Question. My wife can't rack the slide on any of my handguns.

[RWF]

if she can not rack a slide, then i am wonder how she control could the 44? they are heavy to start with. then i would think the recoil would have her hitting herself on her head. then in my 2 cents, a semi would not run ( most plastic frame) it would be stove piped on most rounds. with glock been the worst for for one who could be limp wristing.

Edited February 5, 2012 by RWF

[enfield]

I tried to convince my wife that her trouble with slides was related to her trouble with jar lids - that she needed some exercises to develop her hand and arm strength. I was ignored.

There's only so much you can do.

[Guest Roadkill Bill]

Come on guys, you know when a woman has convinced herself that she can't do something, then she really can't. When I sold guns years ago I saw so many frustrated men who tried to get such-and-such a gun for their wives - knowing it was the best (for them) - only to find the wife couldn't operate the slide. The more "technique" they tried, the harder it became. There has been some good advise given here on this thread:

1. Take her to a gun shop and let someone OTHER THAN THE HUSBAND help her.

2. Get her a .38 revolver. Make sure it has a hammer she can cock. As she learns and practices more she may shoot it DA, but give her the option.

3. If she can't work the slide on an automatic, she can't handle a .44 mag. Tell her the police stopped bad guys with .38s for about 80 years before automatics became the craze, and it's still a popular caliber today. It was capacity that made most police departments switch.

Good Luck.

[graycrait]

INMHO there is utility for both the beginner and experienced shooter to shoot a lot of .22 ammo in various sized/types of handguns. Unless you're rich or have a sponsor, shooting .22LR is likely the only way to get enough repitition to start getting decent with a handgun. Some of the best shooters I have run across shoot a lot of .22. When I can get my wife to the range she usually has so much fun that she shoots about 500 rounds of .22LR each trip. Then we end up shooting a couple of boxes of centerfire. If you want to really make it easy get a Ruger MKII or III and a few mags. Then get an Ultmate Clip loader: Mcfadden Machine Company Incorporated Clip Loader

Then borrow a K-frame or GP-100 and shoot as one poster said, softball .38s. In lieu of that a large easy to handle 9mm pistol like a CZ 75. I do have to agree with one poster, limp wristing can be an issue with some of the ligher semi-autos, but type of ammo can help alleviate that. Rather than 115 grain Winchester White Box get some Winchester 124 grain NATO ammo.

[Mykltn]

Tomcat is cool, and I have tip ups also. However, its size poses difficulties for many shooters.

Not sure if by "size" you are refering to the caliber or actual dimentions of the firearm. As for my wife (5'4" 120lbs) the dimentions of the Tomcat are perfect. She has no trouble getting all her fingers on the grip. Thumb safty is in a good place and the mag release is easy to find and use unlike her previous Walther P22. Tip up barrell release is easy to use and load also. I own revolvers, several autos and a couple derringers of different sizes. I have 45acp's, 9mm's, 40s&w's, .357's, 380's, 38's, 22's and 45/410's all in various size handguns and she has tried them all. Base reason for her liking the Tomcat is it's ease of use. She feel confident that she can load and make it ready all by her self. She feels equally confident that she can make it safe when not in use. These are hugh plus' when considering a handgun for carry and self defense.

As for caliber size. A well placed .32acp will deter any attacker bent on duing a person harm. How do we get a well placed round? By giving them a weapon that they are comfortable shooting and carrying. And as we all know, statistics show the majority of attacks that happen when the victim is armed are prevented simply by the intended victim pointing a firearm at the attacker. Having a firearm and being comfortable with it increases the confidence level and demeanor of the female which is often enough to dissuade a would-be attacker from making an advance in the first place.

Now I am not suggesting that the case with my wife and the Tomcat fits all situations for every other woman out there. I am just simply giving my solicited advice to a fellow TGOer that faces a similar situation as I. Get her a Tomcat, she'll love it.

[craglawnmanor]

With the Brass Stacker Glock Slide Pull you can simply rack the slide while hooking the pull over the bone shards sticking up from your compound fracture, erasing the need for the perfect rear sight (which could still be used) that will hook clothing material efficiently.

OK, I was following along great until this part. Ewwwww!!!!

[CLC]

I am a woman with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I inherited a few revolvers , S&W 629. 44 mag, S&S 60 38 snubnose, S&W 649. 38 snub nose and a Colt Trooper 357, I love shooting them all but I will admit that the trigger job on the 44 is so good I accidentally cracked my knuckle with it! Still I desperately wanted a semi-automatic , I found that a full size was easier for me to rack and the easiest one, well the only one I could rack, was the Beretta 96 40 caliber! Then I purchased a 9mm upper for it and I put a Crimson Trace on it! I think it is perfect! My only problem is I cannot change the uppers by myself! I am sure someone will have an easy way for me to do it but right now I do not have the strength for it! If you are in Knoxville area then she can try mine!

[bikridr]

My wife has nerve damage in her hands and has real trouble racking the slide.She picked out a Bersa 380CC after I told her to cock the hammer then try the slide.She now has a carry piece she loves.

[Guest RebelWithACause]

Can she pump a shotgun?

She has trouble pulling a double action trigger, even on my silky smooth Model 36. Her only choices are 1) Having a pistol handy that I have racked a round for her. 2) Learning to shoot single action only or 3) Any ideas?

PS. I offered to buy her a NAA Black Widow buy she doesn't think a 22mag will stop an attacker. She wants a 44 magnum. "I only want to shoot one time" I think she said. Bless her heart........

