A semi-auto requires resistance for the slide to move, otherwise the entire gun moves. On rifles, the mass of the gun compared to the bolt is generally enough, but with a pistol the lower must be held in place while the slide cycles.
Thanks FRiend and especially Johnny_cash. I was never aware of this. (Guess I or my wife do not have limp wrists as this has never been an issue for either of us)
I did a little research and understand now.
Thanks, it’s a good thing to learn something new and this is the best place to do it!