[ikiddp5]

Someone told me that releasing the slide with a empty chamber could harm the P-99... Is it true? He told me that i had to use snap caps. I can't see the logic of it, if a P-99 can sustain the stress forces of firing 20,000 to 30,000 rounds how is possible that several releasing of the slide on empty chamber could do any harm?  

 

[Lefty Sig]

Chambering a round increases the drag on the slide and slows it down so it doesn't slam as hard. Some believe that letting the slide drop on an empty chamber can damage the barrel lockup mechanism. Once or twice isn't going to hurt, but if you do it a lot I can see that it might cause some damage.

Either way, if you want to drop the slide on an empty chamber, just ride it down easy with your weak hand. Can't hurt and will only help.

Remember to never ride the slide when chambering a round, always just let it go on its own.

 

[toeball]

I hope that the drag is minimal, otherwise you may need to get your gun repaired. Dropping the slide on an empty chamer is ok too. I do that to mine all the time. I looked over the contact area and the only damage is to the black finish and it's consistant with shooting. Realistically. If you were able to damage anything it would be the locking lug in the frame and that looks clean on mine too.

 

[stunksinatl]

Yeah, this started from the problem of letting a 1911 slam home on an empty chamber...  It'll damage the extractor.

Bottom line, don't do it to 1911s, but a few times on your P99 won't hurt it!  But hey, it's loud when you do that, right?  Just ease her down and it's nicer sounding.  

-stunks

 

[toeball]

Now, on a slightly related topic, I know a uy who bench tested this with a Glock, but the way you close your slide on a live round affects your first shot. If you pull the slide back and release it's more consistant with the rest of your shots. If youhit the slide release it opens up the group buy a about 1/4" at 25 yards. If you ride the slide it opens the group up quite a bit more. I can't be posative, but I think it was almost 1" at 25 yards.

 

[stunksinatl]

I've heard the same.

I think it has to do with how the bullet it slightly set back in the casing when chambered, and therefore how quickly it engages the rifling after firing.

I could be wrong, though...  It would be interesting to know  

-stunks