I really like my new G17

[ijosef]

I bought my very first Glock from Koscielski's in Minneapolis late last month and picked it up this past weekend at a gun show in Saint Paul. First off, I really liked dealing with Koscielski's and would gladly do business with them again. The gun was great at the range, and I find the Glock platform very pleasurable to shoot. There's hardly any recoil using standard American Eagle 115grain FMJ factory loads, and it feeds reliably. I did have one issue where I had to push the slide forward maybe a millimeter or so in order to get it to go, but I assume this is part of the break in period for a new gun (this only happened the first two times when I had the slide locked open per the range rules, inserted a loaded magazine, and hit the slide release). The gun is also very accurate, and doesn't spew brass too far, although it goes in all sorts of different directions.

If I get an automatic in another caliber (save for .45ACP, for which I will probably get a 1911), it will be a Glock.

[MrVvrroomm]

If I get an automatic in another caliber (save for .45ACP, for which I will probably get a 1911), it will be a Glock.

Congrats on the new 17.

You may want to refrain from using 1911 & Glock in the same sentence. It's generally frowned upon around here.

[MostlyHarmless]

Well, they're good for what they are. I have one. They're not art. ::shrug::

I was brought up to believe that, after inserting a mag, the slide should be pulled back with the non-shooting hand rather than the release being depressed, because doing so a) is faster b) is less likely to stay out of battery the way you described, c) doesn't rely on having a thumb of a shape and size that matches the gun, and d) produces less wear on the release dog. The release is for those situations when it is necessary to close the slide on an empty mag, or for locking the slide open.

[David]

Yeah, I agree with all of that except the speed part. When doing mag changes and exerting a little pressure on the release at the same time, when you insert the mag forcefully the slide pretty much automatically closes right at the correct time. This results in the fastest possible reload, which results in faster times when competing. I never take the extra step of reaching up to pull the slide back during a match after a reload. Try it sometime or watch a match and you'll see what I mean. Here's an example.

[EJSG19]

I bought my very first Glock from Koscielski's in Minneapolis late last month and picked it up this past weekend at a gun show in Saint Paul. First off, I really liked dealing with Koscielski's and would gladly do business with them again. The gun was great at the range, and I find the Glock platform very pleasurable to shoot. There's hardly any recoil using standard American Eagle 115grain FMJ factory loads, and it feeds reliably. I did have one issue where I had to push the slide forward maybe a millimeter or so in order to get it to go, but I assume this is part of the break in period for a new gun (this only happened the first two times when I had the slide locked open per the range rules, inserted a loaded magazine, and hit the slide release). The gun is also very accurate, and doesn't spew brass too far, although it goes in all sorts of different directions.

If I get an automatic in another caliber (save for .45ACP, for which I will probably get a 1911), it will be a Glock.

Just knocking out possibilities here. Did you field strip and thoroughly clean the slide rails and metal on metal contact surfaces? Glocks come with that thick copper colored grease that wouldn't surprise me if it slowed down the cycling enough to cause your slide to hang up a bit before going fully into battery. I know the two I've bought had quite a bit of that heavy grease in them when I first field stripped them. Glocks are happier when they are more dry than mor wet seems like.

Beyond that, I'm not a gunsmith so I'll keep my mouth shut.

Oh and don't be nervous about getting a Glock in .45 acp. My G21 has been great the past few years. Thats not to say I'd kick a 1911 out of the proverbial bed though. Not many 1911's hold 13 rounds without a stupid magazine sticking out the bottom

[Bessy]

The main reason I don't use my slide lock, and why I tell my students not to use it, is that fine motor control is the first thing to go in an adrenaline dump. The only time I use the slide lock is as it's name implies to lock the slide back and check the action. It's a slide lock.. not a slide release.

