[rweber01]

I have a P3AT Is there any way to lighten up the racking of slide. I find
it to be hard to rack the slide. Maybe it's just my age, but would like
to know if maybe the hammer spring is to heavy. Anyone else find this
is a problem? Anything I can do please let me know.

Bob

 

[jonnin]

Yes, there are ways to do that. You can lighten the recoil spring, which may or may not cause more wear and tear on the gun depending on how light you went. You can also attach something to get a better grip. You can lighten other springs like the hammer but any spring you tamper with has risks... if you lighten the hammer spring, you may or may not get light strikes. If you lighten the slide you may or may not peen things.

You can also use other techniques to rack the slide. There are several, one that many find easy is to push with both hands opposing each other instead of trying to pull on it.

I am a bit odd but for a semi-auto that stays open on the last shot (all mine do, but I don't have a 32) I only feel compelled to rack it a few times in its lifetime ... once initially, once after any misfires, and once after any cleanings. You should be able to rack the gun in "combat" if its your defense pistol, but you shouldn't need to do it often (unless it does not stay open last shot, which most do but a few micros don't).

 

[PF9Newbie]

Lightening the recoil spring may cause serious problems in function, and any lightening of the hammer spring may cause misfires/light strikes. Neither of these solutions are really good in a defensive handgun. But there are methods which can make racking the slide easier for those with hand issues such as arthritis, or other reasons which make racking the slide difficult. The best method is the so called "israeli method" In this, you grip the pistol normally with the strong hand, then with the left or weak hand, place the whole hand over the top of the slide (rather than try to use a couple of fingers on the slide serrations), and then simply hold the slide with the weak hand, and push the grip frame forward with the strong or shooting hand. This gives you a lot better leverage, better hold on the slide and makes racking the slide much easier.

 

[rweber01]

Thanks guys. I have been using the "israeli method" for awhile now. I was just wondering if there was another way. I have no problem racking my Sig 1911, it
move so easy. I guess I'll just have to live with it for now.

Bob

 

[jonnin]

Ive also seen custom made muzzle end attachments that let you push the gun against a hard surface to rack it -- a few one-handed handicapped shooters have setups like this. And custom attachments to a slide to get a better grip.

Hate to say it but you can also try other guns... micro DAOs and bad hands don't always make the best combo.

 

[haugrdr]

Have you ever heard of this website?

http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/

All kinds of tricks and hints on how to rack the slide.

 

[jpshaw]

I have just put on a left glove when an auto loader seems stiff.

 

[MarkCO]

I have just put on a left glove when an auto loader seems stiff.

Worked for OJ.

 

[jpshaw]

I have been using the "israeli method" for awhile now./QUOTE]

I heard they carried with an empty chamber but exactly what is the "Israeli method"?

 

[PF9Newbie]

I heard they carried with an empty chamber but exactly what is the "Israeli method"?

Actually, there is no such method, technically speaking, as the Israelis simply required (at least used to)a semi-auto to be carried with mag inserted, safety off, and chamber empty. In other words, simply Condition 3 from the 1911 lexicon of carry methods. But somehow, that was sometimes referred to as the Israeli Method by some. Grabbing the slide with the off hand and pushing the grip forward rather than trying to pull the slide back with a couple of fingers was simply a quick sure way to rack the slide when drawing the weapon and getting it into action. But it is a much easier way to rack the slide for those who might be having some difficulty otherwise.

 

[michael t]

So called Israeli Method only because When country 1st formed Had so many type weapons .Pistols included. They need a way to teach people 1 way. So safety off empty chamber Worked for a semi auto pistols . problem solved be it a 1911 or a PPK or other semi auto., just rack the slide.

My hands are getting worst. The Pf-9 getting hard to rack and near impossible for me to reassemble P3AT and P-32 still easy I won't give up on any of them. Still best little pistols for the money.

I would not do either might affect the reliability of your pistol.

 

[jpshaw]

I always just hold the pistol in my right hand, hold the slide with my left, all fingers on the left side and thumb and palm on the right. If it still feels stiff, which the KT is, I just put on my O. J. glove. Works for me.

 

[RobO-excop]

I was having a lot of trouble racking the slide of my PF9 and found it near impossible to strip down or re-assemble the gun. Maybe if pushing the rear of the barrel down was't so hard but I just gave up trying to figure out how to put that stinkin' assembly pin back in too. So, I traded the PF9 for a Bersa Thunder 380, my wife has one so I knew I could do everything with it despite my physical limitations. Take down and re-assembly are a breeze and recoil went WAY down and capacity went WAY up as well (15 + 1).
Switching to the Bersa was a logical choice for me, I've liked the Thunder 380 ever since my wife bought hers. You may find this a viable choice for you instead of what I did:

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/handi-racker-help-racking-semi-auto-slides/

 

[Salty]

Transform any slide by applying grip tape on the sides at the rear. Tape looks like black sandpaper, is used on pools, ladder steps, skateboards. Rub the two pieces together first to dull the otherwise too-sharp surface. You'll be amazed to find the problem was not strength, the problem is maintaining grip.

 

[Pinstriper]

I was having a lot of trouble racking the slide of my PF9 and found it near impossible to strip down or re-assemble the gun. Maybe if pushing the rear of the barrel down was't so hard but I just gave up trying to figure out how to put that stinkin' assembly pin back in too. So, I traded the PF9 for a Bersa Thunder 380, my wife has one so I knew I could do everything with it despite my physical limitations. Take down and re-assembly are a breeze and recoil went WAY down and capacity went WAY up as well (15 + 1).
Switching to the Bersa was a logical choice for me, I've liked the Thunder 380 ever since my wife bought hers. You may find this a viable choice for you instead of what I did:

https://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/handi-racker-help-racking-semi-auto-slides/

It always comes down to the smaller, lighter gun needs a stiffer spring to function. The Bersa is larger, has a steel frame instead of polymer, and the recoil spring isn't as still because it doesn't need to be.

It is simply the nature of things, and modification is likely to affect reliability.

Changing to the Bersa was the right thing to do.