Smyth Busters: Is It Safe To Drop The Slide With a Round in the Chamber?

Brownells Gun Techs Steve Ostrem and Caleb Savant are wearing their Smyth Buster hats today as they take on this old chestnut: Dropping the slide on a semi-auto pistol with a round in the chamber can break the extractor. So, can it? Caleb says... "It depends on the gun." Modern external extractors are highly resistant to breakage (e.g., Glock, Sig Sauer, M&P, CZ 75, the current Browning Hi-Power). Older, 1911-type internal extractors may not have enough room to flex as they slide over the cartridge rim. It also depends on whether the extractor's tension is properly adjusted. If it's too tight or isn't properly polished and contoured, the extractor won't ride over the rim of the case, and it may break. On most modern pistols, the round actually rides up from the magazine under the extractor as the slide closes. Metal quality is an issue, too: there's a reason why the top gunmakers make their extractors out of tool steel. So this myth is.... NOT BUSTED. It IS valid with certain guns. If it's a well-made, high-quality pistol with a properly installed extractor, it's safe to drop the slide with a round in the chamber. Be much more careful on an older or cheaper gun.

[@LifeisGood762]

Beretta actually advertises that you can do this as a feature in their 92 line. They don't mention whether it will break your extractor or not, just that it will work as a single shot. I'll still be loading from the mag with all my pistols but it is good to know you can do this with a Beretta.

[@georgegravette1132]

And Toyota says you can go 10,000 miles between oil changes.

[@user-qs8dv1pl1b]

If dropping the slide is serious problem, then let's add the mighty 'Forward Assist' to the pistol

[@FierceMouse]

YESH PLEASE!!! ^^^^^^^^^

[@rogerpemberton79]

Easy fix so you don't have to worry about it, load the first round from the magazine and then remove the magazine top it off with the last round and reinsert the magazine. Gun is now fully loaded and no worries about breaking anything. Works all the time every time.

[@luckybassturd7260]

Yes that is true! I tested the loading one round into chamber , to simulate if it’s possible to keep gun running with broken mag or no mag. Beretta m9 variant was very easy to do this with & easy to manipulate controls. the 1911 we had was very doable but very hard to operate slide stop... With no ammo in mag some gun slides won’t sling shot forward you must use slide stop to drop slide.

[@redcat9436]

I have several .22 automatics where it's easy to shoot one round at a time without having to constantly remove and load the magazine by simply placing a cartridge in the chamber and dropping the slide.

[@rogerpemberton79]

I never said anyone had to do it the way I described. I said the way I described works all the time every time if you don't want to worry about breaking your gun. If you're not worried about breaking anything then rock on. Personally I have too much invested in my guns to do anything that may or may not be abusive to them. I work on my guns to make them the way I want them. I don't want to work on them from breaking parts when it's not necessary.

[@hellpimp]

That's how I was taught to do it.

[@Bulldog75stp]

Exactly!

[@afinoxi]

0:24 Steve losing his hope in humanity

[@AndyCigars]

...when you smell that ass someone dropped.

[@michaelkennedy996]

😂

[@skeletonmakesgood]

That is, assuming that Caleb is in fact human.

[@SailfishSoundSystem]

I'm glad the U.S. still makes good steel with correct heat treatment, even though there's a big shortage right now.

[@HTown99]

Yeah but Resident Biden is letting China eat our lunch

[@dickjohnson5025]

I find ammo every week at Cabelas

[@Kaboomf]

Don't know how many extractors were broken that way, but the old training manuals for the Norwegian M1914 (a 1911 variant) did say you could load an extra round directly in the chamber and drop the slide on it. So it used to be official doctrine, in at least one country.

[@petersellers9944]

Brownells is awesome. Thanks, Steve and Caleb! I tune in every time you guys talk.

[@gregstudeny1680]

Ive broken an extractor on a ruger lcp doing that. I have never done it since that day.

[@artvandelay9374]

These are always great episodes. Thanks for continuing to share so much with us. Loyal Brownells customer for life 🤘🏼🇺🇸🤘🏼

[@HAV0X_]

you all have helped me so much with buying my first gun. i am now more knowledgeable than before. thank you.

[@kauboy9816]

If you know the design of an external extractor, you know there's a spring under the rear of the piece, and a fulcrum point near the middle. Why? To allow the chamber end to flex outward when encountering a case rim, and then return to its normal position to hold on to said case rim. It's literally designed to do it. Then you just have to consider if the steel itself can withstand the impact of the action. Could it cause "unnecessary" wear? Sure. But it's designed with this function in mind, so make your own choices.

