As I get older, my hands are having a harder time racking the slide on all my handguns. Does anyone have any input on a handgun that is easier to rack and is NOT an M&P EZ model? It seems like the EZ is the only model focused on for older hands.
well on the smaller size of firearms the beretta tomcat series and its derivatives all have barrels that tilt forward with the release of a switch on the side of the frame. thus allowing the user to load the first round directly into the breach and you can then close it with little to no resistance. they come in a variaety of calibers, from 25acp 22lr and i am not sure if they have a biggger round than .25acp but they may. this type of gun prevents you from having to ever rack the slide. your other options really are revolvers, as you have no slide to rack with those either.
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Look at the Ruger Security 9 and Security 380. They are hammer-fired guns that are easy to rack like the M&P EZ models. The Security 380 racks about like a 380 EZ and the Security 9 Compact racks about like a 9mm EZ.
The biggest difference in controls are that the Rugers all have manual safeties while the M&Ps have grip safeties and optional manual safeties.
Regarding capacity, the M&Ps have 8-round magazines while the Rugers have 10-round and 15-round magazines.
I or my wife have had all four of the pistols.
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I completely forgot the Ruger, thank you!
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Tomcat goes to 32 ACP.
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I like all of my 320s in 9
I also love my XDME 10
I have severe arthritis in both trapeziums, and will at some point face trapeziectomies of both hands. Also recently diagnosed with carpal tunnel
Keeping it well lubed will help immensely, as well as it wears in
thanks for that. i couldnt remember what the largest caliber was out of them all that they came in.
I wish that more would come in that model style with the tilting barrels. like a 9mm. or even a 380 would be perfect.
oh well. so be it.
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Girsan has a couple tip-up barrel guns too. All based on the Beretta design.
I knew that Girsan and Tisas had a lot of model replicas between the two, but i had no idea that they made the beretta replicas like that. I’ll have to check them out especially with the price they usually sell their full size 1911s at.
This is a great question and I believe an underserved demographic. And as we all age, I think we will find more manufacturers lean into this.
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Multiple different types of slide rackers are available in the market as pictured below.
Having carpal tunnel in both hands I know this is going to become more of a issue for myself and the ageing population.
Glad you brought this up @alsmith1025
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Question- if racking the slide proves too difficult, would a revolver be a better choice or is the higher DA trigger pull weight too much with the arthritis?
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The S&W Equalizer also has an easy to rack slide and comes with a Maglula loader to make the mags easier to load. It uses the same mags that work in the Shield+. I have arthritis, but fortunately it hasn’t done much to my hands yet, but it will in time.
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Trigger pull hasn’t been an issue. I’m just searching for other options. I’m open to try anything.
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Racking force is an issue, but trigger pull is not.
Is recoil an issue? Are you focused on .380 or 9mm or does it not matter?
Would you be hesitant to try unusual action types? Walther’s CCP uses a gas-delayed blowback system that allows the use of light recoil springs and results in reduced racking force.
How do you plan to use the gun? Racking force generally increases as a gun’s size decreases (along with barrel length to accommodate a recoil spring). And striker-fired guns generally require more racking force than similarly sized hammer-fired guns. Smaller guns for concealed carry generally pose more racking challenges than full-size range or home defense guns.
My wife has greatly reduced gripping strength after extensive hand surgery. She can only rack a handful of subcompact concealed carry guns, but has no problem racking full-sized guns like the Glock 17 or Beretta 92.
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Go Revolver… one that is SA/DA (exposed hammer). Many upsides for CC. Biggest downside is capacity / reloading.
If you have to have a slide… a larger frame size and/or smaller calibers generally have easier actions to manipulate while also less susceptible to light-grip related eject / feed failures.
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Obviously not as fast as changing out a magazine but these do help me with my revolvers and nerve damaged hands and fingers.
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Equalizer is also an ezrack gun with a 10,12,15 round mags. And now it has a bundle pack
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