Question for pistol manufacturers - why no lefty slide stops?

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yankytrash

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**WARNING: LEFTY RANT **

Examining my new Sig 229 tonight, I notice how ridiculously simple making an ambidextrous slide stop for it would be, given a machine shop with the most basic of tools. Heck, I almost think I could make one myself with the limited tools at my disposal - wouldn't be pretty, but it'd function with a little testing and tweaking. Certainly my mountain would become a molehill to a man (or woman) who works with metal everyday.

Got me to thinking about the 1911 design also. You want to talk about ridiculous - the lack of ambi slide stops on a 1911 is downright criminal negligence!!! I mean, for criminy's sake machinist/smiths - the dang slide stop's shaft runs right through the entire frame!! Is there no interest in making a few thousand dollars on, what amounts to, a quick tack weld?


What is it with the fascination of "tactical advantage" to make ambidextrous manual safeties, even to go so far as to offer some in the "wide" variety, yet completely miss the fact that it won't matter at all, if you can't reach the slide stop upon reload? Extended? Who needs "extended" when it's not even on the right side of the gun? Sure, I guess you could slide-press upon insertion of another mag, but I'd love to see pictures of the RO's face at an IPSC match to first shooter that tried it.

What is this obvious oversight?? Sometimes, being a lefty, I feel like it's a conspiracy. Of course, being almost educated, I realize it's not, but what other answer is there? Are all firearm designers idiots? Certainly I am not the only one to think of, or voice, this idea.

In today's day and age, "righties" being "right" is becoming (has become?) a thing of the past. Lefties are just as prevelant today, and it's made plainly obvious in in the firearms' industry with lefty bolt guns and left-eject shotguns.


What gives? Am I being unreasonable? It's not a "righty versus lefty", it's just plain common sense, doesn't even take any imagination to think of the tactical advantages of an ambidextrous slide stop.



I'd close with "rant off", but this is an issue that will irk me to my dying day. Angry? Dang right I'm angry. RANT ONWARD AND UPWARD.



Maybe Glock was right.......or LEFT!! However you look at it...
 
slingshot!

(i agree that all controls should be ambi, but most manuals i've looked at say slingshot the slide, don't pop the slidestop)
 
The trend has started:

CZ-85
HK P-2000
Some upcoming versions of the Walther P-99

Frankly you can chalk me up as one lefty with a strong index finger who doesn't really care. I am more disturbed by the lack of ambi mag releases on many models more than missing ambi slide stops.
 
Yes, lefties are indeed the spawn of SATAN. The fact still remains, though, that it is proper when doing a combat reload to 'slingshot' ths slide. That is, you grasp the rear of the slide, withdraw, and let it fly home.
 
Questions:

I slingshot but I have also used the slide stop release without ill affect. By using the slide stop are you more likely not to go into battery?

Also, why have a slide stop lever in the first place if it is not needed and could be a hindrance (ex: Sig 232)?

Proud member of the Left. Handed that is.
 
I'm a lefty and have never felt the need for an ambi-mag nor ambi-slide stop/release. I have always used my trigger finger and felt fine with it.
 
I too use my index finger without trouble. I've also become climatized to slingshoting. I've even strove to perfect the technique, on 1911's anyway, of slamming the mag home so hard that the slide releases itself.

My question isn't technique, it's "why should I have to", all for lack of the simplest piece of engineering on a whole pistol?
 
being lefty and the proud owner of a cz85

i,still use my trigger finger for the slide release
and mag release.

tried to use the ambi-slide release
but felt so unnatural,that i still use my trigger finger.

been programmed for so long,i guess:banghead:

clown
 
I wouldn't know what to do with one. As far as the index finger, just lay your large knuckle on the stop as you seat the mag, it's weight will be enough to drop the slide, no need to pound it home vigorously. I can load from slidelock way faster than a righty. For mag release, I have no idea how people run those with their thumb either.
 