[@MisoElEven]

Shooting the gun is also an unnecessary wear.. really people shouldnt be surprised that a tool you use wears down over time. Modern weapons are very idiot-proof and most of the time designed to do all kinds of shit that some people consider unnecessary wear. I dont see a reason to not use a feature of a gun just because it might or might not introduce slightly more wear, its not like youre only going to own and shoot this one gun for the rest of your life. Mostly youre going to spend more time looking for ammo than shooting the gun anyway :D

[@mikeoxlong3676]

Just replace the extractor once a year or so and it's fine. They're like $20.

[@redbeachone]

Love your channel and love Brownells. Thanks, guys.

[@alliwantisfinancialstabili7414]

Oh I was actually a sucker on this one. I heard that it damages your extractor so everytime I chambered a round I just threw it in with a loaded mag then topped off that mag, or loaded it by throwing in my round with a spare empty mag I had. Nice to know that I likely wont have to worry about this with my CZ or Glock

[@dthayer1045]

I've done this many times and never questioned it. Thanks guys!!

[@virtuaguyverify]

Everyone has to learn the hard way

[@chrlsraines]

This one was great!! I have a 1911 & modern model 9 mm’s I have let the slide slam many time just like this on the 9mm’s but they both have the external extractors. I’ve never done this w my 1911, & now I know that I won’t be doing it to my 1911 commander 45acp. Tyvm.

[@keyfitter]

I've learned through the years to just feed that first round from a magazine. Never broke an extractor but I suspect that I may have caused 1911 extractors to need tuning.

[@lanceroberthough1275]

If you do this repetitively as a habit when you load your gun so that you can have the full magazine Plus One in the Chamber effect you will indeed where your extractor down over time. I have replaced dozens of extractors on external extractor pistols due to this habit alone. I've never seen the extractor break. I've had many many people come in complaining about failures to extract. I will determine that the extractor is worn down. And when I questioned them about how they initially load their pistol quite consistently people report that they throw round in the chamber and release the slide before inserting the magazine into the mag well. I also did this repetitively on my M&P Shield and measured the effect on the extractor. It was significant

[@hihihihihello]

That's awesome info, reports from others and then you replicated it yourself. Thx

[@jameshoward8609]

I have a 1911 that I have used in IDPA for 3 years and at Front Sight Firearms Training at least 4- 4 day training sessions. I always drop one in the chamber and release the slide and have never broke or worn down my extractor yet to the point of needing to replace it. I would give you a round count but I lost count after 6 or 7 thousand rounds thru this gun. My best guess is well north of 10 thousand at the least. I guess it depends on the gun and quality of the manufacturer.

[@eomproductions5783]

I really appreciate these videos 🤙🏼

[@chrisboyd1408]

Thank you very much for posting. I purchased a Les Baer 1911 specifically for this reason so I would never have any troubles out of it now I feel much better than I did that

[@jeremyterwisscha6534]

How do you like your les baer? I've thought about getting one before but always just can never take the plunge

[@chrisboyd1408]

@@jeremyterwisscha6534 I wanted a 100% Made in the USA 🇺🇸 1911. I also wanted a hand-made custom pistol and am very, very satisfied. Jim Scoutten did an impressive review on Shooting USA. With a 50 yard accuracy guarantee, I would feel good deer hunting if my survival depended on it.

[@normskvarca]

Great video Guys!

[@djinfwb]

Most all firearms manufacturers recommend loading the firearm from the magazine!

[@wgs6606]

Always informative, one of the duo’s best. Classy Steve from Wisconsin and an AMT Hardballer, Steve The Terminator, Arnoldesque.

[@jwilsonhandmadeknives2760]

The AMT Hardballer was my dream gun in the 80s. Out of the box match guns were a rarity when that gun came out.

[@sxsboy2253]

A few years back I purchased an imported (cheep) 1911, officers model then ordered a new bar-stock extractor and machined barrel link. The gun works perfectly and I feel comfortable knowing that these two parts are way better than the originals. I want to do the hammer strut to but at a later date. I use it for daily carry and if I end up shooting somebody ol’Jonny-law won’t be getting one of my nice guns.

[@BangBangBo]

Learned something new! Thanks.

