For the on topic(ish) bit first, I agree that it will take a hell of a long time to wear out a slide release. I use military and police issued pistols, and although I have never had a slide release break or fail to hold back, I have seen some that look pretty worn out and I believe could fail. Also, it is not only the cheap, easily replaceable slide stop that you are wearing out, but also the slide. I know it is a really small amount of wear to put on a gun, but I like to avoid it all the same.
I'm going to have to disagree with you on the idea that all British police need guns. There are situations where firearms are required, and those are dealt with by armed response vehicles or specialist firearms officers. There simply is not the need to have every officer carrying a firearm as a matter of course. The public don't want it, the government don't want it, and the police don't want it. There is currently a push to have all frontline officer armed with Tazers, and even that is seen by some as overkill. I am in the MOD Police so am in the minority that I carry a firearm for regular duty, but that is purely due to the nature of the job, which is very different from regular policing.
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