DON'T DO THIS to Your Guns - Gun Guys Ep. 17

From dropping the slide on an empty chamber to flipping your revolver cylinder shut, these are some things you never want to do to a handgun.
website: www.wilsoncombat.com/
facebook: / wilsoncombat
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#GunGuys #BillWilson #KenHackathorn

[@NCLUSA]

I heard that shooting a gun can cause wear, so I don't shoot mine ( :

[@PhoenixUnlimited]

Not nearly as damaging as being rusty in an unexpected cqb situation. Stay trained and maintain your frames.

[@jameshalfhill9919]

Too much of the Army still in me. I clean mine after every range day

[@johnburrows1179]

James Halfhill agree! I shoot clean and lube after every shoot👍

[@gilbertcarmona4177]

I have no military experience and I do the same! Thanks for you service.

[@ifly64s]

Same here. Never put it away dirty. Just what the Army drilled into me.

[@billy6ization]

I do this and I was never in the army. Just good practice that I picked up from my grandpa. Thanks for your service.

[@dougk.5501]

Same! Always clean when put away, dirty ammo+time=fail

[@mikeguy9668]

These are the guys at the range that say " hey is that rapid fire!!!"

[@FrdmFlwr]

Thank you Men. Although I'm 43 years young, I've only owned my first fire arm for 1 month. I've waited a long time for this, and want to do it right. I've been educating myself with as much information, and as many videos as I can stand watching. I've come to find that there are people who speak truth through their mouth,because of experience, and knowledge in there brain. Then there are some who talk out of their ass because they've got shit on their brain. With that being said, thank you for sharing your truth, through your experiences, and knowledge. You Wilson combat Chanel is not only informative, but educational, and enjoyable to watch. May peace be with you. God bless America 🇺🇸.

[@jefferylawson7072]

There is a lot of stupidity on the internet about guns. You will never hear stupidity come from these two gentlemen. They really know their stuff. You're making a good choice to listen to these guys.

[@fivehead6675]

Loading ammo is therapeutic for me *because* I have a life. And it’s a busy life. I can sit down in my shop in my down time to load ammo and thoroughly enjoy it.

[@jessaroo3291]

I like loading ammo... I like the whole process of owning a gun.

[@kruppert54]

Five Head the same goes for me! I meet guys on the range that consider reloading. I bring up your two ingredients time and enjoyment and I add the fact you need to be a bit OCD otherwise it could be catastrophic.

[@brianmanning9271]

Did he really tell people who reload to get a life? Seems poor form from a guy of his stature.

[@TheCarpCommander]

Brian Manning I think he took that as literally reloading a magazine, didn't come across well either way for sure.

[@tauneutrino1able]

He said that people who say they LIKE to reload because it's "therapeutic" need a life.

[@armyfazer1410]

No one is allowed to joke about anything any more...

[@rbakken2999]

You need to re-watch this. He was commenting on how reloading is no fun. If you shoot a lot, cleaning guns and loading ammo is something you have to do a lot. The guy said to him reloading is therapeutic and he cringed.

[@brianmanning9271]

@@rbakken2999 I rewatched it. If someone enjoys reloading, why tell them to get a life? Really not that big of a deal. Just didn’t think a man like that would say suck a thing.

[@jarongreen5480]

I feel like I owe my 1911 an apology...I've done all this to it and didn't even know the pain it was in...Thank you so much for sharing this info with me before I broke my gun!

[@rsnowden]

I was raised that the sun never sets on an unclean gun. My father is a Marine and after every shoot at the range or hunt, we kids had to clean our weapons and dad inspected them. To this day I clean and lube any gun I shoot before the end of the day. I've never had a gun failure due to the gun being unclean or not lubed.

[@Qingeaton]

As a city kid, we only got to shoot the .22 on vacations down in the sticks, but I always enjoyed the breaking down and cleaning of it afterwards. Helps you understand and respect it. Gun solvent smell was like the incense of manhood or something lol

[@markharris1342]

I was a range couch in the Navy in the late 80s and early 90s. The 1911/ 45s we had was made and issued in 1965 (last shipment the navy had received). We just change barrels out when we see pitting. When some one say releasing the slide is damaging to the 1911/ 45 is laughable. I remember an Ensign who was sent to us for gun qualification could not hit the target. His excuse was the 45 was old and its barrel and receiver parts shook. He was right on the loose parts. You could shake it and you would think it would fall apart. Our Range Master took the 1911/45 and one magazine of 5 rounds and sent the target all the way down range. He shot a grouping that you could drop a golf ball through. He than told the Ensign "your problem is you can't shoot worth a crap.

[@brianwebb1984]

There's a huge difference between mass produced government 1911's and custom built $4k 1911's that are not "loose". That looseness you speak of is why the mass produced stuff could be abused.

[@Shorty_Lickens]

well then why didnt he fucking teach him right instead of running his fucking mouth? Sorry, kinda bitter. I joined the Navy in 1997. Expected an organization of professionals but what I found was a bunch of whiny bitches and loudmouthed assholes. The guys who were hot shit never stuck around more than 4 years. They realized what a joke it was, left, and did something better with their lives.

[@maverickman6486]

It's amazing that this has to be said. Don't slam the cylinder, don't pop the slide without a round, lubrication keeps wear down and keeps parts moving.

[@damselnoir5905]

LOL, I want to see the Wilson boys go against the Brownell boys in a cage match over letting the slide on a 1911 go on an empty chamber. The Brownell guys have a whole video stating letting the slide go on an empty chamber of 1911 does NO harm. I don't let it fly, just because it does sound like a harsh impact.

[@kevincanales6654]

I agree but I’d just follow the manufacturer manual.. they warn you of things that are harmful to your pistol and give detailed information about it. Any gun that’s delicate enough to be damaged by “releasing the slide on an empty chamber” doesn’t seem like a proper robust combat firearm built for reliability. Just my take idk

[@silversurfer806]

I trust the Brownell guys over these two no names.

[@JohnBrowningsGhost]

​@@kevincanales6654 In that case, show me in the 1911 field manual where it says to refrain from dropping the slide on an empty chamber.

[@janamerten6592]

As an amateur who is enthusiastic about learning how to properly handle firearms, I am so thankful for this channel!! Excellent info here guys, thank you so much! 💖

[@m.loughlin1915]

Don't listen to these morons. They don't have a clue. Listen to a guy that has ACTUAL experience in this field. Go to "Gunblue490".

