I am looking for a autoloader that will work well for my wife. I have a Beretta Cheeta, .380, my smallest autoloader and it fits my wifes hand, but she had broken her left hand years ago and has a hard time working the slide. Any suggestions on .380 (preferred, have reloading dies) or other calibers autoloaders that have an easy working slide?
Any suggestions on small, easy to chamber...
- Thread starter Tarick
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Hawk
Member
How about one of the tilt-barrel designs?
Of the more traditional type, the easiest slide that I have seems to be the Beretta 92G - might just be because it's huge, though.
Of the more traditional type, the easiest slide that I have seems to be the Beretta 92G - might just be because it's huge, though.
Zundfolge
Member
It might be something to talk to an occupational therapist about. Granted, they're usually concerned with more day-to-day tasks like dressing and eating, but they might be able to help.
FWIW, if my wife couldn't rack a slide on a quality self-defense pistol, I'd get her a revolver. Best of luck, I know how bad disabilities can be.
FWIW, if my wife couldn't rack a slide on a quality self-defense pistol, I'd get her a revolver. Best of luck, I know how bad disabilities can be.
Zundfolge
Member
Say no more...plus a reason to buy another gun
10-Ring
Member
To help your wife out, I'd recommend a nice snubby wheelgun....maybe a j-frame or a SP-101 would work just fine & be easy to reload too
Skywarp
member
My Gf has had no problems racking my P99.
They make a compact too
They make a compact too
varoadking
Member
I don't care for Beretta in the least, but the 92FS is likely one of the easiest slides to operate...
Waywatcher
Member
As far as small pistols go, my Kel-Tec P32 had a very easy-to-rack slide. Far easier than it's .380 counterpart. Recoil is tame too.
How about a Beretta Tomcat .32ACP? No slide racking required to load/unload. Insert mag, tip up barrel, insert single round, tip down barrel and you are good to go. To unload reverse sequence (drop the mag first though).
http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/beretta2.htm
http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/beretta2.htm
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1911 guy
Member
Why you need to look at 9mms.
Take a look at some of the newer compact 9mm autos. The .380's are blowback operated and as such have extremely stiff recoil springs. Similar sized 9 milimeter handguns will be easier to rack. A case in point are the Sig P232 and P230. The 232 is a .380, the 230 is a 9mm. They are almost identical in size, yet the 230 is easier to operate because it's a tilt breech while the 232 is a blowback. Just a thought.
Take a look at some of the newer compact 9mm autos. The .380's are blowback operated and as such have extremely stiff recoil springs. Similar sized 9 milimeter handguns will be easier to rack. A case in point are the Sig P232 and P230. The 232 is a .380, the 230 is a 9mm. They are almost identical in size, yet the 230 is easier to operate because it's a tilt breech while the 232 is a blowback. Just a thought.
Oddly --- a 1911 Government frame is super-easy to rack when the hammer is pulled back first. My fiancee finds it the easiest in the bunch to pull --- once the mainspring is compressed, which is easy.
She has trouble with Sigs; Springfield XD/SC (big trouble); Colt Defender (impossible); etc. But the 5" GI, no problem.
Unless she's just lobbying to get that one on her license ...
She has trouble with Sigs; Springfield XD/SC (big trouble); Colt Defender (impossible); etc. But the 5" GI, no problem.
Unless she's just lobbying to get that one on her license ...
Beretta 86 or Taurus PT58
In .380, your best option is going to be the Beretta 86. However, the Taurus PT58 is a locked breach design so it will be easier than a blowblack to rack the slide. There is also a newer version coming out soon from Taurus. You can see it on their downloadable brochure.
Otherwise.....
R-E-V-O-L-V-E-R
In .380, your best option is going to be the Beretta 86. However, the Taurus PT58 is a locked breach design so it will be easier than a blowblack to rack the slide. There is also a newer version coming out soon from Taurus. You can see it on their downloadable brochure.
Otherwise.....
R-E-V-O-L-V-E-R
usp9
Member
steelhead, You are exactly correct re: the 230 and 232 being pretty much identical...blowback recoil and all that. However the P230 did come in the rather rare 9mm police round, while the P232 did not. Otherwise they are as close to the same as it comes. My Sig is one of my favorite guns.
Ritchie
Member
Make or obtain some dummy rounds, and investigate whether
its possible to chamber a round by pressing the top or bottom
of the slide on the edge of a table or desk, corner of a wall,
or by lifting a heel and using that edge. Note that the latter
may be hazardous around soft soil! If there's a Real Problem,
chipping the furniture will be something minor to fix later.
"So I showed her the magazine and said,"Look, two and
a half revolvers full!" but she wasn't impressed."
its possible to chamber a round by pressing the top or bottom
of the slide on the edge of a table or desk, corner of a wall,
or by lifting a heel and using that edge. Note that the latter
may be hazardous around soft soil! If there's a Real Problem,
chipping the furniture will be something minor to fix later.
"So I showed her the magazine and said,"Look, two and
a half revolvers full!" but she wasn't impressed."
GregGry
Member
My cz 97b seems to be very easy, easier then the cz75. It could be because there is so much slide to grab.
If racking the slide is the issue I'm another vote for a wheel gun. I would go for a K frame as it would have less recoil than a J frame with the same ammo. Your wife might prefer a J frame to carry but if she isn't carrying it I'd get the K frame.
dogsoldier0513
Member
Beretta made a Model 86, which is like your Cheetah, except the barrel tips up a la the Tomcat, Jefire, Minx, etc. There is NO NEED to rack the slide...ever. It is .380ACP and holds 8+1. I know where a used is if interested.
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