Blkhrt13
Member
Kahr specifically says to strip the first round by dropping the slide catch. This can be a pain. But the design requires it.
Racking slide issue
- Thread starter CZ-75BD
- Start date
Charlie98
Member
Indeed it does... but because I carry a Kahr, I worked with it quite a bit to see what would tie it up, or not. Usually a swift smack on the rear of the halted slide is enough to drive it into battery, but if you were not prepared for that, it might stymie you at The Moment of Truth. Some pistols tolerate slide ride more than others, and IME, compact pistols not so much.
I have arthritis and fibromyalgia with does tend to make racking some micro pistols difficult for me. Part of the problem is getting a good grip on the slide. Something like the Kel-Tec P3AT is one of the hardest for me to rack since it is quite small. Now once I move up to my Sig 938 or anything else bigger, they get easier to rack. But I still must use some form of the push/pull method to rack them.
The trick, that others have gave, is to use the push/pull method with the pistol in front of you (pointed in safe direction). This method works quite well once you get use to doing it.
The trick, that others have gave, is to use the push/pull method with the pistol in front of you (pointed in safe direction). This method works quite well once you get use to doing it.
doubleh
Member
The Smith EZ's are the easiest racking pistols I have ever handled. The goofy upside down grip safety is my dislike of them but it is also EZ (see what I did) to get used to.
CajunBass
Member
I've used a couple of slide assist gizmo's over the years and found they work quite well. One is a little clamp on set of "ears" sort of like the ones on a Smith and Wesson EZ pistol, made by an outfit called "recover tactical." They don't make them for all guns but on the ones they do make them for, they work great, and pretty much look like they were made on the gun to start with. They just attach to the gun with a clam shell type screw.
The other is a Pachmayr slide rack assist. This one doesn't attach to the gun, but rather you just pick it up and use it. It just gives you more to hold onto. You just slip the muzzle into the device and pull/push. Works like charm at home or the range, but not something you'd want to carry around with you.
There are a number of others, but these two I have used myself and can testify that they work. The Recover Tactical ears are the best IMHO since they're always on the gun, but they don't make them for every gun. The Pachmayr is pretty much universal, but is an accessory you have to with you.
And last but not least, the Smith and Wesson EZ pistols work as advertised. A great idea that I see Ruger has added to a couple of their offerings too.
The other is a Pachmayr slide rack assist. This one doesn't attach to the gun, but rather you just pick it up and use it. It just gives you more to hold onto. You just slip the muzzle into the device and pull/push. Works like charm at home or the range, but not something you'd want to carry around with you.
There are a number of others, but these two I have used myself and can testify that they work. The Recover Tactical ears are the best IMHO since they're always on the gun, but they don't make them for every gun. The Pachmayr is pretty much universal, but is an accessory you have to with you.
And last but not least, the Smith and Wesson EZ pistols work as advertised. A great idea that I see Ruger has added to a couple of their offerings too.
Brubz
Member
I have the Shield EZ and frankly I don't think it's that much easier to rack than my Kimber Micro 9. a lot of this is just Smith and Wesson marketing hype.
If you're a man with strong hands you'll think this is Much Ado About Nothing. But if you're a woman or a man with arthritis in the wrist this is an issue and it's one that's driving me back towards revolvers
Brubz
Member
With all due respect these are two different kind of hand strength issues. I have arthritis in my wrist and have trouble racking semi-automatic pistols but I have no trouble at all pulling double action on my Ruger GP100.It's just a different motion.One issue with revolvers and persons with limited hand strength is the double action trigger pull. Often it is too much for folks, so cocking the hammer for single action becomes the only way it can be fired. If you do go that route be sure to have her practice a lot to get used to the gun.
That Canik pistol looked like it may have worked for you both, too bad the slide was too tough.
I hope you can find a gun for her, maybe that S&W EZ could be a solution.
Stay safe.
Wrist problems can certainly be a real limiting factor in handgun/caliber selection, but that's sort of a different thing from hand strength.
People who don't have the hand strength to grasp and rack a slide consistently are probably going to also have trouble with the DA trigger on a revolver--because it's the same basic issue that's creating the problem in both cases.
crstrode
Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2008
- Messages
- 362
My wife had difficulty racking the slide on several small semi-autos.