I am normal, I am right handed, if I have to shoot left handed, I find it much easier to use my index finger to release the slide stop than it is to shoot right handed and use my thumb. Even dropping mags with the index finger isn't so hard. Now the south paw's are at a disadvantage with double action revolvers!
 
We're not really disadvantaged by DA revolvers either. However, I did specifically buy a Ruger GP-100 because the cylinder catch is more lefty friendly than are the ones used by S&W and Taurus.

In two handed firing both hands are already on the revolver. Fire it dry, stab the cylinder latch with the left trigger finger. Push the cylinder out of the frame window with the right thumb while inverting the revolver keeping the right thumb hooked to the front of the frame window. Pop the ejector with the meat of the hand between the right index and middle fingers which are wrapped around the front of the revolver frame (at least with my huge mitts).

All the while bring a speedloader from the left belt area. Orient the revolver with barrel pointing at the ground or downrange. Stabilize the cylinder with the right thumb over the top of the cylinder and the middle and ring fingers on the bottom. Insert the speedloader and dump in fresh rounds. Bring left hand to grip while pressing closed and locking up the cylinder with the right middle and ring fingers.

Trust me. It is a lot quicker than it is described.
 
When I shoot left-handed, I find that 1911s tend to work really well insofar as manipulating the slide stop with the index finger. I think it would actually be kinda awkward to have one on the other side of the gun, as well.
 
good question! I'm a lefty but shoot right handed and while i do a sortof slingshot to release the slide i would be worried about getting one of those malfunctions where you have to lock your slide back and clear the breach etc. (can't remember what "type" malf that is but if you've taken a good pistol class you know what i'm talking about).
 
I don't believe in using the slide stop for anything other than manually locking the slide back during malfunction drills. I use the sling shot method.
Pat
 
DA revolver, I've watched right handed people do it, don't see how though. Left hand I cross my left thumb across the back to hit the cyl. release, left hand starts to leave the gun as I elevate the muzzle, at the same time right thumb pushes cyl out. LH is now at belt getting new load while the right index finger comes under the frame to eject, then roll the gun down a little to facilitate load. RH thumb comes out of frame while RH fingers close cyl from underneath. Meanwhile LH is reaquiring grip. Pretty dang fast.
 
slide releases are actually slide stops that we americans prefer to use as a release. What is supposed to happen is when you go slide lock and put in a fresh mag you pull the slide back and let it snap forward the reason for this being that it takes less fine motor skills to do that than to flip a lever. In a fight your FMS go out the window for the most part, although yo ucan teach yourself do anything if you repeat it enough.
 
Of course if your off arm is ever injured and you haven't practiced a thumb/trigger finger release, you are also running the risk of being up the tactical creek without a paddle.:rolleyes:
 
"Of course if your off arm is ever injured and you haven't practiced a thumb/trigger finger release, you are also running the risk of being up the tactical creek without a paddle"

thats a good point

I was taught that if that happened you could run the slide down the top portion of your jeans, by doing that the rear sight would catch the pocket and pull the slide back enough release it. it works but i could see some problems with doing this.
 
Of course if your off arm is ever injured and you haven't practiced a thumb/trigger finger release, you are also running the risk of being up the tactical creek without a paddle.

END QUOTE

A good tactical operator knows how to clear malfunctions, reload and perform all weapon manipulations one handed. Its ok to use the slide stop in this circumstance or run the slide off your belt or holster by catching the rear sight on the edge of the holster.
Pat
 
Why is "slingshotting" proper and using the slide release (or stop, whatever) not?

In a fight your FMS go out the window
Click to expand...

Slide stops are always bigger than magazine releases, and usually comparable in size to safeties/decockers. I haven't heard any real problems with those.
 
I'm not sure that moving your thumb downward is a fine motor skill. i'm also pretty sure that it takes more motor functions to grab something and move it than it does to move your thumb downward.
 
Last edited:
I like most people only use the slide stop to lock slide ope and sling shoot it the rest of the time i think slide lever on right side of pistol would be awkward for us leftys much easyer to hit it with index finger if need be
 
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