I usually release it with my index or middle finger. I can't reach it with the thumb on my trigger hand. I'm sure if I was speed shooting I'd hit it with the thumb on my non trigger hand. I'm sitting here doing it and it seems to work okay. But I am still learning to shoot (this is my first gun - is even the first gun I've ever shot) so I usually just release it with either of the aforementioned fingers. When I was looking at these guns, I handled a pre-05 at a pawn shop and it had the short release, this one seems more comfortable, easier to hit. I also prefer it to the release on my roommates XD.