[@steveperez1896]

Back in the 90's I went to Honda school ( motorcycles ) in Dallas & one of the biggest thing's I learned is that " lube is your friend " it applies to ALL thing's mechanical.

[@abcertweld]

Yeah well it is a slide lock not a slide release. Plus a custom fine I'll give you that. That being said amateur my butt. Browning designed the 1911 to be dropped on an empty chamber and trigger pulled on an empty chamber. This was done thousands of times during guard duty inspection during WW1 and WWll without harm. I understand it is a custom, but if the trigger and components are that effected why would you want one. I want a tool that works not one made from inferior glass sensitive parts where I have to wonder if it will work. Yes I own many 1911's and funny none of mine have had an issue dropping on and empty chamber or firing on and empty chamber, and all have 3 to 4 lbs. Triggers.

[@rickdaystar477]

My exact sentiment, I've had 1911 .45's for 50 years and have dropped the slide on an empty chamber when necessary. " Super tuned improved" .45's must obviously have made trade offs in durability in some regard for speed,style or increased sales dressing an old dog with bells and whistles. Lack of durability is not an improvement .

[@ricashbringer9866]

Check out Gunblue490s video. He busted this video a couple years ago. He is a Vietnam Vet where he served as an MP with the 1911. He was inspected just as you say. The 1911 served for 70 years. This was never a problem. Wilson should stop calling it a 1911. It is an insult to the man who designed it.

[@zososldier]

The thing is, your average person is not gonna carry a $3000+ 1911. Just like most aren't going to take a super high dollar precision long range rifle to a cqb course where it will get knocked against things all day and more than likely dropped in mug or sand. Either way, he already explained why you don't wanna drop the slide with the weapon dry.

[@sincityguns3460]

I beat the shit out of my Wilson’s and they take it no problem. I have several videos on my Wilson’s being beat up of you wanna check them out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKK2e56Ai813ptE

[@Jerry-Parker]

Well said !

[@leedoss6905]

Don't use their guns and don't start your Harley and both won't break.

[@smtbigelow]

Stick to tupperwear

[@yamahapeanut44]

The only harley that idles properly is electric.

[@evocati6523]

@@smtbigelow we will, and we will continue to not have broken $3k guns

[@Shorty_Lickens]

Actually I think depending on the year, a Harley will fall apart just sitting in your garage.

[@zerolatitude2923]

Gotta say, never knew NOT to drop the slide on an empty. Knew about slamming a revolver. Never thought about what happens when you drop the slide. Thank you so much. Never to old to learn!

[@TeamGreenBurrito]

I sympathize with everything they are saying but guns are made to contain explosions, potential in extended combat/wilderness scenarios in the case of military service. The idea of paying WC costs on a gun is to know that it’s reliable and durable, if I have to put on my grey suede gloves and hold my pinkie out while handling it, that defeats the point. It’s reminiscent of grandma not letting anyone go into the living room because everything in there is placed just so.

[@GreenKnight1979]

There are plenty of reliable and durable guns at a fraction of the cost of a Wilson Combat. You're paying for the metal work and fine tuning appreciated by a connoisseur. Coca Cola vs 85 Lafite.

[@majorlee76251]

Take care of your gear, and it will take care of you.

[@keithangstadt4950]

Surprising how many people are trying to contradict experts that don't even know the cycle of operations of a 1911

[@jaydunbar7538]

It's not surprising at all, they seen a clip on Facebook once so they are basically John Moses Browning reborn

[@sqeekms6186]

@@jaydunbar7538 yeah there's a lot of idiots out there that watch this video I think they know better than these guys...

[@robwilk4566]

Or basic physics. As if a slide slamming forward unabated is the same as it doing so while chambering a round.

[@JohnBrowningsGhost]

​@@jaydunbar7538Its ok to drop the slide on an empty chamber.

[@willy4869]

Love this show! Just two wise older gents, with probably a century of real world experience between them, just talking guns. Love just listening to the gems of wisdom they drop.

[@gregoryvanek9038]

The Wilson 1911’s are fine pieces of machinery and craftsmanship. They are not designed for combat duty or, in my opinion, real life use. They can’t take the abuse of the originals. Other than their comments about flipping the cylinders closed and loading that single round directly into the chamber, I think their comments are focused on the Wilson tuned guns. What is kinda dumb is the guys comment that some gun owners look like “amateurs”. Aren’t 98% of us amateurs? I don’t get paid for handling, shooting, reloading,...how many if you do?

[@rhettdean4641]

Shouldn't he change his companies name? Wilson combat is not suitable for combat.

[@denisdegamon8224]

When it comes to guns......well yeah, maybe not 98% but most are amatures

[@rillo806]

Ive been a “gun guy” sense i got my first rifle at age 10 (32 now) and i got some good info from this video. Some things i didnt even think about. Thanks for the advice.

[@StevenCharles-jp4du]

Being new to the 2-A community I want to thank you TREMENDOUSLY! I was un aware and un educated! MY 1911S THANK YOU

[@NYRM1974]

As a fourth-generation gun enthusiast. I was always taught to treat your weapon not only with respect but with care and love. Cleaning it and lubricating it after your time on the Range. To checking on firearms that are being stored for long periods. When handloading ammunition follow proper powder measurements to prevent accidents and damage to your weapon. Hearing and eye protection is perhaps the most important thing to do you only get one set of eyes and if you lose your hearing you are ineffective. Proper etiquette at a gun range as well as proper etiquette at a gun show will only earned you the admiration of true gun enthusiast. If the weapon is not yours treated kindly and with respect. Proper training and proper knowledge only pay dividends down the road. Train hard and train proud.

[@kaykay-eq5gr]

these things are designed, and have successfully managed for over 100 years, the ravages of war

[@Hipsters_N_Hippies]

It's called Mechanical Sympathy. It's not a bad thing. Either you have it or you dont. Cars, firearms, tools, watches/clocks and even electronics/rechargeable batteries. It's the difference between your grandchildren having a working 100yr old vehicle or weapon. And not...Period.

[@stefanmolnapor910]

Very well said.

[@colejohnson1960]

For a couple of guys that know so much about firearms it makes me nervous to see them sweep each other and themselves so much in the video.

