The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - So You Have a Flawless Running Semi-Auto? IISHOT1000 2009

**JohnKSa** · May 4, 2009, 01:36 AM

This year, stages alternated between using the "slingshot" method for dropping the slide (odd stage numbers) and using the slide release to drop the slide (even stage numbers).

If we eliminate the BHP and the Springfield .45 which both appeared to have magazine issues, then during the slingshot stages there were 2 failures to feed the first round out of the magazine. During the slide release stages there were 4 failures to feed the first round out of the magazine. The Ruger P95 had its only two failures on a slide release stage (vs. slingshot method) when reloading with fully charged magazines. The P95 was shot for another 100-200 rounds after the match using the slingshot method with fully loaded magazines and experienced no further malfunctions.

Based on these results, it would seem that dropping the slide using the release is more likely to cause a malfunction compared to using the slingshot method. That makes sense if you consider that you usually get a tiny bit more slide travel when using the slingshot method.

Another thing to consider is that if you carry a magazine for a reload (particularly a double-stack magazine), underloading it by a round or two can make feeding that first round a bit more positive since it will require slightly less force to strip the round from the magazine. The P95 had no first round failures to feed until it reached the stages using fully loaded magazines.

If we again eliminate the BHP and the Springfield .45, there were 10 failures to feed overall. Of those failures, 6 were failures to feed the first round of the magazine. In other words, 60% of the failures to feed occurred while chambering the first round out of a magazine. Looking at just the P95 and the PX4C, there were a total of 7 malfunctions between the two pistols of which 6 (86%) were first round failures to feed.

That's something for the empty chamber carry advocates to consider. Carrying a chambered round means you eliminate the possibility of first round failures to feed in an SD/HD situation unless you have to reload. Conversely, carrying chamber empty means that you're planning to perform a relatively error-prone function while under considerable stress.

May 4, 2009, 01:36 AM	#9
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,990	Failures to Feed the first round from the magazine This year, stages alternated between using the "slingshot" method for dropping the slide (odd stage numbers) and using the slide release to drop the slide (even stage numbers). If we eliminate the BHP and the Springfield .45 which both appeared to have magazine issues, then during the slingshot stages there were 2 failures to feed the first round out of the magazine. During the slide release stages there were 4 failures to feed the first round out of the magazine. The Ruger P95 had its only two failures on a slide release stage (vs. slingshot method) when reloading with fully charged magazines. The P95 was shot for another 100-200 rounds after the match using the slingshot method with fully loaded magazines and experienced no further malfunctions. Based on these results, it would seem that dropping the slide using the release is more likely to cause a malfunction compared to using the slingshot method. That makes sense if you consider that you usually get a tiny bit more slide travel when using the slingshot method. Another thing to consider is that if you carry a magazine for a reload (particularly a double-stack magazine), underloading it by a round or two can make feeding that first round a bit more positive since it will require slightly less force to strip the round from the magazine. The P95 had no first round failures to feed until it reached the stages using fully loaded magazines. If we again eliminate the BHP and the Springfield .45, there were 10 failures to feed overall. Of those failures, 6 were failures to feed the first round of the magazine. In other words, 60% of the failures to feed occurred while chambering the first round out of a magazine. Looking at just the P95 and the PX4C, there were a total of 7 malfunctions between the two pistols of which 6 (86%) were first round failures to feed. That's something for the empty chamber carry advocates to consider. Carrying a chambered round means you eliminate the possibility of first round failures to feed in an SD/HD situation unless you have to reload. Conversely, carrying chamber empty means that you're planning to perform a relatively error-prone function while under considerable stress. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?