Slide too heavy to rack

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  • Striknine

    Active Member
    Jan 19, 2013
    187
    Looking for recommendations for an older family member who is having difficulty chambering and clearing rounds from his Glock 22. He recent got out of rehab and doesn’t have the strength in his hands to pull it all the way back.
    Would a 15 or 16lb spring be easier to rack yet still function the pistol properly? Stock is 17lbs.
    Any other recommendations besides get a revolver which we really don’t care to do.
    Thanks
     

    budman93

    Ultimate Member
    Mar 1, 2013
    5,267
    Frederick County
    I'm guessing strength to grip and hold onto the slide is more the problem than pulling it back? I'm not sure a slight reduction in spring weight would make much difference. Probably what he needs is something that is easier to pull back. something with a handle to pull back on would be a lot easier than a slide that you have to pinch hold. I have seen aftermarket parts that replace the backplate and give a handle or ring to hold onto to pull the slide back. Might be worth looking into.
     

    ohen cepel

    Ultimate Member
    Feb 2, 2011
    4,509
    Where they send me.
    What is the stock spring in a 9mm Glock of that size? If lighter, he could look at a 9mm barrel for it.

    I would be careful about putting a lighter spring into a .40 as Glock had issues in the past with frames being beaten up on early generations. Could work but may batter the frame quickly.

    Is his hand strength good enough to control it if he does get it racked? I would eval that also or it may be rather moot.
     

    rbird7282

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Dec 6, 2012
    18,533
    Columbia
    Aside from switching springs or guns, some people find it's easier to grab the slide and push the pistol forward rather than hold the pistol and pull the slide back.
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,816
    Have him try holding the slide and racking the frame. It sounds stupid, but a lot of our "weak" customers find it much easier that way.
    Grab the slide and push the grip forward.

    And on that note, it easier to bush the slide rearward than pulling it rearward.

    Have him try what SG suggested above and at the same time, have him turn his slide hand so he is pushing the slide instead of pulling it. Just gotta watch out for the ejection port bite.
     

    jollymon

    Active Member
    Dec 6, 2016
    852
    Now in Tennessee ,
    There is a device that replaces the plate on the back of the slide that has a small bar coming out to rack the slide , He can use the edge of a table or chair , belt something to rack it
     

    outrider58

    Eats Bacon Raw
    MDS Supporter
    Jul 29, 2014
    49,816

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    delaware_export

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 10, 2018
    3,143
    I’ve got a beretta that strikes me the same way. It’s a SUBCOMPACT and with the shorter slide and stiffness of the action, I am not too crazy about it.

    For the mrs, she has used it, but since her g19, refuses to even touch the beretta. Don’t blame her. She also like her ruger sr22. Says it’s fun to shoot.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    You need to recalibrate your parameters of what you don't care to do .

    1. Revolver
    2. Different Semiauto in different caliber
    3. He doesn't chamber or clear . ie , you load the gun and magazines for him . The gun stays hot until needed to shoot home invaders , and he either reloads from slide lock using slide release , or counts his rounds .

    None of them are what you want to hear . Pick whichever you see as least worst option .
     

    BrianS

    Active Member
    Apr 26, 2010
    421
    This palming technique seems to work well. I showed my wife and it made a huge difference racking heavy (to her) actions.

    Yes I know... can't get enough racks...
     

    Bob A

    όυ φροντισ
    MDS Supporter
    Patriot Picket
    Nov 11, 2009
    30,690
    Hold pistol in rt hand, pointing to your left. Grab slide with left hand. Push rt with let hand; push lt with rt hand. This works well for folks with poor upper body strength. If that doesn't work, revolver.

    If semi-auto is a must, Beretta Cheetah 86, in .380, has a tip-up barrel, so no need to rack slide. However, they're no longer made, and will run close to a grand on the used market, when you can find one.

    32acp doesn't require much strength to rack. PPK in 32acp (7.65 Browning) is a delight to shoot.
     

    MaxVO2

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    You need to recalibrate your parameters of what you don't care to do .

    1. Revolver
    2. Different Semiauto in different caliber
    3. He doesn't chamber or clear . ie , you load the gun and magazines for him . The gun stays hot until needed to shoot home invaders , and he either reloads from slide lock using slide release , or counts his rounds .

    None of them are what you want to hear . Pick whichever you see as least worst option .

    *****Short of one of the aids listed in other posts that attach to the slide or backplate, etc.. (finger loop, etc..) to make things easier - the above 3 points are how I see being the best options available having taught many older folks or those with weak hands, frail, etc... over the years in my NRA classes.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    First, I wouldn't change to light springs in a .40 cal. Second, if he can't rack it, has he tried to see if he still can shoot it? I carried and shot a couple of different .40s over the years and have since switched to 9mm due to old hands.

    As someone has recommended, the S&W EZ .380 or 9mm are both easy to rack.
     

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