I agree there is no correct answer though some techniques may be firearm dependent. Though I generally use the slide stop to release the slide on a 1911.
For instance, I think the current state of trainers recommending (demanding?) the "overhand power stroke" is a Glock thing. As strong and durable as the Glock is, one of the Glock weakest parts is the small, relatively weak, slide stop. Use it a lot to release the slide and it will break sooner rather than later.
On the other hand, the Beretta 92/M9 has a very prominent and robust slide stop that just begs to be used to release the slide. The Beretta also has a cluttered slide with a safety/decocker lever that could be inadvertently switched to safe by an overhand rack without some care and attention. The SIG P22X series of guns, while having slick slides, also have a very conveniently located slide stop that is so easy to use to drop the slide, it often causes folks to hit it inadvertently keeping the slide from locking back on empty.
The 1911 is kind of a tweener. It has the slick slide so you don't have to worry about fouling a slide mounted safety, and has a large strong slide stop, that is generally out of the way yet still accessible, that works well for dropping the slide. Use whatever works for you, overhand power stroke, slingshot, slide release, etc.
One thing I've thought about over the years in the "1911 extended slide stop", "extended mag release", and "scooped grip panel" threads, is perhaps Browning designed the gun with such things that you don't want to inadvertently engage while shooting, such as the slide stop, and mag release to be out of your reach with a firing grip. The things he wanted you to be able to reach, with a shooting grip, were limited to the things you needed to reach, the trigger and the thumb safety.
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