My Old Lady is Struggling to Rack A Slide

[Rural Ruger]

The Smith and Wesson EZ line of pistols is marketed as being easy to rack. I've never tried one though.

Dad got one last year, stupidly cheap off GB when they were just starting to come out. It's definitely easier than normal, but there is still some resistance there. He's likes it though. I havent tried anything but dry firing and racking it yet.

[JenniferG]

It's a 380 but it's better than no gun at all.

[Sean Galt]

Sorry if this was mentioned before, but there are a bunch of handles which make it significantly easier to rack a slide:
Recover Tactical Slide Rack Assist 9 Versions Compatible with Most Glock Models, Also for Shield and M&P https://a.co/d/1O6ovS9

[ShadeRabbit]

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions

[RockIsland]

Taurus TCP 738 .380 has little cocking wings that fold out at the back of the slide. Never felt one up in person so no idea how functional they would be at helping you to rack the slide.

Don't know if it's discontinued but it's not in stock anywhere besides the scam sites.

[JDA58]

My wife has the S&W EZ for that reason

[imashooter2]

When my aged Father could no longer rack the slide of his Davis .380, I bought him a S&W model 38 Airweight and filled it with .38 Special lead full wadcutters. He could open the revolver and pull the trigger double action right up until he went into the hospital for his final stay at age 85.

Many will poo poo .38 wadcutters. Fact is, it isn*t easy to get expansion from a 2 inch revolver at .38 Special pressures. Wadcutters with their sharp shoulder will make better holes than a jacketed hollow point that doesn*t expand and their modest recoil will encourage practice.

A woman with 5 wadcutters and confidence in her ability to place them where they need to be is a pretty formidable opponent.

ETA, I use the Hogue Bantams on all my J and K frame carry revolvers.

[JAKIII]

It's a 380 but it's better than no gun at all.

Kills just fine.

[GunLawyer001]

Sorry if this was mentioned before, but there are a bunch of handles which make it significantly easier to rack a slide:
Recover Tactical Slide Rack Assist 9 Versions Compatible with Most Glock Models, Also for Shield and M&P https://a.co/d/1O6ovS9

I had some hand issues (since resolved) that made it harder to rack a slide, so I put one of those on a Glock and it helps a lot. You don't have to squeeze hard AND pull, because you're putting pressure on the lateral wings and just pulling back.

Recover.jpg

[HanzMcFeely]

I had some hand issues (since resolved) that made it harder to rack a slide, so I put one of those on a Glock and it helps a lot. You don't have to squeeze hard AND pull, because you're putting pressure on the lateral wings and just pulling back.

Recover.jpg

The ringed Recover tactical one is great. A buddy of mine has one on his 19 and its much more comfortable than the blade/tab style ones everyone else markets. They dig into the fingers and gut too much when racking and carrying.

OP: it is possible to change out the guide rod assembly on most pistols with a lower spring weight to make it easier for her…at the expense of more felt recoil. On the glocks, 15lb seems to be the trade off point (17-19lb factory). The EZ series of pistols is also very light to rack. Could try the ruger LC/EC series pistols too. And different style to rack as mentioned. I have grip strength issues and neuropathy/arthritis in my hands, the EC9 was pretty easy.

What i find is that rather than racking from rear of slide (slingshot grip), palming the top of the slide and pull push method works quite well. If not that, palming the slide and gripping behind the front sight/on front serrations allows me to rack like sling shot method without slipping or having strength problems.