[ramblinmanva]

Hello. This is my first post here so please extend any understanding if I use the incorrect terminology. I appreciate any help.

I own other semi-autos and other Glocks. I readily admit I'm no gun expert but I have been shooting for 15 years. On all my semi-autos, if the slide is locked back with an empty magazine, I can pull the slide back to release the tension, press the slide release button and the magazine will return back to battery (i.e. closed). I do not have to drop the magazine simply to manually release the slide.

I just bought a Glock 42 (380) and it does not work this way. I must drop the magazine out of the Glock, then release the slide, then put the empty magazine back in the Glock. I spoke with Glock and they told me this is normal. I mentioned that none of my other semi auto's operate in this fashion and they said "all your other semi-autos are designed wrong." Some of these are Glocks.

I'm confused. I've been shooting for 15 years and I know I have never had to drop a magazine just to release the slide.

Which is correct? Thank you.

 

[KennyFSU]

Interesting, all my my semi-autos can do that as well (don't own a G42 though).

 

[mazdated]

No, not normal, my 42 can release the slide with an empty magazine in the manner you stated.

The only semi autos I can think of that cant would be ones that don't have a slide release. the Walther ppk for example, locks back on an empty mag. To close the slide you must remove the empty mag then the slide can be released (without a mag, or with a loaded mag) by pulling back and releasing the slide.

 

[Ranger54]

Hmmm, I just tested this with my G42. Empty magazine in the gun. Pull back slide and it locks back. Pull slide back slightly, press slide release. Slide returns to battery.

 

[ramblinmanva]

Hmmm, I just tested this with my G42. Empty magazine in the gun. Pull back slide and it locks back. Pull slide back slightly, press slide release. Slide returns to battery.

Thanks for the responses and for this info.

Maybe it's because I haven't shot any rounds through it yet? I wonder if the spring is just super tight. When I drop the empty mag it will release easily and smoothly. When the empty mag in, it feels like the slide absolutely won't slide back any further and the slide release button won't budge.

The (rude) fellow I spoke with this morning said that's absolutely how it's designed. I know I rented one last weekend before I bought this one and it worked what I would call "normal" and I didn't have to drop the mag.

 

[Gperfection]

This may be a dumb question, but why do you want to close the slide with an empty magazine in it? When a semi-auto pistol is fired to slide lock, the magazine should be removed. There is absolutely NO reason to leave an empty mag in the gun.

 

[M&P15T]

Sounds like your slide lock is not properly engaging the mag follower.

 

[KennyFSU]

This may be a dumb question, but why do you want to close the slide with an empty magazine in it? When a semi-auto pistol is fired to slide lock, the magazine should be removed. There is absolutely NO reason to leave an empty mag in the gun.

I store some of my guns with an empty mag in it because my safe is too small for all the spare mags.

 

[ramblinmanva]

This may be a dumb question, but why do you want to close the slide with an empty magazine in it? When a semi-auto pistol is fired to slide lock, the magazine should be removed. There is absolutely NO reason to leave an empty mag in the gun.

I have never removed a magazine when I'm done shooting for the day at the range. I don't think I've ever seen people remove an empty magazine. I store the guns with an empty mag in them. Seems very easy to lose a mag when the best place for it is in the actual gun.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Hmmm, I just tested this with my G42. Empty magazine in the gun. Pull back slide and it locks back. Pull slide back slightly, press slide release. Slide returns to battery.

I just checked my G42 also. Works the same (I knew it would).

. There is absolutely NO reason to leave an empty mag in the gun.

Why not?

I've been shooting since before 1960 and this is the first time I've ever heard that.

Just off hand I'd guess at the moment I have empty magazines in almost all my semi autos.
What reason would there be to not have the magazine in the gun?

.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I spoke with Glock and they told me this is normal. I mentioned that none of my other semi auto's operate in this fashion and they said "all your other semi-autos are designed wrong."

That guy is a dumb ass.

 

[Sochermit]

I am going to admit to either my ignorance or forgotten thoughts. I did not know or recall that the slide would go forward after on an empty magazine just by pulling the slide back a little and then releasing the slide lock. I always removed the slide. I learn something new almost every day.

 

[ramblinmanva]

I am going to admit to either my ignorance or forgotten thoughts. I did not know or recall that the slide would go forward after on an empty magazine just by pulling the slide back a little and then releasing the slide lock. I always removed the slide. I learn something new almost every day.