[@jeffreywilkey935]

It's ridiculous

[@williewilliams6571]

This was a good video. I used to work for a gentleman who warned me about slapping the cylinder shut, "TJ Hooker" style. I DIDN'T know about what could happen to a semi-auto. It's kind of a moot point. I'm not a wealthy person. I've spent many years and a fair amount of my income building my collection. I TAKE CARE of everything I own (I made a Chevy Tracker last for 350,000 miles before selling it). It makes a big difference when you buy it with your own money.

[@WolfQuantum]

Oh yeah. Been plenty of times I wanted to reach over the counter, grab the gun from a customer, and beat them with it. So many fools think they are being so cool slamming slides and flicking cylinders shut. Like Bill said, they are really showing what rubes they are.

[@bobanderson6870]

Just some of the reasons why I never ever buy the display model at the store... Reading some of these reviews people actually justifying the dropping of the slide on the empty chamber and other abuse. Bill Wilson is an expert Machinist, and gunsmith not just some old guy spouting off. A 1911 with a hammer and sear polished down to give a super crisp trigger and ultra light pull isn't going to stand up to the same slamming and abuse as something that's got a 6lb trigger. A lot of it's just common sense that anybody with an ounce of mechanical ability would be able to understand. Dropping the slide on a loaded magazine stripping the round from the magazine and going into the chamber cushions the blow to your locking lugs on the Barrel. Dropping the slide on an empty chamber there is no cushioning effect as when a cartridge is being loaded. Dropping a cartridge into your chamber and then letting the slide with the extractor ride over it it's not the way it was designed. The round is supposed to feed up through the magazine with the rim of it sliding under the hook of your extractor on most pistols. Even if you can get it to snap over without damaging the extractor it is abuse. Like he said in the video it would be like flooring your car at every stop light. It's going to hold up for a while but eventually it's going to fail and a lot sooner than one that's been treated with care. Really pretty simple stuff worth knowing if you're going to shoot or carry pistols how they actually operate.

[@les3449]

I was a Gunners Mate in the Coast Guard during the 1990s. On board one ship I was stationed on a junior Petty Officer brought me his deer rifle and said it wasn't functioning right and asked me to look at it. After I "looked at it" and cleaned it I gave it back to him. He later came to me and said it was functioning great. He asked what I did to it and I just said I cleaned it. He was amazed.

[@lukej9906]

I’m a GM on the green side of the navy now. Half the time when people bring me “broken guns” it’s just carbon from a lack of cleaning

[@les3449]

@@lukej9906 exactly!

[@timf2279]

Are both of these guys on my HOA board?

[@jguyver1028]

Glad to listen to the old guys and their wisdom. The man who taught me to shoot handguns, especially the 1911 was a WW 2 veteran of the 10th mountain division, he taught all the things you gentleman just showed in this video, always listen to those who come before you there is always something learn. Thank You.

[@hgarza1136]

I enjoy cleaning my firearms, but I'm also a little OCD!

[@NDCFreedom]

If i shoot 10 rounds or or a couple hundred i clean my firarms after every time i shoot. I dont particularly enjoy it but i cant stand knowing i have dirty guns in the safes. It may not be 100% necessary but its a good habit.

[@Room-qd7pl]

Me too it’s kind of therapeutic for me

[@kegananderson7267]

I’m the same way as you. Every time I shoot I clean my gun, it doesn’t matter how many rounds I put through it.

[@brianhondel8348]

Everyone of my gun manuals says to clean and lighty lube after every range session. I'll take the manufacturer's advice over these two anyday

[@silvirhunter3607]

Take good care of your weapon and when you need it, it will take good care of you. Well said, guys.

[@radiohobbyist13]

When I was a much younger man I'm sure that I dropped the slide on occasion while the gun was empty. But I NEVER "cowboyed" a revolver. Lesson learned, I found your video extremely informative.

[@RevADavidGriffin]

as a new gun owner I really appreciate your expertise and wisdom. Thank you.

[@GeorgeSemel]

I don't know, I enjoy handloading ammo, and if you handed me one of your $6000 dollar 1911's I sure would not do anything other than just look at it without your permission. I clean after every time I shoot. I keep mine clean, and I had some even mention that gee his rifle is clean, you must have been in the Army! No, it's just my rifle that I paid a good chunk of money for and I keep things in good condition, its the same reason I still fish with 50-year-old Fly rods and Reels. and that 40-year-old Hardy LRH's and Princesses look almost new. It's called just pride of owning something.

[@joeyoung4121]

This is what needs to be taught to the younger generation everything's disposable and the value of keeping something and taking care of it is important my dad was born 1920 , being one is six kids and I was the oldest and it was stressed make that dollars last in anything!!

[@SnitchyCat]

@@joeyoung4121 On the other hand, since the younger generation does not live in the great depression, this generation can save a great deal of time and effort by simply discarding worn items and replace them rather than trying to squeeze every last bit of usability out of something by pampering it excessively. Time is money. It is often cheaper to replace worn parts with wages than to spend time that could have been used making wages getting an extra 10% life out of the part.

[@tockblade]

Over cleaning damages parts

[@heetorw]

Good video guys, I was guilty of snapping cylinders closed, and using the slide release on empty pistols, daily...

[@TaurusGX49MM]

Metal wears out it’s a fact….buy a High Point if it fails to shoot you can use it as a hammer…

[@grillo1985]

I’ve a Glock 17 gen 4, i usually do a lot of dry fire to save some money in ammo, i don’t have any problem with gun.

[@roberttaylor6030]

And at no point did either of them say that dry firing is bad for a gun.

[@MrPatrickjsmithsr]

These two gentlemen know what they are talking about.ignore them and damage your firearm no matter what you spend on it .treat your firearm with respect or not it is your decision. I chose to take care of mine if I need it to work properly it will .thanks bill and ken

[@rosskaleolani7114]

Nicely said about dropping the side...It's also common courtesy when I look at a pistol , it isn't mine! Treat it like that! You don't sit and dry fire over and over or drop the slide over and over. It's gun shop courtesy... if I rack a slide in a gun shop I don't dry fire I hold the hammer and ease it down same with slide .if the gun isn't yours yet treat it as so...

[@marauderhot]

I'm waiting for the Alec Baldwin gun safety channel. Now that's one actor who has experience in safe handling of firearms.

