Help - Wife can't "rack" / cock LCP

[MSGTDOUG]

Due to cancer years ago my wife is weak in one side. Her finger grip is not to strong.
I installed a stainless steel guide rod because the stock one was chewed up and was catching.
Still she can not cock/rack the gun. Any suggestions?

I know, I should have gotten a LCR instead.

The hammer spring seems really strong. Are there options on changing that?
Thanks,
Doug
:)

 

[hittman]

I know, I should have gotten a LCR instead.

This.

 

[twobit]

My wife carried a PPK (.380) for several years. Then arthritis made the slide too stiff for her. We got her an LCR. She loves the LCR. I also like it better than the PPK as it is lighter and a better caliber. I also like the LCR better than a J frame as far as felt recoil and better trigger. I do think the J frames look better.

 

[eveled]

Google "racking slide with weak hands." Check out the videos, it is all in the technique. The other option is to use the edge of a table or counter. Ed.

 

[Kudzu]

My wife has small, weak hands. She tried numerous pistols, and can only rack the slide on the Sig 238. When We were looking for a gun suitable for her several years ago, she settled on the SP101 DAO with CT grips. She loves it and shoots it well.

Has your wife actually shot the LCP? I respectfully ask, because racking the slide may not be the only problem as the LCP is quite snappy, especially for the novice shooter.

You may have answered your own question: Perhaps she would be better served with a revolver...no manual of arms to be concerned with. I'd recommend getting her to a range with rentals and let her try a variety of weapons and calibers.

 

[robkarrob]

The easiest way for a weaker person, is not the normal grip the gun and pull the slide back. What works best is to hold the slide stationary, and push the grip (lower) forward. They can get a good hand grip on the slide, and with the large area of the grip to push on, should be able to push the grip forward to reach the end of travel (gun racked). Then grip per normal and release the slide.

Bob

 

[eveled]

Or look into the Beretta's with the tip up barrels. I have the 21a which is only a .22lr, but they make on in .380 I forget the model. you flip the barrel up to load the first shell, then the first shot is double action. So unless you have a failure you never have to rack the slide. It also have double strike which might help in a misfire. Ed

 

[groberts]

My wife had problems with the Bersa Thunder 380 so she would switch hands to rack it then switch back. She doesn't have that issue with the Ruger LC380.

 

[MSGTDOUG]

wow! Thanks for all the great answers.

No, We haven't made it to the range for her to actually shoot the LCP. I have snap caps for her to
"practice".

Have a reduced hammer spring coming, will try that. I do think the stainless steel guide rod helped. But then again, I don't have the problem of racking the LCP.

Thanks again, great forum.
Long live RUGERS!!!

I have three now

Doug

 

[98Redline]

I have to concur with the other post regarding her not liking or being able to control the recoil.

I regularly shoot 44mag and 480 Rugers and still feel that the recoil of my diminutive LCP to be unpleasant. There is so little to grip on the gun and coupled with the light weight makes the recoil very sharp and snappy.

+1 on the LCR.

 

[pyth0n]

Boy, did I read the title, on this post, wrong. :oops:
Hope all is well for your wife and you.
Beretta had a model 86 with the tip up barrel, single stack 8 round mag, but they're no longer made. I spotted one here in AZ, two weeks ago, for $500.
Get the LCR. :)

 

[steveodtw]

The easiest slide I've ever racked is on the Sig P238. A great pistol I'd love to have. But it's gonna cost you. They start at about $550-600.

 

[RUT]

Autos aren't for everyone. I second the LCR/LCRX option.

 

[GunnyGene]

There's some pretty good tips on this site for women who have trouble with slides, shooting, etc. My wife also has the same issues, but overcame them with the help here: http://www.thewellarmedwoman.com/

Specifically this article: http://www.thewellarmedwoman.com/women-and-guns/shooting-techniques-and-handling/racking-the-slide-of-your-gun

 

[Taterman]

Good links Gene, thanks. I just sent them to my wife.

 

[MSGTDOUG]

Wow! The response has been fantastic. Thanks.

The reduced power hammer spring came and it is now on the hammer ready to reassemble my LCP.

Well let you know if it helped and was worth it.

doug

 

[MSGTDOUG]

Hi, all
Guess what? I put in the reduced hammer spring and it works!!!
She can now load a round into the chamber. Really smooth too.

Thanks for all the help and input
doug

 

[frank n texas]

But does it load and work well when shooting?..... :wink:

 

[pyth0n]

Hi, all
Guess what? I put in the reduced hammer spring and it works!!!
She can now load a round into the chamber. Really smooth too.

Thanks for all the help and input
doug

That's a good start. Hope it fires (no lite strikes) and cycles well too.

 

[MSGTDOUG]

Hunter,
It should cycle fine. I left the stock 9# springs on the guide rod. changed to a stainless steel one tho since the stock one was fairly chewed up.

Going shooting Sunday a.m.. will update after.

Thanks
doug

 

[George]

I broke my left elbow bad years ago. My house gun was and is a compact Colt .45 and I use to keep it loaded with a full mag and a empty chamber.. Well when I was in a cast I could not get a round chambered. I used the edge of the table to chamber a round. This was some 20 years ago. From that point on I have had a round in the chamber cocked and locked. since then I broke my right index finger " my trigger finger in two spots" I was in a cast forever on that one but at least I knew I could shoot left handed and with one in the chamber I was fairly sure of it going bang when I pulled the trigger.. IMO like others have said make sure your wife can take the recoil and can shoot the gun .. Make sure she like shooting the gun.. My wife said a few times I'll shoot it if I have too holding my .45, heck the gun was bigger then her.. I knew better.. If she don't want too shoot it get something she won't mind shooting.. A hammerless DA/only revolver is a good safe gun.. Get a .22 if that's all she willing too shoot for now.. Get whatever it takes to get her to put some lead down range and have some fun doing it.. If you live where you can shoot in your back yard a steel can on the ground is ton a fun to try and keep it moving. Point is whatever makes it fun for her..I only say this because you said she has not shoot the gun yet! My wife has extremely bad arthritis with tendinitis in both hands. I chamber a round for her. She has a LCP and a LC9 also a S&W Model 36 subby. Another choice may be to have a gunsmith decide how much of a reduced recoil spring the gun can take and only use that spring when using the gun for carry and use the stock spring for range shooting.. Good luck and make it fun for her! George

 

[MSGTDOUG]

Okay, Sorry for the delayed answer.

Went to the range, FINALLY, and shot the LCP with reduced hammer spring. 50 rounds and she worked flawlessly.

Wife likes it now.

 

[pyth0n]

Good to hear. Enjoy.

 

[PackinPreacher]

That's why my wife bought a "J" frame which she loves.

 

[modrifle3]

Boy, did I read the title, on this post, wrong. :oops:
Hope all is well for your wife and you.
Beretta had a model 86 with the tip up barrel, single stack 8 round mag, but they're no longer made. I spotted one here in AZ, two weeks ago, for $500.
Get the LCR. :)

ROFLMAO .... Thanks for pointing that out!!!!

 

[mohavesam]

Autos aren't for everyone.

Agree. Movies and TV contribute to this "every gun is a semi-auto" myth. Revolvers work, and grips are often available that fit an individual hand much better than any auto.