Ruger LCP--hard to rack

I need a charging handle for my LCP, getting tough to rack it, and my wife can't rack it all....I think I saw a charging handle that screwed to the slide and it seems like the answer to the problem.....however, I don't remember the correct nomenclature for what it is called...sorta looks like the bolt pull on a .22 semi auto rifle.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Are your other semi-auto pistols hard to rack or is it just the LCP?

Many women can't rack a semi-auto. Most guys can if they have normal hand strength.

Ruger has them.
http://shopruger.com/Slide-Rack-Assist/productinfo/19997/

Not recommended for the LCP

Bill

But it does work according to the review.

blume357 said:

Are your other semi-auto pistols hard to rack or is it just the LCP?

Many women can't rack a semi-auto. Most guys can if they have normal hand strength.

Click to expand...

All are tough, for me, she can't rack any of them at all. We're both old, and I'm disabled.

An LCR or other compact revolver might be a better option. I know this is a Ruger board, but Taurus offers semi-auto pistols with "wings" that flip out to aid racking the slide.

I agree that a revolver would be a better choice, however, an LCP is what I have and I can't afford to buy anything else.....and...it fits the concealed storage area in my vehicle, I've found one on line that is what I like, but no one builds them for an LCP.

Placing the top part of slide(above the barrel) on the edge of a table, you can the use body weight to rack the slide. Not convenient, but it works! Us old folk got to stick together. 8)
gramps

gramps said:

Placing the top part of slide(above the barrel) on the edge of a table, you can the use body weight to rack the slide. Not convenient, but it works! Us old folk got to stick together. 8)
gramps

Click to expand...

that's actually one of the items / ways I was going to suggest. First time I saw that done was in the 8 hour NRA class I had to take to get my CWP. you got to get the end of the pistol just right and I would not suggest doing it on the good furniture or the wife might be a tad displeased. It's also much harder to do on smaller pistols.

olcop,
The Handi-Racker might be worth a try. It is demonstrated in the below video.

Additional information:

Best wishes,

I sort of ruled out a separate mechanical assist for this because of storage space and possibility of fumbling it in an emergency, my thinking is that a few seconds lost acquiring and racking the gun could be the difference between handling the situation or not. the lack of hard corners anywhere near the driver's seat on modern era vehicles and dropping the assist device would cost even more time. The one I saw was s device that looked sort of like the bolt pull on a semiautomatic .22 rifle, but with a base with two holes that one would would drill and tap in the slide and mounting the device on the slide, where it would become a permanant attachment,there are several of these types on the market, but so far, I haven't found one for an LCP.
I appreciate all the info, suggestions and ideas. please keep em coming

Have you tried applying stair tread or skate bard tape or some other grip tape to the slide to allow better grip? It works for me. There are several YouTube videos on this if you are not familiar with this.

Have you or your wife tried gripping the slide with one hand and then pushing the pistol away from you or her?

Having difficulty racking a slide has as much to do with hand strength as arm strength. The women I've known who had a problem with this could not hold the slide tight enough.

If this issue can't be over come, I'd suggest a revolver.

Or go to an Beretta with an tip up barrel.
gramps

Have you tried the overhand pushing method of racking the slide. That allows more fingers on the slide for a better trip and the pushing both hands together give good leverage on the gun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTt_rq7ikZ4

I wrote a longer reply & can't find it. I am over 90 & have shot alot since he late 1940s. I have been having trouble with racking slide for over 12 years. all have been 9mm. I have & used the slide you put on top of the gun and push back. They work well & it even works on the LCP Max. I want to use my hand to do it though & I sent away for more grip tape used for making ribber grips. I have done that on all my guns & it does work great.
I cut to fit a piece of grip tape & careful not to cover anything that is needet it on the side of the slide. If anyone can tell me anything else ,please do.
gene1

It sounds like you're carrying it or storing it without a round chambered?
Everybody does it their own way but with the long heavy trigger on a LCP I'd
just keep a round chambered.
Also note the abrasive tape as noted above might help getting a grip.

Dave , Thanks for the reply. I diid get the tape today & put iit on & it works great on the LCP Max. I puy a longer piece on the left side,up to the ejection port & a small p[ece up to the extractor. I might add more iif needed as I dont care about looks , just how easy I can rack it.
At my age of over 90, racking started getting harder all the time so I changed from 9 to 380. The new models are great in the Ruger securiity 380 &S&W EZ 380. . I wiish the LCP Max had a safety but I just wiill rack it if I need it. I liked the LC380 better than any 380 except the trigger was not good, but you could shoot it well with a laser. It would have been the best 380 made if it had the LC9s trigger.