[@adamhobbs5779]

Guess I better go get a life since I enjoy reloading for my guns.

[@5891jonathan]

Adam Hobbs We could start a support group. #CharterMembers

[@adamhobbs5779]

@@5891jonathan The Bill Wilson thinks we're lame anonymous. Maybe somewhere between Coaching soccer and baseball, being a pistol instructor for our county 4H shooting sports, working full time, taking care of our farm, raising two kids, shooting and reloading I can get a life to live.

[@martylucas8557]

Adam, good luck with all of that! LOL! I hear you man...geez!

[@adamhobbs5779]

Definitely brings my respect for him down quite a bit. I own quite a few of his products, out side of my super sniper which obviously is all WC I'd say 10 of the 19 AR's I own have at least Wilson combat barrels and bcg's. But at the same time I have 3 times that dollar amount in reloading equipment and supplies. I was actually about to drop some money down and order an X9L, cause that is one sexy ass gun, but I think at this point I'll just save up a few more dollars and order an STI and keep having fun working up my custom loads for my firearms.

[@amsb4dafunk406]

I am hand priming brass, as I am watching this vid. LaVidaLoca, son.

[@johnacosta5594]

I guess im overkill I clean and lube after every range trip mine and my girlfriends firearms

[@johnburrows1179]

John Acosta no it’s the correct thing to do. I’m the same. Shoot it. Clean and lube. Every time👍

[@GryphonArmorer]

You should clean it every time you shoot. Sorry but anyone who doesn't is just a moron. Burnt powder is very corrosive and will pit the barrel and will eventually cause misfire. The last AR I bought has a melanite barrel. I bought it specifically because of the barrel. It will not corrode or rust. Still, I clean and lube after every single time I shoot it. Also, if I happen to go more then two months between range days I will still break down my firearms, wipe them down and re-lube them. And I'm sorry but these guys are not as correct as they would like to think they are. Standard operating forces are more rough than you could ever be. Like the matter of dropping the slide. A round loading doesn't reduce the amount of forces on the slide near as much as they said. Now dry fire is another story, it can damage the firing pin. Also the "ramming the mag into place and giving it that second smack will damage the mag" is totally and completely false. In fact there's a process for clearing a misfire called "tap, rack, bang". That is "tap" slap the bottom of the mag to insure it's seated properly (that step is also standard teaching for initial loading), "rack" pull back fully and release the slide, and "bang" pull the trigger. What these guys are talking about really only apply to antiques and some custom firearms. So basically trash what you heard here. It appears these guys are cops and as such are considering themselves "gun guys". They're not experts because they shoot a lot, that's obvious because they said it's not necessary to clean your firearms but every third or fourth time you shoot them. I'd bet every single one of their barrels are pitted and rusting and it's only a matter of time before a barrel blows out. We'll be reading about how one or both of them lost fingers due to weapons malfunction or lost their life to an intruder due to weapons malfunction because it was filthy. Save a life, keep your firearms clean & lubed.

[@davidhudson2527]

Do you wash her car too? 😂

[@stevendeatley4878]

I spent the day shooting my old savage model 24 ,I only fired the 223 barrel and my son shot his old winchester model 1894 in 30-30 a few times and when we got home I told him to clean and oil his rifle .lol and he did .I told him years ago never lay down to sleep until your rifle is cleaned.my wife said once she thought I had one of those compulsive disorders ,she said every time we would leave the house to go to town that I would take a gun and wipe it down with a silicone rag and rem oil .lol so I told her it was so when we was in the middle of some store I wouldn't start to hear it rust lol.

[@WalkeeQZ]

It will last longer, work smoother, and be more reliable if you do that.

[@billshipley9027]

I use only Mags made y Wilson Combat. They are awesome. I don't drop my mags for any reason. I don't do any of the things you guys talked about today. Great info. Glad I've learned not to mistreat my firearms. Everything in my 45 ACP has been converted to Wilson Combat Bullet Proof Accessories. They made my gun truly bullet proof. Love it! Thank you Gentlemen!

[@j.b.708]

On the M60 and M240 we used to drizzle motor oil straight on the belt as it fed to lube the gun and flush carbon and brass shavings out the bottom. Guns are machines. Machines need lube.

[@jasonriley9069]

I've literally done everything you guy's have talked about, I have been lucky because none of it has ever caused a problem. I don't buy expensive firearms either.

[@transfixleo]

I'll admit I am guilty of both dropping the slide empty and push feeding. I have learned my lesson. Thank you.

[@transfixleo]

After reading some of the comments.. well I feel the need to qualify something. I have been a mechanic all of my life. I specialize in automatic transmissions so I understand how things work and what goes wrong with them. With that perspective I fully understand what these gentlemen are saying and I also recognize keyboard warriors by their posts.

[@Martyz-TV]

You didnt learn something! You listened to a non fact based opinion. No facts, no demonstrated damage, just opinion.

[@mattschmitt9924]

@@Martyz-TV We listened to the opinion of people who have shot more in competitions and firearm development situations than 99% of shooters out there. We listen to men who have built more custom 1911s than most have seen. These men have nothing more to prove to us.

[@Master...deBater]

@@Martyz-TV And you certainly didn't learn anything by dismissing the advice of professional shooters and gun builders!!!

[@robertbutterworth3714]

There are so many "experts" out there that think they are qualified because they say so. These two Gentlemen have out-shot most of the folks they ever competed against and they faced thousands during their heyday. They are Experts because those that know say they are and they know firearms better than most Human beings ever will. Argue with their logic and facts and you prove your own ignorance and inability to learn or grow past a third grade education. Because I live & grew up near Shootout Lane, I have learned from the Jim Clark school of 1911 and it is very much in line with everything Mr. Wilson & Mr. Hackathorn are trying to share here... Thank You both!

