Slide pull on 9mm & 380.

[choppers]

OK you out there I have a .380 because I can handel pulling the slide back. Is it more difficult to pull the 9mm? Don't seem to be getting any stronger in the hands and contenplating a 9mm. Have sold my .45's for the same reason. Cal. might not determin how hard the pull is so I'm asking the pro's out there. I have found some .380's that I could not handel. What say you?

[tracker]

I say try it before you buy it. Every gun and every one is different in this regard. Some guns will barely move but lighten up after use and others rack smoothly from the beginning.

[kjtrains]

choppers.  I have both, the .380 and the R9, 9mm.  My .380 is much easier to rack the slide than the R9.  That being said, it is not hard for me to rack the R9, the .380 is just easier.

I agree with tracker.  You should see for yourself.  What is easy for me may not be for you.  With the R9, with weak hand strength, you will need tools to help field strip for cleaning.  Fortunately, I don't.

Once again, just see for yourself, and you will know.

[choppers]

Thank's guys but if I could lay my hands on a 9mm I would do so. I live in Minneapolis and you can't find one locally that's why I was asking. I thought if I could get a feedback from people who had both I would fell more comfortable in making my decision one way or the other. Still looking for more opinions. Thanks, Bob

[kjtrains]

Well, like I said, I have both, and the .380 is much easier than the R9, no question.

[CaptBW]

It is easier to push the slide than to pull it. Try it.

[tracker]

Just don't push the trigger at the same time.

[kjtrains]

Choppers.  I'm going to put it another way, and this would be no joke.  My 92 year old Mom could rack the slide on my .380.  She definitely could not on my R9.

[kanuist]

I think it depends a lot on your strength, the size of your hands and the size of your gun.

My Kimber 45 is much easier to rack than my R9.  Some of that is the recoil spring, but it is also how much hand I can get on the slide to grip it with.

[birdman]

  Choppers, Like KJ, I too have both the .380 and the 9mm. The .380 is very easy and the 9mm a little harder. Neither are what I would consider hard to rack. The only difference in the two guns (as far as racking them) is the springs and both get easier after shooting a few rounds and compressing the recoil springs. Hope it works out!   Gene

[birdman]

   KJ, I love the idea that your Grandmother is 92 and still interested in guns. That's wonderful!!      Gene

[kjtrains]

  KJ, I love the idea that your Grandmother is 92 and still interested in guns. That's wonderful!!      Gene

Gene.  That's my Mom who is 92.   She got her driver's license renewed in Feb and thanks.

[Reinz]

Keep in mind the advantage of a 1911 without a full length guide rod.
You can rack the slide by gripping the gun and pushing down on the edge of a table with the slide on the edge at the plug, NOT the barrel.  It will rack very easily.

If you have a full length guide rod, you cand use your rear sights to catch on your belt or holster; or even get on your knees and hook your rear sights on the heel of your shoe and rack the slide.

Of course these techniques are hell on the objects your are "racking" on.  They will get chewed up.

There are options....


Reinz