Hi All,
New gun and the slide catch lever is a bugger bear to move with my thumb if at all
View attachment 562281
... is this something that will ease up with use? I have to use a 'tool' to make it work. Thanks for replies!!

They do loosen up with use. If you had an empty magazine installed, it’s supposed to be stiff, because the magazine follower is pushing up on the slide catch. Without an empty mag, it shouldnt be that difficult.
Edit: many people don’t even use that lever to release the slide, and just pull the slide back 1/8th of an inch then let it go, which releases the slide catch lever and drops the slide.

 

many people don’t even use that lever to release the slide, and just pull the slide back 1/8th of an inch then let it go, which releases the slide catch lever and drops the slide.

This was going to be my recommendation, too. While I do use the slide release usually, I've been known to just pull the slide back from time to time as well.

 

Cindy Loo Hoo that is a nice looking P365 you have.
The slide catch on my 2022 P365 grabs the slide like yours does. I have read that they will loosen up eventually.

 

I generally consider the use of my stronghand thumb to press the slide stop down and drop the slide as a method I would want to use if I couldn't use my support hand.

I would recommend adopting the method already mentioned. Use your support hand to pull back the slide and let go of it to allow thep slide to fly forward. Many of us call it "the slingshot method".

You could also practice using the thumb of your support hand to press down on the slidestop. By a quick bend of your support hand wrist, you can align the thumb of the support hand such that the thumb is at a 90 degree angle to the side of the gun and gives you more leverage to press down the slide stop. Tatiana Whitlock demonstrates the method at this link: A Girl & A Gun – Using the Slide Stop to Chamber a Pistol Round – Tatiana Whitlock

 

If you have an empty magazine in the gun with the slide locked back and want to close the slide, remove the magazine then pull the slide back and gently ride it forward.

If you have a full magazine in the gun with the slide locked back and want to chamber a round, just pull the slide back all the way and let loose your grip (aka slingshot.)

 

I've always favored the slingshot method. Using the slide catch to release the slide has a steel dragging across spring loaded steel thing that bugs me. Comes with being a mechanic, I guess.

 

I also favor the slingshot to avoid wear on my pistols and always use it. Luckily, even at my advanced age, I still have strong hands and fingers. Always one in the chamber for carry. That said, use what works best for you.

 

I also favor the slingshot to avoid wear on my pistols and always use it.

I've entertained concerns about wear on the slide and the release where they meet, too. That's why I've sling-shot the slide a lot, too. I use the slide release more when I'm reloading for speed, though, because it takes less time for my thumb to press the release than it does for my other hand to reach the slide and pull it back. Of course, I also use the sling-shot method when I do my left-handed work.

 

As is mentioned above, there are a number of methods one can use to release ("drop") the slide with mag in or out (loaded / unloaded). As you are discovering, using the support hand thumb can be a challenge especially for a new gun - but it will only break in so much. This becomes magnified for anyone with small hands/fingers and/or limited hand strength (as well as anyone with longer finger/thumb nails). And if it is hard to do casually at the range or at home, this gets exponentially harder under the high stress of a self-defense situation (adrenaline dump and your hands are starting to shake), in the dark, you're just waking up etc. Because of the above, you might also explore the "over gripping" sling shot method - especially if you have to adjust your grip to apply enough support hand thumb leverage on the lever. Here is one of many discussions of the alternative methods (there are many others as well). Whichever method you choose, I would suggest you use it religiously, so it gets ingrained in your muscle memory.
Would You Hit It — Slide Release or Slingshot? - The Mag Life (gunmagwarehouse.com)

i'll also add that there are a number of very knowledgeable female trainers with great videos on all sorts of considerations for female gun owners, 2 of the many are: (can be found with a google search)
Lena Miculek
Stav ("she equips herself" website)

 

When I teach new semi auto shooters to "slingshot" the slide it is as follows:

Slide back in slide lock position. insert magazine. Pull the slide back and LET IT GO! Do not "ride the slide" forward. If you do, it will induce interesting malfunctions.

Now - on being able to keep the slide lock lever up long enough to get the slide back to slide lock: You have to rotate your grip in order to get your right thumb to press firmly UPWARD on the slide lock lever. Most new semi auto shooters try to push the slide lock lever up with a thumb that is actually slightly angled. That will not work.

I shoot left handed, but when I put a gun into slide lock, I use my right hand on the grip, right thumb pressing the slide lock lever up, and left hand pushing the slide backwards. That may be because I'm right handed ?!? But it works perfectly.

I wish I was near you to show you how it is done! Once or twice with these newbies and they "get it" and do it properly from then on. Mostly.

 

When I teach new semi auto shooters to "slingshot" the slide it is as follows:

Slide back in slide lock position. insert magazine. Pull the slide back and LET IT GO! Do not "ride the slide" forward. If you do, it will induce interesting malfunctions.

Now - on being able to keep the slide lock lever up long enough to get the slide back to slide lock: You have to rotate your grip in order to get your right thumb to press firmly UPWARD on the slice lock lever. Most new semi auto shooters try to push the slide lock lever up with a thumb that is actually slightly angled. That will not work.

I shoot left handed, but when I put a gun into slide lock, I use my right hand on the grip, right thumb pressing the slide lock lever up, and left hand pushing the slide backwards. That may be because I'm right handed ?!? But it works perfectly.

I wish I was near you to show you how it is done! Once or twice with these newbies and they "get it" and do it properly from then on. Mostly.

below are 2 (of many) good videos on a suggested technique ("push - "pull") to both rack & release the slide, but also to lock it open. And these techniques are not just for female shooters - we teach it to all of our students. You are asking great questions by-the-way. These techniques and others are taught in a basic pistol class - highly recommended as has been mentioned before.

Bing Videos

Racking the Slide on a Handgun | Personal Defense Network

 

I just bought one of these - CA model (w/ loading indicator and magazine safety). I've always preferred to use the thumb release for the slide lock (single handed) on my pistols. This P365 is particularly challenging with an empty mag. Works fine with no mag or loaded mag. First 50 rounds went through it today and it performs very well! The stiff slide lock release with an empty mag is the only thing I don't like about this pistol, but I can live with it. I was wondering if the same issue occurs in non-CA variations? Apparently it does, which might mean the quirk is not a result of th emagazine safety. But I'd like to know...

 

…..This P365 is particularly challenging with an empty mag. Works fine with no mag or loaded mag. First 50 rounds went through it today and it performs very well! The stiff slide lock release with an empty mag is the only thing I don't like about this pistol, but I can live with it. I was wondering if the same issue occurs in non-CA variations? Apparently it does, which might mean the quirk is not a result of th emagazine safety. But I'd like to know...

Most auoloaders are more difficult to drop the slide using the slide catch lever with an empty mag installed. The magazine follower is pushing the slide catch lever up, and you’re using that tiny lever to push down the magazine spring. There’s no reason to fight your magazine spring. Drop the empty magazine fist.

 

Not sure I understand the issue, yes the new 365 slide catch is tight but it does loosen up. Trying to drop the slide with and empty mag is not a good idea anyway, just pull back on the slide and it will easily drop. Mine is very easy to drop when a new mag is inserted after dropping the empty one.