M&p9c softening recoil spring

[luigi1031]

Hey guys
My wife is getting ready to take her ccw class but she is having a lot trouble locking back the slide. Is there a softer one I can buy or is there a way to soften this one? She's a lefty incase you guys have a technique she could use. Thanks in advance

[OKFC05]

The spring needs to match the ammunition you are going to shoot. Too strong, it will not eject, too weak it batters the gun and may malfunction.

The compacts have stiffer springs than the full size due to the short length. My 9 Pro works much easier than your compact.

I teach to hold the gun with the firing hand, finger off the trigger, turn the gun 90 degrees with arm extended, grasp the slide with the off hand (not just the fingers), lock the arms and shrug the shoulders: strong forward, weak side back. My 8 year old grand daughter can work a slide this way.

[mtnwinds]

My wife just qualified for her CHL class. She used a full size 9mm. She's 71 and struggles with racking the slide. It's easier with the full size for sure.

I don't get the part about turning the gun 90 deg. Pic would help a lot.

[rwsmith]

Originally Posted by OKFC05

I teach to hold the gun with the firing hand, finger off the trigger, turn the gun 90 degrees with arm extended, grasp the slide with the off hand (not just the fingers), lock the arms and shrug the shoulders: strong forward, weak side back. My 8 year old grand daughter can work a slide this way.

But I can say that technique can make all the difference in the world.

[luigi1031]

Thanks guys she practice a bit more and she's starting to get it

[OKFC05]

I don't get the part about turning the gun 90 deg.

1. Hold the pistol straight out in front in firing position with strong hand only, finger off trigger.
2. Rotate the pistol 90 degrees toward the weak hand. The top of the slide is now oriented toward your weak hand.
3. Now grab the slide with your whole weak hand. This gives maximum hold on slide.
4. Lock both arms straight out in front of you.
5. Using the strong shoulder muscles, push your whole strong side arm FORWARD and pull your whole weak side arm BACK.

Your whole hand has more grip than just fingers, and shoulder muscles are far stronger than wrists.
This technique also eliminates the possibility of pointing the gun at your weak arm or down a firing line when racking the slide, since the gun remains pointed straight downrange. It also is just as fast as the "reachover" technique, as rotating the strong hand adds nothing to the time required.

[Linejudgemick]

Everything OKFC05 said... and adding one thing. Remember - you are pushing the frame while holding the slide. Not pulling the slide while holding the frame.

[snubbyfan]

Here ya go, something like this.
Racking a Slide Like a Lady - YouTube

[OKFC05]

Originally Posted by snubbyfan

Here ya go, something like this.
Racking a Slide Like a Lady - YouTube

Actually no, that is the "reachover" technique, NOT the one I use and teach.
The "reachover" is fine for a strong and trained shooter, but a weak or untrained shooter tends to turn the gun sideways instead of pointing it straight downrange. One of our locals shot himself in the left forearm (not a competitor nor one of my students).

[RobBeckett]

Originally Posted by Linejudgemick

Everything OKFC05 said... and adding one thing. Remember - you are pushing the frame while holding the slide. Not pulling the slide while holding the frame.

This is what most people who have trouble miss.