Gun for wife - easy to rack slide?

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iafirebuff

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My wife is in need of a gun that she can use for SD. She has tried out several of my handguns, but she has a hard time racking the slide. She does not like revolvers. So I am looking for suggestions for something that a lady with small hands could handle. She LOVES my Walther P-22 and has no problems racking that slide. I guess it is better than nothing, but I would rather she had something bigger. My Bersa 380 she likes, but cannot rack the slide. THANKS for any info!
 
A few options that I like:

The Glock 19 works for the vast majority of women given the proper technique (push/pull).

The Browning Hi Power or CZ 75 work as well, as long as she thumbcocks the hammer prior to racking the slide.
 
I would second those choices, but for a different reason. All are hi-caps. All lock the slide on the last round. All may be safely carried with a round chambered. Barring a malfunction (and all are splendidly reliable), there is no need for your wife to rack the slide. If she has to reload (doubtful) all she has to be able to do is manage the slide release.

John
 
I just went through the same thing with my mother- we ended up on a revolver-

but if hand strength is an issue, don't overlook beretta tip up barrel autos. that way, she doesn't have to rack a slide.
 
Not to derail the thread but...One thing I have seen that helped my wife with some of my guns is to hold the slide with her weak hand and instead of pulling back, hold that hand steady and push down with the strong hand. There is a lot more force that can be applied that way and might help some.

If you are already doing this please ignore my recommendation.

Billyp
 
I find the slide on my M&P9c to be easy to rack. that gun with a small grip inserted would might be just the ticket.
 
Billyp nailed it.

The reason the Walther slide is easier is that it's a .22, and the spring is lighter.

It really isn't a matter of how strong someone is, it's really a process they're not used to. Have her pull the gun in close to her, pointing forward. With the weak hand, grip the slide over the top and rear of it, holding it tight. Have her then PUSH the GUN forward, while holding the slide close to her. This method is easier to manipulate, but what you find is, over time they start to realize that they get used to how the gun operates and they can use whatever method they want, no problem.
 
What Billyp says. She should try that with the CZ-75 with its smaller grip frame that makes them very comfortable for smaller hands. How do I know? I've got small hands (but clumsy fingers).
 
I think the Sig P226 is pretty smooth . Its more about what fits the hand. Go to a shop and try a bunch
 
I think the last two nailed it. Let her make the choice. I have gone out looking at guns for my wife but I seem to pick out what I want to carry. I bought a 92fs not long ago and my wife popped a few rounds out of it and she loved it. Doesn't mean that I am going to buy her one, but she likes it. Let her find what she likes. Your going to find that she will pick one that is a lower caliber because it will feel better and won't be hard to rack.
 
Yes, hit Kathy's site, and read through that. It's a great resource.

Then have her just go handle many different guns. During that learning process many women have found they like the Browning Hi-Power. It has a lot of good going for it. Slim profile that fit slim hands, great trigger, good balance, and in a controllable 9mm round. Its hard to get better than a Hi-Power.

Read Kathy's site first, takes notes, then go visit the shops.
 
THANKS! That is an awesome website - I will have my wife read that. Will go gun shopping this weekend and have her try them all out :)
 
I second the glock 19. My fiance does very well with both a 17 and a 19.

CZ 75 is certainly not an easy gun to rack the slide... regardless of whether or not you cock the hammer first. There isn't much slide there to grab onto.
 
Walther P38 or P5. They have smaller twin recoil springs making them easier to cycle. However, they also have D/A triggers which may also be a strength issue.
 
my wife carries the Walther p-22

she loves it and it is easy for her to handle. i purchsed the P-22 that came with the laser. all she has to do is point and shoot. i thought the same thing about the calibre being so small, but as a few people have pointed out to me- more people have been shot and killed with a .22 than with any other calibre! besides that, most of the time all it takes is the sight and intimidation of a gun and that is enough to deter most attackers/muggers/thiefs etc...
 
I just taught my girlfriend how to safely and completely handle, load, unload, rack, make safe, and fire my Beretta 92fs (using snap caps). It is the only semi-auto of mine that she can rack consistantly. The Beretta has a very light slide spring and that helps immensely. However, the Beretta has a full-size frame and some with smaller hands might think it's too thick for them. Plus, the double-action trigger pull is about a mile long. But for someone who wants a semi-auto pistol in a respectable self-defense caliber that has an easy slide and great safety features, the Beretta 92fs is a great choice.
 
Have her try the Kahrs. I find they are easier to rack than some guns that compress the trigger spring and recoil spring at the same time.

Kel-Tec PF-9 is pretty easy, and so is the P-3AT. Kel-Tec P-11 is hard.

Also a full size may be easier to rack than a compact or subcompact.
 
Why doesn't she like revolvers? My wife loves to shoot autos, but only at the range. She thinks that in a self defense scenario an auto is too complicated, and also has the issue of hand strength racking the slide due to arthritis. So she's gradually learned to love revolvers for their simplicity and reliability. The hammerless S&W Centennials and Ruger SP-101s are probably the ultimate in point and shoot simplicity.
 
The Smith & Wesson M&P9 compact gets my vote. The slide moves very easily on my M&P .40s, and I'm sure the spring is a bit softer in the 9s. Also, the 9mm is more controllable, and the M&Ps have the interchangeable palm swells that might help her to adjust it for her hand.
 
SHe does not like the looks and the trigger (double action) on the revolvers. She also does not like cocking a revolver for the single action pull. She is very adament about the P22. SO, that is all she wants to shoot for now. Got a gun show this weekend that she is going to look things over and see what she likes :)
 
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