easiest to rack

Doc Holliday 1950 · November 14, 2016, 08:37 PM

All of my revolvers are 357 mag wheels. For the first time in years I'm looking to get a semi automatic that is easy to rack. Three reasons.
1- I have bad arthritis.
2- I want my wife to be able to rack & use it.
3- I want more fire power than my Rugers have.
As aways, I'd appreciate "ALL" suggestions from the Forum.

pete2 · November 14, 2016, 08:39 PM

The Glock 17 is one of the easiest, remember tho, it has no manual safety.

WVsig · November 14, 2016, 08:39 PM

Racking a slide is more about technique than pure hand strength IMHO.

https://www.corneredcat.com/article/...ack-the-slide/

K_Mac · November 14, 2016, 08:55 PM

Doc, WVsig gives a good link and good advice. Good technique will make a huge difference. With that said, a full sized 9mm will be easier to rack than a smaller gun. The way a pistol fits your hand and its weight will also effect your ability to handle it well. The only reliable way of knowing is for you and your wife to go and see what works best for you. I am a fan of the Ruger SR series. Good luck.

Sevens · November 14, 2016, 09:05 PM

Every full size 5-inch 9mm-chambered 1911 pistol is extremely easy to rack and I find the Walther PK-380 to be maybe one of the absolute easiest to rack crnter fire semi-auto pistols ever marketed.

lee n. field · November 14, 2016, 09:17 PM

Quote:

All of my revolvers are 357 mag wheels. For the first time in years I'm looking to get a semi automatic that is easy to rack. Three reasons.
1- I have bad arthritis.
2- I want my wife to be able to rack & use it.
3- I want more fire power than my Rugers have.
As aways, I'd appreciate "ALL" suggestions from the Forum.

The easiest I am familiar with is the gen 3 Glock 19. (The gen 4 Glocks have a completely different recoil assembly. I've never tried it.)

Ocraknife · November 14, 2016, 09:46 PM

I'd suggest a H&K VP9, it is very easy to rack and has, I don't know what youd call them, ears or something on the slide that makes it easy to grip. You can remove them if you want. With the "ears" you could rack it under your arm or between your knees if you were in dire straights.

tallball · November 14, 2016, 09:55 PM

There are Berettas with tip-up barrels that don't have to be racked.

FITASC · November 14, 2016, 10:25 PM

www.corneredcat.com has techniques for both you and your wife on how to rack a semi; also some good general info for women and their spouses. I will assume by "having more firepower" you mean a higher round count because more firepower than a 357 would be in the 10mm category.

Krustyfats · November 14, 2016, 10:34 PM

Don't get a CZ then

lamarw · November 14, 2016, 10:34 PM

I seem to recall we had this contest, but it has been long enough to where I do not remember when it was an active thread.

I do remember going through all my semi's at the time and found my Norinco 213 and my Beretta 92FS Inox won in my rack (& slide).

I do have a Beretta Tomcat Model 3032 Inox with the tip up barrel which steals the contest trophy.

ammo.crafter · November 14, 2016, 11:12 PM

I beleive hammer fired semi autos are easier to rack.

My wife loves her Walther PK380.

Go to a LGS and try a few different models and makes.

Worc · November 15, 2016, 12:12 AM

Some are far easier than others to rack without a doubt. Spring tension and slide height are only a couple of factors that lead one to being harder or easier than the other.

The HK P-30 is a very easy gun to rack and that's even with the hammer on the slide. Cock the hammer first and it's even easier.

**JohnKSa** · November 15, 2016, 03:23 AM

The Beretta PX4 is pretty easy to rack. If you can find a Ruger P95, those are also easy to rack.

Other than that, I'd recommend going to a gun store or gun show and trying a bunch of guns.

ballardw · November 15, 2016, 05:45 AM

One thing you might look at is whether there is an external hammer. Cocking the hammer before racking the slide means that you are not providing the energy to cock as well as cycle the action.

Doc Holliday 1950 · November 15, 2016, 10:11 AM

So far I've looked at Glock 19 gen4, Glock 17 gen4 and Walther PPQ .
Going out today to check out the Walther PPQ.
Since I have no bloody idea what I'm doing, this should be interesting.
FITASC, yes to your question.

g.willikers · November 15, 2016, 10:15 AM

Here's an excellent video on how to rack a pistol with weak hands to go with the previous recommendation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbayNc6D9HY
If you need even more oomph, use some upper arm, shoulder and chest muscles to shove the frame of the pistol forward, too.
Any pistol will respond to the technique.
Even the weakest person can easily over power the relatively puny little springs in a handgun with good technique.