However, her favorite revolver is a great big 44 mag Ruger Redhawk hunter.
I wish I could make a can dance to the tune of a 44 like she can.
Most petite/low strength people are taught the two-hand grip for shooting handguns.
With that two-hand grip comes the opportunity to use both trigger fingers to fire a revolver double-action.
try it...
jmo,
.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
Sorry for your condition, but I was relating what I was told by friends. I am pretty sure they have no affiliation with S&W’s marketing Dept.
entropy
Member
SWMBO loved my 7.5" Redhawk and the light loads I made for her. Dang accurate with it, too. She can't hold up a handgun that big anymore.
Interesting. Assuming these weren't guns like a Walther PPK with a very strong spring and a small grasping area, it sounds like maybe she might be able to do some work on technique and improve things considerably.
The people I run into who can't rack pistols easily often can't run the DA pull on a revolver and may even have trouble cocking the hammer to shoot SA. I've also found that it's common for folks like that to be very sensitive to recoil--one I know absolutely refuses to shoot any centerfire revolver any longer under any circumstances. When she was first trying to buy a gun for self-defense, she was repeatedly steered to small revolvers by well-meaning gun store clerks and had so many bad experiences that she swore off them entirely. This same person is only able to rack a small subset of full-sized 9mm pistols and can't manage any blowback type actions due to recoil and high spring force. That's even with an instructor demonstrating technique to her.
JTQ
Member
It is interesting how different people are affected differently.
I'm with you, I'd much rather use the big muscles of my upper body to rack the slide of an autoloader, one time to get a nearly endless number of light trigger pulls, rather than having to work a heavy DA revolver trigger for every shot.
Another point with the DA revolver, well other than probably little guns like J-Frames, is the long trigger reach. Not only do I have to work a 10lb - 12lb trigger, but the reach is far and I don't have as much leverage.
For instance, we have this current thread https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/stubby-fingers.915199/
I will admit, it seems as if I'm normally in the minority in all these "I'm old, I'm weak, I'm small, etc." threads where folks always seem to recommend a revolver. I have revolvers and autos, and in my current state, as small framed adult male, in my mid-60's, I'd always choose an auto over a revolver for ease of use. I may have a different answer as a 90 year old, but right now, an auto is easier for me to work.
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BushMaster-15
member
Overhand and Punch are the two most assured semi auto racking methods ,Many of us Men poorly demonstrate " Proper slide racking " . As generally we finger grasp pinch to rack and that is DEAD WRONG . Consider being shot in one or the other hands , you won't be able to pinch rack period . It's WHY while instructing we instructors ask you do the preferred method ,as it's doable even with an injured hand .
Think of it as shooting weak hand drill ,there's a REASON .
Think of it as shooting weak hand drill ,there's a REASON .
commygun
Member
I have the Recover Tactical ears on my nightstand gun. Not because of hand strength concerns. But because I figured they might simplify things when awakening to a 3AM situation. Regardless of the reason, they work great.
Has anyone in history ever bought a gun for their wife that worked out? Instead of buying guns, bringing them home and then seeing if she can rack the slide, why not take her to the gun shop so she can find out what works for her?
I've managed a couple that she really liked. One was a Browning Buckmark with the lasercut rosewood grips. Another was a Beretta Model 86 with the tip-up barrel. That's one of her favorites. Mostly, though, she takes guns of mine that she really likes.
It's much better to do the research in advance, like you say.
It's much better to do the research in advance, like you say.
The EZ series and the tip barrel Berettas are a step in the right direction, but manufacturers could be doing much more to help those who struggle. An inch and a half slide overhang, for example, could improve sight radius and allow racking slide by pushing against something solid. A wasp waist slide, perhaps with rubber discs a la Luger near rear, would help grasping. A small bolt handle could be built into the left side of the slide, that is deployed by pushing in the rear or pulling a small tab in front. A "roll bar" could also be built into the top of the slide to facilitate grip. Could even incorporate a "walking" lever to engage with a rack on barrel or slide to engage if needed. A method of de-tensioning the recoil spring assembly through an over-center toggle should be possible as well.