[@amdenis]

Robert Butterworth - I love to hear people of their caliber share their wisdom. I have heard these assertions for years, but a few people I have trained or served with who I also respect don’t concur. In any case, these guys have a lot more guts than me to call seasoned people who do both of those things with revolvers and 1911’s amateurs or idiots; as I don’t think I’d have the balls to say that when people like Hodnett, Miculek, Haley and Butler, who do that very frequently and publicly. I’m in Prescott, AZ, and have been fortunate to study and learn from some amazing people at YC with some great local and guest trainers, armorers, and specialists, which is how/why I work with some of these great souls. I have a question, as you seem quite knowledgeable, what does a +P, +P+ and similar loads do in comparison to free slide or cylinder setting, as those rounds typically cycles with 25-75% more energy than standard, which I assume is more than a dry feed? I can say that they are in point of fact wrong about the damage being done to a Glock by doing that, as they have tested that empty and full to many 10’s of thousands of rounds, and no fails on any model to date, nor change in measurable trigger or slide metrics, as long as they are oiled. We had two of the current armorer designers from Glock at YC and they answered that question in no uncertain terms, saying that it has no measurable effect, and they did it by both the numbers and design specs.

[@stektirade]

Yeah but they still aren't engineers and have no clue about physics.

[@donnievinson9478]

Lots of good information. I am 68yrs.old and I learned an important thing in firearms. Good video fellas. Very good.

[@user-hb8be5wb4q]

Don’t or didn’t know what you were saying way back 30 years ago. My gun guru at Gun Country, Bob Poplin, back about 25-30 years ago explained this info about my Ruger P89. I still have this wonderful gun, loaded at the ready. This gun will stay with me until I die. The only 9 mm I have in my collection, but, it still serves me well, shoots straight and I just love it! Great vlog, thanks for sharing this vlog !!!

[@jeffmurphy9987]

They tried to make it clear their not talking about your Rock Island $350 you’ll probably never notice that you’re causing damage cause it’s not been precision tuned like a Wilson Combat. They’re talking about guns that a trained Gunsmith has spent hours filing and fitting each individual part to create the best functioning mechanical system they possibly can. I can’t afford very high end 1911s but treat my average Joe guns pretty much like they’re telling you and most of mine are 30-40 years old functional just like the day I bought them. Bill if you wanna send me a custom 1911 I will treat her nice. Lol

[@natural_skeptic9685]

Jeff, these jackoffs have mostly never handled a sear and have no concept of thirty thousandths (0.030") engagement surface.

[@darianruttenberg4035]

Well. What are you owning guns for? To baby it and never really use outside a very controlled climate corrected indoor range at one round a second to avoid over heating or to carry and have for self defense? Wilson combat totes COMBAT firearms. For self defense and in rugged environments. My rock island that I replaced and hand fit every part on besides slide and frame might not have as tight of a fit slide to frame like a Wilson and personally I opted for a 3.5-4 pound trigger as opposed to a 3-3.20 pound trigger as I feel it’s personally safer but when I go out hiking in the desert and it gets dust and dirt and crap in the rails it works and it’s accurate as I need it…I’ve handled Wilson’s where I can see the smallest bit of grime gets in the rails and it starts fuckin up. Wilson combat should be Wilson target or Wilson trophy. If I can’t drop it on an empty chamber, put it through 2k rounds about four months of training once a week without failure to warrant parts replacement or run it dirty/somewhat soiled without sacrificing reliability, not accuracy, then what’s it for? I want a gun that works and functions through abuse. Not one I gotta baby. If Wilson combats have to be babied then I guess I’ll stick to my $550 now rock island and make it what I want and still come out ahead. 🤷‍♂️ maybe Wilson should reach out to rock island for tips on making a durable firearm.

[@ajacks8007]

Key words here are: Finely tuned

[@REVOLVER_NOIR]

As a US Marine it would make me stir crazy not to clean my guns. I can’t tell you how many times I’d buy a gun from someone and it’s filthy inside. Clean guns = Clean Shots 🤠

[@jaydunbar7538]

And the first thing that needs to be done to a clean gun, is fire fowling shots so its accurate...

[@richwilson7619]

Yeah, the boot camp shit is alive and well 55 years later here also. Lol

[@davewattles7237]

Thank you for... 1) Educating my ignorances in several areas. 2) Confirming some of my suspicions. 3) Giving good, solid explanations as to why / why not.

[@vulgarhyena9616]

If you’re worried about wearing your 1911 sear from dropping the slide, do not take it out of its glass display case, all of us with normal 1911s, it really doesn’t apply. Slamming a revolver cylinder I do agree with, it damages them.

[@ETHRON1]

At first I was optimistic about the content, but as I watched it I realized I was guilty of alot of what you are talking about.... never to old to learn proper etiquette....thank you for the lessons.

[@senorconhuevos]

I can see dropping the slide on an empty chamber being a problem, but not on all handguns. Glock for example, the "take up" is pulling the striker back. XD9 the take up is different and also pulls a sear down while also slightly pulling the striker back. I wouldn't drop the slide on a XD. I think this video calls to light the problems and shortcomings of the 1911.

[@Room-qd7pl]

Tony it will effect barrel lock up on most any pistol

[@ww8wv1]

At the end of the day it’s about respect… respect your firearms and they’ll work when you need them to.

[@9unslin9er]

Even on my Ruger Redhawk and GP100, I rotate the cylinder before it closes. Respect your guns.

[@mastabugfish]

I respect these two gentlemen quite a lot, let me say that first. I have heard the "empty chamber slide drop" argument my whole life, but have not seen any scientific evidence either way. I have heard mostly opinions from both sides, usually to the effect of: "The army 1911's did this in drills over and over and over and they work fine" or "A super awesome trigger job will show microscopic damage on the sear and trigger surface" or something to that effect. What I am respectfully requesting here, is for Mr. Wilson to set up a test which would put this debate to bed. I ask this here because I feel that Wilson Combat is one the few companies that is well known and respected enough in the industry to "set a standard" if you will, and obviously has access to the firearm actions at the heart of the debate. I am personally on the fence on what I believe regarding the "empty chamber slide drop" argument, although to be honest, i lean slightly toward the "it doesn't hurt anything" side. But I think with some scientific evidence, which would be easy enough to obtain, we can learn a lot. Some high resolution macro type images before a test and after a test, with empty chamber slide drops at a few increments (not sure how many times folks think would cause damage) would probably do it. I doubt anyone would accept a subjective trigger pull test, from either side of the argument. Just a respectful request from an inquiring mind. Thank you for what you guys and your teams do here.

[@mikem2132]

That’s a great idea!

