Looking for an easy "racking" 9mm

[Kishfisser]

I was pointing more towards the fact the P-89 was broken in than suggesting it for a carry weapon. Some rounds through the firearm may help ease the slide stiffness.

[Powder_Keg]

My GF had a hard time racking the slide on my 9mm's too. She was trying to copy what I was doing by racking the slide with my hand over the top of the slide with 4 fingers on one side of the slide and the base of my palm and thumb point towards the rear. I had her switch it up, she leaned the gun over towards her weak hand, I had her "pinch" the slide from the rear, push the frame forward and pull the slide rearward.

I feel that my Glock 19 and M&P Compact 9mm seem to have more "manageable" slides. The shorter you go with the barrel, the stiffer the recoil seems to become.

Another option would be a Ruger LCR or LCRx revolver (.38 special+ and/or.357). I plan to pick one up next year. I've dry fired one and it's gots a very nice trigger. As far as reloads go, she can store a couple speed reloaders in her purse.

[Steve_In_29]

There are two recently introduced semi-auto pistols that are perfect for your wife. The Walther CCP and Remington R51. Both are delayed blowback 9mms that due to their delay mechanisms (gas in CCP and mechanical in R51) require only a minimal of recoil spring strength. These designs are perfect for people with minimal hand strength and Walther even markets the CCP as such.

However since you are in Cali and these are basically unobtainium (and Remington has also had some teething issues and taken the R51 back to the drawing board) I have to go along with the revolver suggestion as well.

[stix213]

You could consider attaching one of these to the slide

[Bansh88]

Not sure why she would really need to tac reload or how that has to do with racking the slide.

"she would prefer to have more rounds and faster reloading (mag) if needed so a semi-auto is the preferred gun."

Sounds like she wants to be able to make fast reloads while taking out the bad guys.
She may have to sacrifice something on her wish list.

[I Swan]

If too weak to pull back a slide a double action trigger pull may be hard too. Think about that when purchasing revolvers or DA autos. Consider a design with external hammer. If you cock it before pulling back slide it makes it easier to pull back. I can tell you what not to consider.

Guns like on the CZ75 pattern, the slide rides inside the the frame making less of an area to grab to cycle the side back. I've noticed these guns are harder to manipulate.

[2euro]

If too weak to pull back a slide a double action trigger pull may be hard too. Think about that when purchasing revolvers or DA autos. Consider a design with external hammer. If you cock it before pulling back slide it makes it easier to pull back. I can tell you what not to consider.

Guns like on the CZ75 pattern, the slide rides inside the the frame making less of an area to grab to cycle the side back. I've noticed these guns are harder to manipulate.

The problem with cocking the hammer back manually to get the lighter pull is that in high stress situation there could be a chance the thumb slips off and having an accidental discharge. Just a thought. Of course this is speaking if it were going to be for CCW.

[dozer wright]

This

Pretty much every Beretta 92 series I've ever used had a very smooth and easy to manipulate slide.

Took the Girlfriend now wife to buy her a pistol. Three shops and a couple dozen pistols tried. The 92 fs was one of 3 she could rack the slide on. The 92 fs won cause I had mags for it and it fit her hand best.

[SoCalEnthusiast]

I've met some males who have a hard time racking the slide.

[GunDog]

Get a Beretta Tomcat in .32 ACP; no need to "rack" the slide with the tip-up barrel.

[scott_kart]

Not sure why she would really need to tac reload or how that has to do with racking the slide. She might have to rack a little bit differently like suggested above but the way i look at it is, the round count debate 10(more if in free state) rounds vs 5. Would you rather her have 10 rounds before she has to fumble around or 5? To me reloading a magazine is a bit easier then reloading a revolver with a speed loader and she would be ble to get off twice as many shots before she has to do any reloading or manipulating.

If carrying for ccw, she would only have to charge the gun before heading out and carry with a loaded chamber. Not doing that under stress and if the need to reload comes then its already locked back.

The problem I see with not being able to rack the slide, is if you have an ammo malfunction, there is no way to get the gun back into service. A greatly reduced issue with a revolver.

[Steve G]

Took the Girlfriend now wife to buy her a pistol. Three shops and a couple dozen pistols tried. The 92 fs was one of 3 she could rack the slide on. The 92 fs won cause I had mags for it and it fit her hand best.

She must be a big girl. I shoot my Beretta well but it is HUGE

[Click Boom]

Surprised nobody said glock... doesn't get much easier than that.

[autoduel]

The new Walther CCP may be just what the doctor ordered.

[Steve_In_29]

Surprised nobody said glock... doesn't get much easier than that.

Actually yes it does.