[@chrlsraines]

Most of these myths I generally already know the answers to. (I have a mechanical / fabrication background.) I am now getting into smithing and building, (I’ve been disabled for 15 yrs) I’ve found I enjoy it so very much! I’ve always been into hunting & shooting, but smithing and doing builds has given me so much more than I’ve ever hoped for...!

[@T_bone]

I had a Browning High Power experience a broken extractor. I would drop the slide with one in the chamber before loading the magazine. THANK YOU for the clarification!!!

[@roygreer5615]

Well done with the coordinated mug lift.

[@Munkylaw]

I was tuning a new extractor on an old star model b, that was constantly failing to extract, testing the tension on a case in the camber. Once i got it right it would smoothly jump the rim of the case and not just slam into it. It was super tight at first and I am sure it would have broken or worn out really fast with that much tension. But no more FTE. 😁

[@nathanjames329]

I appreciate the explanation. Thanks

[@Incapacitator99]

Excellent point! Thanks

[@aaronpeople101]

Good question. One that I’ve wondered about. I try to avoid it even though I have done it.

[@jameslang1354]

Awesome information gents!

[@chasewilkinson1977]

I always learn something from these

[@silentbob267]

Thank you so much for doing this one. I had a lot of trouble finding reliable information on the topic in the past.

[@jacktripper369]

Love “Smyth Busters”!!!

[@NOorah-oj8gt]

Glock mim extractors are somewhat vulnerable to this. The old gen1 and gen2 not so much but the later ones are sometimes broken doing this. I have a gen 3 and gen 4 that haven't had an extractor issue in over 6 thousand rounds apiece. I don't drop the slide on a chambered round. I have had 1 mim extractor break from: too many times dropping a round into the chamber and dropping/ridding the slide to avoid bullet set back. Now I just gently ride the slide forward and tap it to make sure it's in battery and feeding from a magazine I haven't had any bullet set back or extractor issues.

[@davidwallace5738]

Thanks fellas!

[@KathrynLiz1]

I have only had one extractor fail. It was on a 1911 that had had around 70,000 rounds through it at the time, and I believe that they should be replace routinely at around 20,000 or less (I think I read that somewhere).....The little hook on the end just snapped off...(and had never been dropped on a chambered round....so I guess it was just metal fatigue).... As a new one was not available at the time (I live in New Zealand and supplies of spares are 'patchy') I made one from 1/4" music wire (Model airplane shops sell it!). It is very hard and springy, but is just about fileable with good quality files and machinable with high speed steel or carbide tools. Took me about an hour to make and was still working fine when I had to sell the pistol about 50,000 rounds later. Yes I had it for quite a few years and at that time I was shooting over 12,000 rounds a year through it, all 200gr LSWC handloads. The chrome lined barrel of the pistol was still pristine. That was the only malfunction that I can remember with that pistol..... it was a Chinese made Norinco..... Now that I am back into shooting, I have another from the same maker, and with the minor tuning that I gave the old one it promises to be just as durable..... I may not live long enough to find out now! LOL

[@dalecrummie5818]

I seen that done for the first time at the American Pistol Institution back in '86, that's the only way I've ever seen Jeff Cooper load his 1911.

[@Derickandlannyfpv]

Immediately subscribed before starting the video just by its title. Greetings

[@riflemanm16a2]

My CZ75 BD's extractor broke after numerous failures to extract because removing the magazine to clear the malfunction caused the slide to slam home onto the empty casing still in the chamber. The extractor spring was weak, which was what caused the failures to extract, so it's weird that it wasn't able to scoop around the casing.

[@LtNomad304]

Ive been an armorer for my department for alot of years now (large dept) and have never had one of our glocks come back for a broken extractor. I have seen quite a few ruegers with broken extractors, but I put that down to a weak design coupled with stainless parts. the biggest issue I have found with Glocks is broken slide rails. After 10k plus rounds through our training weapons, I have seen alot of broken slides. My favorite was a pistol that had three slides fail simultaneously which caused the pistol to go full auto and do a mag dump.... that was an exciting few seconds!

[@chrisjohnson703]

The rails broke after 10k rounds???

[@martinbaumgardner4432]

Three sides FAIL simultaneously ??? Three slides on one pistol ?

[@jackjack4412]

What do you mean the slides failed? Can you elaborate

[@jameshoward8609]

You expect more from a Glock? Be lucky they got to 10k rounds.

