9mm 1911's slide easier (lighter) to rack?

[evolture]

I'm considering the troubles some of the women in my family have with pulling back slides on pistols.

Do 1911's in 9mm have easier (lighter) slides to operate than say more common 9mm pistols (hi-power, G17)

-e

 

[prproulx]

I would say yes. Definitely easier that the G17.

 

[surfer365]

Depends on the 1911 IMO. I had a STI that was easy, but my kimber is really tight (both 9mm).

I find the S&W M&P the lightest to rack of my collection

 

[evolture]

What model STI?

 

[krausb]

Well, a stock Glock 17 uses a 17 pound recoil spring while the standard weight for a recoil spring in a government length 9mm 1911 is 12 pounds (some may have 14, but 12 is standard-ish), so the 1911 should be easier to rack. And the STI recoilmaster dual-rate recoil spring system is even easier to rack (IMO) as it starts off real easy and by the time it get a bit stiff you already have some momentum working in your favour.

 

[Rivalen]

The G17 is pretty hard to rack imo; much harder than my 226s. Different spring weight or the fact that my finger usually slip on the back slide serations? Tennifer feels somewhat more slipery than Nitron to me?!

 

[MosinNagantM44]

G17 is very easy to rack.

 

[singleaction]

I find I can basically only operate the slide easily on the BHP by bringing it closer to my chest (the 'power zone') and my whole thumb and meaty part of my hand on the weak side and my 4 other finger tips on the strong side of the slide then pull with the weak hand and push with the strong (all while keeping the pistol muzzle in the proper direction. It usually means I have to turn my whole body towards the the strong side. (i.e. turn my body opposed to the pistol for muzzle safety to get more leverage)

This works very well for my younger kids and wife as well.

On the other end of the scale, I have no trouble holding my CZ Shadow at arms length and racking the slide with two fingers, using great muzzle control. Admittedly the rear serrations are awesome, but the spring tension difference must be great.

Anyway, all to say that technique may help some folks operate the slides more easily. I can usually be heard to say, "Turn your body, not the gun" a lot when the kids are shooting.

 

[rigrat]

#### the hammer

On automatic pistols with an external hammer it is best to #### the hammer then rack the slide. That takes a lot off the effort out of it. I learnt that at a Black Badge course many ( many ) years ago. rigrat

 

[singleaction]

on automatic pistols with an external hammer it is best to #### the hammer then rack the slide. That takes a lot off the effort out of it. I learnt that at a black badge course many ( many ) years ago. Rigrat

^ +1

 

[nza]

my wife has no issues racking the g17, 9mm 1911, or any semi auto that we have kicking about in the house. She does work out 4 days a week though. ONly when I have recently cleaned and oiled the slide, would it be a bit slippery, but thats what skateboard tape is all about.

 

[sillymike]

Failing that... you could always reload some reduce recoil load and use "reduce" recoil spring

 

[colinjw]

While teaching courses over the years, I have met a few people who were not able to pull back the slide on a 1911.
What I showed them was to hold the slide with one hand & push the frame forward with the other.
Each time it worked & then they could rack the slide.