mikemyers
Member
Ever since the 1980's, it's been difficult for me to rack the slide on a 1911. I'm not very big, and as I posted a week or two ago, I could probably win the first prize in the "98 pound weakling" lookalike contest from Charles Atlas.
I recently tried advice from forums, from books, and from YouTube. They all helped, but it was still a struggle.
The only reason I'm posting this new thread, is because Joe Means, a top shooter at the Broward Pistol and Rifle Club, gave me a suggestion yesterday that made all the difference in the world. It's easier to do, than to describe:
Yesterday after racking the slide the usual way, after doing it five or six times, it felt like a gremlin had welded the slide in place. Doing it this new way, I can do it over and over again continually.
I recently tried advice from forums, from books, and from YouTube. They all helped, but it was still a struggle.
The only reason I'm posting this new thread, is because Joe Means, a top shooter at the Broward Pistol and Rifle Club, gave me a suggestion yesterday that made all the difference in the world. It's easier to do, than to describe:
- Hold the 1911 in the right hand, and stretch your arm out in front of you, with your arm pointing out, and down maybe at a 30 or 40 degree angle. Then twist your wrist, so the gun is now mostly horizontal, the top of the gun to the left, and the right side of the gun on top. Your trigger finger can wrapped around the stock along with your other fingers.
- With the left hand, reach out and grip the slide, with the palm of your hand over the serrations on the rear of the slide, and the rest of the fingers clamping the gun from below.
- Now, PUSH with your right arm, while you PULL with your left.
Yesterday after racking the slide the usual way, after doing it five or six times, it felt like a gremlin had welded the slide in place. Doing it this new way, I can do it over and over again continually.