[@richb.4374]

Pro2A I agree with you on the "it shouldn't hurt anything". To me, it seems odd that the recoil spring alone can damage the pistol by letting the slide close on an empty chamber when the gun cycles the slide with many times the force your hand or the spring can alone. A slide on a semi auto moves so fast in operation you can barely see it. It hits it's rearward limit hard and slams home on every shot, tens of thousands of times. I have my doubts that the cartridge cushions it enough to save the pistols life so to speak. I'm as curious about debunking this as you are.

[@JeremyDore]

The fact the guy has made and designed these guns for decades isn’t enough for you? I mean wtf is wrong with you people?

[@jacobharrod6912]

Ha ha ha I had a gunsmith that actually recommended NOT lubing firearms, or light lubrication. His fix was always spraying all lubrication off and then shooting your gun. Followed by, "Its your ammunition that's causing your problem." Then hed reccomend the expensive ammo the gunshop sold.

[@Mr.Schitzengigglez]

Yeah.... No.

[@chrisrogers4242]

@@Mr.Schitzengigglezyeah. cheap ammo will kill your weapon, over lucubration will cause malfunctions.

[@chrisrogers4242]

where you shooting blazer or Russian ammo?

[@recoiler4545]

I get the confusion. For most guns, flipping the slide release is fine. It's partly why the lever exists in the first place, and the Brownell's guys have covered this. BUT, the Wilson Combat 1911 is, as these guys point out, a special case of super tightly tuned tolerances for competition shooting. Which raises the question, why are they called Wilson Combat, when it should be Wilson Match or similar? A combat gun *needs* to be able to take abuse. It's like the difference between a rugged beat up 4x4, and a Porsche. Wilson is the Porsche. They have different niches; Normally, the Porsche is worth 10x the 4x4, and in a race, you'd want the Porsche; but in a war, the 4x4 is worth 10x the Porsche.

[@jasezayden6383]

you prolly dont give a shit but does anyone know a way to log back into an Instagram account? I was stupid lost the account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me!

[@jasonkyler8444]

@Jase Zayden Instablaster =)

[@jasezayden6383]

@Jason Kyler Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@jasezayden6383]

@Jason Kyler It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my ass :D

[@jasonkyler8444]

@Jase Zayden Happy to help :)

[@dustang5.O]

I’m glad you guys addressed the G.I. pistols being OK to have the slide slam forward. GunBlue addressed this and mentioned the Army’s roll call (I think) had each and every solder every day multiple times a day release the slide on an empty chamber.

[@drizler]

Yea, when I think of how often we cycled those old 1911s while I was an MP. We hammered them to death and nothing ever broke that I saw.

[@richardturk7162]

All good information but from my experience Wilson Combat pistols are delicate and prone to breakage unlike a GI 1911 you can beat on all day. The type of guys that buy a Wilson 1911 do more looking at them than actually shooting them. I was into Wilson 1911s for a while and yes they may have felt better in the hand being a custom gun but did they perform all that much better than a Colt or other decent 1911? No not really. You guys look to be in my age bracket and I get your points but I love to run guns hard and put them thru their paces and have fun and not always having to fix them which was what I had to do with the Wilson 1911s

[@TheBandit59]

I had bad experiences with Colt and Kimber reference reliability. Ive put 1000's of rounds through my Ultra light Wilson Combat 1911's, and they have been flawless!I do believe when your life depends on them, there is a difference between them and a production 1911!I believe if you are carrying a 1911, theres a big difference in reliablity that makes the cost worth it? If you want to spend less, a Glock or Shield might be better for you, but a 1911, especially in .45,I wont ever cut costs.

[@tohaver7227]

Wilson Combat has the best customer service. I had a 9mm ADP awesome little polymer striker fired carry pistol that retailed for 550.00. The manual showed how to disassemble the slide completely so foolishly I did. couldn't put it back together. called there customer service and they sent Fed ex to my house to pick up the pistol put it back together and polished the feed ramp and gave me an extra magazine got the pistol back in less than 10 days all at their expense, even though it was all my fault. they only made that gun for a couple years small 10 round double stack that got a bad rap online Mine was awesome though.

[@vdog4799]

" I have people tell me that they find reloading therapeutic " Wilson says" Get a life ' 😅😅😅😅🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I'm the guy that ENJOYS reloading! And I really don't have a life so he right!🤣🤣😁 That's too funny!

[@williamhajnos]

Always knew about not slamming the cylinder on revolvers. Never knew about letting the slide slam home. No one ever told me.... Changing my ways quick on this.

[@kenschaefer5303]

I don't know, but I enjoy cleaning all my guns. Cleaning every time I go to the range, is kinda part of the ritual. It's something my son and I do together. Thanks for the tips on lubricating. My dad taught me never to dry rack or flip any pistol anytime. Thanks again Ken

[@sheepdog916]

Ken Schaefer pre-range rituals are like serenading your lover with Marvin Gaye; it gets you both in mood.

[@LRRPFco52]

The Army cured me of my childhoid and adolescent enjoyment of cleaning weapons. I've since also learned of the toxicity of weapons cleaning and PPE measures to deal with it, especially since I shoot a lot suppressed.

[@gunfisher4661]

It`s also just another way to admire your guns. Years ago before life began I used to pull them out and give a light cleaning every 30 days wether I used that particular one or not.

[@DanielEastwood25]

The 2-3k round tests are clearly proving how reliable a firearm is. It's truly impressive how some guns can run through 1000s of rounds without cleaning/lubing. This should be incredibly obvious to anyone, much less professionals. Very disappointed and shocked about your take on it. While I agree about slamming the cylinder on a revolver, I couldn't disagree more about using the slide release. THE GUN IS LITERALLY DESIGNED TO DO THAT! I'm pretty sure Smythbusters did a video about that also. Many auto-loading pistols (1911s, Glock, S&W, etc.) are built to be workhorses and duty guns. If they were so sensitive to using the slide release, it would be a well-known issue, and all gun makers would be manufacturing firearms without it (XL Walther PPK style). Even if it is possible to damage a finely tuned glass-cannon like the custom 1911s you are talking about, increasing the trigger pull weight is such a minor issue it's mostly irrelevant. I challenge anyone to tell a major difference between trigger weights if they are shooting in a legitimate self-defense scenario when their adrenaline is pumping. I do agree 100% about lubing guns though. I've shot hundreds of rounds through my pistols, and they keep running flawlessly if they are oiled well, even though they are filthy at times.

