I notice there are aftermarket "slide rackers" around for the Ruger Mk II that makes it easier to hook your finger around it and rack the slide. It's a little piece that screws on the back of the slide.


Anything like that for a 22A?

I had searched for one about 6 months ago for my father-in-law with no luck. But I can definitely see the market for them.

Why would you need one on either pistol? They are both easy enough to rack without it.

Spoken like a man without arthritis. It always hits the thumbs badly and guns like a 22A (or Mk II) require a pretty strong pinch force from the thumb. But the Mk II slide has ears to grab, the 22A looks like not so much.

Oh my mistake. I thought there was a reason to have one but now I have seen the error of my ways. Thank you so much for your insightful addition to this thread.

If you or anyone ever finds one for any and all of the S&W .22's post it because I never heard of it and with my arthritis at 53 and racking my m-41 is difficult as verying types of weather occur , then I'd buy one . Thank God my 2206 is as smooth and easy as it is .

I made a "slide racker" for my Browning Buckmark pistols by drilling and tapping a small hole in the side of the slide. Then I made a little cylinder of aluminum, bored the correct diameter hole through it, and ran a button head machine screw into the slide through the hole. Then I trimmed off the end of the screw flush inside the slide and polished it to prevent friction. A little Loc-Tite keeps it from unscrewing itself.
Works really well. I don't know if you can do this with a Model 41 or a 22A, but it's a possibility.

- Buckspen

I have arthritis in my hands also, among other places, so I feel your pain.
Have you tried putting some 'skateboard tape' or self adhesive stair tread tape on the sides of the slide? It might add enough 'grip' for your fingers. That's what I did on my 22A.
Otherwise, I can't see any reason you couldn't drill and tap the slide to add something if you're careful not to let it interfere with anything inside.

We had a Buckmark with the SS slide, big mistake as it had no racking ears. The cheaper black painted slide model had big ears.

In any case, my wife was able to rack the darned thing by putting on a left hand golf glove. Since the slide serations grip the glove instead of her hand (or visa versa) she did not have to squeeze as hard at the same time she was pulling it back. She found the glove made it easier. Try it for $5.

The biggest problem I have on my 22A is how the rear sight hangs over the sides and that makes it hard for me to grasp the slide. I'm considering taking a Dremel and grinding down the sides of the sight just enough so they don't hang over and rounding the top corners.

__________________
"I'm your huckleberry."

Sorry, I have had many other health problems but luckily I don't have it yet. Have you thought of getting something like a Bretta Bobcat or a Taurus PT22. The models with the tip up barrel's? You don't have to rack the slide on them. I know that they aren't a Smith but they are handy for people with arthritis or weaker hand function.
Maybe you could try a 422,622,2213,2213,2206 and if they work sell your 22a to offset the cost of the different pistol.

I've never seen one, but that doesn't mean they're out there. Have you contacted S&W? Like Bumbazine said, maybe you could fabricate one??

My sister bought the 22a and I haven't seen it yet. I was toying with the idea of buying a second "slide piece" and seeing what it would take to drill from the inside and use flush screws to attach something. I'll see if she is able to rack it. I will take it down and polish the internals to make the racking as light as possible first.

Good idea.

I was thinking an "L" shaped AL or steel piece could be screwed with the long side along the slide and the "hook" turned in with enough room behind the slide to hook your finger tip around the hook.

That will be the first thing I do on the gun.

If your looking for the for the racker for the 22A,

Republic Machine Trading, LLC.
Carteret, NJ. 07006-2911
973-943-7215
e-mail: [email protected]

I cannot rack the slide on my 22a-1 without my shooting gloves on. It would be nice to be able to mount some type of "ears" so I could grip the slide better.

I finally gave up and replaced the Buckmark with a 1978 Model 41, the only problem is that she loves it so much she won't let me shoot it anymore. Dick

Don't waste your time - I sent an email to that address about 2 weeks ago and have heard nothing from them.

Saw a youtube video the other day where a guy made his own slide racker for his 22A out of a 1/2 inch aluminum bar stock. VERY SWEET looking! Gna make one for myself since I cant find one out there for my 22A anywhere. It looks a LOT like one for the ruger MKII or III but WAAAYYYY nicer!!!! Can you say "Custom is ALWAYS better than store bought!" LOL

saw that same video with the thumb rest on the side also. that polished AL looked good, just a dove tail with a set screw pushing it out a little so that it stayed in place and the racker part looked like a 'trigger'. thing was fast and slick man! i don't know if i have the skill to make one though but there definitely is a market.