In terms of competition... I try to never let my gun run empty, always have one in the chamber.. then you never have to worry about the slide locking back. Maybe it's different with IDPA, or Glock shoots, but that's pretty standard fare for uspsa. If I've run my gun totally dry and need to pull a reload on an empty chamber... I screwed up somewhere along the line (Which happens all the time btw).

[RobD]

Getting the same muscle memory for clearing jams and reloading is just good practice. The less you have the think about what to do, the faster you will be.

Also, using the slide release excessively can wear down the catch and cause failure for the slide to lock back at all.

[Pat]

:iagree:

Getting the same muscle memory for clearing jams and reloading is just good practice. The less you have the think about what to do, the faster you will be.

Also, using the slide release excessively can wear down the catch and cause failure for the slide to lock back at all.

Granted, I shoot 1911's and they are somewhat different animals. Most of the time I release the slide by dropping the slide stop/release with my right thumb, and have never noticed excessive on either the release or the notch in the slide. And this is over many thousands of rounds.

And yes, I do have thumbs like a monkey...

[David]

The main reason I don't use my slide lock, and why I tell my students not to use it, is that fine motor control is the first thing to go in an adrenaline dump.

Racking the slide is fine motor control, too, and is actually a more complicated movement, assuming you don't have to turn the gun or any of that stuff when using the release (some people do). My hand naturally rests on or very near my slide release. It is the simplest movement to just put a little pressure on it and let the gun chamber as you insert the mag. People have asked me before if my gun is modified to automatically drop the slide when a mag seats, since that's what it looks like.

Whether it's competition or a gunfight, people run their pistols dry sometimes. I like to do everything the same way every time, because during stress I will revert to the way I normally do things. Using the slide release is faster if you've got the right release/hand size, so that's what I do. It won't be faster for some people though, so those of you doing training might want to show people several ways to do something and have them pick what works best for them.

[Bessy]

David,
Anyone who practices... or even thinks about any of these issues is imho 100% ahead of the game. If you practice what you preach and it works, who am I to argue. From what I've read on the subject, and my limited experience of near death experiences, the slightest fine movement can be extremely difficult. Movements become exaggerated and jerky, like when you are about hit a deer in your car and try to stop or veer away. I do think that racking the slide is much coarser motor control than hitting a slide release button, but until I get to try both out with a crackhead shooting back at me, this discussion about which is finer motor control is border-line academic. If anyone has access to adrenaline, I have a great idea for an mn gun talk group activity that would settle this once and for all!


I will point out that as an instructor, you do have to deal with variety of equipment, and students. Amazingly enough not all semi auto's have external slide locks, not all students can reach the slide lock on the guns that do. I try to Keep it as simple as possible, racking the slide will generally work with any semi auto, and anyone can do it. I'm going to guess that this is the REAL reason you hear this from various instructors.

As for competition.. I wasn't saying no one ever runs dry, I was just saying I avoid it if possible, when I run dry I general pull the slide back when my left hand is already up by the gun (just finished seating a reload). With practice the motion is pretty darn smooth/fast.

[MostlyHarmless]

If you are in an actual self-defense scenario and still have something to shoot at after emptying a full magazine on a G17 then fine motor control is going to be the least of your problems.

[mrokern]

I rack the slide...partly because it does require less fine control, partly because as a lefty the button is a pain, and mainly because although I shoot Glocks most of the time, I don't have to worry about operating system if I slingshot the slide.

I still say the slickest release is on my P7. Squeeze the grip, you're good to go.

-Mark

[Seismic Sam]

Just remember you have to rack the slide on a Glock to load it, and then pull the slide back 1/2" and let it go back again. Tupperware has to be "burped" when you fill it up!!!

[westberg]

Just remember you have to rack the slide on a Glock to load it, and then pull the slide back 1/2" and let it go back again. Tupperware has to be "burped" when you fill it up!!!

That's funny.

[David]

If anyone has access to adrenaline, I have a great idea for an mn gun talk group activity that would settle this once and for all!

Now THAT sounds like a great idea!