Slide Catch Lever

The slide catch lever is a part of a semi-automatic handgun that locks the slide to the rear when the firearm has expended its last round. Sometimes called a “slide stop,” the slide catch lever extends slightly from the pistol frame and is placed in such a way that it can be lowered with the shooter’s thumb to release the slide to go forward into battery. When the last round is fired, the magazine follower pushes the slide catch lever upward where it engages a small notch on the slide, holding it rearward. This indicates to the shooter that the last round has been fired and the pistol needs to be reloaded. It may be manipulated manually to lock a firearm slide open or to send the slide forward for safely unloading or loading the pistol.