Can we PLEASE stop doing this?

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zombietactics

New member
Just a pet peeve ...

Every time a discussion of "racking the slide" comes up ... people constantly use the terms "slingshoting" and "overhand" (or "powerstroke") as though they mean the same thing. They don't.

The "powerstroke/overhand" method involves cupping the suppport hand over the slide and forcefully pulling the slide rearwards. This is NOT "slingshoting"

"Slingshoting" is where you turn the handgun on its side (in the same manner that high-level slingshot shooters hold a slingshot), and then pinch the rear of the slide in the manner that one grasps the pocket or pad of a slingshot.

Yes, this will not alter the course of human civilization, but understanding these terms will make it possible to have a coherent conversation regarding the techniques to which they refer.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.
 
I

itchy1

New member
This sounds like it could be almost as serious as the whole magazine VS clip scandal!
Sorry, couldn't help myself:p
 
C

Crankgrinder

New member
People seem to have unusually strong feelings about this subject. A while back I started one similar about the slide stop/slide release and which method is best in its use and after many pages on that subject I don't believe anybody could come up with any reason or any proof as to why its better to "slingshot". What I got out of it at the time was that it seems best to let the piece decide. 1911- use the "slingshot", beretta- drop the slide.
 
A

Aguila Blanca

Staff
zombietactics said:
Just a pet peeve ...

Every time a discussion of "racking the slide" comes up ... people constantly use the terms "slingshoting" and "overhand" (or "powerstroke") as though they mean the same thing. They don't.
Click to expand...
How odd. I've lost track of how many "gun" forums I've participated in and how many years I've been doing so. I can't recall one single instance of anyone EVER expressing the notion that slingshotting is the same as overhand racking.

Not once. Ever.

I have also never heard/seen the overhand method of racking referred to as "powerstroking."

Not once. Ever. (Until your post.)
 
L

LockedBreech

New member
Internet gun forums are educational and helpful but are also pretty funny. There are so very many controversies I never knew existed before forums. I didn't know it mattered which way the slide was racked, I didn't know .40 was considered snappy, I didn't know people debate about Glock like people debate about religion and politics....so many arguments of which I was unaware.

If it weren't for the thousand and one helpful little things I've learned on forums, I'd say I was probably better off before.
 
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saleen322

New member
Engines run, guns shoot, and pulling the slide back and releasing it is generally referred to as slingshotting as opposed to thumbing the lever. Ford has a copyright on Powerstoke and while it is a fine diesel engine, it has nothing to do shooting. Time to close the thread................ ;)
 
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ParabellumJ

New member
Powerstroke is not new, and slingshot is not powerstroke. These terms are common and refer to different actions. Just because you may not be aware of this don't disregard the difference.
 
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Bob Wright

New member
Why does anyone want to "rack the slide" in the first place?

Lock the slide open, insert magazine, press slide release. Is that difficult?

Forgive me, I'm an old sixgun man.

Bob Wright
 
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Beentown71

New member
Aguila Blanca said:
How odd. I've lost track of how many "gun" forums I've participated in and how many years I've been doing so. I can't recall one single instance of anyone EVER expressing the notion that slingshotting is the same as overhand racking.

Not once. Ever.

I have also never heard/seen the overhand method of racking referred to as "powerstroking."

Not once. Ever. (Until your post.)
Click to expand...

It happened here I believe recently a couple of times on a recent thread.
 
S

shortwave

New member
Slingshot, powerstroke, overhand, racking, whipping our slides, magazines, clips, shoot, run, snappy, recoil, felt recoil, high grip , low grip, breath control, hold control, trigger control, Isosceles stance, Weaver stance, modified Weaver stance , pistol, revolver, calling a pistol a revolver, then we have the media referring to the shotgun as an assault weapon and talking about extended magazines....

...I'm soooo confused.

Why does anyone want to "rack the slide" in the first place?
Click to expand...

Slingshotting, powerstroking, overhanding, racking and whipping our slides are done at different times when shooting a semi auto. Such as if you have a full mag. but are setting on an empty chamber and the slide is closed. Or if you have a jam and need to clear the pistol. Or if you have a semi auto in which the slide does not stay back after you run through one mag and reload another. These are just a few instances in which the slide release(aka slide lock...more confusion) would not always be used.
 
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James K

Member In Memoriam
I have been "into" guns for a while now, and until the internet I don't recall folks inventing new methods and new terminology every microsecond. For some strange reason we just did things that had to be done without minute instructions from self-appointed experts. During WWII, a few million soldiers in several colors of uniform learned to use auto pistols (OK, not the Brits, mostly) without a bit of help from the internet. Maybe it was all a myth.

Jim
 
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Kev

New member
Popcorn....get yer Popcorn here!!!

Different strokes for different folks
Me, I could care less on what my method is called
What I do care about is safety. Get your round chambered any way that works for you, pointed down range and away from me shooting in the stall next to you.
 
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cheezhed

New member
I slingshot and power stroke, just depends on the mood I am in. I love the way that some people insist calling something what they define as correct. Just to razz a person of that ilk I would refer to the cylinder of my revolver as a clip.
It would aggravate him to no end.
 
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