[@ralphsawyer9535]

They didn't say don't use the slide release... they said don't use the slide release w/o there being a cartridge to skim off of the magazine.

[@RadioMan666]

I’m about the same age as these old guys. I learned so much watching this episode. I am not going to admit to my transgressions of abuse of firearms it is too embarrassing. I repent. I will spread the gospel to my fellow Gunnies. Thank you guys.

[@pinslayer4579]

I read a history that original military testing to achieve certification for the 1911 was 2000 rounds. Patrick Sweeny made a demonstration fixture for a mill to simulate what he calls a Bubba drop on a 1911 extractor after 10 K simulations the extractor showed NO CHANGE. I truly love my 1911' s but I'll never own one that's so over engineered that a little lint from my shirt will stop it .

[@maineiachomestead7550]

I did not know about the damge from dropping the slide on an empty chamber! Thank you, I learned something today.

[@closecatapult8472]

Hayseed Homestead same here, good stuff

[@maineiachomestead7550]

@@closecatapult8472 I just rewatched it. I noticed they specifically mentioned finely tuned triggers being susceptible to damage. If you're tuned to 3/4 lb pull then yeah, I agree completely. A standard 1911 (I just bought a Colt Classic) set at about 5-7 lbs should be ok or at least take a long time to fall victim to it.

[@Adcomb]

@@maineiachomestead7550 it will damage barrel lockup on all pistols. Its just a stupid thing to do.

[@maineiachomestead7550]

@@Adcomb Well at least its not a good thing on an empty chamber/mag. I did catch that they mentioned doing it to load a round mitigates the potential damage.

[@appalachianexploration5714]

My pistols are inexpensive tools, not show pieces I dry fire and let the slide release go all the time so I know its functioning properly. My rifle i clean constantly its a wall hanger.

[@roberttaylor6030]

They didn't say anything about dry firing and they also stressed that highly tuned guns are most susceptible to damage from letting the slide slam shut on an empty chamber.

[@twistedsphere]

I've been shooting twenty years and I've never seen someone successfully, methodically snap rounds through the feed lips of a pistol mag. I don't know how I'd react. I'd be mystified and speechless. Slightly different story if it was MY magazine, but still...

[@pops55650]

I agree, for a lot pistol mags, the mag loaders push down on the round that’s already in the mag, so you can slide the next round under the feed lips easier, not through the top. 🙄

[@mikewalters4994]

I have learned so much from you guys. Thanks for taking the time to make these videos and sharing you knowledge with us.

[@rickrunyon5086]

When you shoot you clean. Dont chance a misfire when you're in a bad situation

[@m.loughlin1915]

🤣

[@TheBvirgilio86]

Always a great idea to watch anything Wilson/Hackathorn puts out. Besides LAV, it's hard to find anyone else with their knowledge and experience that's willing to share. Appreciate the series.

[@LRRPFco52]

They've been around actively shooting and learning lessons dating back to at least the 1970s.

[@ricashbringer9866]

Gunblue490. He did a video explaining how they are wrong on the 1911. But on revolvers he agrees.

[@rojack79er]

Awesome advice guys, I have to admit I can't stand letting my revolvers get dirty and clean them after every shoot I go to. So far they've been going strong and haven't had any issues other than a broken leaf spring.

[@Rodzilla5332]

I’ve been shooting for decades and I didn’t know some of this stuff. It’s a shame that it took being driven to the brink of flying off the handle to get y’all to share it. Keep this kind of stuff coming. It’s great to hear the greats share these nuggets of knowledge.

[@e2sealoperator561]

I only made it a minute 30 into this video. If you've ever been in the military especially back in the day when they carried 1911 you had to do this daily as a part of a routine check. If your gun cannot handle this it's not worth having

[@christianb9565]

Yep, you definitely only made it 30 seconds into the video.

[@catinthehat661]

Thank you so much for your videos. You guys are the real McCoy for sure. About to order eight Wilson mags for my 1911 TRP because there is no equal.

[@AChunkyDog]

Thank you very much for this info. I just bought my first handgun, a Beretta M9, and had been doing this because I liked the way it felt and sounded. Now I know how important it is that I DON'T ruin my $700 firearm.

[@bigeyetuna6228]

This is crap, drop the slide all you want, these nervous nelly’s can cringe all they want, but it won’t harm your gun at all…!

[@bp814]

They are talking about precision tuned triggers, it does matter. Sloppy ones, no.

[@larrythompson8630]

If you are not being sarcastic. You either did not listen, or you have zero knowledge of tuned 1911s. I will admit I didn’t know any better. I was loaned a Essex WW II 1911. I dropped the slide empty. Soon the hammer followed trigger to half notch. (It was lightly stoned). It was easy fix, I learned not to abuse it. But sadly owner asked me to sell it. I really should have bought it.

[@jaybee6505]

I watched guys overseas clean their AK's with kerosene, gasoline, moonshine, etc and then use a knotted boot lace dipped in motor oil to swab out the barrels.

[@dozer1642]

Cleaning a gun with moonshine is alcohol abuse.

[@ratagris21]

To properly clean an AK you use Vodka and a boot lace. Remember it will still AK. 😜😎♠️

[@anthonylewis1980]

"OH it was hideous " Bill Wilson 🤣🤣🤣🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@oldcop18]

Slamming the cylinder on a revolver is something I still see in the movies. Somehow the know-nothings in Hollywood think this is a good idea, or add it for dramatic effect, like the clicking sound preceding the introduction of any gun into a scene.

[@jimv.661]

The cringe factor of dropping the slide with the slide release on an empty chamber pales to pointing your gun at your friend while you do it.

[@brentsaylor1725]

He's not point it at him though. You can clearly see he isn't.

[@appalachianexploration5714]

If you domt ever feel comfortable dropping the slide on an empty chamber then your pistol is far to expensive for rugged daily use and you should sell it and go buy something less expensive thats for actual use not gingerly petting and staring at.

[@rudyz193]

@@appalachianexploration5714 thats gotta be the dumbest shit I've ever heard. Now, I'm not going to claim to be a well versed or knowledged gun owner, but it doesn't take a gun owner to understand when you spend a lot of money on something that's meant to save your life or bought as a hobby for range shooting, you don't want to damage or wear it down anymore than you have to. Thats just wasting money. Or am I missing something and everyone suddenly has spare money for buying or fixing guns thanks to intentional poor handling of it?

