Topic: Dropping The Slide On An Empty Chamber

[HD-DVD]

+1
Why beat the snot out of it if you don't have to.

Another +1.

Why beat up any machine, why take the chance of added wear and tear? It's just common sense. Over the last 40+ years with any of my firearms I've eased the action closed when there's no round to be chambered. And it certainly hasn't hurt them.

[TrooperBrian]

Sounds like gun shop, empty gun, comfort has crept into your manual of arms...

Just a procedural note:
While pointed at something you don't mind destroying, drop the mag, retract the slide, inspect the chamber(not the opening in the slide), close the slide, drop the hammer while still pointed in a safe direction. Always!

When clearing a weapon, racking the slide then dropping the mag is outside of the normal manual of arms for clearing/checking a magazine fed weapon. Building improper technique creates the potential for an ND. I've witnessed a few that racked the slide, dropped the mag and sent one into the dirt.

Sorry for the drift but as Pops reminds us:

SAFETY FIRST

I suppose this is worth clarifying, I use the empty magazine to lock the slide to the rear before removing the magazine, not a full cycle. Should the magazine and chamber both have been loaded with live ammunition, the rearward lock would have ejected the chambered round.

[Jeff]

What if it doesn't?

[TrooperBrian]

What if it doesn't?

Perhaps I should clarify further. When I say "clearing", I should really say "after clearing". I only do this after I have already cleared the weapon, and I'm getting ready to put it away, after I have personally checked to see if any live ammunition is present. Clear as mud?

[popsgunner]

I thought we all covered this like 18 times, after the gun is clear and double checked it's clear ease the slide forward, point it in a safe direction, down is best and dry fire it. done. now your a pro. 
Pops

[MtGoat]

This reminds me of a discussion I had with Larry on over and under shotguns.  When closing the action hold the lever and ease the bolt closed (just like the slide on a 1911).  The lock-up will last much longer than just slamming it closed. 

Pat

[dutch1911]

You may want to take a closer look at your clearing practices.
Though your current practice will certainly accomplish the task it edges on the brink of deficient training.  Do it the same every time.
With the weapon pointed in a safe direction at all times...
1. Remove the magazine - Stow said magazine.
2. Rack the slide vigorously at least 3 times.  (Why 3 times?  Cuz 2 isn't enough and 5 is too many!)
3. Lock the slide to the rear.
4. Visually and Physically inspect the chamber to ensure an empty gun.

One should consider having specific rules in place at home or at work.  I utilize the same rules I impose on my Officers at the Range and When I'm in the State's Armory.  No live ammo anywhere near when working on a weapon.  If you leave the weapon for a short time... re check the weapon to ensure it's clear.
Tenacity my friend will work out complacency. Complacency gets people shot when they KNEW the weapon was clear.
My wife giggles at me because of my level of demand at sticking to the processes I have in place... but she really does understand.
I'd hate to hear of anyone having to endure the Pain/Embarrassment of a Negligent Discharge.
Take care of that 1911 ... it'll take care of you.

Cheers.

[popsgunner]

I know Dutch, they laugh at me when I rack the slide over and over like I'm doing it to amuse myself ? It is always a training issue. Well said Dutch.
Pops

[motosapiens]

i don't know about y'all, but i fire bullets in my guns, that explode and stuff. I majored in math, and I just calculated that exploding bullets cause more stress on the gun than letting the slide go forward.

But, i'm superstitious, so when i change the oil on my car, I use a torque wrench on the oil filler cap. don't wanna strip it and explodify my engine-thingy. 



(caveat: I intentionally say 'clip' instead of magazine to make the gun nazi's heads explode)

[HD-DVD]

i don't know about y'all, but i fire bullets in my guns, that explode and stuff. I majored in math, and I just calculated that exploding bullets cause more stress on the gun than letting the slide go forward.

But, i'm superstitious, so when i change the oil on my car, I use a torque wrench on the oil filler cap. don't wanna strip it and explodify my engine-thingy.  



(caveat: I intentionally say 'clip' instead of magazine to make the gun nazi's heads explode)

So math says it's ok to beat the crap out of a machine? Guess I didn't get that course at ASU!   (That's a Sun Devil, BTW!  )

[J Mack]

i don't know about y'all, but i fire bullets in my guns, that explode and stuff. I majored in math, and I just calculated that exploding bullets cause more stress on the gun than letting the slide go forward.

Can you share those calculations with us non-math majors?

Caveat: I’m also antagonistic but I elect to use the proper names for magazines/clips ammo/bullets and use my quick wit to make guys who intentionally say 'clip' instead of magazine heads explode.

[JWaddell]

The two in the photos are EGW and 10-8. I also have a SVI not pictured.

http://www.10-8performance.com/products/Slide-Stop%2C-

I have parts from 10-8 on my 1911 and they are awesome. Hilton builds some legit stuff!
Grips, Rear Sight, Flat Trigger[attachment=1]