So, racking slides...

[BadKitty]

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.

I think the issue here is - is it better to have a gun she can use be it a revolver or .38 or whatever vs. a 9mm semi-auto that she is unable to operate?

If she can't operate the 9mm, then you guys have to go with the next best alternative, yes? And, truthfully, I wouldn't put so much stock into 10 rds vs. 5. If she's in an emergency situation and struggles to operate a 9mm semi-auto, then what good is it? I'd rather her have 5 rounds that go bang than 1 round go bang and then have a jam that she can't clear.......

[sharxbyte]

I understand that revolvers are reliable and simple. I don't like the limited capacity. You guys are completely ignoring the multiple attacker argument

[BadKitty]

I understand that revolvers are reliable and simple. I don't like the limited capacity. You guys are completely ignoring the multiple attacker argument

Well, keep shopping. I'm sure you'll find something that fits her.

[hermosabeach]

Most 5 shot .38 that come to mind are snubbies. They are difficult to shoot well

Some things are better left to others to teach to a spouse.

You are an equal with your spouse and not a coach.

Sometimes letting them try all of the actions at a store will help them find something that they are comfortable with and will use.

A previous girlfriend could not rack the slide on a Glock 19.
She ended up buyin a used HK full size.

She could run te slide and with small hands she found the grip to her liking.

[ChrisBrooklyn]

I understand that revolvers are reliable and simple. I don't like the limited capacity. You guys are completely ignoring the multiple attacker argument

Realistically I would expect the other attacker to flee when his buddy takes one in the guts. Also if its a multiple attacker worst case scenario yada yada. She could have 30 rounds of 45 and it probably won't help.

[sharxbyte]

Realistically I would expect the other attacker to flee when his buddy takes one in the guts. Also if its a multiple attacker worst case scenario yada yada. She could have 30 rounds of 45 and it probably won't help.

But more rounds rarely hurt on your side. She seemed to not mind the idea fo a full sized. The only issues are weight (which isn't too much of a problem) and concealability, which I manage with my px4 WITHOUT purse. Purse carry isn't ideal either, but it's an option.

[ChrisBrooklyn]

Haha. Made me think of a little old lady pulling a 44 out of a purse

[BonnieB]

We're hoping she's not trying to rack using her thumb and index finger from behind the slide, pinky down. Won't work. Also, I can't see why the size of the caliber is going to make a difference in how the slide operates....

First I must say that racking a slide is about leverage, not strength. It she isn't pulling against some rigid surface ( a locked elbow and wrist, or elbow braced on ribs if absolutely necessary.) If she's holding it too far away from her body, it won't work. When I got my first Glock, I couldn't rack it five times in a row either or work the slide release. Was almost in tears from frustration. I had to practice (dry fire with snap caps) on the sofa for a week and build up some muscle in the right places. I still remove the slide kinda funny, but it comes off. Hands that type for a living have great flexibility and stamina but not so much strength.

When I rack semi automatics, I grip the slide between the base of my palm and my finger tips. In order to do this, I need the gun at a 45 degree angle to my body, which means I turn slightly to the right, to keep the muzzle down range. When I'm tired, I might brace my right elbow to my body for extra stability and leverage. It may not look perfect but you do what you have to do, to get the job done. And they rack every single time and damned quickly. I do it this way not because I'm so dainty and girly, but because I'm older than God and my hands and wrists are cranky.

Please, please stop "getting" her a gun. Let her choose one she can comfortably operate. You can be in the car listening to the ball game while she does this. The best place to do that is River City Gun Exchange, they have about every handgun around and they're real good about letting potential buyers handle them. Don't go there on a Tuesday morning or a Saturday, they're mobbed. I like 2 pm on Thursdays and it's worth taking an afternoon off. It's really best if she tries everything that looks interesting, selects a gun with the help of a competent salesperson and pays for it her own very self. They're mostly ex-cops there, they like women shooters and they won't sell her something that isn't right. She does this all by herself. It creates a lot of ownership and pride in her selection. And if she's anything like me, she'd die before saying she bought something she really couldn't handle.

If she won't do it alone, buy me lunch or coffee and I'll go with her. You can give final approval just before the credit cards come out.

The best solution is to put here with a competent instructor and an assortment of available guns, who can diagnose and correct the situation. PM me and I can tell you some who sells instruction time in 2 hour increments for a very reasonable price. You can both have a lesson once the racking problem is solved. Again, you sit in the car and listen to the ball game while the racking diagnosis is going on. Really.

PM me with some choices of weekend mornings at Sac Valley and I'll look at what she's doing, look at the guns, try to rack 'em myself and if all else fails, I can rustle up an instructor for a 15 minute freebie.

[Shasta Frog]

Well, keep shopping. I'm sure you'll find something that fits her.

Lol

[BadKitty]

Lol

I offered my thoughts and the OP didn't seem to care for my answer. That was my polite way of bowing out of the conversation.

[Eldraque]

A 5 shot .38 is more than enough gun for EDC

[acegunnr]

Have her try racking while wearing gloves (Mechanix or similar brands). This is what I did with my wife and it helped her with her grip until she got the technique down and now can do it without the gloves.

[sharxbyte]

Have her try racking while wearing gloves (Mechanix or similar brands). This is what I did with my wife and it helped her with her grip until she got the technique down and now can do it without the gloves.

Will try. Thanks!

[NastyNate]

My wife had the same issue. She just kept at it and finally realized that it's easier when she pushes with her strong hand and pulls the slide back with her weak hand. Practice makes perfect. She'll get it, just keep at it.

[movie zombie]

I don't pull the slide at all. its all about the push away.

a gun that she can use is better than a gun that she can't use.
in an emergency situation she is going to panic as will most of us, male or female. having the extra supposed round capacity isn't going to mean anything if they're already on her because she couldn't rack the slide.

take BonnieB up on her offer. and let your wife make her own decisions about what she needs. I understand your concern for her but if she can't operate the slide when it really matters then those extra rounds are simply useless.