View Full Version : Easy to handgun for wife CC
Singlestack
05-13-2018, 07:14
Does anybody have any recommendations for small CC semi-auto handguns that are easy to rack? Wife went shooting with me yesterday and tried a G42 and Sig P238 - both had semi-stiff recoils springs that made racking tough for her - she has limited strength in left hand. Wife absolutely does not want a revolver, so don't recommend those please.
encorehunter
05-13-2018, 07:42
Kahr cw9 is what my wife carries and likes.
Zundfolge
05-13-2018, 10:08
The Walther CCP is supposedly easier to rack than most (since its gas operated).
Also, look at a DA/SA pistol with an exposed hammer, then train her to cock the hammer before racking the slide, that can help (Springfield XDe comes to mind).
Or if you have plenty of cash and she doesn't mind something a little bulkier and slightly under powered for its size, there's the Beretta 86 with the tilting barrel (no need to rack the slide).
Unloaded weapon at home. Work on grip strength and technique. Even the toughest recoil spring is not that hard with practice.
Do the hard work at home. With just a few hours of practice almost anyone can rack th slide. Push/pull, racking a slide is a two hands in motion technique. She will get it if she sticks with it.
thedave1164
05-13-2018, 10:15
KelTec P32
or my wife wasn't interested in a revolver either, but I had her try a S&W 642 with a trigger job, and that is her gun now.
She did not like the recoil of a G19 and really didn't think she could reliably rack the slide
Zundfolge
05-13-2018, 10:28
Also if you like the G42/43 or other Glock, there's these things:
https://brassstacker.com/glock/slide-pull-charging-handle-for-glock-pistols.html
The CCP is more difficult to rack than the P238. In working with many people with difficulty racking slides, I have always found the P238 to be the last resort. The Remington RM380 may be close.
Have you considered a Beretta 3032 with tip-up barrel?
stevenc23
05-13-2018, 11:02
M&P 380 Shield EZ
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-380-shield-ez-0
"Built for personal protection and every-day carry, the M&P380 Shield EZ is chambered in 380 Auto and is designed to be easy to use, featuring an easy-to-rack slide , easy-to-load magazine, and easy-to-clean design"
Little Dutch
05-13-2018, 11:35
M&P 380 Shield EZ
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/mp-380-shield-ez-0
"Built for personal protection and every-day carry, the M&P380 Shield EZ is chambered in 380 Auto and is designed to be easy to use, featuring an easy-to-rack slide , easy-to-load magazine, and easy-to-clean design"
Second vote for the 380 EZ. My wife bought one a few months back and loves it. It's easy to work, easy to disassemble, and easy to shoot. She opted for the (optional) thumb safety on hers.
Haven't handled the new shield, but they do advertise it as being the easiest to rack. And if it fits the bill, it's less expensive than the sig or the beretta.
Just curious if you care to share; Why no revolvers?
Great-Kazoo
05-13-2018, 13:24
Have her practice the push/pull slide racking method. Push forward with shooting hand, pull side rearward with opposite one. She should be doing this with opposite hand over slide, behind ejection port.
Not sling shoting it, that uses too may muscles, it's an awkward position to utilize and has tendency to throw your balance off. Plus it takes your eyes and muzzle off target muzzle.
I've seen guys who could pick up a refrigerator struggle with racking a slide on their first few attempts. Like most things in life, it is hard when you try to do it the wrong way. With the correct technique and practice, difficult things become simple.
hurley842002
05-13-2018, 13:50
Have her practice the push/pull slide racking method. Push forward with shooting hand, pull side rearward with opposite one. She should be doing this with opposite hand over slide, behind ejection port.
Not sling shoting it, that uses too may muscles, it's an awkward position to utilize and has tendency to throw your balance off. Plus it takes your eyes and muzzle off target muzzle.
This^ I prefer to be in the low ready position, with the pistol closer in, utilizing shoulder/chest muscles to do the work, I see many folks holding the pistol out away from the body, as if they are scared of it, keep the barrel in a safe direction, and finger off the trigger, and you won't have any problems.
My wife loves her p238, keep in mind that the slide will loosen up the more rounds you put through it (work the recoil spring a bit).
This^ I prefer to be in the low ready position, with the pistol closer in, utilizing shoulder/chest muscles to do the work, I see many folks holding the pistol out away from the body, as if they are scared of it, keep the barrel in a safe direction, and finger off the trigger, and you won't have any problems.
This.
Assuming RH operation, left hand over slide, push hands together. That's what I taught my wife to do with her P238.
