Easy to rack 9mm carry pistol

[Kman]

You don't want a Hellcat then.
Small slide, stiff spring and tiny slide serrations make it tough.
I like the pistol otherwise.

 

[John from MD]

Is there a medical issue that makes racking a slide hard?

Yes, it is called "Old Age".

 

[Bullfrog]

Yes, it is called "Old Age".

Nature's way of telling us it's time to switch to revolvers and lever guns, before riding off into the sunset?

 

[John from MD]

I was out this morning doing some proficiency shooting with my pocket carry guns. I'm sure my wrists will remind me sometime after midnight why I should only take one gun to the range these days.

 

[John from MD]

Nature's way of telling us it's time to switch to revolvers and lever guns, before riding off into the sunset?

Maybe. I'll admit my Charles Bronson break top Smith is easier to work than my Diamondback DB9 but the sights are just on it for looks.

 

[4g64loser]

I understand "sling shotting" the slide is tough for people who have a hard time racking a slide.
If you think about racking, you don't do it that often. Grabbing over the top is the answer. Most racking is "admin" when you are loading the pistol.
Empty pistol, lock slide back using over the top method, insert mag, hit the slide lock and send it in.
While shooting, the pistol locks back on empty, mag exchange, hit slide lock to send it forward.
Clearing the pistol, drop mag, pistol pointed "down range", you literally face it from the side, grab over the top and eject the round.

A new "thing" isn't always the answer. OP might need to learn other methods from a little knowledge transfer.
Racking, loading, and clearing are not gentle procedures. Especially with these little guns.

I'd be more than happy to meet up and give you some ideas and to properly diagnose the issue.

Take this offer, OP.

I had a broken non dominant arm and I had trouble racking during a qualification. I borrowed a S&W EZ and it was easy peasy.

My friend has zero use or control of his right arm and isn't perfect with his left. While he opts for revolvers due to his uncertainty on bad days of being able to prevent malfs in a semi auto, he does own and can manage the manual of arms for glocks. I added tread tape to the tops of his slides between the ejection port and the rear sight, as well as replacing the factory sights with some that provide a better abutment for unconventional manipulation. Working through options, we found multiple points on both his wheelchairs that are conducive to providing the required abutment for slide retraction.

Lots of ways to skin a cat.

 

[smokey]

Yes, it is called "Old Age".

haha yup yup. Just seeing if it was an otherwise healthy person dealing with a technique issue or someone that needs adaptations of some kind due to physical limitations.

 

[trickg]

Is there a medical issue that makes racking a slide hard?

I'd say it's likely a case of analysis paralysis. I see it all the time with trumpet players - they have a drawer full of mouthpieces and are constantly flipping horns trying to find the one that plays itself, or has some aspect that's markedly easier for some reason or other.

Meanwhile guys like me grab an off-the-shelf pro-level horn and a single decent mouthpiece, and get busy in the practice room so that we can make the most out of that one setup. Then we play that setup for the next decade or so.

 

[Squaregrouper]

Try this method...
Grab the slide tight and push the grip forward (vs. pulling the slide back)

 

[Biggfoot44]

Press cylinder latch , open cylinder ?

 

[Troublesbrewin]

S&W CSX is about the same racking force as the EZ9, I have both and carry the CSX came with a 10 & 12 round mags. The 12 rounder gives a little more grip area, but some folks don’t like the trigger. I have no issues with the trigger.

 

[jimbobborg]

A gunsmith I used to go to made a device called a tactical racker. Basically a piece of metal you attached to the back of the slde to make it easier to get a grep on it. I'm sure someone else makes one now.

 

[cobra]

Wow thanks for the knowledge and feedback
yes I do carry with one in the chamber but that is a discussion for another day

and yes my hands are getting weak where I find it difficult to sling shot( I was always taught slide lock is not a slide release it slide lock and pulling back slide to chamber new round is proper method)
I prefer not to have grip safety as it is just another point of malfunction. Sorry the mechanic in me.
holding slide and pushing pistol forward definitely helps.
I found the EZ models as well as some Walter models would fit bill as far as racking to load new round.
Walther just felt a bit too large for carry. ( I’m a skinny115 pound guy) being a lefty does’nt help but easy to work around
sig to me fits and aims well compared to EZ.

If you had a choice between the two for ease of function and reliability
sig or e z along with no more challenging to conceal then say my g 26.
that’s were I’m at, aside from explaining to wife why I need another firearm which she equates to needing another horse that I’m sure I will buy if getting new pistol lol
thanks for all the help

 

[jmiller320]

My 365X takes two hands and a foot pushing on the grip to rack the slide. They said it gets easier with use.

 

[linkstate]

My 365X takes two hands and a foot pushing on the grip to rack the slide. They said it gets easier with use.

Really? Not doubting your experience but I find the 365x fairly easy to manipulate and I’m a desk jockey and I don’t do CrossFit. Overhand grasp the rear of the slide, rack it like you mean it. Easy peasy. Or use the slide stop/release as has been mentioned.

ETA: Compared to a Gen 3 Glock 19 with that slick slide, a CZ 75B with that low profile slide or even a GI style 1911. In that order I guess.

 

[jokie]

How about a recover tactical charging handle for your glock 26?

Recover Tactical Glock Charging handle

 

[Occam]

I bought the Springfield XD-E for that reason. Very easy to rack. Not a lot of love for that model though. I like it.

That was my first carry gun. Still have it, though it sits in a desk drawer in one of those you-never-know positions. The XD-E is indeed quite friendly to rack - that heavy slide means less of a spring to fight - but it's kind of a chunky monkey for carry. And single stack means less capacity for a frame that size. I carry a P365 now.

My much smaller than me wife used to grouse about the tough actions on smaller carry guns. As mentioned by several above, working on her technique changed all of that. Not to say that someone with wrist trouble won't benefit from a friendlier spring, but it's worth giving the technique tune-up a try, first.

 

[Harrys]

Kimber Micro comes to mind my 2 duckets.

 

[jlowe23]

I see you mentioned Walther but did you try out their CCP model? I sell a lot of those models to people with trouble manipulating the slide. I think it is actually easier than the S&W Shield EZ.

 

[Seagrave1963]

Try this method...
Grab the slide tight and push the grip forward (vs. pulling the slide back)

×10 on this method. I was doing the "standard" method of pulling the slide back. During a class a few years ago another student had difficulty in racking the slide when doing a malfunction drill. The instructor demonstrated the "pushing the gun forward" method and it was instant improvement. The other key is to grip the slide over the top with the entire hand and not just the thumb and a finger. No further issues no matter what SA handgun I am using. Good luck in your search for a solution.