Taurus PT 738

[MMH]

My father-in-law just got a Taurus PT 738 as a carry gun. He is getting old and has trouble racking the slide - he does not have the hand strength to pinch the slide. He ends up putting the front edge of the slide on a counter edge & pushing the pistol grip down. This works, but there is not a whole lot of slide to catch on. Is there anything out there that will help him rack the slide? I was thinking about a thick rubber glove or something like that which will let him pinch the slide w/o requiring as much pinching force.

[jthrelf]

I'm not super familiar with this particular firearm. However, I would say when clambering a round for carry to lock the slide back on an empty mag (I believe the TCP/738 does lock on an empty mag) and then use the slide release lever to put a round in.

I say this because you want to ensure that first round is fully chambered and seated properly. We don't want a malfunction on a carry piece. Also this will eliminate the situation of "racking" on the table. You will just have to push the slide back on the table far enough to lock.

As for racking the slide as you've described in your original question, how about some sort of rubber grip like for opening pickle jars? Maybe cut this down to proper dimensions and see how it works.

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-566-Sil...kle+jar+opener

[92gli]

Just put some grip tape on the sides of the slide.

[poconojoe]

Some guns the slide racks easier than others. Sig p938...try that one.

Just put some grip tape on the sides of the slide.

[Emptymag]

Has he tried the method of pushing forward with the "grip hand" at the same time as he's pulling back with the "slide hand"?

I had never considered such a simple solution until I had seen it given as advice for women who have difficulty racking the slide due to weak strength when trying to pull the slide back alone.

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

Revolver?

[harold63]

This kind of coincides with what Emptymag is saying...mind over matter. It takes a little practice and he may have to take a little pain, but it works. When my daughters were learning to shoot semis when they were 10 or 11 (they learned on a Bersa Thunder), they couldn't rack the slide slowly like we jungle men do. They just didn't have the oomph. I got them to focus on what they were doing and to do it with vigor and concentration. They started getting it after just a couple hours. Now, they can rack the slide on a Mack truck sized handgun. If he's at a point where his hand and fingers just aren't working well anymore, it may be time for him to get a revolver that shoots a mild 38 special.

[Emptymag]

We own a Glock because that was the first auto my wife was able to rack the slide on as she tried gun after gun in the case at the gun shop.
Really - I'd have never even looked at one otherwise.

Revolvers were a no-go for her because triggers were too heavy and hammers too far/hard to thumb back to set for a single action shot.

If technique doesn't solve the problem, another gun may, but it's cheaper to try other methods first.

[WVBob]

As said, Revolver? Lots of people think a semi's are the only way to go, but if you can't work it right, go with what you can.

[Armor Snail]

Go get a roll of skate tape. Should be under $10 for a roll.