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Old November 23, 2012, 12:27 PM   #1
simonrichter
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Shooting a Glock left handed

A question to all left-handed Glockers in this forum: How do you operate your gun? In other words: Which finger do you use for slide stop and mag release? (I own a 3rd gen which doesn't have the option of switching the mag release, and the slide stop is anyway on the "wrong" side, even for 4th gen Glocks)

Really looking forward your recommendations since I haven't found a satisfying way to operate so far...
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Old November 23, 2012, 12:33 PM   #2
pax
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Here's how I use the slide catch when running the Glock left-handed:



To drop the slide, I use the overhand method -- pull the slide back and let it go forward on its own power.

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Old November 23, 2012, 01:48 PM   #3
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+1. That is how we taught our lefties.
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Old November 23, 2012, 05:04 PM   #4
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It's a slide stop, not a slide release. Grasp the top of the slide and pull it back a fraction of an inch, then let it fly. Use your index finger to drop the magazine, or, if you have a Gen4, switch the mag release to the other side.
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Old November 23, 2012, 05:08 PM   #5
giaquir
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I use my left forefinger for the mag release and I switch
hands to operate the slide stop.
Same as my 1911's
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Old November 23, 2012, 07:46 PM   #6
flycaster
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I'm with PawPaw. Slingshot the slide, and used my left index finger to drop a mag. Shot plenty of competition that way, with no problems.

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Old November 23, 2012, 08:39 PM   #7
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Ditto, never use finger on slide release, rack slide back and let it fly.
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Old November 24, 2012, 10:21 AM   #8
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Hmmm, that's a hard one! LOL
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Old November 24, 2012, 10:39 AM   #9
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Left-handed, right-handed, whatever the gun....I use the slingshot method to chamber. Works with everything.
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Old November 24, 2012, 12:12 PM   #10
Glenn E. Meyer
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Slinger shot and give the mag release the finger. In fact, it's easier than if I shoot right handed with my stubby thumb.


Glocks are left handed friendly. I put an ambi safety on my 1911 and use my left finger for the mag release.
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Old November 24, 2012, 08:10 PM   #11
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Index finger for mag release and right hand to rack the slide. Very easy after a little practice.
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Old November 24, 2012, 08:19 PM   #12
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Thank you all, that was very helpful. The mag release with the index finger is no problem indeed, but the slide stop (thanks for the correction) didn't work quite well, but with the slingshot method that problem is also solved.

And one of the many advantages of the Glocks is that you apart from mag and slide operation they are ambidextrous by default simply because there are no more external safeties or decocking levers or whatsoever to operate
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Old November 25, 2012, 07:10 AM   #13
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Quote:
And one of the many advantages of the Glocks is that you apart from mag and slide operation they are ambidextrous by default simply because there are no more external safeties or decocking levers...
As a lefty myself, you will also find that with a little practice, all guns are ambidextrous. Don't limit yourself to ambi guns they are all very easy to adapt too.
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Old November 25, 2012, 09:41 AM   #14
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Doesn't any one teach using a pistol/revolver with one hand only.

If you're right handed, stick your right hand in you pocket and practice loading and firing your gun.

If you're left handed, stick your left hand in you pocket and practice loading and firing your gun.

Do the same thing with your revolvers.

Never know when this might come in handy.
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Old November 25, 2012, 10:46 AM   #15
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Slingshot the slide. Index finger for magazine release.
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Old November 25, 2012, 11:11 AM   #16
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Glock nor I recommend using the slide stop to release the slide. Under stress it is not reliable and that’s why Glock doesn't install bigger slide stops.

you use the same technique you use in a jam; pull the slide back turning the gun over to clear it then as you turn the gun up right release the slide and letting it pick up a bullet as it slams forward
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Old November 25, 2012, 03:02 PM   #17
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Quote:
Thank you all, that was very helpful. The mag release with the index finger is no problem indeed, but the slide stop (thanks for the correction) didn't work quite well, but with the slingshot method that problem is also solved.
He wasn't correcting your terminology; "slide release" is a perfectly acceptable term. His point, and I agree, was that you shouldn't use it as a slide release because the slingshot method is a much more reliable way to do it under stress, whether you're right or left-handed.
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Old November 25, 2012, 03:20 PM   #18
Glenn E. Meyer
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Kraigwy - yes, they do teach such. I took a class on that with Karl Rehn. To prepare, I broke my dominant hand wrist and had to do it one-handed with my nondominant hand. It was quite fun. Steve Moses' classes went over it also.

It also convinced me that unchambered carry was quite silly - not to start that debate again.

In Claude Werner's snubby class, we did onehanded reloads.
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Old November 25, 2012, 04:33 PM   #19
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Quote:
To prepare, I broke my dominant hand wrist
I think I would have just stuck my dominant hand in my pocket.
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Old November 25, 2012, 04:53 PM   #20
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just something to remember is that the body UNDER stress robs your extremity’s, hands, feet , head ( term white as a ghost) and feeds the core so you will lose feelings and coordination so releasing a slide release is a lot more difficult
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Old December 4, 2012, 03:39 PM   #21
simonrichter
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Quote:
He wasn't correcting your terminology; "slide release" is a perfectly acceptable term. His point, and I agree, was that you shouldn't use it as a slide release because the slingshot method is a much more reliable way to do it under stress, whether you're right or left-handed.
Thanks for the "explanation of the correction" :-) . I got a little confused because indeed a lot of folks here use the term "slide release", but now I got what he meant.
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