What semi auto pistols are easy to rack?

[snowman357]

In the 38 LCR the "extra inch" adds about 60% more barrel and sight radius along with about 17% more weight. Both of which make recoil/blast/flash substantially different between the two along with much better grips. And yes the more than 60% increase in sight radius (along with easier to use sights) makes a drastic difference as well.

YES you should be teaching people to use sights at "7 yards or less"

I've also found that the 3" LCR falls right into a sweet-spot in terms of weigh for inexperienced shooters. Light enough for them to hold during practice, but enough weight to stabilize aiming and tame lightly recoiling loads like a mid-range wadcutter. I've yet to find a combination that is as widely received by new shooters as the 38 LCR with MRWC. Not surprisingly I've found numerous experienced shooters that have fallen in love with the combination as well, lots of smiles and comments of "where have you been all my life". The 3" 22 WMR version comes in second due to it's slightly heavier pull, but it has even less recoil.

And finally, as i stated already, the Single-Six in 22 WMR makes for an excellent firearm for shooters that cannot handle the complexity of a semi-auto and struggle with DA. Given the SAO operation it is also relatively safe as well.

Never said not to use the sights you have a reading comprehension problem or just make stuff up as you go along.

 

[JTQ]

Perhaps you didn't notice S&W and Ruger's explanations of why striker fired guns need heavier recoil springs than comparable hammer fired guns.

Did you include that information in a post above? I must have missed it. If so, sorry for my oversight.

The reason striker fired guns have heavier recoil springs is because there is no hammer/main spring to help in slowing/reducing the recoil impulse. Since hammer fired guns have those hammer/main springs, and if the hammer is down, those guns would be harder to rack than a striker fired gun. If you cock the hammer, their slides will be easier to rack.

If that was the missing information you were referring to, it makes my point.

Ernest Langdon with a Beretta 92 at about the 1:05 mark

 

[gc70]

Did you include that information in a post above? I must have missed it. If so, sorry for my oversight.

The reason striker fired guns have heavier recoil springs is because there is no hammer/main spring to help in slowing/reducing the recoil impulse. Since hammer fired guns have those hammer/main springs, and if the hammer is down, those guns would be harder to rack than a striker fired gun. If you cock the hammer, their slides will be easier to rack.

If that was the missing information you were referring to, it makes my point.

Ernest Langdon with a Beretta 92 at about the 1:05 mark

You missed the explanations in the links.

Overheard at S&W:
Engineer #1: Management said we need to design a new Shield that is really, really easy to rack.
Engineer #2: Thankfully our Shields are all striker-fired and easier to rack than hammer-fired guns.
Engineer #1: That settles it; we will make the new Shield EZ a hammer-fired design because we can.

 

[DTL]

I didn't read all 4 pages of responses. But if like the OP says she's in her 70's, "will PROBABLY" go to the range a few times and put it in the nightstand, buying her a gun is another case of false security. Do you really think she'll be able to use it effectively in a stressful situation? Will someone explain Training vs. Practice to her first?

 

[Mosin77]

Had almost the exact same situation with my family. Mom is in her 70s, wife is younger but wanted something she could unambiguously master the controls of. Both did not like the double action trigger of even a very smooth S&W model 10.

I ended up buying my wife a Sig P238. 380, locked breech, very easy to rack the slide. My mom shot it and liked it too. Wife didn’t care for the grip safety on the S&W 380 EZ even though I was hoping she’d go for that over the Sig with its 1911-style single action trigger and safety switch.

 

[toivo]

I ended up buying my wife a Sig P238. 380, locked breech, very easy to rack the slide.

Yeah, I'm really disappointed that SIG seems to be phasing out the P238. I think there are models from other companies that are similar, though -- Colt Mustang and Kimber Micro, although I don't have any personal experience with either of those.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Yeah, I'm really disappointed that SIG seems to be phasing out the P238. I think there are models from other companies that are similar, though -- Colt Mustang and Kimber Micro, although I don't have any personal experience with either of those.

The market is inundated with lighter less expensive guns of similar function. I’m sure they will do runs. But they are prolly focusing on the 320 contracts.

 

[toivo]

The market is inundated with lighter less expensive guns of similar function. I’m sure they will do runs. But they are prolly focusing on the 320 contracts.

The thing is that those lighter guns tend to be a lot snappier to shoot, and that's what the OP is trying to avoid. But I hope you're right and they do turn out more P238s once they've fulfilled those contracts.

 

[tark]

Interesting thread. So I'll go in the opposite direction and tell you what is probably the most difficult of all auto's to rack the slide:

A Les Baer 1911. If you have ever done it you know what I mean.

