Very stiff slide release

[Jim Watson]

I don't need any extra leverage. Shooting IDPA I just wipe the slide stop down with my left thumb on the way back to a two handed firing grip after a slide lock reload.
I think the OP has a rough mass produced gun. Maybe it will continue to wear in.

[Walt Sherrill]

Originally Posted by WC145

Point is, rather than fight the gun the OP might have greater success if he works with it instead.

Actually, the point is that you didn't make THAT point.

[Fishbed77]

Reads as though you've had some hard times with Springfield.

Based on their misadventures with the Illinois legislature, all gun owners have.

[dgludwig]

With most semi-autos, that LEVER is a dual function lever that can be used to STOP the slide AND ALSO to release it.

Exactly. I've always wondered why some people insist on calling the slide stop/slide release lever one way or the other but never both. The lever stops the slide in the open position and releases the slide to the closed position (if the shooter so chooses, instead of the "slingshot" method).