The details are important.
If you miss just a couple of the fine points, something that is relatively straightforward can become difficult.
I think that is exactly the case when it comes to locking back the slide on a semi-auto.
Why Is It Important?
Locking back the slide is an important skill to have to run a semi-auto handgun like the Hellcat.
I routinely lock the slide to the rear on my Hellcat to ensure that the gun is unloaded.
It is also the way I typically store a handgun.
It is also easy to check its status when I pick it up.
The Hellcat has been very reliable for me, but some semi-autos could experience malfunctions.
Locking the slide to the rear is an important skill to deal with some potential malfunctions.
Its several tasks that, when added together, can become frustrating.
For some folks, just racking the slide can be a challenge.
It can be tough.
The good news is that you could get good at racking the slide.
So, lets clear that up first.
There are two things that need to happen at the same time for the slide to lock back.
First, the slide needs to be racked ALL THE WAY back.
Partway wont cut it.
There is a notch in the slide that needs to be matched up with the slide stop lever.
If the slide isnt all the way back, the two parts wont match up.
When the slide is all the way back you have more work to do.
The slide stop lever needs to be pushed up into the notch in the slide.
Remember, it is a two-part process.
You should also start pushing up on the lever.
Once people start worrying about the slide, that tiny little lever can get lost in all the fun.
So, position your hand so your thumb can do the work.
Rack It Right:Bring the gun close to your body.
You might suffer from arthritis or have limited mobility.
You could be injured.
Maybe you only have one hand available to do the work.
Whatever the circumstances are, there is a shortcut to locking back the slide.
Insert an empty magazine, and rack the slide to the rear.
This is also what causes the gun to lock open when you run out of ammunition.
Final Thoughts
I really do believe that most gun skills are deceptively easy.
Then practice what you learn until it becomes easy.
Go to forum thread
HellcatSeries
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