Fiance wants gun but slide problems...

[bruzer]

I don't know what H&K 9mm the salesman handed my Wife but she fell in love with how easy it was to rack the slide. All the controls were easy to reach and manipulate. I know H&K makes fine guns but at nearly $1K asking price it won't be under the Christmas Tree anytime soon.
Mike

 

[Patriotme]

It sounds like you're going to have a very tough search finding a handgun for your wife. I know people with arthritis in their hands and some have mild aches while others have serious problems. I can easily imagine that some people would have issues with their gun handling if they are dealing with arthritits.
I would find out if she CAN pull the trigger on a revolver. You KNOW that she has trouble manipulating the slides on some semi autos so that may be a disqualifier on all semi autos if she's having a bad day (pain, swelling, etc). If her ailment could cause limp wristing you might want to reconsider even thinking about semi autos. I would consider if she would be able to clear a jam if there was an issue with the gun.
I still like the idea of the Berettas with the tip up barrels if you have to get a semi auto.
Have you taken her to a gun store to browse revolvers and see if she can pull the trigger? This might be the way to go. I'd check a few different brands since all handguns are not created equal. I agree with an earlier poster about the Ruger LCR. If you're going with a carry gun it has a great trigger. It does however have a bit of recoil so if you're wife's hands usually hurt this really isn't going to convince her to practice much. Gloves might help a bit for practice.
I don't know much about this product. This would probably be the absolute last resort if you can find any decent reviews on the gun.
http://www.palmpistol.com

 

[Patriotme]

http://www.rockyourglock.com/mm5/me...tagory_Code=SlidePull&Product_Code=TGR010-101
This looks kind of promising. It's not what I was talking about in an earlier post but it's similiar. I don't like how you have to put your finger inside. It looks like you might end up riding the slide partially foward upon release. The other device I mentioned was more of an L shape that looked like it would be easier to release (still looking around for it).

 

[Perfesser]

Since no one mentioned this yet - it can't be unknown - : hold the weapon normally in the shooting hand but across the body above the belt (if you're at a range turn sideways to keep the muzzle downrange), grip the slide across the top and roll the shoulders inward toward each other in a 'horizontal shrug'. This uses the big muscles in the chest working toward each other rather than just one bicep doing all the work.

 

[45crittergitter]

My wife has RA and similar difficulties. The main thing to remember with autoloaders is that the larger the gun (gun, not caliber), and the smaller the cartridge (lower power), the easier it is to work the slide. So, you don't want a pocket size .45, you want a big full size 9mm - the longer slide, the better. We found that the full size Taurus 24/7 in 9mm works well for weak hands.

 

[Axel Larson]

Thanks for all the info guys very helpful. With the technique you guys suggested she can rack the slide on my 1911. Thanks for all the information and Bovice have you ever met anyone with arthritis because racking a slide can be difficult.

 

[makarovnik]

Action type (blowback, locked breech, hammer, striker) and the size of the slide also has something to do with it. It's easier to rack the slide on a full sized locked breech 1911 than on a blowback PPK or tiny Bobcat.

 

[Geckgo]

Don't forget, finger off the trigger, pointed in a safe direction. Very important, specially if racking the slide is difficult.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If all else fails and the problem is insurmountable, look for a Beretta 86, a tipup barrel, selective double- or single-action .380.

 

[golden]

I know the problem

I would suggest going with the BERETTA pistols with the tip up barrel, but skip the .22lr and .25ACP.

I regulary carry a BERETTA Tomcat in .32ACP. I use it because it is so much easier to conceal than a 9 m.m. or even a .38Special snubnose.

It has proven reliable with certain ammo, but do not try WINCHESTER White box as the flat tips cause it to jam. For carry ammo, I use COR BON Powerball which is also 100% reliable.

If you can find one, the BERETTA 86 is a good choice, but IS MUCH LARGER than the Tomcat. It is the size of the BERETTA 92Compact, but a little lighter.
That can be an advantage in shooting as it keeps the recoil low. Insert a loaded mag, pop the barrel open and insert a round and close the barrel.

