If you've ever struggled to hit the handle during a quick reload, a glock raised slide release might end up being exactly the small tweak your handgun needs. It's humorous how we spend hundreds of dollars on optics, triggers, plus custom stippling, however we regularly overlook the particular one tiny item of stamped metal that actually regulates how the gun functions in order to runs dried out. For many people, the manufacturing plant part is fine. For the relaxation of us, it's a bit of a nuisance.
Glocks are well-known for their "perfection, " but when you ask any kind of high-volume shooter, they'll tell you that the particular stock controls can be a little bit minimalist. The manufacturer slide stop is usually flat, low-profile, and—depending on your hand size—nearly impossible to stimulate reliably under stress. That's why the aftermarket for these items is so massive.
The Problem With all the Factory Setup
Let's become honest for a second. Glock telephone calls that little component a "slide end, " not really a "slide release. " Mechanically, it's designed to hold the slide when the magazine is empty, but Glock's official stance for a long time was that you ought to "slingshot" the slide to chamber a round rather than using the lever.
That's fine in the vacuum, but within the real entire world, specially in competition or high-stress training, using your thumb in order to drop the slide is just quicker. The thing is that the particular standard part is so flush using the frame that your own thumb often just slides right more than it. If your hands are sweaty, or if you're wearing gloves, ignore it. You're left fumbling with a piece of metallic the size of a fingernail whilst the clock is definitely ticking.
Precisely why "Raised" is Different from "Extended"
Right now there is a bit of confusion in the gun world regarding terminology. Usually, people use "extended" and "raised" interchangeably, but they aren't always the same thing. An extended release usually just sticks away further from the particular side from the body. It gives you a little more surface area for the thumb to catch.
A glock raised slide release , on the other hand, often changes the geometry of exactly where the lever sits. One of the most popular variations of this in fact moves the contact point higher up on the slide. This isn't simply about making this simpler to hit; it's about solving the specific ergonomic problem that many modern shooters face: the particular "high-tang" grip.
The High Grasp Dilemma
In case you've been trained to shoot with a modern, "thumbs-forward" grip, you're attempting to get your hands as high as probable on the frame to control recoil. That's great for speed and precision, but it's awful for the slide release.
I can't tell you how many instances I've seen shooters (including myself) wonder why their slide didn't lock back again for the last round, simply to realize their particular support-hand thumb has been resting right on top of the particular release. Because the particular factory lever is so low, a great grip often unintentionally pins it down. A raised release moves that handle up and out of the way of your thumb's "parking spot, " which practically eliminates those annoying downfalls to lock back again.
Tactical Advantages in the Real Entire world
I don't think you require to be a "tactical operator" to appreciate better ergonomics. Whether you're shooting a nearby USPSA complement or just practicing at the indoor variety, consistency is everything.
When you use a glock raised slide release , you're producing a more planned point of get in touch with. You don't have got to shift your own grip nearly just as much to reach the lever. For people with smaller hands, this is the total game-changer. Instead of having to break your shooting grip to achieve around and find that will tiny tab, a person can just show your thumb and keep the gun on target.
Would it Scratch the Slide?
This is definitely the one "con" people always provide up when discussing raised or raised releases. Because these parts sit higher and closer in order to the slide, these people can sometimes depart a little "beauty mark" or a scratch for the surface finish over time.
Personally? I don't care. It's a tool, not really a museum item. If a tiny scratch on the Nitride finish will be the price I pay for that gun that reloads quicker and locks back again more reliably, I'll take that offer every single day time. If you possess a safe california king that you want to maintain in pristine condition, maybe stick to the share parts, however for a carry gun or even a duty weapon, function should often trump fashion.
Is It Hard in order to Install?
One of the best things about the particular Glock platform is that you don't need to be a gunsmith to change items out. Swapping to a glock raised slide release is actually a two-minute work. All you actually need is a basic punch tool.
You just pop out the result in pin (after producing sure the gun is unloaded, obviously), swap the part for the brand-new one, and press the pin in. The most "difficult" part is simply wiggling the slide stop a little to line up the hole with the pin. It's the very satisfying DO-IT-YOURSELF project that provides a person an immediate, concrete improvement in the way the gun feels.
Popular Options Worth Looking Into
If you're looking to associated with change, there are the few big titles that everyone discussions about.
- The Kagwerks Version: This is the particular most iconic "raised" release. It appears a bit outrageous because it figure upward and rests much higher on the slide compared to stock part. It's particularly designed for individuals who use a quite high grip.
- The Vickers Tactical (TangoDown): This one particular is more of the "refined" version associated with the factory component. It's not quite as high as the Kagwerks, however it has a much better form that makes it way easier to manipulate without it obtaining in the way.
- OEM Extended: Glock actually makes their very own "extended" edition (standard on the G34 and G35). It has just a little "triangular" bump onto it. It's okay, however it doesn't solve the particular high-grip interference issue as well because the aftermarket raised options do.
Training vs. Equipment
I'm a big believer that a person can't buy skill. You can put the $2, 000 top end on a Glock, but if a person don't practice, you're still going to become a mediocre shooter. However, there will be a point in which the hardware actually prevents your progress.
If your natural, effective grip is causing the particular gun to failure (by not locking back), that's the hardware issue. You shouldn't need to "weaken" your grip or hold the weapon in an substandard way just to accommodate a badly designed lever. Incorporating a glock raised slide release allows you in order to shoot the method you're designed to shoot while ensuring the mechanical side associated with the gun maintains up.
Final Thoughts
At the particular end of the day, a glock raised slide release is a cheap, effective, and very easily reversible upgrade. It's one of those things where, as soon as you try it, a person kind of wonder why the weapon didn't come this way from the factory.
This makes the gun more intuitive, it solves the "thumb-riding" issue that affects so many shooters, and it just the actual whole expertise of managing a Glock feel more contemporary. In case you find yourself "fishing" for the lever every time you are doing a reload, perform yourself a favor and try a single out. Your thumb (and your reload times) will definitely thank you.