How to Clear Handgun Malfunctions and Reload (HD)

[Barth]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8e9jFDhxuA

Technical Note:
Although Kahr manual states -
"do not chamber a round by pulling back on the slide and letting go of the slide".

I'm interested in sharing self defense techniques for clearing a handgun under duress.

[LaP]

Great review of the methods for clearing pistols.
The old saying goes: The two loudest sounds are a click when the gun should go bang... and a bang when the gun should go click.

[Barth]

Great review of the methods for clearing pistols.
The old saying goes: The two loudest sounds are a click when the gun should go bang... and a bang when the gun should go click.

Thanks!
With all the newbies, sharing seems like the responsible thing to do.

I'm off the the Gunshow - Woo Hoo!

[LaP]

Thanks!

I'm off the the Gunshow - Woo Hoo!

Buy me something nice.:D

[Ubaldo99]

Good stuff. I need to practice these skills to get more proficient. I move in slow motion compared to the person featured in the video. Thanks for posting.

[knkali]

Great post! I cant rack/move that fast. It tals 4-5 seconds to realize it didnt go bang then another 4-5 to see whats wrong then another 5-6 to fuss with it. I see I have some practicing to do.

[Too Tall Todd]

My ccw instructor who is our rso, just rode me about this very same issue. I have become comfortable with using the slide release and was thinking about telling him that I would do it my was ( a formidable undertaking as he is a retired marine) but I can see the logic of this method for a continuity clearance of multiple problems. So more training for me. :)

[ripley16]

Always love seeing HKs in videos, however I have to find fault with his first point. I wouldn't get too frazzled by people busting chops over using the slide release to load the chamber. That method as well as the other is used by many professionals. Certain of our elite war fighters train that way. Some of the top quality duty handgun manufacturers also condone use of the slide release when loading and reloading.

[TheTman]

Thanks for link Barth. Whether you agree totally with the particulars or not, it does get the point across in an easy to understand way.

[AJChenMPH]

Technical Note:
Although Kahr manual states -
"do not chamber a round by pulling back on the slide and letting go of the slide".

I'm interested in sharing self defense techniques for clearing a handgun under duress.
I just practiced the overhand slingshot yesterday at the range with my PM9 and had no issues. I'll chamber the first round using the slide stop, but I always reload with an overhand slingshot.


I wouldn't get too frazzled by people busting chops over using the slide release to load the chamber. That method as well as the other is used by many professionals. Certain of our elite war fighters train that way. Some of the top quality duty handgun manufacturers also condone use of the slide release when loading and reloading.
At the end of the day, you need to train on what works for you and what makes sense. If all you carry is a Kahr and you consistently train by using the slide stop, then by all means. But since I rotate between my PM9 and Glock 26 (and rarely a S&W 6906), I train using the overhand slingshot since that works for all three weapons (I can't reach the slide stop on the 6906).

[cgo99]

Thanks!
With all the newbies, sharing seems like the responsible thing to do.

I'm off the the Gunshow - Woo Hoo!
Not only for the newbies, nothing wrong with a little refresher on the drills and a little extra practice just in case.
Good stuff thanks.

[ripley16]

At the end of the day, you need to train on what works for you and what makes sense.


I agree completely, which is why I stated my disappointement in the printed statement after the first segment in which the video author dismissed as unprofessional using the slide release. Both methods work well and both methods are used by professionals.

Otherwise, the rest of the video was well made, good close up framing, accurate and normal SOP for most people. A good video except for the editorializing.

[TucsonMTB]

One of our RO's at the Pima Pistol Club is a firearms instructor (military then LEO). He's a really nice guy who wants to see everyone succeed. The other day he reminded me how much quicker it it to drop the slide using the slide lock when inserting a fresh magazine after shooting to lock. He also pointed out the advantage of keeping the Kahr PM40 up in the ready to shoot position with one's view of the "possible situation" unchanged and staying ready to counter moves by possible adversaries while inserting the fresh magazine and dropping the slide.

Darned it he isn't right. At least for me, it is quicker to drop the slide with the release after inserting the fresh mag than to it is reach up and rack the slide like I usually do. I'm a "overhand slide racking" kind of a guy pretty much exclusively (as Jocko would say fokke what it says in the Kahr manual). But, I am now working the slide release into my reloading drills.

I guess you are never too old to learn something . . . except in the opinion of nearby teenagers, of course. :D

[Bawanna]

Kind of two different things to stay on top of though. An empty gun, no malfunction reload works very well with the slide release. A jam or feed issue isn't gonna react well with a slide release. That's where the slap, rack, bang thing comes into play.

Many just stick with the over hand rack to keep everything simple and consistent. Like said earlier, whatever works for you is the absolute best way to do it unless of course there's a teen nearby who can tell you the for sure right way.

[TucsonMTB]

Yep! Definitely two very different things to keep track of, which is why I did not bother originally. But . . . the tactical advantage is very real. We will probably see how it goes in a match or two before worrying about it too much.