JDBerg · November 15, 2016, 12:41 PM

My STI Trojan 9mm 1911 with a 9lb recoil spring is easy to rack, with very little recoil, a 9mm 1911 is ideal for a person with arthritis.

Skans · November 15, 2016, 12:52 PM

My 3 easiest guns to rack are:

1) Browning Hi-Power (C-Series)
2) Desert Eagle 44 Magnum
3) Boberg XR9-s

Cheapshooter · November 15, 2016, 12:52 PM

Remington R51

Pops1085 · November 15, 2016, 01:01 PM

I feel like people are forgetting the Beretta 92 series... probably the absolute easiest and smoothest slide ever. Some people hate the slide mounted safeties but they also make the slide much easier to hang on to. They make my glocks feel gritty and stiff.

jackstrawIII · November 15, 2016, 01:59 PM

Of the guns I've owned, the Walther P99s are the easiest to rack. They're also extremely ergonomic and accurate. Great guns.

FITASC · November 15, 2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

So far I've looked at Glock 19 gen4, Glock 17 gen4 and Walther PPQ .
Going out today to check out the Walther PPQ.
Since I have no bloody idea what I'm doing, this should be interesting.

You and your wife read the link I posted earlier then - good info. Secondly, you should also be taking her with you.

**44 AMP** · November 15, 2016, 10:45 PM

Quote:

My 3 easiest guns to rack are:

1) Browning Hi-Power (C-Series)
2) Desert Eagle 44 Magnum
3) Boberg XR9-s

Ok, I don't personally know the C series Hi-Power, but I had a 70s commercial one. Don't know the Boberg at all. I do have a .44 Mag Desert Eagle, so I have to ask....

WHAT do you have that is MORE difficult to rack than a .44 Mag Desert Eagle???

(and yes, it is a serious question)

dakota.potts · November 15, 2016, 10:52 PM

Surprised it has not been brought up yet:

The Sig P238 and P938 are the absolute easiest slides I have felt. My mom got one because of arthritis in her hands (symptom of systemic lupus). I can easily do it pinched between my forefinger and my thumb.

I have found the Bersa .380 to be pretty easy as well (with the hammer cocked)

I remember being impressed with the new Walther 9mm single stack model (might have been the CCP) and how easy it was.

November 14, 2016, 08:37 PM	#1
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	easiest to rack All of my revolvers are 357 mag wheels. For the first time in years I'm looking to get a semi automatic that is easy to rack. Three reasons. 1- I have bad arthritis. 2- I want my wife to be able to rack & use it. 3- I want more fire power than my Rugers have. As aways, I'd appreciate "ALL" suggestions from the Forum.

November 14, 2016, 08:39 PM	#3
WVsig Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2010 Location: NC Posts: 5,309	Racking a slide is more about technique than pure hand strength IMHO. https://www.corneredcat.com/article/...ack-the-slide/ __________________ -The right to be left alone is the most comprehensive of rights, and the right most valued by free people.-Louis Brandeis -Its a tool box... I don't care you put the tools in for the job that's all... -Sam from Ronin -It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. -Aristotle

November 14, 2016, 09:05 PM	#5
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,775	Every full size 5-inch 9mm-chambered 1911 pistol is extremely easy to rack and I find the Walther PK-380 to be maybe one of the absolute easiest to rack crnter fire semi-auto pistols ever marketed. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 14, 2016, 09:46 PM	#7
Ocraknife Senior Member Join Date: March 19, 2002 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,117	I'd suggest a H&K VP9, it is very easy to rack and has, I don't know what youd call them, ears or something on the slide that makes it easy to grip. You can remove them if you want. With the "ears" you could rack it under your arm or between your knees if you were in dire straights. __________________ "The loudest sound you'll ever hear is a "bang" when you weren't expecting one." -Jimro

November 14, 2016, 10:25 PM	#9
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,655	www.corneredcat.com has techniques for both you and your wife on how to rack a semi; also some good general info for women and their spouses. I will assume by "having more firepower" you mean a higher round count because more firepower than a 357 would be in the 10mm category. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

November 14, 2016, 08:39 PM	#2
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,612	The Glock 17 is one of the easiest, remember tho, it has no manual safety.