Well that’s not what happened to me. In less than one week I received a phone call from a gentleman at republic. We had a very nice conversation. He is getting ready to retire from the New York Times as a repair machinist. He has done a proto type and had it sent to a cnc shop for production. The first batch I think he said was 200. He called me again yesterday to tell me he received his first batch and was going down his list, am I still interested? Well I almost couldn’t contain myself; I have wanted one of these since I bought the gun. He told me one would be in the mail that day, and if I liked it send him a check for $35.00 if not send it back. Good old fashion business! On that note a word to the wise, he called me for a reason. He does not play well with PCs. His kids have to open his e-mail. So CALL HIM!! He is also open to any ideas you may have for custom 22a parts. I’m sending him pictures of the mag. extensions I had made.
Regards
Brett


talo and mags..jpg

Check out this one on ebay Slide Racker Assist for Smith and Wesson 22A get ready target shooters | eBay

I bought one and should have it this week. He custom fits it to you gun. Included in the price. Looks nice.

sweet .thanks so much I will need some if those

Same here, Thanks!

this one is held on the slide with a set screw,the guy from e-bay drills the slide. you have to send your slide to him. this racker won't alter your slide.

i thought i was the only one with this issue with the 22A.

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Corpsman Up!
1990-2010

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Here is mine I just got. Nice product and great workmanship.

Another shot.

Here are some pics of the slide racker that I received from republic machine in NJ. I went to a steel fun shoot to put it through its paces. And I can tell you that it worked like a charm. Slipped it in the second grove added some Loctite and let it sit overnight. What a great addition to my speed gun. With the internals polished, mag. extensions installed and the slide racker. I think I might be done. Oh my what to do now? I guess I can work on my shooting-grin. This racker was 35.00 shipped the guy on e-bay; you have to ship your slide to him. Then he has to drill a hole in your slide tap it and ship it back. I like the looks of it but, for 50.00 + shipping and insurance both ways. I’ll stick with this one. And if it breaks OR the threads strip. Call republic and get a new one and I’m still ahead in money. Well that’s my take on it!
Shoot fast, shoot accurate
Brett

slide racker.jpg

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slide racker 3.jpg

slide racker 4.jpg

talo 22a speedgun.jpg

bolewine: Can you tune me in on those mag extensions? They look very useful! The standard mags are a bitch to get in all the way..................... Thanks.

Dentkimterry,
Made from ½” aluminum bar stock drilled, and taped, and glued. One of the guy’s I shoot with at steel matches made them for me. Cost was $ 15.00 ea. Installed he’s from Pa. Jerry Mesmer. He can just make the bases for $10.00 ea. Then you have to tap the base of your mag. and glue it yourself. If you want me to hook you up shoot me an e-mail @ bolewine@ yahoo.com or you can make them yourself if you have the tools and skill.

Regards,
Brett

I can second all that. I spoke with Mike at Republic Machine today after getting my slide racker in the mail (he may take a day to call you back), and he says he has sold about 170 out of the original run of 200 rackers. He is open to suggestions for the '2nd Gen' if you have any.

I suggested, if possible, less aggressive splines where the racker engages the slide cuts (they are very sharp and will probably cut the paint slightly at the rear end of the slide's second groove). Unfortunately, the current splines are a necessity of the CNC operation at this price point.

I also suggested a second model racker of a symmetric design, like the aft/out tapered serrated bolt ears on a Ruger MKIII 22/45.

Mike can be reached at
Republic Machine Trading, LLC.
Carteret, NJ. 07006-2911
973-943-7215

He plans a website sometime next year when he gets his new storefront established.

The [email protected] email address is still only monitored/managed by his kids, and that's going the long way around to get hold of him. Call him directly, and leave a message if he doesn't answer.

Rich

This is an excellent post...I don't have arthritis (yet!) at 51 but the 22a does require a firm pinch from a less than ideal angle.

It's OK but definitely room for improvement!

Tried the Republic Machine & Trading slide racker and it is great. Thought I wanted something with wings on both sides for a balanced grip but the design he has is "the cats meow". Looking at Ed Brown Products screw on "magazine bumper pads" for a 1911 for my 22A Mags.

I also have suggested to Mike that, should he desire to expand the product line, that there would be some interest in a symmetricaly taperd, 'winged' racker a la Ruger MK III.

Simple call (973-943-7215) to Mike at Republic Machine & Trading, and his slide racker arrived a couple of days later @ $35 ... nice piece, installs in about 15 seconds with an Allen wrench and a bit of thread locker.

I used a turnbuckle. I saw a you tube video about it.

Sweeede

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OK not to be a smart A@@ but do you have problems loading your mags being you have arthritis or is it just because you have to use two fingers to rack the slide? I don't have it in the hands yet. I have a loader for my MK1 that is really great. You load the box, shake it, push the mag in your done.

__________________
Psalm 23:4

No real problem with loading the mags, though it is tough on the thumb. Also the mag pin is not reversible so it's abit harder for left handers. The slide is hard to grip with thumb and and index finger so that's why I made the slide racker.

S

Here is something else you might consider. This device does not remain attached to the pistol. You'll have to look at it & see what size you'll need.

Handi-Racker is a slide assist device Glock Keltec P3AT Ruger LCP 1911 pistol racking safest meathod of racking

__________________
Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

The Handi-Racker will not work on the S&W 22A. It's a good idea though for other semi-autos with full length slides.

S