Cocking the hammer first is a necessity for some of us. During Shot Shows, we always took guns that were easy to rack, because we got tired of customers scratching up the finish when they wrapped their left hands over the slide and marred the finish with their wedding rings.

 

[Remington1911]

I am firm in the revolver camp. Get a nice large one that she can get a good grip on, something that is heavy enough that she can handle, something that she can pull the trigger on. Feed it loads on the light side of things, when bullets start flying bad guys usually start running away.

 

[Terrible]

Hello, hoping for advice on a handgun for my mom (in her 70s)

She will probably go to the range a few times, then leave in her nightstand for peace of mind

I was thinking revolver for simplicity.
Guy at cabelas was pretty strongly pushing away due to trigger pull and kick.
He was suggesting an an S&W MP shield EZ in 380.
It did seem really easy to actuate, and 380 does kick less than 38 spl.

Seems alot of complaints around that model though (cycling issues and stovepipe complaints seem to be all over the web), anyone have thoughts on easy to work pistols for a lady in her 70s?
Probably limiting to 380 or maybe a 9 due to kick.
Alternative is shoot 38s out of a smaller 357. Probably avoid the internal hammers due to trigger pull.

Thanks in advance!
I mainly duck hunt, so not a big pistol shooter, any advice welcome.

I agree with you if you go pistol the sheild EZ is made for folks with hand strength limitations however I still think you maybe better off as you suggested a revolver with a lighter recoil cartridge because I think the 380 kicks a bit much when it’s in a smaller profile pistol.if that’s not an option look into training ammo made for low recoil. One thing that worked for me (nerve damage in hands and arms) is a heavier pistol went with a Cz 75 (steel frame) really helps recoil. Realize that maybe impractical depending on stature. Hopefully that’s helpful. Good luck.

 

[commygun]

Another vote for the EZ. It really is everything they say it is. I bought it in anticipation of age-related infirmity down the road and I think it will fill the bill. In addition to the EZ features, recoil is very mild.

Someone mentioned the 10/22 Charger, perhaps tongue in cheek. But a 10/22 with a BX-25, Charger or rifle, would be a helluva low-recoil home defense weapon.

 

[Snowdog]

I haven't read all the comments so this has likely been covered. I purchased both the Walther CCP (9mm) and S&W Shield EZ (380acp) for my wife. Both are ridiculously easy to operate. She still prefers a 1911.

 

[JayZee]

Shame we don't have more companies making tip-up barrel guns for these exact reasons. Beretta made a 380 that one day I will have called the 86 which was lile the 81/82/84 but it was tip up.

 

[Skinny Pete]

Never said not to use the sights...

I never said you did

 

[Skinny Pete]

I'll trust the physics before I trust you.

I never asked you to trust me

 

[cnj]

I haven't read all the comments so this has likely been covered. I purchased both the Walther CCP (9mm) and S&W Shield EZ (380acp) for my wife. Both are ridiculously easy to operate. She still prefers a 1911.

I got rid of my wife's 380EZ as it was not reliable in her hands. Am now considering the Walther CCP in 380. How has your CCP been reliability-wise?

 

[usp9]

Some Canik models feature a rod, (about an inch and a quarter long), that protrudes from the rear of the slide to give excellent purchase when cycling the slide. It is meant for competition use but it also serves as a tool for those with issues. The TP9sfx is one model to look at with this feature.

 

[M1key]

Ruger MKII 22 LR 4 inch barrel. Load with CCI Stingers or Velocitors.

 

[Snowdog]

I got rid of my wife's 380EZ as it was not reliable in her hands. Am now considering the Walther CCP in 380. How has your CCP been reliability-wise?

Our CCP is in 9mm but has been mostly reliable. There was one instance where the slide locked up with a live round in the chamber. It was a beast to remove but was done so without damage. It was a reload of mine, using range brass, 125gr truncated cone cast from wheel weights and powder coated using Eastwood powders. I believe the fault was with my reloads and not the pistol. It has been 100% other than that instance, even with more reloads from the same batch. I believe a sliver of brass (from a shoddy resizing effort most likely) got caught between the gas piston and piston chamber. It hasn't happened since.

My wife greatly prefers the EZ 380 as it works like magic for her. Not a hiccup of any kind, though my wife has a near white-knuckle grip these days as limp-wristing has caused issues in the past with other pistols. I'm sorry to read your Shield EZ is less than reliable.

 

[aaaaa]

What about Beretta Tomcat with the tip-up barrel so one does not have to rack the slide. Does Beretta make any larger guns with the tip-up barrel? Still have to rack in some instances for jams.

The trigger can be lightened on a revolver but then it may have occasional misfires if the trigger job is not done right.

 

[tomrkba]

Almost all of them if you use the correct technique.

 

[tbob38]

VP9 is the easiest to rack semi-auto I have.