Semi-auto for wife

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If the semi-auto has an exposed hammer you can cock it first and then rack the slide.

Nothing wrong with a revolver. My wife prefers the revolver over any of the semi-autos.

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I find a 1911 easy to rack the slide (don't own one of my own). It is more about the area of the slide where you get your purchase.

Sometimes there is a concern of the slide "getting" you. What I mean by that is if you grab the slide in such a way that some of your hand/finger glides over the ejection port it can make you try to rack the slide in a non-optimal manner. I hope that makes sense.

I have found the Glock slide easy to rack, as well as the FNX pistols.

Just try them out, but again, nothing wrong with a revolver, and just like getting a dog, get one for its use not its looks.
 
The Beretta 92 series is VERY easy to rack the slide on. Find her a 93FS Compact Type M (single stack 9MM) and don't look back. Replace the factory hammer spring with a 'D' Model and you're good to go.
 
Also, don't be surprised if she likes a full-sized 1911. That occurance has opened the door for me to get one myself sooner rather than later. :)
 
Unless a person has a medical condition causing weakness in fingers, hands or arms, racking a slide is more a matter of technique than sheer strength. For that matter, if needed, there is nothing wrong with building up strength in these areas through exercise. This has additional health benefits unrelated to shooting. But, having said all that, striker-fired pistols like the Glock, because there is no additional tension from the mainspring, are easier to rack than a hammer-fired pistol. You also want something with a fairly tall slide that has substantial grasping grooves. (Like a Glock. ;)) The worst pistols to rack are the little pocket guns as there is so little to hold onto. And, as much as I like CZ75 pistols, there is very little slide to grasp.
 
Try a fullsize Taurus 24/7 in 9mm. That's what my arthritic wife can use.

But, definitely teach her the push-push method of slide racking rather than pulling it, AND consider a DA revolver also, if her finger can work the DA trigger until it's empty.
 
Have her look at the Stoeger Cougar. Very easy slide to rack, has a safety/decocker so it can be carried with one in the chamber, decocked. All she has to do is flip the safety and the first shot is DA followed by 15 more SA.
 
Yeah,

Wife really liked the "semi-auto for wife" thing. I took her to the LGS (her first time inside one) and the guy behind the counter seemed interested but wouldn't throw in a few extra mags or holster so no deal................:evil:

Seriously, we did go to the LGS yesterday and she tried the pull-pull on several different SA's with no luck. Then the guy that I always deal with let her handle a few revolvers and they just really appealed to her. She really liked the Bodyguard with laser sight and he even showed her a couple of high end poly guns to illustrate the weight difference. She actually showed a preference for heavier weight examples. Maybe it feels more "powerful" to her. I know that when the purse issue came up she didn't seem concerned for the extra weight. Also, I think recoil scares her but to be fair, she hasn't shot handguns at all. In her mind, when she thinks of recoil she is familiar with shotguns and rifles so I assume she's overly concerned with that effect.

Next weekend we are going to the range. It will be her very first time! I'm sure that may change the picture for her. She isn't really a wimp considering she has a room full of bowling, tennis and barrel racing trophies, but the last few years has kind of taken a toll on her (long story, no need to get into it here).

It'll be interesting to see what she decides. Maybe a Desert Eagle in .50? :D
 
smaller guns usually have harder slides to rack. My Glock 17 is way easier to rack than my Ruger LCP.

Oh, and the Bersa Thunder 9 UC Pro has a REALLY easy slide to rack, but that may be because it has a defective recoil spring.
 
Well, I was going to mention all the makeup, keys, CCs, pictures, grandkid's stuff, on and on in her purse. Heck, she probably doesn't need a handgun. Close range she could probably crush someone's skull with a good swing with her hand bag.:D
 
Walther P5. Small, controllable, SA/DA, rack able slide, accurate.

The single stack S&W's, and new version Walthers might suit her, too.
 
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