Detect Slide Lock by Feel

[Uber]

A couple weeks back I took some advanced pistol training. One of the instructors was a nationally ranked competitive shooter. I mentioned to him how I'm trying sensitize myself to watch for slide lock. (Occasionally at the range I don't notice and pull the trigger despite being at slide lock.) The instructor said he doesn't need to watch for the visual cue because he can feel slide lock by the change in recoil.

Inspired by this idea, I went to the range, loaded some mag's with two rounds, some with one round, randomly shuffled them, and inserted them. I aimed, closed my eyes, pressed the trigger, and without opening my eyes I tried to predict if I was at slide lock. I was an utter failure (the gun: Sig P320 XFive Legion).

I'm debating on whether I will develop that sensitivity with more practice. Or if, with my gun and my situation, that's not going to happen no matter how many round I burn trying to develop it.

Do others notice slide lock by recoil alone?

 

[IronEye]

I was very surprised yesterday when I didn't notice one time (out of maybe 20 magazines.) That could have been when one of the empties hit me in the head or hit my shooting glasses and I was distracted.

 

[davsco]

there's certainly a difference, as the slide isn't going forward like it normally does.

that said, we really never want to go to slide lock, as a reload takes longer when you have to manipulate the slide or slide release. plus like you noticed, you may not always notice the slide not going forward and thus that extra trigger pull is wasting time.

 

[ADR]

It's more pronounced on certain pistols and isn't so much a change in recoil as far as the rearward pulse and rise but rather a lack of the secondary, forward dip when it doesn't go back into battery. Your grip also affects the ability to detect it.

Stop thinking about it, stop trying to practice it and just shoot.

 

[E.Shell]

It's more pronounced on certain pistols and isn't so much a change in recoil as far as the rearward pulse and rise but rather a lack of the secondary, forward dip when it doesn't go back into battery. Your grip also affects the ability to detect it.

Stop thinking about it, stop trying to practice it and just shoot.

^^ This ^^

With trigger time, you will become accustomed to the normal feel of the pistol as it cycles, and you will learn to notice when it fails to close.

 

[teratos]

^^ This ^^

With trigger time, you will become accustomed to the normal feel of the pistol as it cycles, and you will learn to notice when it fails to close.

This is why I only shoot prone…and blindfolded.

I’m banned from every range. They hate me cause they ain’t me.

 

[outrider58]

Being mostly a Glock guy, I tell more by trigger reset. I'm sure, were it not for that, I would likely feel the lack of slide returning to battery. I always feel when my AR runs dry by the lack of forward bolt movement.

 

[Tungsten]

Being a CZ guy, I fully expect everyone around me to tell me when I'm at slide lock... and then to tell me how awesome I look while staring at it.

 

[teratos]

Being a CZ guy, I fully expect everyone around me to tell me when I'm at slide lock... and then to tell me how awesome I look while staring at it.

When you get an H&K, God whispers the round count in your ear.

 

[md77]

When you get an H&K, God whispers the round count in your ear.

Nah, that's just laughter you are hearing.

 

[teratos]

Nah, that's just laughter you are hearing.

Dammit.

 

[Kman]

I can't tell. I've never paid attention, but have never been aware before "click".
My grip on the little Walther usually results in me riding the release.

 

[Uber]

Thanks, all. Very helpful.

 

[Johnny5k]

I feel the slide/bolt lock on most platforms. I don't see much need to develop it as a skill though. In an actual defensive scenario, I am not likely to notice, and in a competition setting you usually already have a plan for round count and reloads.

 

[Tungsten]

When you get an H&K, God whispers the round count in your ear.

When you get a Taurus, a hot redhead whispers the MOA in your ear.

 

[teratos]

When you get a Taurus, a hot redhead whispers the MOA in your ear.

 

[outrider58]

When you get a Taurus, a hot redhead whispers the MOA in your ear.

... telling you you're standing on her foot!

 

[teratos]

... telling you you're standing on her foot!

God knows what happens when you shoot a High Point. A chain smoking obese, flatulent tranny just laughs his ass off.

 

[outrider58]

God knows what happens when you shoot a High Point. A chain smoking obese, flatulent tranny just laughs his ass off.

... then farts in your ear.

 

[HappyCamper]

I never knew belt fed pistols was the solution to something before I read this thread.