Great thing about the P238 is you can cock the hammer, safe it, insert mag, and still rack the slide on safe.
Beretta 3032 Tomcat, tip up barrel, don’t have to rack the slide.
Beretta 3032 Tomcat, tip up barrel, don’t have to rack the slide.
Didn't even thing of the tomcat but your also trading a little bit more bulk and carrying a 32 auto. Great gun though!
Have her practice the push/pull slide racking method. Push forward with shooting hand, pull side rearward with opposite one. She should be doing this with opposite hand over slide, behind ejection port.
Not sling shoting it, that uses too may muscles, it's an awkward position to utilize and has tendency to throw your balance off. Plus it takes your eyes and muzzle off target muzzle.
This^
The push/pull method of racking has made huge differences for past students in my basic pistol classes!
My mother-in-law and wife both had similar issues with what your wife is experiencing. After trying most if not all of the options listed here we settled on the Sig p238 for mom-in-law and the p938 for the wife. Both were in my opinion substantial improvements in recoil as well as ease of racking the slide compared to other similar style firearms. Additionally, the improvement in accuracy due to the nice single-action trigger over the long double-action triggers in the other striker-fire options was noticeable.
Also, may be worth looking at some revolvers, as some of the others here have mentioned. My mother settled on an S&W lady smith. She has arthritis in her hands which makes racking a slide an impossibility.
It is worth noting as well when considering sub-compact and smaller handguns, lighter isn’t always better. While it makes carrying options easier, lighter firearms mean more felt recoil. Even though .380/9mm/.38 spl are smaller rounds they can have substantially more felt recoil. The less talked about results of this can be more pronounced flinching or more general discomfort shooting resulting in a diminished desire to practice, which for anyone who intends to carry is a necessity. Also, smaller semi-auto pistols have a shorter, and usually sharper, cycle stroke which makes them more prone to “stove-pipe” failure to eject/feed issues resulting from limp wristing. For this reason, with newer or more recoil sensitive shooters, I usually recommend staying away from the lighter polymer frame CCW pistols. I've shot the new Glock options G42/G43 a bit as well and must say I like them. All this being said, if she finds one she feels comfortable with and enjoys shooting, practice can make up for most of these issues. just my 2 cents :) Hope this is helpful!
Does anybody have any recommendations for small CC semi-auto handguns that are easy to rack? Wife went shooting with me yesterday and tried a G42 and Sig P238 - both had semi-stiff recoils springs that made racking tough for her - she has limited strength in left hand. Wife absolutely does not want a revolver, so don't recommend those please.
All I can say is go to several ranges that rent guns and try as many of them as you can..
Singlestack
05-14-2018, 06:23
Thamks guys, much great advice here. Just to be clear - she is not recoil sensitive at all and has shot up to a redhawk 44mag with no problem. She wants something smaller than a J-frame revolver (which really is pretty small) and without such a long trigger. She loves the P238 size, trigger, and sights. The manual safety and 1911 ergos not a problem. I know what many of you were saying about the push/pull technique and I think that may help a lot. I do agree with many others here that the P238 is easy to rack. I think I will also try to find a range with an M&P 380 and Springfield EC9 (?) as well.
Nice! I hope you guys find something that works well for her!
Great-Kazoo
05-14-2018, 08:10
Thamks guys, much great advice here. Just to be clear - she is not recoil sensitive at all and has shot up to a redhawk 44mag with no problem. She wants something smaller than a J-frame revolver (which really is pretty small) and without such a long trigger. She loves the P238 size, trigger, and sights. The manual safety and 1911 ergos not a problem. I know what many of you were saying about the push/pull technique and I think that may help a lot. I do agree with many others here that the P238 is easy to rack. I think I will also try to find a range with an M&P 380 and Springfield EC9 (?) as well.
Look at the G43 while you're at it.
Found a M&P 380 Sheild EZ at the Tanner this weekend. The slide seemed a little easier to rack than that the P238 if that helps.
I'd say 90% or more new women shooters in the NRA Women on Target clinic have a hard time racking the slide initially. By the end of the day it's 10% or less.
And the ones that are doing it look like pros, too! :)
It's technique, not strength except for a few special cases.
You'd never guess how popular the full-sized 1911 in 9mm is! Easy to rack and soaks up the recoil.
O2
Hi, I'm a lady. I found it difficult to rack the slide on my M&P Shield at first, but with some practice I have no trouble now. I guess it depends on how interested your wife is in spending the time but ladies can use pretty much any gun they want to. Here is a video I think she might find helpful. Good luck!
https://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/video/racking-slide-handgun-015215/
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