[@14goldmedals]

When the slide on a 1911 is locked back, the sear is in contact with a notch in the hammer. Both are now in a position that the slide has zero influence on them. The slide can be hammered to the rear and hammered into battery as many times as you feel like doing. There will be zero wear and tear on the hammer, sear and disconnector. There's some high-speed photography of 1911 slides being released with an empty magazine vs a loaded magazine stripping a round and clambering. The results as I read them, showed so little difference using microseconds as a measurement that this lab concluded neither technique was advantageous over the other.

[@williamroark4760]

Just how many custom 1911's have you built, and how successful is your company?

[@14goldmedals]

William Roark this is one of those facts vs feelings discussions. Sorry you drank the kook-aid my friend.

[@justthinken1]

@@williamroark4760 === 14goldmedals' is spot on. In fact it's the best counterargument to this issue I've read so far in the comments. Read his/her comment again. It makes perfect sense. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haGUYmltobmJo6s

[@janwilliams178]

I'm perfectly okay with an experienced shooter educating me on things I don't know about how else will I ever learn.

[@mburke954]

Great video guys. Learned a lot. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@gowilsoncombat]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonbocz]

Whatever happened to the idea of cleaning and lubricating your weapons after you use them? Even waiting until the next day made me feel bad. I seldom shot 50 rounds through a 1911 (some of us can't afford much ammunition at today's prices) and didn't go to the range every week.

[@johngeorgopoulos2568]

What about flagging each other over and over again. One of the basic rules of gun safety "never point a weapon at something that you aren't willing to destroy"

[@SonsOfDeForest]

but but but muh appeal to authority

[@danlhall1963]

Thank you guys, thank you for the great piece of knowledge. I won't ever do something like that again. I have a glock but I will practice this with all my pistols and revolvers.

[@dizz672]

As a Marine, I am forced to clean the finish completely off the firearm

[@tylerlondon5052]

A lubed gun is a happy gun. If you can wear your gun out from not cleaning, you have enough money not to care

[@tacticplanner7188]

When you take the time to fit slides, triggers, & barrels it brakes your heart everytime you see it.

[@m.loughlin1915]

🤣

[@JDCali459mm]

I respect these guys because they're masters of the gunsmithing world. However, if these guys are being picky about 1911 mags hitting the concrete, and talking about how guys are reloading their guns too harshly. It just tells me that Wilson Combat 1911 platforms and accessories are just made for bench shooting. If the mags can't drop on the ground during training, how can the user expect to use it on duty, it'll just cause a training scar for the operator to always retain, or drop the mag on a soft surface. Also, if the tolerance of the gun can't endure a harsh reload, how can it be reliable for duty. I guess their guns are made to be pampered on soft surfaces.

[@ballsack8937]

Yea I'm pretty confused to this.....I wanted to get a hold of a Wilson but now I think I'll put myoney elsewhere. I'm not naturally hard on guns but I had no clue that 1911s we're so finicky. Give me a Rugerp345 or a Smith and Wesson 5906 those guns can take an ass whooping

[@pops55650]

Their comments are for all mags, and specified loaded mags not empty. Wilson mags are among the best out there. If you are consistently dropping loaded mags, you might want to try out a different training class

[@tomgiorgini9154]

@@pops55650 you are talking to walls, after they learn the difference from harbor freight to sk they will learn to spend more wisely unfortunately not all will meet the grade

[@neobaggins3718]

I hate when people claim you can ‘over oil’ a gun. Unless you’re forced to drag your gun through the sand, you’re always better off running it as wet as possible. Dirt or dust is coming in contact with the bearing surfaces no matter what. Oil doesn’t ‘attract’ it. It also performs the crucial function of reducing friction and wear between bearing surfaces. It also reduces the chances of fine particulate coming in contact with the metal surface as well as keeps it from adhering making cleaning easier. My motto is ‘make it weep, then wipe away the tears.’ I want oil seeping out of the bearing surfaces when I’ve reassembled my gun. Then I’ll wipe off the excess from the outside every time I notice it. When it stops, I know I’m right around the maximum amount of lube the thing can contain. First step in the next cleaning session is to remove as much of it as possible with a degreaser, then reapply it to the cleaned surfaces.

[@ufosigma]

Lube is good, but too much will fill up with unburnt powder or grime, reducing the amount of time required to clean it. Carbon is a form of lube. As long as it's in-between the metal parts. Pistols that tend to shoot smaller loads also tend to be dirtier. Your max lube is just not really true as 80% of it is flying out when you fire the weapon.

[@ufosigma]

So in short, you don't over lube a gun that runs dirty. It's not really about the outside dirt. You also don't really have to super lube pistols. I do understand the need though, I would put generally more lube in a fulle metal frame pistol then a polymer. Also it depends on the outside of the weapon, the coating on the metal.

[@rickymitchum3208]

Dirt does attach to wet moist surfaces that's a fact. But I do always put a little more then I think it needs

[@SARDOGFL]

9:00 had a Glock 17 that I basically didn't clean for 4 years of regular shooting - but I did lube regularly over the filth. Ran great!

[@randymaclean2707]

The comments here are surprising. I suppose most of the writers have no idea that Bill Wilson (of Wilson Combat) is an absolute expert on 1911s, and makes some of the most prized models available. He’s been manufacturing high-end custom 1911s (and production models) for more than 40 years. I’m certainly open to his advice, and l bet if the commenters think back to where they learned what they think they know, their sources won’t compare very well.

[@fullfire0]

Maybe for super high end custom stuff, where the tolerances are much tighter it could be bad for the gun, but for normal production stuff it absolutely is not bad for it. It was designed that way.

[@chrisfisher4503]

There are plenty of experts in any field that are blind to anything not in their immediate field of view. Straight up, if dropping the slide damages your gun, your gun is shit. I've never had a gun damaged from just dropping the slide in over 30 years. If he's tuning things out so much this is a problem, he needs to back things off.

[@trevorbraden5448]

Man you are right people in the comments are dense

[@joebob617]

There's a concept called "Beginner's Mind" - folks who have become expert at whatever often lose the ability to step back and see things through that lens. Not a ding on WC - just something that tends to happen to us humans...