You mean you removed the magazine? How did you release the slide?

 

[Gperfection]

I have never removed a magazine when I'm done shooting for the day at the range. I don't think I've ever seen people remove an empty magazine. I store the guns with an empty mag in them. Seems very easy to lose a mag when the best place for it is in the actual gun.

So let me get this straight; You shoot your last round at the range, leave the mag in the gun, close the slide/action, then when you get home, take the gun from your range bag and put it in your safe. If you want to store a gun with the magazine in it, that's fine. No problem with that. I don't think I've seen anyone finish firing their gun, close the action without removing the magazine first, then stowing it in their range bag. It's just not the safe way to do so. If you have ever shot any type of competition, GSSF comes to mind, the range officer has the shooter remove the magazine when finished, lock the slide back and show clear, then slide forward and press the trigger. It's only after this is done the RO says, "bag it". If you choose to holster it, NO magazine can be inserted in the gun.

 

[Sochermit]

You mean you removed the magazine? How did you release the slide?

After the slide locks back on an empty magazine I just released the magazine and the sling shot the slide closed.

 

[ramblinmanva]

So let me get this straight; You shoot your last round at the range, leave the mag in the gun, close the slide/action, then when you get home, take the gun from your range bag and put it in your safe. If you want to store a gun with the magazine in it, that's fine. No problem with that. I don't think I've seen anyone finish firing their gun, close the action without removing the magazine first, then stowing it in their range bag. It's just not the safe way to do so. If you have ever shot any type of competition, GSSF comes to mind, the range officer has the shooter remove the magazine when finished, lock the slide back and show clear, then slide forward and press the trigger. It's only after this is done the RO says, "bag it". If you choose to holster it, NO magazine can be inserted in the gun.

I appreciate the pointers as I trust I have a lot left to learn even after years of shooting.

Yes, I handle it exactly as you describe. I can honestly say I've never seen anyone at my range remove the empty mag to case their gun.

 

[ramblinmanva]

Interesting, all my my semi-autos can do that as well (don't own a G42 though).

To make sure I understand as there are now a couple of topics, I'm thinking the slide should be able to return to battery even with an empty magazine in it just by pulling the slide back slightly and pressing in on the slide lock/release.

I definitely can't do it with this Glock 42.

 

[Gperfection]

I just checked my G42 also. Works the same (I knew it would).



Why not?

I've been shooting since before 1960 and this is the first time I've ever heard that.

Just off hand I'd guess at the moment I have empty magazines in almost all my semi autos.
What reason would there be to not have the magazine in the gun?

.

I'm not saying it is wrong to store a gun with a magazine inserted. What I'm saying is, when the gun runs dry/to slide lock, one should remove the magazine. If after the mag is removed and you want to close the slide and reinsert the empty mag, that's fine. Then when you get home and want to clean your firearm, you can once again remove the mag and insure the chamber is empty and go about the cleaning process. Then by all means, if you want to close the slide and insert the mag for storage, be my guest. No problem what so ever.

 

[Gperfection]

I appreciate the pointers as I trust I have a lot left to learn even after years of shooting.

Yes, I handle it exactly as you describe. I can honestly say I've never seen anyone at my range remove the empty mag to case their gun.

Just because someone has done something for 55+ years, or everyone does it, doesn't make it the correct or safe way to do something. The proper sequence to unload a semi-auto gun, is to always remove the magazine first and foremost, then make sure the chamber is clear/empty. After this has been done, go ahead and close the action, re-insert the empty magazine and bag it. It's much easier the press the slide stop lever down without the empty mag in the pistol.

 

[ramblinmanva]

Just because someone has done something for 55+ years, or everyone does it, doesn't make it the correct or safe way to do something. The proper sequence to unload a semi-auto gun, is to always remove the magazine first and foremost, then make sure the chamber is clear/empty. After this has been done, go ahead and close the action, re-insert the empty magazine and bag it. It's much easier the press the slide stop lever down without the empty mag in the pistol.

But is the gun designed that it is impossible to do it like I'm experiencing with this Gen 42? Clearly others on here are able to put the slide in battery even with an empty mag in it. Notwithstanding the safest way, I think it should be possible to do what I describe. Makes me think something may be wrong with this one I have. Maybe it will loosen up if I shoot it.