Having read many posts about people having problems racking a slide, I figured I would provide this link:

Racking a Slide Like a Lady - YouTube

Thanks for posting the link. This may convince the wife she can handle the Shield, but I know she won't let go of her M&P 22LR.

Another suggestion:

Small semi-automatics are more difficult because the recoil springs are stronger. Start a new shooter, man or woman, on a gun like a full sized M&P or 1911. Once they learn the proper technique on the larger gun, they will operate the smaller one without realizing that it has a stronger spring.

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Freedom isn't free.

Hey, if I were her... I wouldn't let go of it either...you might take it! LOL!

I asked my wife to see if should rack my 5943. She did. I haven't had a chance to try it yet but I don't think it's been shot much because the spring is very stiff. I think I've loosened it up some by just working it.

Good instruction. Racking it that way is also easier for those with arthritis in their hands, like I have.

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Misty

My wife was having trouble racking the slide, I forwarded this to her and she likes it a lot. My arthritis isn't bad enough (yet) but I'll have to keep this in mind for the future. Thanks for the link.

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Minimize the variables

My arthritis is bad and this technique has enabled me to continue shooting. I also think that this technique gives anyone better control over the weapon.

I don't have arthritis in my hands & my hands are strong but I still rack my slide that way. It just seems more natural that way. I don't remember if that's what I was taught to do.

Thanks for posting. That'll give us aging element new life in carrying sem-autos.

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Former USN, Retired US Army

Good video (minus the horrible pimp music of course). I think it could be really helpful to a lot of gals. Also helpful for guys with hand issues (arthritis, tendonitis...etc.).

I know a bunch of "guy" Shield owners who need to Rack Like a Lady instead of complain about something that is just as simple as Technique.

This is a nice video, but too long for its purpose, which is to demonstrate one alternative method of racking the slide.

When my daughter was 12 years old, she could easily rack the slide on a 1911 (from hammer down) or a Glock. The M&P had not even been thought of back then!

But, as I have said before: racking the slide is not a matter of strength, but of knowledge.

The big thing about this method is remembering that you MUST turn sideways in order to keep the muzzle pointed downrange. The lady says this in the video.

The video says to push with the hand holding the grip while holding the slide still with the other hand. This still requires all of the force to be applied with only one hand. A variation for those for whom the method shown still does not work is to hold the pistol as shown in the video and push BOTH hands in opposite directions. That way, the force required is split up among two hands and arms. A child can do it using this method.

The more people who can learn to shoot and do so comfortably, the better it is for the Second Amendment. With more people "invested" in shooting and owning guns, the less likely it is that the gun grabber creeps will be successful. Soon, maybe the hoplophobes and anti-gun people and their idiotic proposals will go "the way of the Dodo bird."*

*Dodo bird: A flightless bird, now extinct, that once lived on Mauritius, east of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean.

Like the Dodo, the ideas of the anti-gunners are just as flightless, with no chance of accomplishing the stated objectives, causing reasonable people everywhere to wonder if the proponents are just stupid, or if they really have another goal in mind.

My safety instructor actually taught this method and never said man, woman, or child. Easier to hold slide and push the gun.

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Criminals don't register guns.

I agree with Shawn, video is about 6 minutes too long, good technique though.

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Be obscure, clearly.

Looks like a typical overhand racking method. I have no problem racking any slides, but I've been doing it that way for a long time now.

Kinda like Clint Smith here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVGQQhkjzec

LOL! It's not my video or made by anyone I know. Why not complain to her about it on you tube?

Why not lighten up the recoil spring some? Then don't shoot +P ammo through it stick with 115gr or 124gr.. or just use it with the light spring for target load at the range till whoever is use to it and knows how to run it . 1911's are tuned all the time at times with such light springs it seems scary.. I would get a replacement spring from S&W then take the old one and nip off two coils at a time of the larger spring till you feel good with it just being able to rack the slide safely.At my range the you tube girl with be thrown out with her pass revoked if she was on the line with other shooters, start with the light load 115grs. no need to take the recoil component apart to nip off some coils as there not made to come apart.. This is what I did with a LC9 9mm with duel recoil springs for the wife. Runs fine Just remember to have enough left so when you release the slide with the release a round is chambered without issue.. It also cures weak wresting failure to feeds also.. George

George,
Why would the girl have been tossed off the range?

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Freedom isn't free.

George she clearly stated she turns to rack. Most people I know rack this way at every range I've been to.

Well at the outdoor range I use there is not always a range officer, almost never! In fact people come and go and police the range as they see fit at the time.. if there are 40 shooters on the line with no range officers and someone rack a gun like she did in the video I know it's fine as long as the gun is pointed down range but Some would call it unsafe depending on how much she did or didn't turned her body.And that's all it would take at my range Right or wrong Anyone with a pass to the range has the right to confiscate an other's range pass and turn it in at the once a month meeting and offences will be revved then and there..If one refuses to give up there pass they are banned from the range for at least that year Right or wrong she would lose her pass for that amount of time minimum about 1 month as long as someone feels unsafe they can and do take passes.. Right or wrong.. I only shoot there when there is a minim of shooter on the line.If I don't feel safe i walk.. bylaws are hard to change at our range .I will always give the new shooters a chance, tell them what will get them in trouble and stand behind them when helping or instruction is needed..George

Yes she does state that but what people do and what other people see is another story.. One guy lost his pass for slipping a loaded mag in his gun while someone was going to go down and chang a target.. He did so in a safe manner he put his gun down chamber was empty walked back and sat down on a bench.. All before anyone was walking down range. This is fine most of the time with others There was more guns in this same condition but he was called on it by another member. Right or wrong that's all it takes.. If someone calls a hold fire I immediately pull my mag clear my gun leaving the action open.. George

Good technique. This was taught to us back when I was a grunt in the Army so this is going back a ways.

She doesn't quite do it right though, at least in her description. The grip is correct.

The way to do it is to use both hands / arms in the motion. Think of a "butterfly" pectoral workout... Both hands moving in. This is more stable than trying to hold the slide stable and pushing the gun forward. Using both sets of biceps / shoulders / pectorals in a even, mirrored motion provides more strength and stability.

Yes I agree and the more stable you are doing it the better "safer" it's going to look to others.. And that makes a difference depending on who is making the call.. Calls can be made my the inexperienced members as well as the experienced..We have about 1000 or so members and when I use the range it's not unusual to not see another sole.. other days there is no stations available.. Guess that's why the members police the place. George

Yes. I teach a similar method to everyone. It doesn't matter if they're "big and strong" now. They will be older and weaker, some day.

The most important part is to think "push" not "pull".

Your point is well raked George. Safety is always número uno!

I think this is a great technique for anybody to use as long as you turn and keep the gun pointed downrange. It seems also that working close to the body would give more safe 'cover' for the gun rather than sticking it out front where it is easier for someone to knock the gun aside. It may even be faster because the hand doesn't have to travel very far.