difference that makes. If I can get a firing grip from a holster I figure its not too hard to get a firing grip from a reload. I do it basically the same as if I only had one hand to work with. Not sure if thats a plan or not or if the way I do it is retarded. Just works for me.

[Edwin]

I use my SH thumb as I can reach and use the standard slide release without issue.

I need to amend this because I forgot to mention that I don't need to break my grip to reach it. My hands are big enough to reach the slide release lever from my regular grip even with extra thick grip panels.

[Bergeron]

I started my centerfire pistol shooting with a USP, and could reliably hit the slide release without a shift in my grip. Once I transitioned to 1911s, I needed to flip the gun in my hand to hit the slide release. One I started watching Caleb's Gun Nuts Media 1911 tests, I noticed the weak hand thumb release, and switched to it.

I need my weak hand to stick the mag in the gun anyway, and I prefer maintaining my strong hang grip throughout the reload.

[Stumpnav]

Count me among the WH thumb users. As the left hand inserts the fresh mag, the left thumb is right there to depress the slide release then roll back into a good grip.

[MGW]

Good comparison from a forum member of the different methods and time comparisons. https://youtu.be/drD12-dySf0

I'm still trying to work this out for myself with a 1911 but so far support thumb seems to be the most reliable without a huge loss of time compared to primary thumb. I'll take consistent but slightly slower personally.

[Paul Sharp]

I use my left hand thumb to hit the slide release on 1911's. Right hand thumb on every other auto I run.

[Coyotesfan97]

I use my WH thumb on my 1911s.