[@garygriffiths6998]

The only fly in the ointment of always chambering a round from the magazine is that if you have unloaded one of the newer small 9mms, such as the Sig P-365 or Springfield Hellcat, it is almost impossible to "top off" the magazine without a magazine loading device. So if I want to reload to full capacity other than when I have a device with me, yeah, I drop the single round back into the chamber and let the slide slam home, then insert the full magazine.

[@briancantrell1050]

Wouldn't it be just as easy to drop the slide slowly and avoid all possibility of extractor damage?

[@jameshoward8609]

@@briancantrell1050 When you release the slide and retain the tension you risk not allowing the slide to go into battery. This means that when you pull the trigger you get nothing when you are expecting a bang.

[@bradprather6749]

Thanks, Y'all Rock!

[@chuckbridgeland6181]

In the old Ruger P series autos, dropping a round into the chamber and letting the slide drop is recommended in the manual for single loading cartridges.

[@pitbull82]

Interesting! The P94 was my first handgun that wasn't a cheaper throw away, line a Lorcin or Jennings ha was a great gun. Got Glocks and never looked back, however

[@kirkmooneyham]

Those P-series were built solid. Nothing flashy or fancy about them, but they just run and run and run.

[@Rusted1859]

Thats how ive always loaded my p365xl and have not had issues. Though i will pay attention to that from now on

[@pijnto]

That's good to know, I shot IPSC with two Llama 1911's for about 4 years despite people telling me otherwise the guns were good, however I did break a extractor on one of them by closing the slide on a loaded chamber, I replaced the extractor and never had another problem.

[@Tadicuslegion78]

I have heard the one that is on old Colt 1911s/1911s that don't have the firing pin block there is a chance, albeit a slight one, that you could cause a slamfire from the inertia of the firing pin going forward and hitting that primer. Or the other one of Hammer follow where the hammer goes off on it's on.

[@versoarmamentcompany]

Great video

[@WanlaceYates]

The issue in my experience has had more to do with sear engagement and risk of discharge than extractor issues. Many tuned 1911s with less sear engagement surface against the hammer hooks can experience a condition where the hammer is jarred loose as the slide is dropped. Without a firing pin block the hammer may hit the firing pin and discharge any round placed in the chamber. The half-cock notch is supposed to stop this but it can fail, especially on modified hammers. Feeding from the magazine slows the slide impact. I have heard it recommended to hold the trigger down to keep the disconnector engaged when using a light trigger 1911 to avoid this issue (keeping the gun pointed down range and carefully resetting the trigger after the slide is fully dropped. Should not be an issue with most modern pistols.

[@jameshoward8609]

If your gun fires when you drop the slide then it is broken and should not be used until repaired by a professional, not the dummy that modified it in the first place.

[@David-hm9ic]

The extractor in my 2011 broke without ever dropping the slide on a chambered round. It just wore out at about 50,000 rounds. The only time I close a slide on a chambered round is immediately after fitting the extractor, just to make sure it works as John Browning intended. After that, all rounds in every semi-auto I own are loaded from a magazine.

[@AtkinTheory]

I edc a glock 17. When the gun is empty i pull the slide and barrel off, then spring. Push the barrel forward in the slide, amd put your round on the extractor and slide the barrel back over it gently. Replace the spring and slide to the frame. Then slowly pull the slide back enough to reactivate the trigger but not eject. It saves your rounds rim from deformation from excessive slide dropping, which has caused me failure to eject before.

[@Libertarian_Neighbor]

Best company out there.

[@allphaseelec5738]

Hi Gentlemen, I have an S&W 5904. Original S&W Part. Been doing it for about 30 year plus. The Extractor finally chipped and malfunctioned. S&W Replaced it. I was advised to Cease & Desist. LOL Ty

[@stgeorgethepurist8311]

this is comedy gold. Talks about not trusting "South American steel", on the table is a Sig p365 which had horrible QA issues INCLUDING broken extractors. Mine also had a broken extractor.

[@lordofthewoods]

As an aside, I have recently noticed that, with certain primitive semi-autos (a rifle, in my case), you can end up with a progressively deeper ding in the primer if you repetitively chamber and clear the same round (from the top of a mag, for example). WHOOPS! Luckily, I noticed in time : )

[@johnz6066]

I've heard with an ar-15, sks, or any firearm with a floating firing pin, if you repeatedly chamber and re chamber the same round, eventually you will get a slam fire.

[@lordofthewoods]

@@johnz6066: That's it! BEWARE...

