One-handed slide racking

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A "pistol test" published on a LE-oriented website includes several strings in which it is necessary to rack the slide of a pistol (assume 1911 style) using only one hand, but it doesn't give details of how this should be done.

I can see holding the grip and pressing the front edge of the slide or perhaps even the sight against a table, vehicle, structure or other solid object to rack the slide when the other hand is not available, although it seems this could be very awkward depending on the object and the pistol.

But how does one rack a slide one-handed in the absence of a suitable object?

Snapshot
 
Rear sight against the pocket/belt of the pants, angled outwards so the chamber doesnt eat up the cloth on the way out. Simple and fast.
 
Rear sight yes, but against the pants belt???:confused: (hint: the duty belt):)
They should be able to do it with each hand.
Also, change mags single handed without letting the firearm go.
LAPD academy used to allow them to use their mouth, FBI academy didn't.

I wonder how many of the ones who serve and protect can do these things.

Also, some say that the rare "real" operators can pass several tests from their periodic qualifications with the "weak" hand.
 
Belt, holster edge, pocket lip, all work fine to rack the slide.

Dr.Lector said:
Also, change mags single handed without letting the firearm go.
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What do you mean by this, not let it go from your hand?

Just put the pistol back in the holster or in your pocket and use your free hand to seat the mag, re-draw the pistol, give it a whack on your thigh, rack the slide on your belt (or whatever) and shoot.

Changing mags one handed is (relatively) easy. Try some one-handed, weak-handed malfunction drills if you want a challenge.
 
What do you mean by this, not let it go from your hand?
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Yes, sir, that is what I mean (FBI "academy").

In my understanding, the "scenario" is that the holster (if they have one) is not (easily) accessible. From what I remember, they draw from under their clothes, funny packs, whatever. Their clothing during that drill seems to be like a running or warming-up suit. No visible holster, and they didn't used one to rack the slide. Training for under-cover duty????
In the drills they seem to have a pants belt though.

Also, from what I remember, few students seemed to "count" their fired shots because they change mags on a loaded chamber (slide closed).
And BTW, why they don't carry with a loaded chamber is beyond my power of understanding.

Also, they have similar drills for revolver. Discard and load one handed, incredibily fast. Didn't see the use of the mouth either.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but these drills are to simulate injury of one hand.
Of course, these were not ordinary LEO.



Try some one-handed, weak-handed malfunction drills if you want a challenge.
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That is actualy a good idea. Not for me though, I am not ready yet:)
 
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Hehe I use to do this wit my Tokarev. I'd just hold the slide by the rear sight and #### the gun, kinda fun :D
 
Seen it done two ways : 1: jam the slide in your armpit and use your hand to rack it, or 2: hold the gun by the slide and push it forward with your thumb. Neither of which are a particularly good idea from a safety standpoint.
 
303carbine said:
Use two hands, that's better than any Hollywood method..........
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While it may not be your bag,
the use of one handed tap, rack and fire has been documented in more than a few combat situations. If you train for the posibility of armed confrontation, it would be a good skill (possibly life saving) to have.


If you press hard enough, you can do it on your leg. Doesn't do much for your pants, but easier than trying to hook a sight onto something, especially if an individual was in a struggle.
 
Use the armpit method but lock the slide with thumb while racked. Use thumb to unlock when the pistol is clear of your body. Less chance of having a jam that way, plus the pistol is clear of your body while in battery.
 
Lot's of suggestions here, but most are dangerous. Where is the muzzle pointed during most of the above methods, just to name one issue.

Try the following method, which is taught at some of the high speed places:

1. Presuming you are in a "1 knee" kneeling position, maybe lucky enough to be behind some sort of cover, and you've run your gun dry.

2. Drop empty mag, use crook of knee you are kneeling on to place your wpn, muzzle away from nuts, mag well facing up.

3. Insert new mag.

4. Grab wpn and swing it around to heel of kneeling foot. Hook rear sight onto the heel and release slide.

5. Continue through last movement to bring wpn up to bear on target.

6. Engage, and enjoy.

This method is taught assuming you have been shot or sustained injury to one of your hands/arms. No clothing to get in the way, as in the previously suggested underarm method. It it amazing fast once practiced a few times and can be done with either the strong or weak hand.

Try it out.

Regards

CS45
 
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X2 as Cansoldier45 said. We also teach every LEO in my dept. how to rack the slide with one hand.

Using the rear sight on the edge of the holster also works well. This way you don't loose the grip on your pistol and your ready to engage as fast as it's done.

Using one hand could be useful not only if you have one arm injured, but if you do have to hold something with your weak arm. (K9 have to hold the dog)
 
cansoldier45 said:
Lot's of suggestions here, but most are dangerous.
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So is being in a ground struggle with a knife wielding crack adict...

If someone needs to perform an IA, It may very well be in a situation they never dreamt or trained for. It would be a good idea to vary up their training (safely of course) for as many senarios as they can fathom, and get used to thinking on their feet (or on their back, elbows, head,....). The end result of getting the gun back into the fight may be more important than how it is accomplished.
 
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