Admittedly, after years of just racking the slide, odds are in a tense moment that's what will happen . . . which might make the teenager right after all. Oh well. ;)

[Bawanna]

Never admit the teenager is right, that's a sure sign that your time is nearly up and the river crossing is forthcoming.

It's seems the only time I can do anything right in recent times is when I'm by myself. Wife or kids around, I'm pretty close to being the stupidest person every to roll the earth.

[TucsonMTB]

Yeah. Perception is everything for some people. Fortunately we older, long distance friends and supporters know better. ;)

[ripley16]

He's right. Admit it. Man up ladies. :rolleyes:

[Barth]

Kind of two different things to stay on top of though. An empty gun, no malfunction reload works very well with the slide release. A jam or feed issue isn't gonna react well with a slide release. That's where the slap, rack, bang thing comes into play.

Many just stick with the over hand rack to keep everything simple and consistent. Like said earlier, whatever works for you is the absolute best way to do it unless of course there's a teen nearby who can tell you the for sure right way.

I too personally use the slide release for no malfunction reloads.
Its super fast and second nature to me.
Like Bruce Lee said I don't hit, it hits all by itself - LOL!

My intent was to raise awareness about malfunctions.
And submit some basic tips on how to clear them.

[Bawanna]

And you did a really good job of your intent too. Lots of people dont' think about this stuff so your intent was good, mission accomplished.

[wyntrout]

Impressive video! Practicing this stuff at the range will really help when something like this crops up in a critical situation... as in your life is at stake!

I imagine most of us stop and look into the ejection port if the slide is not in battery and then figure out whether a simple rack or roll to the right, rack will clear the problem. If there's more than one round, chances are that you need to drop the magazine to clear a jam. Sometimes a stovepipe can be cleared with just a slow enough rack(slow rearward) just enough to allow the captured case to fall free before the slide is allowed to go into battery again with full force. Sometimes, the fired case is wedged, though!:eek:

This technique won't give good results if you're in a "combat situation", though, as standing there like a deer in the headlights isn't going to be good for your health! That's the good old "tunnel vision" thing that Murphy prides himself in, focusing on one aspect to the detriment of others... perhaps more pressing.

DOH! :rolleyes:

Wynn:)

[TucsonMTB]

Impressive video! Practicing this stuff at the range will really help when something like this crops up in a critical situation... as in your life is at stake!

. . .

Wynn:)
Good points, Wynn!

My PM40's are both absolutely reliable with Winchester Ranger 135 grain JHP ammo. They are not quite so predictable with heavier JHP bullets, including the case of Winchester Ranger 155 grain JHP ammo I bought some time ago.

Whenever I feel the need for some malfunction drill practice taking a box of the 155 grain (or worse 180, grain Winchester Rangers) to the range will satisfy the need.

One box of 50 is about the limit of my frustration tolerance for a single range visit. :rolleyes:

[jeep45238]

Meh. I'll keep using the slide release, and hitting it with my support hand.

If you've got enough fine motor skills to hit the little mag release button to reload your pistol, you've got enough to hit the big honking slide release lever with your left thumb (assuming you're a right hander).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjLbFOw8sow

I'll just wipe the stovepipe brass, screw racking the whole slide and beating the **** out of the mag. There's already one in the chamber - why loose that round?

[Quickdraw]

Train like your life depended on it, someday it may. I like to run malfunction drills at least monthly and if I'm not smooth then I practice weekly till it feels natural again. It only takes a little time to be very smooth at clearing all malfunctions. With most pistols there is no difference on whether you rack or drop the slide. For some reason Kahr says to use the slide release on the CM9 so I will practice that although it is more difficult for me being a lefty I need to use my right hand to drop the slide release. I will also rack the slide from time to time to see if than induces any malfunctions and if not I'll just stay with racking the slide to stay consistant with all of my pistols.

[jocko]

I'm a lefty and I donnb't everusemy hand to releasethe slide release. unless ur missing some fingerson the left hand, it is very easy to do.

When I had kel tecs Ihad a chance to do those malfunction drills all the time!!!

[Quickdraw]

It's no problem using my left hand to drop the slide on a full size gun but with the CM9 I already have one finger hanging in space and by the time I roll the pistol in my hand a little then get my index finger on the slide release my grip is shot and when the slide drops it almost kicks the pistol out of my hand. It is much easier and faster for me when clearing a type 3 malfunction to just roll the pistol to the right as my support hand comes around and drops the slide and then reacquires a grip.

[JFootin]

+1 I'm a lefty, too. Three lefties in a row, posting on Kahrtalk Forum! It is a sign of superior intelligence, you know.

[MikeyKahr]

It's a sign of something all right. :eek:

[Bawanna]

It's a sign of something all right. :eek:

I know around here it qualifies you for handicap parking. Especially if you happen to be blonde too. People think my tabs are for me, actually they are the wifes but even though I'm RIGHT handed I still qualified. A broken back apparently works too although I feel like the lucky one.

[MikeyKahr]

...I'm RIGHT handed...

Thank goodness you're normble! :D;)