November 14, 2016, 08:55 PM	#4
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	Doc, WVsig gives a good link and good advice. Good technique will make a huge difference. With that said, a full sized 9mm will be easier to rack than a smaller gun. The way a pistol fits your hand and its weight will also effect your ability to handle it well. The only reliable way of knowing is for you and your wife to go and see what works best for you. I am a fan of the Ruger SR series. Good luck.

November 14, 2016, 09:55 PM	#8
tallball Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2014 Posts: 2,444	There are Berettas with tip-up barrels that don't have to be racked.

November 14, 2016, 10:34 PM	#10
Krustyfats Junior Member Join Date: October 30, 2016 Posts: 12	Don't get a CZ then

November 14, 2016, 10:34 PM	#11
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I seem to recall we had this contest, but it has been long enough to where I do not remember when it was an active thread. I do remember going through all my semi's at the time and found my Norinco 213 and my Beretta 92FS Inox won in my rack (& slide). I do have a Beretta Tomcat Model 3032 Inox with the tip up barrel which steals the contest trophy.

November 14, 2016, 11:12 PM	#12
ammo.crafter Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2006 Location: The Keystone State Posts: 2,032	rack 'rm up I beleive hammer fired semi autos are easier to rack. My wife loves her Walther PK380. Go to a LGS and try a few different models and makes. __________________ "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading". --Thomas Jefferson

November 15, 2016, 12:12 AM	#13
Worc Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2013 Location: Michigan Posts: 641	Some are far easier than others to rack without a doubt. Spring tension and slide height are only a couple of factors that lead one to being harder or easier than the other. The HK P-30 is a very easy gun to rack and that's even with the hammer on the slide. Cock the hammer first and it's even easier.

November 15, 2016, 03:23 AM	#14
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 25,571	The Beretta PX4 is pretty easy to rack. If you can find a Ruger P95, those are also easy to rack. Other than that, I'd recommend going to a gun store or gun show and trying a bunch of guns. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

November 15, 2016, 05:45 AM	#15
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,475	One thing you might look at is whether there is an external hammer. Cocking the hammer before racking the slide means that you are not providing the energy to cock as well as cycle the action. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

November 15, 2016, 10:11 AM	#16
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	So far I've looked at Glock 19 gen4, Glock 17 gen4 and Walther PPQ . Going out today to check out the Walther PPQ. Since I have no bloody idea what I'm doing, this should be interesting. FITASC, yes to your question.

November 15, 2016, 10:15 AM	#17
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Here's an excellent video on how to rack a pistol with weak hands to go with the previous recommendation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbayNc6D9HY If you need even more oomph, use some upper arm, shoulder and chest muscles to shove the frame of the pistol forward, too. Any pistol will respond to the technique. Even the weakest person can easily over power the relatively puny little springs in a handgun with good technique.

November 15, 2016, 12:41 PM	#18
JDBerg Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2015 Location: PA Posts: 1,835	My STI Trojan 9mm 1911 with a 9lb recoil spring is easy to rack, with very little recoil, a 9mm 1911 is ideal for a person with arthritis. __________________ Words to Live By: Before You Pray - Believe; Before You Speak - Listen; Before You Spend - Earn; Before You Write - Think; Before You Quit - Try; Before You Die - Live

November 15, 2016, 12:52 PM	#19
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,332	My 3 easiest guns to rack are: 1) Browning Hi-Power (C-Series) 2) Desert Eagle 44 Magnum 3) Boberg XR9-s

November 15, 2016, 12:52 PM	#20
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	Remington R51

November 15, 2016, 01:01 PM	#21
Pops1085 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2012 Posts: 369	I feel like people are forgetting the Beretta 92 series... probably the absolute easiest and smoothest slide ever. Some people hate the slide mounted safeties but they also make the slide much easier to hang on to. They make my glocks feel gritty and stiff.

November 15, 2016, 01:59 PM	#22
jackstrawIII Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2016 Location: Upstate NY. Posts: 912	Of the guns I've owned, the Walther P99s are the easiest to rack. They're also extremely ergonomic and accurate. Great guns. __________________ In God we trust.

November 15, 2016, 10:52 PM	#25
dakota.potts Senior Member Join Date: February 25, 2013 Location: Keystone Heights, Florida Posts: 3,084	Surprised it has not been brought up yet: The Sig P238 and P938 are the absolute easiest slides I have felt. My mom got one because of arthritis in her hands (symptom of systemic lupus). I can easily do it pinched between my forefinger and my thumb. I have found the Bersa .380 to be pretty easy as well (with the hammer cocked) I remember being impressed with the new Walther 9mm single stack model (might have been the CCP) and how easy it was.