Wife having difficulty pulling back slide

[Creampuff]

Anyone else out there have a wife/girlfriend who has difficulty pulling back the slide on an semiauto handgun. So far my wife cannot rack the slide to load a round, on the 226,HK USPc, and 220. However, my USP full size, she can rack the slide, maybe because that one is 12 years old, and the recoil spring may have less tension.

If your wife/gf had the same issue, what did you do? Moved over to a revolver - and which revolver? Or is there a semiauto that seems to be easier to rack the slide?

I do have a GP100, 4" SS, but that one is heavy and a brick, so I am not sure I would want that to be the home defense of choice for her either.

thanks!

[wilit]

Is the hammer cocked before trying to pull the slide back? My wife has found it easier to cock the hammer then work the slide on my 1911.

[Casual Observer]

My gf had a problem with it at first. I just had her do some more wrist/ forearm "cocking" exercises with me to increase her strength

But that aside, some guns to appear to be a little easier to manipulate. For some reason, I think the 92FS is pretty easy, though it's got a pretty big grip for someone with smallish hands. Glocks also seem to be a bit easier for me than others.

Revolvers are an obvious and effective solution, especially for a home defense gun. Something like this might be something she's comfortable with.

[VegasND]

My wife cocks the hammer and then pulls from the front of the slide because she can get hold of more surface area, using the forward cocking serrations if the slide has them. It doesn't seem to be a matter of arm strength to pull back as it is gripping strength.

[tonelar]

A heavy revolver wil kick less (which should be a considerstion with a home defense choice).

Have you considered a lesser caliber like a 380, 32 or even a 22LR pistol?

[Wulf]

I think in most cases this problem is half physical and half mental. People quite correctly handle firearms with due care which often manifests as a an unnecessary gentleness. We've all seen this with the noob that inserts a magazine like its a fuse for a nuclear bomb, and often fails to seat the mag as a result.

Before you try looking for a hardware solution, unload the thing, make sure the ammo's away away, and that everyone knows that, so she can let down her guard for a few minutes. Then just encourage her to handle carefully, but not gently; handle it with authority like the durable machine it is. I'd bet if you can get her to handle it with the same authority she'd use for a manual can opener she'll be able to do it.

[liketoshoot]

Anyone else out there have a wife/girlfriend who has difficulty pulling back the slide on an semiauto handgun. So far my wife cannot rack the slide to load a round, on the 226,HK USPc, and 220. However, my USP full size, she can rack the slide, maybe because that one is 12 years old, and the recoil spring may have less tension.

If your wife/gf had the same issue, what did you do? Moved over to a revolver - and which revolver? Or is there a semiauto that seems to be easier to rack the slide?

I do have a GP100, 4" SS, but that one is heavy and a brick, so I am not sure I would want that to be the home defense of choice for her either.

thanks!

My wife and daughter both can not rack the slide so I have a S&W 327 M&P R8 8 shot .357 for them to use, although my daughter like a S&W .38 better.
I keep all the semi-auto's for myself.

[Sobriquet]

Ask if she's just using the muscles of one arm to pull and the other to hold steady? Maybe she could do it if you told her to push with the right hand and pull with the left at the same time.

Other than that.. if she isn't confident in her ability to use it, she won't want to grab it in a stressful situation. Get her something SHE'S comfortable with.

If she doesn't have the upper body strength to rack the slide, I'd be concerned about getting something too heavy to replace it with. If she were forced to hold the gun out for an extended time, she might end up missing or hitting too low because of the weight. Sounds like a medium revolver in .38 might be something to consider.

[Creampuff]

My wife cocks the hammer and then pulls from the front of the slide because she can get hold of more surface area, using the forward cocking serrations if the slide has them. It doesn't seem to be a matter of arm strength to pull back as it is gripping strength.

Yes that works for the USP and sometimes the 226. Problem is on the USPcompact that hammer is bobbed, so there is nothing to grasp onto to cock the hammer.

I worked with her more this afternoon, with the A-zoom snap caps. I did find we had better luck if she would grasp the serrations of the slide, and instead of pulling the slide back - she would push the frame forward, while maintaining a firm grip on the slide.

[AngelDecoys]

If your wife/gf had the same issue, what did you do? Moved over to a revolver - and which revolver? Or is there a semiauto that seems to be easier to rack the slide?

How is the lady racking the slide? Does she use the palm of her hand and roll her fingers over the slide? (That's the prefered method). My wife is fairly small and only moderately has that problem with 1911's, and even then only when she tries to pull the slide using only her index finger and thumb. The palm of the hand and fingers rolled over the top will give her more strength.

[Creampuff]

How is the lady racking the slide? Does she use the palm of her hand and roll her fingers over the slide? My wife is fairly small and only moderately has that problem with 1911's, and even then only when she tries to pull the slide using only her index finger and thumb.

She has difficulty with both versions: index finger and thumb like a slingshot - the slide will barely budge. If she palms the slide, she can move it but sometimes it will be a bit of a struggle.

It helped when she was holding the slide firmly, and using the other hand to move the frame forward. It also helped today when I was wiped off the too generous helping of CLP that I leave behind to prevent rust .

[AngelDecoys]

She has difficulty with both versions: index finger and thumb like a slingshot - the slide will barely budge. If she palms the slide, she can move it but sometimes it will be a bit of a struggle.

It helped when she was holding the slide firmly, and using the other hand to move the frame forward. It also helped today when I was wiped off the too generous helping of CLP that I leave behind to prevent rust .

Hmmmmmm. Honestly, i've got no clue then. If I were to speculate, it just sounds like the pistols haven't had enough ammo run through them to loosen them up. (shot in the dark) Even the TRP takes 500 rounds to settle in.

I'll be happy to send you my address via PM if you want to send the pistols and ammo my way for a thorough review. I'd be happy to break them in for you.

[cackinthebox]

pff, i can barely rack the slide on my new .40 Hi Power

[tonelar]

Muscles develop quickly... Have her squeeze a tennis ball or something. If it was easier for her to work the action without your coating of oil, then she needs to strengthen her grip.

Get her a .32 or .380(harder to find) Beretta tip-out auto. Theynever need to have their slides cycled manually.

[neomentat]

get her a Ruger sp101 revolver. i have a range of semiautos and the only one my wife was able to cock was my Beretta PX4, but then again the grip was too large for her even with the small grip insert.