Both are well made and accurate.

Also, you can use the BERETTA model 85 magazines which are very common and easy to get.

Jim

 

[SmokeJensen]

Is there any way she could practice using the web of her hand between her thumb and pointer on the rear sight? I've never tried it but reading your thread makes this come to mind. Stay away from glock, xd, and IMO keltec. Those are stiff slides. The easiest slide I have ever racked would probably be the S&W Bodyguard .380. Its a small caliber and easier for her to shoot. This is my experience with these. I hope your bride finds what she likes. Take care.

 

[45crittergitter]

If all else fails and the problem is insurmountable, look for a Beretta 86, a tipup barrel, selective double- or single-action .380.

IMHO, if all else fails, GET A REVOLVER!

 

[hhb]

Slide

A small child can rack the slide on a Sig P238.

 

[Axel Larson]

She can rack the slide on my 1911 using the technique. Believe it or not my 1911 slide is hard compared to other handguns even smaller ones like the walther ppk.

 

[Byrd666]

Being a one handed individual and not being able to rack the slide "correctly", I use a table/counter edge and the rear sight with my finger OFF the trigger and push the frame forward. The same can be done using my dining room chair, the heel of my boot, my jeans pocket or my belt. A host of other firm surfaces will suffice as well. With a bit of practice, she'll get it down in no time.
As far as ease goes, my Bersa Thunder 9UC Pro is about a 10-12pounds of resistance in accordance with the spring. About the easiest to rack back for me was a S & W M & P or a Springfield XD-XDm then the Glocks.
As far as the trigger pull goes, I love the feel of the S& W M & P for crispness and ease of flow with a short reset. And with the onset of a lil' bit of arthritis myself that'll be my next purchase

 

[bluetopper]

Get her a Ruger LCR revolver in 38 Special and her and your problems will be over.......seriously.

Amazingly light and amazingly light double action trigger pull. The best firearm for a novice woman shooter ever invented.

 

[jglcolosprgs]

Never mind.

 

[Lawdawg45]

Speaking as someone with Rheumatoid Arthritis, if her RA interferes with the ability to pull a trigger, I would guess she also would have the lack of hand/wrist control to allow a semi auto to fire properly. I would go with a revolver with a polish/action job.

 

[oneounceload]

After you read Pax's Cornered Cat site, take to a gun store with a rental range and try as many as she feels comfortable with. She may decide on something in a mild cartridge like a 22 magnum. Before you pooh-pooh it, 6-10 hits from that is better than a miss from 357. If it is only for HD, maybe a handgun won't work with her condition and a small bore shotgun might be the ticket, or a .30 carbine or similar.

Whatever the decision is, it needs to be hers, not yours

Good luck in your quest

 

[BullRunBear]

My wife has flare ups of arthritis in her hands and wrists. We found that a CZ75b in 9mm was the easiest for her to rack and control using the grip and push method. Don't know why, but that's the one she handled best. And she is deadly accurate out to 25 yards with it. I prefer revolvers but she is small, 5 foot, with small hands. Even a K-frame Smith is a stretch for her. The J-frame size revolvers were small enough but the recoil from these lighter guns was too painful for more than a couple of shots.

For practise and plinking we got her the CZ Kadet 22lr adapter which is even easier to operate and is very accurate. Her favorite is a Ruger Mark II. It takes a VERY light pull and the rear projections are easy for her to grip.

Fortunately I was smart enough to let her pick out her own guns and the result is she has guns for fun and defense she knows she can operate accurately and fast if needed. One of my better husbandly decisions.

She recently handled a 20 ga. coach gun, thinking HD, and she liked it. There may be one in our future. I wouldn't mind it either. She can shoot the bad guys with it and I can protect us from those dangerous clay targets.

Good luck with the search.

Jeff