[@jwilsonhandmadeknives2760]

that is true. and with non-crimped ammo you will also cause the projectile to slide forward a few thousandths. Not an issue unless you have a short seating depth, but if you allow the projectile to go all the way to the lands (jam) you may have excessive pressure when you finally fire it.

[@ushook]

At shot show, the Sig people were calling theirs an Integral inlay extractor.

[@sanguinemoon9201]

Swiss and Germans gotta overcomplicate everything.

[@11C1P]

Been dropping the slide on a round for almost 30 years now & have never broken an extractor. Been using the same Glock for ~15 years now & it's going strong.

[@dlogan3004]

Why would you?

[@kirkmooneyham]

@@dlogan3004, I wish your comment weren't so old, but maybe you will still see this. I want to know why wouldn't he, if that's an acceptable manual-of-arms for his particular handgun. Also, I want to know exactly what difference it makes to you that he does that.

[@sanguinemoon9201]

Best reason I have seen to load from magazines is a floating firing pin. Never had one go off, but I have seen many marks on primers. One out of spec component and that could be a bad day.

[@Robert-qm7yi]

That happens regardless, and what's the worst that happens? The round fires and you get scared, it's not going to blow up

[@Tactical_Arborist_1776]

Plus its gonna be slamming down on a live round regardless if you load it by hand or from the magazine so the argument is kinda moot either way, assuming you know how to handle a firearm and keep it pointed in a safe direction

[@David-hm9ic]

@@Tactical_Arborist_1776 When a round is stripped from the magazine it slows the bolt or slide down significantly. Dropping a bolt or slide on a chambered round allows a much higher bolt/slide speed.

[@texassportsman5880]

On a 1911, if you've incorrectly installed the search spring you can have a negligent discharge if you release the slide on a live round in the chamber.

[@FernandoChaves]

After speaking to who I consider to be one of the best living pistol designers on this matter, internal vs external is of little consequence. It is about design and materials. A good modern pistol has proper design and materials to accommodate dropping the slide with a round in the chamber, or without, using the slide release, or not. He assured me that a pistol of his design would accommodate any combination of maneuvers. I have personally seen extractors break closing on loaded chambers, unloaded chambers, and stripping a round from the magazine. In every case it was poorly designed, or inferior materials, or both. If you need to change, upgrade, or tune such a thing on a pistol "out of the box" then it was not done correctly in the first place whether it be design, material, or both. So yes, it depends on the gun. And the gun depends on the design and materials. There are some good manufacturers that have produced inferior products, and some inferior manufacturers that produced good products. There are a few that produced one obscure product and disappeared, and a few that have produced one superior product and then disappeared. If you know what you are looking at you don't have to pay big money for a big name. If "tuning" or "upgrading", the best answer isn't always putting in the hardest part, it depends on the design. Sometimes it's the hard part that will fail first or damage something else first because it wasn't supposed to be so hard in the original design configuration. Then of course there are the conditions. Cold? Hot? Dry? Wet? A well designed pistol will take into account all of these matters including the intended purpose. Police duty? Military? Self defense? Target? Competition? Other? There is rarely if ever one that will suit all purposes under all conditions, some will immediately say that is a Glock. Of course, you can spend a few thousand on a custom shop pistol, but such a firearm could never win a military or police contract nor make it into the nightstand or holster of the average "Joe". As a physician in an ER I never once asked the brand or model of the weapon, how much it cost, how reliable it was, or how accurate it was. Such things are moot once the damage is done. Dead from a yeet cannon is the same as dead from a custom shop 1911. In the end, beyond all else, know your firearm and practice.

[@jacobhines773]

I had an AD in my house with my Colt competition 1911 .45. I was dry firing and practicing when I was getting ready to put her away I popped a round into the chamber and released the slide. Bang!! No broken extractor but a nice size hole in my wall. Lesson learned

[@jameshoward8609]

Your gun malfunctioned...You better have it checked by a professional if it hasn't killed you or someone else yet.

[@jacobhines773]

@@jameshoward8609 Its all good. Fixed by my gunsmith. Thanks for the reply.

[@jameshoward8609]

@@jacobhines773 Good to hear, now you can top off the limited amount of ammo we have to contend with using these hand cannons without worrying about a Negligent Discharge as there is no such thing as an Accidental Discharge.

