The Arms Guide
  • Home
  • Concealed Carry
  • Firearms Training
  • Handguns
  • Rifles
  • Gun News
  • AR-15
  • Reloading Gear
  • Gun Safes

Power Stroke: Skip the Slide Stop

Power Stroke: Skip the Slide Stop

December 29, 2016 by Nate Granzow 16 Comments

When you spend years familiarizing yourself with the mechanics of shooting, it’s easy to believe that the techniques you’ve become accustomed to are the only way to travel. In my case, the notion of ignoring a pistol’s slide stop/release in favor of “power-stroking” the slide—gripping the slide and pulling it rearward to disengage it from the release—seemed completely unnecessary. After all, manufacturers have been integrating slide stops in their handguns for over a century. Why would they do that if there was a simpler, more reliable way to release the slide? Moreover, you can operate the slide release and maintain your grip with only one hand. The power stroke technique requires two. But the more I thought about it and practiced with it, the more the power stroke technique began to make better sense.

Power Stroke: Skip the Slide Stop
Though a perfectly functional part of a pistol’s design, the slide release may not serve you as well under pressure as the super-reliable power stroke.

Why not use the slide stop/release?

Not every pistol’s slide stop leveramazon is located in an accessible spot or is easy to use. Particularly in pistols designed for concealed-carry, the lever may be more ergonomic than functional. Though this may only be a slight inconvenience at the range, it could mean a lethal delay in a defense scenario. The power stroke technique gives you more surface area to grip, which, when your adrenaline is pumping and your fine motor skills are diminished, can be life-saving.

Why should I switch to the power stroke?

Even if your pistol’s slide-release lever presents no difficulty to operate, the power stroke has one major advantage: It’s functionally identical to the way in which you clear jammed cases and stovepipes, check your pistol’s action, and charge your gun. Master this one technique, and if your skills are called upon in a crisis, you’ll instinctively react the same way for each operation.

Filed Under: Handguns Tagged With: advice, ammo, firearms training, magazine, Power stroke, reliable, reload, shooting, shooting sports, shooting tip, slide, slide stop, slide stop lever, technique, tip, Training

Related Posts

  • SIG Sauer P226 Platinum Elite
    SIG Sauer P226 Platinum Elite – Taking the MK 25 to the Next Level
  • Springfield XD-S 9mm
    Springfield XD-S 9mm – Great Option for Single Stack Nines
  • SIG P227 Nitron
    SIG P227 – a .45 in the Body of a 9mm

About the Author

Avatar for Nate Granzow

Nate Granzow A magazine editor and novelist by trade, Nate has spent years collecting and shooting antique, relic, and modern sporting arms, competing in cowboy-action and long-range blackpowder shoots, shooting trap/sporting clays, reloading, and hunting. He's a staunch believer that the second amendment of the U.S. Constitution is the foundation upon which all other rights are predicated, and is a strong proponent of concealed carry. Check out his novels at www.nategranzow.com.

See All Nate Granzow Articles

Comments

  1. Avatar for Nate Granzowpeter3101 says

    September 20, 2013 at 4:24 pm

    CK5150  As you probably already know never release the slide stop of a 1911 on an empty chamber. Its not good on any gun but really bad on the 1911 design.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Nate GranzowTacticalTshirts says

    September 22, 2013 at 11:53 am

    We default to the using the slide. As stated, it’s a motion that is useful in multiple situations. This is especially true when dealing with strange guns under stress.
    I have no problem with having the ability to release the slide-stop. Especially if you are running a personal weapon that you are intimately familiar with (Read perhaps game gun). 
    But no technique is perfect. Some pistols do have recessed slides. One needs to be flexible.

    TTR

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Nate GranzowAlessioBaldi says

    September 22, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    I always wandered how easy could it be to power stroke a CZ, the slide is very thin compared to other pistols.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Nate GranzowNateGranzow says

    September 23, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    Don1974 Thanks, Don! Excellent insight from you, too. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Nate GranzowNateGranzow says

    September 23, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    Don1974 Thanks, Don! Excellent insight from you, too. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Nate GranzowNateGranzow says

    September 23, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    JoeFabeetz Thank you, Joe!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

In Case You Missed It

The 7 Best Fireproof Gun Safes For Your Money Featured
Gun Safes

The 7 Best Fireproof Gun Safes for Your Money

January 19, 2021

Best Ar 10 Lowers Featured
Rifles

Best AR-10 Lowers (2021)

January 19, 2021

Best Sig Sauer P365 Holsters Featured
Handguns

Best Sig Sauer P365 Holsters

January 19, 2021

Best Ar 10 Upper Receiver
Rifles

6 Best AR-10 Upper Receivers – A Buyers Guide

January 11, 2021

© Copyright 2021 Thearmsguide · All Rights Reserved.

  • Comms Check
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.