Who makes an easy to rack 9mm?

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kgpcr

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My wife is getting her CCW and I want to buy her a new pistol. The only problem is she has a very hard time racking them. Any advice?
 
kgpcr said:
My wife is getting her CCW and I want to buy her a new pistol. The only problem is she has a very hard time racking them. Any advice?
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the Walther CCP is a good option. My wife has the same problem, couldn't rack a pistol to save her freakin life.
 
Obviously it varies by the individual, but my experience has been that it's more about technique than strength. I've taught quite a few women to shoot both informally and formally (I'm a concealed carry instructor). Many women who "can't" rack the slide do just fine once they figure out the technique. In the unlikely event that she truly is not capable of racking the slide she may need to go to a revolver.
 
aah.. revolver, i didnt think of that.. thats a pretty good choice.. something like an LCR, no racking required
 
My wife liked the EAA Pravone. Designed by a woman for the female carry crowd.

LCR in 22WMR is another option she liked.

My 38 snub was too much for her with a touch of arthritis.
 
BearCreek said:
Obviously it varies by the individual, but my experience has been that it's more about technique than strength. I've taught quite a few women to shoot both informally and formally (I'm a concealed carry instructor). Many women who "can't" rack the slide do just fine once they figure out the technique.
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I wanted to suggest that, but I'm glad BC did instead. Well said.

I've just switched (back) to pistols from revolvers. I wasn't happy with the low round count for revolvers, the slow reload, etc. And the SW Airweight I had was a bit too snappy in terms of recoil.

So I traded it for a Ruger SR9c. Not the easiest to rack, especially new. (I'm told they do loosen up with use.) I struggled with it initially. (Small hands, I'm a bit older, a bit of arthritis.) But a salesman taught me how to do it properly and easily. Now, it's very easy.

So just make sure that your wife gets some good instruction and practices it. Not saying you're not showing her correctly. But sometimes, the slightest modification makes a big difference.
 
^ That's precisely the trick I was taught. Furthermore, the push I was shown was down toward the ground from my shoulder, elbow locked. (It'd be easier to demo with a video than words.)

Fortunately, I've gained some extra strength now with exercise over the last few weeks. But that push instead of pull gave me the initial confidence I needed, and I know how to do it in case I'm having an off day.
 
Side topic: What I'm still struggling to do is to rack the slide and lock it open. I can do it, but it requires some gymnastics. Hoping to learn how to do it better.
 
^^AKElroy, holding close to the chest?!

AStone, the SR9(c)s are +P+ rated. So they have stronger recoil spring than most 9mm. And they don't tend to cycle wimpy ammo all too well. :)
 
... holding close to the chest?!
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Oh, that's genius. That wasn't even addressing my question about locking the slide, but it works like a charm to lock the slide! So easy now. Thanks!!!

I've only shot standard loads so far. Not even +p. Thought I'd start mild, get to know it a bit better, and then maybe step up. Not feeling a need for +p+.

Right now, my carry load will be the Federal HST 124 gr. They get such good reviews. And I think they're not even +p.
 
AStone said:
Oh, that's genius. That wasn't even addressing my question about locking the slide, but it works like a charm to lock the slide! So easy now. Thanks!!!

I've only shot standard loads so far. Not even +p. Thought I'd start mild, get to know it a bit better, and then maybe step up. Not feeling a need for +p+.

Right now, my carry load will be the Federal HST 124 gr. They get such good reviews. And I think they're not even +p.
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It is easier close to the chest, but be mindful of the muzzle. It is likely pointing at the left forearm, not good. Downrange or to the floor would be better, even though it is a bit less leveraged.
 
AKElroy said:
It is easier close to the chest, but be mindful of the muzzle. It is likely pointing at the left forearm, not good. Downrange or to the floor would be better, even though it is a bit less leveraged.
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True, thanks for catching that detail. :)
 
True for sure. But only time I want to lock the slide is with mag out, chamber empty -- for cleaning. That LCI on the Ruger makes checking for safety way easier.
 
The Walther CCP utilizes a gas piston recoil system that makes racking the slide easy. I tried it at the LGS and it was pretty smooth. But for my wife I chose a revolver, I just didn't trust that she could manipulate the slide in the event of a stoppage. We went to the store tried a few and she liked the Taurus model 66, 7 shots of .357 should be a good start. She has become a very good shot with it.
 
I have the same problem with my wife. I bought her an H&K VP9 a couple of weeks ago because it has two inserts that protude from each side of the slide just below the rear sight, giving you a bit of extra leverage (well, and because I needed an excuse to buy an H&K VP9). I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but the slide itself seems about on par with a Glock 19 in degree of racking difficulty. She hasn't quite figured out what the inserts are there for; what are you gonna do? :(

Oddly enough, I find my easiest gun to rack is a Glock 20 Gen 2 that I bought used. But she ain't getting that one.
 
AStone said:
True for sure. But only time I want to lock the slide is with mag out, chamber empty -- for cleaning. That LCI on the Ruger makes checking for safety way easier.
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Regardless, rule #1 is to keep that muzzle from pointing at anything you don't want a bullet in. All negligent discharges have one thing in common; they were all fired from unloaded weapons (-:
 
The Sig P320s have really easy (smooth as glass) slides, and very nice serrations to grab.
 
AKE said:
It is easier close to the chest, but be mindful of the muzzle. It is likely pointing at the left forearm, not good.
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After work, I experimented a bit.

I learned how to use that technique more safely by elevating my left arm as I kept the pistol close to my torso
in a manner that keeps my left arm well above bullet trajectory (just in case there's one in the pipe).
Still very easy. And that LCI reassures me that there's not one in the pipe.

Just need to add that step: keep left arm elevated.

It's no more difficult than this rule when stepping off a curb: look both ways first.

Natural selection works. ;)
 
I have seen an 80-year old woman with some arthritis learn to rack a slide on a Glock 17, which she swore she simply could not do. As others have said, a lot of it is technique. Another barrier is psychological. They are holding a device that makes them nervous and that they often do not (yet) understand mechanically. This often causes people (not just women) to be trepidatious in manipulating the slide (or inserting a magazine). They are pushing as hard as their subconscious will let them push a piece of technical equipment that they are afraid of breaking or causing to "go off."

Remind them that they are physical incapable of hurting the gun by pushing or pulling on the slide or frame too hard. Show them that having the slide drop from halfway doesn't make the gun fire or explode. As long as they keep their finger off the trigger, they can use all the force they want.

Regarding technique, note that some people can grip harder with their fingers against their palms and some can grip harder with their thumb against the side of their first index finger knuckle. Just because you prefer or were taught one way of grabbing the slide doesn't mean that's the best way for someone else. Let them try both ways.
 
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