Just wondering if there’s significant improvements on the aftermarket slidestops over some of the ‘stock’ varieties. I have a MC Operator that I’d like to upgrade slowly, and this is one mod I’m looking at. Please describe your own experience with these if you have one.
Pat
I have installed two aftermarket slide stops as replacements for worn or damaged stops. They were identical in form as the ones they replaced and functioned as intended. Nothing was “custom” about them and they were from Ed Brown. Sorry but I can’t help beyond that.
Agreed, no need to replace unless worn or damaged
Both my colts are stock, no need. If you want to get a little better feel and grip you could have you smith flare and dish it out. Like i said mine are stock and work just dandy
Are you possibly referring to extended slide stops? (for rh thumb operation?)
Tbay,
That’s exactly what I mean, sorry I didn’t clarify that up front. The one I’m looking at is from 10-8 Performance. I’d link to it, but our home computer took a dive and I’m doing everything via iPhone. From memory, it’s billed mainly as facilitating quicker slide lock reloads and easier reinstallation.
Pat
A good aftermarket slide stop can present some benefits over a stock slide stop. In may cases an aftermarket part may be better made (such as forged/machined vs. MIM), have a larger pin diameter, and/or have a thicker web at the lobe. The last of these is probably the most important as many slide stops break at the lobe due to a thin or narrow web.
You can certainly install a new part that may very well be “better” but proper fitting of the slide stop is important not only for function and longevity of the part but also to help prevent undue wear to the slide stop notch.
I’ve never actually used one, but after shooting primarily polymer guns (i.e. my xdm) and actuating the slidestop with my rh thumb easily, I did find, when shooting a friends 1911, the normal sized 1911 stop annoying… Maybe Im spoiled, but I like releasing my slide via slide stop after I run dry in comp… I try not to do it, but… in the heat of the moment, it happens, and I go into slidelock…
I’ve been thinking about going single stack with USPSA alongside shooting production, and if I pick up my 1911 when I get back to the states as planned, I’ll most likely end up puttin one of these extended jobs on. It cant hurt to try.
I also like this addition with the mindset of worst-case-scenario, saying my left arm goes down, I like being able to better manipulate my weapon with one hand… Just a thought.
I’d just say go for it, and if you don’t like it, it was just 20-30 bucks, eh?
Thanks guys.
I’m actually quite content with the stock Springfield slide release, which appears to be machined. I’m just wondering if there would be a noticeable, significant improvement in going to the 10-8 type, for example. If it was only $20-$30, I’d be all over it, but this ones $55. Ouch. But, if it’s worth it, it’s worth it. I’ve never regretted paying for quality.
Pat
Someone (Bill Wilson, I think) once said, “The second most useless thing in the world is an extended slide stop. The first most useless thing is an ambidextrous extended slide stop”. That is pure double-distilled wisdom.
The extended slide stop is the mark of the duffer.
Given that one properly releases the slide stop with the weak-hand thumb after seating the fresh magazine, making the thing easier to reach with the strong hand thumb is pointless. The extended slide stops also interfere with holster fit and are prone to premature engagement.
Run, don’t walk, away from these silly affectations.
The two slide stops I’ve broken in three decades of 1911 shooting were both factory Colt units. It seems that the concensus is that the Greider Precision slide stop is the toughest on the market.
Rosco
For clarification, the 10-8 Performance slide stop is not an extended unit as has been referred to in the above posts. I do not wish my products to be dragged into the same pool of poor design concepts as those poor quality cast long lever slide stops designed in the 80’s. The 10-8 slide stop is machined from bar stock, with numerous significant improvements in lobe geometry and overall function. The lever is wider than the GI style slide stops, and provides positive purchase for the support thumb to disengage it. It is a new design, and not a rebranded item.
Though the Springfield factory slide stop is a decent unit, it is MIM and there is no comparison in quality and function to my part. I would suggest that you spend some more time shooting your gun as well as trying out other people’s 1911s so that you can learn what features and modifications suit you best. As has already been stated here, stay away from extended length levers and learn to drop the slide with your support hand thumb.
Except for material of parts. :no:
V/r
Uglyguns
On my phone so unfortunately no pics, but my stock Springfield slide stop lobe was measured at 0.197" and required me to use a tool to depress the plunger to reseat it after cleaning/disassembly. The 10-8 slide stop was 0.200 and has the correct geometry to easily push past the plunger during reassembly. Additions the SA unit is MIM, 10-8 is machined. Something to consider given the relationship of the slide stop lobe to barrel link engagement. I’ve found the 10-8 to offer a much more positive engagement when using the proper techniques for a slide lock reload.
As always, there are no plug and play parts with the 1911 platform, sample of one, YMMV, etc.
Ok, if you say so.
That’s admittedly kind of a harsh comment, but I’ll be the first to tell you that I have very limited experience with the 1911 platform. From the general consensus, I guess I’ll stay away from the extended stops. I’ll just have to work in the habit of power-stroking the slide when I go single stack… I’d prefer to do this as opposed to lh thumb operation on the stop, as it will translate into other weapon systems pretty much universally.
On my xdm, which is my favored production gun, I’ve never missed the stop or even fumbled with it, so its effective enough for me.
Again, maybe the gun just spoiled me, or I’m picky, but still, I wouldn’t mind learning to correctly run a 1911
Sounds like by referring to the wrong part (extended slide release when I meant ‘slide release’), I managed to confuse myself, and some of you in the process.
Hilton, thanks for chiming in about the part in question. Nobody’s trying to drag you or your company down by mistakenly referring to the wrong part (see above). Mea culpa. Your release appears to have the performance enhancements I’ve been looking for.
This could probably have been avoided by being able to link directly to the link on Hilton’s site.
Pat
To clarify; my comments were made about the “classic” extended slide stops, that extend uselessly outward and rearward, and which have been made by numerous vendors over the years. These things are beyond useless.
There are high quality aftermarket slide stops from 10-8, Greider, John Harrison, and Wilson Combat that have slightly reshaped paddles that do not extend rearward. These are good to go.
Rosco