[@appalachiangunman9589]

A friend of mine had the extractor break on his Taurus 1911 when it was brand new. He didn’t slam the slide down on a loaded chamber either, just shooting as normal. On the occasional event that I take the round out of the chamber on my carry gun I’ll drop the slide on that round in an effort to keep the feed ramp from driving the bullet too far back in the case. I’ve never had any extractor issues.

[@robwilk4566]

Taurus...

[@stevenhess5616]

I've been doing that very regularly on a Ruger P90DC since the 90's with zero problems. Actually, I've done that on every semi-auto I've ever owned with no problems.

[@lucky43113]

why?

[@theepicgamerultimate4831]

I carry a round in the chamber in my Glocks, my S&W revolvers and my Ruger Single seven. I'm a retired Deputy Sheriff and over the course of 30+years if endured many different types of training. The absolute worst I ever encountered was at a Nuclear Plant after I retired. For a short time we carried a Glock 23 with an empty chamber. Then some braniac decided it was better to carry an AR-15. We carried the AR-15 with an orange plug/flag in the chamber, you had to retract the charging handle to chamber a round and while doing so the orange plug/flag was ejected. Carrying the AR-15 outdoors I didn't have a problem, but indoors in close quarters with lots of thick steel and concrete, I really thought it was stupid and I'm sure glad I never had to discharge the weapon. I heard at one time they carried revolvers with all 6 chambers loaded, but not so the semi-autos. With that mind set I'd rather carry a revolver.

[@dave-d-grunt]

I was told the shape of the Glock style extractors were like the Mauser feed. Load from magazine. A1911? Never had a problem hand loading a round. However, since I’ve been dealing with glocks, I load my 1911 the same way

[@karlmarz5236]

Optimal word, Proper!! Correct fit & maintenance!

[@jumpoffit2052]

My brother has a gen 4 Glock 22 a round with a defect caused the Glock to go off out of battery and blew his extracter off. We never found it. That thing went flying. Did replace it and it seems to be fine.

[@CitadelDefense1]

This is informative

[@TheWilferch]

Suggestion....as you are obviously addressing both new and seasoned shooters....it might have been good to state that external extractors are typically PIVOTING style ...that rotate under a pivot shaft...and under spring pressure to keep the extractor engaged over the rim of the cartridge. It is pretty much a unique deal to have an INTERNAL extractor seen mostly on the Colt Govt 45 models...pretty much. These extractors are NOT pivoting under a separate spring pressure....this extractor actually "bends" a bit and is its own "spring". With all the good stuff mentioned in the vid....some pretty basic stuff like this might have been useful to add. Cheers.

[@05Tcat]

For a 1911 with an internal extractor, It has much less to do with how well the extractor is tuned, and more to do with using the firearm as it was intended.

[@kraigvanderwyk1153]

I’ve loaded 9mm in the chamber and dropped the slide on my beretta many,many times. At the range, I’ve emptied mags and continued to shoot one at a time without a magazine. Never had a problem and don’t expect to.

[@luckybassturd7260]

M9 was meant to do that ... even it’s controls are easy one handed! Old timers never used slide stop to chamber a round cuz you needed 75lbs of force on 1911 slide stop😂 Teasin!

[@michaelsereg2197]

Please have a video on SAA Model 1873 actions firing by dropping the hammer without pulling the trigger. Specifically the Pietta revolver that was used on the Rust movie set. I always thought the hammer would catch on the half cock notch and not fire.

[@benkanobe7500]

I have both an early P220 (I carry with a round in the chamber, always) and an early 1940's FingerPrint (internal extractor) Browning HP. My daughter will soon be inheriting my BHP. I do have an original new replacement extractor for the BHP as when I purchased it a million years ago I was told by many the internal extractor was not strong due to design and would break. I was told it was a design issue by those pointing to later BHP that all have and now have the external extractor. Both the Sig and Browning have thousands and thousands of rounds through them from a lifetime of shooting. No failures in both, but I did replace springs in the HP. I don't understand how I am able to create this condition of slamming the slide on a chambered round. How does that condition happen as I do not want my daughter to have a problem with the HP (my Son is taking the Sig)? My daughter will have the new original internal extractor if she was somehow to break it, I just don't understand how the condition is created to cause the stress and failure of the internal extractor in the HP. Can you guys help me understand this condition please?

[@BigSkyGuyWhy]

On my M&P 2.0s, 90% of the time the extractor will NOT go over the live round and will NOT go into battery. (Works fine with dummy rounds...they must be somewhat smaller.) Gen 1 M&Ps and every other semi auto I own has no issues dropping a round in the chamber.

