Aslide stop, sometimes referred to as aslide lock,slide release,slide catch,[1] orbolt hold open, is a function on asemi-automatic handgun that both visually indicates when it has expended all loadedammunition and facilitates faster reloading by pulling back theslide or depressing the slide lock to advance the first round of a new magazine.
The various terms relate to the two functions of the component: while it automatically catches the slide (locking it back) after the magazine's last round has been fired, thereby allowing the user to easilyrelease the slide by pulling down on the switch, it also allows the user to purposefullystop orlock the slide back by pressing up on the switch while racking the slide.
It is sometimes debated whether one should use the slide stop to release the slide. Some argue that this may cause extra wear on the firearm, or that the slide stop may be difficult to push.[2][3] Some manufactures recommend using the slide lock as a release, others recommend racking the slide. Using the slide lock as a release can accelerate wear in some models.
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