Ruger LCP--hard to rack

[olcop]

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.

 

[blume357]

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.

 

[recumbent]

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

 

[WMB30]

Not recommended for the LCP

Bill

 

[recumbent]

But it does work according to the review.

 

[olcop]

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.

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

 

[s4s4u]

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.

 

[olcop]

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.

 

[gramps]

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

 

[blume357]

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

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.

 

[Pistolero]

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

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/kel-tec-hard-rack-handi-racker-shot-show-2017/Additional information:

http://handi-racker.com/Best wishes,

 

[olcop]

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

 

[louchia]

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.

 

[Muley Gil]

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

 

[blume357]

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.

 

[gramps]

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

 

[exavid]

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

 

[gene1]

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

 

[gene1]

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.

 

[Fox Mike]

I haven't shot it yet but to help me rack my LCP II I removed the smaller recoil spring. Much easier to rack . Now if it will function 'under fire' I have solved one problem

 

[gene1]

Mike, My grip tape on the slide is not a new thing to me, I have used it on all my 9mm handguns in the last 14 years or so because I was oer 80 & was getting harder to rack most any slide. This little LCP was a real hard one & I had thougts of getting rid of it without even shooting it.

The only guns that don't need the slide tape are the Ruger Security380 & S&W EZ 380 & the Ruger is the easiest. My LC380 needs the tape ,but not by much. I bought it when it first came out & like I said , with a laser it shoots great.
II am going to add some more tape on the front of the LCP tomorrow. I will add it to the front on both sides.My fiinger & hand strength is what goes bad. If I can be helped by the slide tape, most women should too. If all else faiils & you still want a mini autoin 380Co, look at a. Colt Mustang or Pocketlite9 Same gun) Sorry Ruger, but they are going for $700 & up & are 6 shot..

 

[bowzette]

As mentioned several times get the Security .380 or S&W EZ .380. I have the Glock 42 and happy with it. The other route is a Ruger LCR in .357 but carry .38+P and train with standard pressure .38. The .357 is around 4 oz heavier than the LCR .38 and is easier for me to shoot than the .38 model. And there are the Smith J frame models. I wouldn't worry about capacity or what caliber produces how much energy. Having a gun and the skill to use it and most importantly situational awareness is what is important. Due to the "A" word I don't carry my LCP Custom any more and carry the Glock 42. I've put Talon or skateboard tape on all my Glock slides except the 42. BTW my wife has to open many of my bottle of water or other drinks due to my lack of finger strength. I really like the Ruger Security .380 but it is as large as my Glock 26 which I can rack the slide with the tape on the slide. The really rough textured skateboard like tape works the best for me.

 

[Joe Chartreuse]

I haven't shot it yet but to help me rack my LCP II I removed the smaller recoil spring. Much easier to rack . Now if it will function 'under fire' I have solved one problem

This is surprising, assuming that this a Lite Rack?

 

[larry8]

I also need a lighter racking pistols and have found the 380 and Ez pistols by Ruger to be acceptable. But what I found lately is the Taurus pistols to be the easiest for me to use. They have the racking force down to an exact science.

 

[blume357]

If you think about it the racking of the slide has to do with the force from the round... .380 is easier to do than 9mm and the strength needed goes up from there... try a 357 Sig pistol sometime....

 

[Mobuck]

Sorry to say this is the problem with small pistols.

 

[larry8]

I do have the Ruger 380 which is OK to rack. The security 9 is more difficult for me. I just bought 2 Taurus, one is a 9mm and the other is 10mm both are easier than the Ruger 9 to rack.

 

[rugerguy]

,,,reminds me, I saw two of the original LCPs for sale at the Berea gunshow this weekend, and I could not,,,, could NOT rack the slides back on either one of them...recall when Ruger closed them out for $149........oh well..........

 

[Armybrat]

,,,reminds me, I saw two of the original LCPs for sale at the Berea gunshow this weekend, and I could not,,,, could NOT rack the slides back on either one of them...recall when Ruger closed them out for $149........oh well..........

I thought mine was a good close out deal at $170.
Just stuck it in the safe and it is still unfired since the factory.

 

[davevabch]

I just recently bought the Gen 2 which Ruger is still manufacturing. I am confused about those that are purchasing close outs? Are you talking about closeout from that particular store. Or are you talking about the Original LCP which was closed out years ago? I paid around $199 which is about standard across the board for the LCP. Have not seen a Original for sale for years.