[peejman]

I've helped a few ladies who had problems racking the slide (my wife included). One common thing between all of them was convincing them they can't hurt the gun. The gun cycles much more violently during normal operation than most folks would ever do racking the slide. Don't be afraid of it, get a little pissed off, hit it hard and fast and ..... voila. Piece of cake.

[The Man]

I'd say for most ladies, a subbie .38+P revolver with hollow point rounds, is the most ideal weapon to have. No racking, jamming is almost unheard of in revolvers, ease of cleaning after shooting is a breeze, and one in Ultralight weight is ideal for the ladies while carrying.

Put a lazer on the handle and you've got a reliable weapon that's been around for a long time for self defense for either man or lady.

I've carried a concealed firearm for over 40 years. Had both , semi -auto and revolver guns. I loved my semi-auto Walthers PPk .380 until one day at the range, thank God, it jammed after 3 rds rapid fire. That's all it took , just one little old jam, to steer me back to carrying a revolver. I had carried a revolver for years before the semi-auto's became the rage of the town. Put more rounds thru the revolver than I care to think about. Never failed me once. Once that semi auto jammed, I learned my lesson.

Now the 'bride' has had a desire to have a 'carry' gun and she's happy with my suggestion for a J-frame .38. She tried both styles at a range and feels the revolver is the best choice. So do I. Just my opinion. Whatever works best for 'the little lady' is the best choice, I'd say. After all, they're the one using it.

[True Grit]

My wife has same problem even with the LCR. She uses the Sig p238 which anyone can rack the slide or the Beretta bobcat with the tip up barrel.

[gregintenn]

Two words....YOUNGER WIFE!!!

[Will Carry]

I'm the original poster on this thread and I thank all ya'll for the replies. I took her to the gun shop and she picked out a Walther P-22 and I bought it. It fits her hands, she can rack the slide and load the magazine. So far we have put over 400 rounds of CCI Mini-Mags through it with one failure to eject from battery.

I know a .22LR is not a self defense round but ten .22LR rounds would have a negative effect on an attacker. I'm going to try and get her comfortable shooting guns and then we'll see if she can move up in calibers.

Edited February 12, 2012 by Will Carry

[Caster]

Many good recommendations but have you considered working on her instead of the gun? No offense, I'm serious.

[mikegideon]

I'm the original poster on this thread and I thank all ya'll for the replies. I took her to the gun shop and she picked out a Walther P-22 and I bought it. It fits her hands, she can rack the slide and load the magazine. So far we have put over 400 rounds of CCI Mini-Mags through it with one failure to eject from battery.

I know a .22LR is not a self defense round but ten .22LR rounds would have a negative effect on an attacker. I'm going to try and get her comfortable shooting guns and then we'll see if she can move up in calibers.

Yep. The PK380 is basically the same gun in a bigger caliber. If she ever feels she needs a little more smack, the transition will be painless.

[tnguy]

Incidently, if anyone has been looking for a spare mag for a PK380, wholesalehunter just got a bunch in. I bought 2.

 

http://www.wholesalehunter.com/product.asp?productid=106772

 

These are often hard to find and go for way too much on ebay. The gun only comes with one which is very stingy of them.

Edited September 11, 2013 by tnguy

[Guest The Itis]

Always thought these were atrocious but hey, looks aren't everything (maybe you tell that to your wife) :rofl:

[tnguy]

That's actually not completely awful. Not that I currently have any issue racking the slide on any semi I've tried but they certainly could do better on making it easier to get a solid grip to rack the slide. A depression would probably better than those grooves.

Edited September 12, 2013 by tnguy

[bersaguy]

Just my opinion here but it seems that many folks don't have much faith in a 22lr or 22 Mag hand gun. Back in my younger days when I hunted a lot I killed many big deer while Squirrel hunting during deer season with both a 22lr Semi auto rifle and also a 22 mag bolt action rifle. Folks don't give enough credit to what damage can be done with a  rim fire round when placed in right locations. If a person practices enough a 22 caliber gun can be a very effective self defense weapon.........jmho 

[peejman]

Always thought these were atrocious but hey, looks aren't everything (maybe you tell that to your wife) :rofl:

 

 

 

I've often wondered about an attachment to the back of the slide similar to an AR's charging handle.  It would significantly reduce the grip strength necessary and simply give your thumb and fingers something to bear against. 

[Guest The Itis]

Just my opinion here but it seems that many folks don't have much faith in a 22lr or 22 Mag hand gun. Back in my younger days when I hunted a lot I killed many big deer while Squirrel hunting during deer season with both a 22lr Semi auto rifle and also a 22 mag bolt action rifle. Folks don't give enough credit to what damage can be done with a  rim fire round when placed in right locations. If a person practices enough a 22 caliber gun can be a very effective self defense weapon.........jmho 

 

You are talking about a rifle vs a pistol, though.

Yes, a 22lr handgun can be an effective self defense weapon, but it carries with it the unpredictability of how an aggressor that's just been shot but still has functioning motor control will react.

[Guest The Itis]

I've often wondered about an attachment to the back of the slide similar to an AR's charging handle.  It would significantly reduce the grip strength necessary and simply give your thumb and fingers something to bear against. 

There are more elegant ones that only add a bit of extra width so it looks like a Ruger MK pistol, but if the OP's wife can't grip a normal slide, the ring type is a sure thing.

[Guest The Itis]

How about a charging handle for a pistol

 

 

Edited September 12, 2013 by The Itis

[peejman]

How about a charging handle for a pistol

 

 

 

 

Ah, so it already exists.  There goes my million dollar idea...