[@revv45acp71]

Thanks

[@KingNuada86]

Been doing this for years, never broke an extractor. This way helps prevent bullet setback to a degree. Like all tools, you should inspect them at times and keep extra parts anyways.

[@snoopy9292]

Hmm. Interesting thought. I always worry about setback. Though my carry ammo has crimped case designed to minimize possibility of setback. I just rotate the top round every so often and visually inspect.

[@KingNuada86]

@snoopy9292 I'll load a bullet over and over again until the bullet setback is noticeable. Even a small amount can cause over pressure. Normally i keep my mags loaded and use extra rounds for the chambered round. After about 6 months a bullet has too much set back. I take it and discard that round. This way I'm not mixing ammo and unsure of which rounds are good in my magazines. Dropping a slide on a live round helps slow down setback. Loading a bullet from a magazine pushes the bullet into the case from smashing it into the feedramp. I've done it this way for over 14 years. It's never worn down or broke an extractor. But extractors are cheap. Over pressurized rounds blowing apart a gun are more expensive

[@snoopy9292]

@@KingNuada86 Good thoughts on it. I have a few rounds loaded via magazine that got stuck on feed ramp that have very noticeable setback. Just chucked em as well. I keep mine loaded as well. But you have a great idea on using extra rounds for chambering. Hadn’t thought of that.

[@michaelsorrell9922]

NEVER HAVE BROKEN ONE BUT I NOW LOAD FROM THE MAG.

[@123mandown]

Answer my question with my Bersa thunder 9 which had a bad extractor and I was dropping the bolt on the round. It wore the extractor tip at a slant and constantly had failure to extract. so I can so agree SA metal isnt very good new extractor look lower qaulity.

[@Rowrin]

Have a repro GI style 1911 with internal extractor. Trying to drop the slide on a chambered round (was using dummy handloads as snapcaps) will just destroy the rim of the round without riding over at all. I imagine that's not good for the extractor either, so never tried again after that.

[@David-hm9ic]

That is a problem with an improperly fitted extractor.

[@davidunderwood3605]

I saw a post on a retail parts site that sells aftermarket glock extractors that supposedly states Glock states that you should not or avoid dropping the slide on a round already in the chamber as it will possibly result in broken extractor. This is a first-time I've seen this. This would be a great positive if you could verify this from Glock for all of us. A lot of aftermarket extractors milled from stainless claim far tougher metals and so on.

[@LostPilotage]

I don't clear EDC firearms often, but when I do, I often reload by drop the slide on a round. I can recognize and deal with a broken extractor. My concern is setback on the chambered round. Chambering the same round 2 or 3 times off the magazine, especially in Glocks and the setback can be pronounced and significant. Very dangerous situation.

[@FierceMouse]

Another channel (tfbd I think) did a test with a G19 Gen 3 VS a Ruger SR9 to see which caused more setback. The Gen 3 was cycled 95 times before it reflected any setback. The ruger was showing setback after 10 racks. I might not be quoting the exact numbers but I am close.

[@LostPilotage]

@@FierceMouse obviously quality of the ammo should be considered. Friends G3 showed pronounce setback after 2 cycles and was scary after 3. Neck tension on that ammo was off.

[@tacdad]

Can you guys do a smyth buster on "can you dry fire a 22 pistol like a smith wesson 22??" Thanks!

[@im6wh]

I used to drop one on the chamber until today 12/1/22. I just find out about this . I have a gen 3 glock 19 never have issues with or any other or my guns but I recently got a 19x and after droping the slide with one on the chamber the slide got stuck and I took a lot of force to rack it back. I thought at some point that my only option was to go to the range and shoot to unload the weapon. This also brought me to plunk test my ammo to make sure there was no issue with the ammo it self wich in that case was a little to tight. I don't know if that was the problem that day or the issue was due to the extractor banging the round against the chamber. Either way thoes round were used in another gun and after today I'm not planning on dropping the slide with one on the chamber again.

[@dfl19034]

Caleb, love the Black Rifle Coffee mug!

[@johnbird7100]

I never knew that !!

[@Meight50five]

I've always heard the main issue is, at least with hammerless guns especially, not that you'll break your extractor, but you may get the firing pin slam forward (safeties fail) and set off the round.

