So, racking slides...

[sharxbyte]

My wife has trouble racking the slide on any 9mm(or 380) that I've had her try. I've heard from numerous people that it is the technique that is wrong, but I've tried to teach her with videos that describe the "correct" way and I cant find what's wrong with her technique.

I'm at a loss. I don't want her carrying anything smaller than a 9mm, and I don't want her carrying a revolver (because of the capacity limitations; 10 rounds is bad enough without cutting it in half) She can shoot my Berretta just fine, and can rack the slide with difficulty, but finds it too heavy and bulky for her taste. The smaller guns are even harder to rack, and come with more recoil.

Any tips? Anyone in Sacramento area want to take her shooting and let her try out some different 9mm's? (I can provide her with ammo if your guns don't mind steel cases)


Thanks for your help!

[SonofWWIIDI]

Is she trying to do it "over the top", or "slingshot"?

[autoduel]

If she's still having problems with "over the top", Have her try "pushing" the gun forward with her strong hand instead of "pulling" with her weak hand. Just hold the slide and move the grip frame instead of the slide.

[SilverTauron]

My wife has trouble racking the slide on any 9mm(or 380) that I've had her try. I've heard from numerous people that it is the technique that is wrong, but I've tried to teach her with videos that describe the "correct" way and I cant find what's wrong with her technique. I'm at a loss. I don't want her carrying anything smaller than a 9mm, and I don't want her carrying a revolver (because of the capacity limitations; 10 rounds is bad enough without cutting it in half) She can shoot my Berretta just fine, and can rack the slide with difficulty, but finds it too heavy and bulky for her taste. The smaller guns are even harder to rack, and come with more recoil.

Thanks for your help!

A thanks in response to this post is quite unlikely, but it must be said nonetheless. It would seem that you're determining the gun she should carry, which would naturally create problems when the intended user discovers the piece is incompatible with her physique.

Perhaps a clean sheet approach should be taken to solve this problem. We begin by escorting her to the gun counter, and then departing forthwith to permit the end-user some say in the selection process.

[sharxbyte]

"over the top". We tried the pushing thing, but she was still having trouble, especially remembering to let go of the slide and not ride it forward. I don't think it's entirely a strength thing, but I don't know.


I'm not choosing her gun. I'm having her try every semi automatic in our price range that is in a manageable caliber, and still large enough to stop threats reliably. I'm not willing to trust her life with a gun I wouldn't carry myself for defense. Chauvinistic? Controlling? I don't think so.

[Mr357magnum]

There is nothing wrong with a revolver. If her semi-auto handgun jams in some sort of life threatening altercation then she MUST be able to clear the jam. If not, bad things can happen.

[Mr357magnum]

an additional plus to a revolver is that with factor ammunition, malfunctions are near-nonexistent, and a revolver is also impossible to limpwrist.

Yes, revolvers have their limitations and require practice, but they are still a competent carry piece.

[sharxbyte]

There are no 10 round 9mm revolvers.

[Mr357magnum]

Yes I know. I said revolvers do have limitations. But they also have many advantages as well.

In addition, there aren't an abundance of carry-sized 9mm handguns that carry 10 rounds. Most of the smaller autos ideal for carry (Kahr, Ruger LC9, etc) have a magazine capacity of 7 or less. Ofcourse there are a few exceptions like the Glock 26 and the SW M&P compact

[foxtrotuniformlima]

Most semi-auto handguns are oversprung from the factory.

You should look at getting a lighter recoil spring for the gun that will still allow it to function as designed.

For example, most 1911s get shipped with a 16# spring. A 12# spring is more than adequate to insure proper function. Imagine a 25% reduction in the effort to rack the slide.

[9mmepiphany]

I'm local to you

Drop me a PM and I'll be happy to take a look at her technique, I've never encountered anyone, who I've instructed, (from 10-63) who couldn't rack the slide using the proper technique

[Saym14]

a six shot revolver is better than a 15 round gun that she cant operate.

[SilverTauron]

"over the top". We tried the pushing thing, but she was still having trouble, especially remembering to let go of the slide and not ride it forward. I don't think it's entirely a strength thing, but I don't know.


I'm not choosing her gun. I'm having her try every semi automatic in our price range that is in a manageable caliber, and still large enough to stop threats reliably. I'm not willing to trust her life with a gun I wouldn't carry myself for defense. Chauvinistic? Controlling? I don't think so.

Then perhaps you should buy her one of these. Holsters might be difficult to come by though.




OP, if the weapon is a pistol it doesn't have "stopping power" . I don't care what number is engraved on the barrel. There are hardened thugs walking around with rifle caliber holes in their bodies. Shot placement is the only category which determines "stopping power", not the number stamped on your ammo box.

[sharxbyte]

Then perhaps you should buy her one of these. Holsters might be difficult to come by though.




OP, if the weapon is a pistol it doesn't have "stopping power" . I don't care what number is engraved on the barrel. There are hardened thugs walking around with rifle caliber holes in their bodies. Shot placement is the only category which determines "stopping power", not the number stamped on your ammo box.

So is $10 grand.

So you'd be perfectly comfortable carrying a .22 pistol as your primary SD weapon given a 9mm? I see. Obviously shot placement is important, but so is tissue displacement. Anything less than 9 doesn't make a big enough hole IMHO.

[ChrisBrooklyn]

So get her a nice 38. Five shots no malfunctions easy to use.