[@ni9465]

Caleb talked about reloads with wrong primers [to high] being the culprit also the Sig 320 had inertia issue with early trigger groups. Or finger on trigger.

[@Meight50five]

@@ni9465 not just with Sigs and high primers.

[@kirkmooneyham]

IF that were to happen, that is a poor design, and should end with a recall.

[@Meight50five]

@Kirk Mooneyham anything designed by man can fail.

[@BigSkyGuyWhy]

Ha I asked this recently. Thanks for answering.

[@miked4343]

Nice!

[@kirkmooneyham]

I would like to think that if a particular manufacturer of a particular handgun didn't want you to drop a cartridge in the chamber and let the extractor ride over the rim, that they would put that info in the manual and caution the owner against doing that. This is like slide stop vs slide release. It's all-or-nothing instead of going with what the manufacturer says, or prudence would dictate in the matter. At least Steve and Caleb point out in this video that sometimes it's not okay, but mostly it is okay, depending upon the handgun model in question.

[@jb7483]

Rule of thumb an external extractor like this it won't hurt it. Internal, you can damage it because the extractor has to go around the case and there is less room to flex. Anyone who ever had to tune a 1911 extractor knows this, and if it's very tight, it will snap it. In your case, this is external...

[@bydefault7795]

I don't want to have to think about what type of pistol I am running or whether it is "tuned" so I try to operate all semi-autos the same way. Also, under stress, I don't want to attempt to put a round in the chamber with my fingers when I only have gross motor movements available due to adrenaline dump.

[@Mikey1951ful]

I would like for you guys to address the concept (myth?) that leading can be cleaned out of a pistol barrel by shooting jacketed bullets.

[@Mckillax]

I've wondered myself

[@dwelch241]

It won't. You cannot reduce fouling by shooting more. In some cases of heavy lead fouling you can damage your barrel and throat as well. Don't do it!

[@marzcapone9939]

I thought it was more like, shooting a couple jacketed rounds after shooting cast lead would help with the cleaning later.

[@dwelch241]

@@marzcapone9939 You aren't going to experience any improvement in cleaning by doing this. At best it won't do anything. At worst you'll end up with some really stubborn bore fouling and increased pressures. It's similar to running an engine with dirty oil, you won't improve the existing condition by simply adding new oil.

[@ColtonH1738]

Either way no matter what your shoot the gun powder is still gonna resonate within the barrel

[@JohnTBlock]

I, for one dont drop my 1911's slide on a chambered round. But I WILL hit the slide-stop on a locked-open reload... or when loading up to carry I insert magazine, hit the slide release and make safe/holster, then top off the round in the magazine. It's how I was taught 40 years ago, and still works fine in any auto-pistol I own. No need to change it now!

[@wrecktech]

Two different things.

[@actionjksn]

What these guys are talking about I've had 52 extractors break this way, and five in one day.

[@DawsonTyson]

No problems here with my Rock Island/Metro Arms 1911. I've been loading a round from a box of cheap reload ammo from a gun show and the Hollowpoint loaded didn't like my feed ramp. The bullet has slid down into the case well beyond spec. So, after inspection and cleaning, I load it in the chamber, drop the slid, and seat the mag. (I've fired several rounds that had done the same thing out the same box. No issues.)

[@trenvan5546]

so your contention safe and prudent to do this with your firearm specifically :) scientifically with a sample size of one.. with defective ammo you shouldnt be shooting at all. you know when its so significantly short its not loaded right and you risk having case ruptures? if that ammo has a full charge its going to be at a higher pressure than designed.

[@DawsonTyson]

@@trenvan5546 Out of a box of 50 I have 15 rounds left. 6 of which failed to hold position in the case. (not including the one in my chamber) All fired fine. I actually had one that was worse than the one in my chamber. 😎 I didn't notice any difference. lol

[@mikefranklin1253]

I've done it with 1911 for 40+ years with no problem.

[@a_brit_in_tx9603]

Hold the press - did I see a hair out of place? 1:10-1:13 .....definitely a hair extractor problem at the back. I can’t unsee that

[@jwilsonhandmadeknives2760]

Get the Gorilla Glue!!! But Caleb’s not a dumbass. He just ran out of Loctite 751. Happens to everyone.

[@Freedomlover1990]

Do a video on if it’s safe to shoot a 762x39 inside the house for home defense

[@dmaxm2498]

Bushmaster XM-10 (AR-10) extractors chip with normal operation.

[@lawrencemartinjr6888]

Agreed