SW9VE Slide is EXTREMELY hard to pull back

dixierose · Mar 25, 2012

Hi,

I needed a gun for home protection and heard from my local gun range that the SW9VE would fit me and my needs perfectly. I fired a couple of different types of guns at the range and found I agreed. I then went to a reputable gun shop and purchased a used one.

My question is this; The slide is EXTREMELY hard to pull when chambering the first load. I mean EXTREMELY hard, and I'm no slouch either.

Is there anyway to have this adjusted? The slide of the gun I tried out at the range was not this difficult pull back, so I figure there must be some way to get it adjusted.

Thanks!

truetopath · Mar 25, 2012

I bought mine new and out of the box the slide wasn't extremely difficult to pull back, in fact it was easier than my Glock. I'm not sure if you have a hangup somewhere in the internals or if something is bent, but I would have a gunsmith check it out especially with it being a used gun. Have you shot that actual gun yet? and did it cycle normally?

copper06 · Mar 25, 2012

Is it only the first round? Does it get progressively easier if you only load up a magazine halfway and then try? Trying with only one round in the magazine?

That's about all I have for ya. At least that will help narrow things down for you. Let us know.

dixierose · Mar 25, 2012

Hi, thanks for the responses. I tried it with a full magazine and it came with the 15 round magazine. I have tried it without the magazine and it is extremely difficult to pull as well.

No, I have not attempted to fire it. I will have a gunsmith check it out first.

OKFC05 · Mar 25, 2012

Seriously, you bought a used gun and did not even cycle the slide in the store?
If the shop is indeed reputable, I'd hotfoot it back there.

Now, if you have taken the slide off already yourself, and it is hard because you didn't get the spring down on the bottom step when reassembling, well..........take it back apart and try it again.
Read the manual.

dixierose · Mar 25, 2012

Please don't ridicule me. I have never owned a semi-automatic and live alone. Buying a gun is not something I do every day. I don't know what to look for. That's why I went to a reputable gun shop. I'll take it back over there and see what they say.

Have patience with people you don't know. Especially when you don't know their exact circumstances.

Forester · Mar 25, 2012

Did you bring it back to the attention of the gun store? They can tell you whether it is normal or not.

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dixierose · Mar 25, 2012

Thanks All,
Will be taking it back to the gun shop tomorrow. I appreciate all of the assistance.

OKFC05 · Mar 25, 2012

dixierose said:
Thanks All,
Will be taking it back to the gun shop tomorrow. I appreciate all of the assistance.

Since this is all new to you, here's a couple of tips when buying an unfamiliar gun from a good gun shop, especially a used gun.
I always ask if their gunsmith has gone over the gun.
If I don't know how to field strip it, I ask for a demonstration, and then ask to do it myself.
While it's apart, I look for any suspicious wear or "improvements."
I cycle the slide several times, and on a used gun ask if I can try the trigger ONCE.

Don't hestitate to ask for help; a good shop wants you to be able to use the gun.

Jim H · Mar 25, 2012

My thoughts:

Have the gun shop check the condition, and position, of the guide rod and spring. There are two 'notches' that the end of the rod will fit, but only one is correct.

If the plastic looks all 'chewed up' have them replace it at no charge to you and put it back on the correct notch..

Knightrider03m · Mar 26, 2012

dixierose said:
Please don't ridicule me. I have never owned a semi-automatic and live alone. Buying a gun is not something I do every day. I don't know what to look for. That's why I went to a reputable gun shop. I'll take it back over there and see what they say.

Have patience with people you don't know. Especially when you don't know their exact circumstances.

Have you ever shot a semi auto before this one? I say that because I was brought up shooting wheel guns and NEVER pulled back a slide in my life until I bought my Sigma. I felt that the slide was a little hard to pull back but then got used to it. Maybe its the gun, and you aren't used to pulling back the slide.

At any rate, when you go up to the gun shop, ask them to see a new Sigma and pull the slide on that one. If its the same, odds are is that is how it should be, if its not then ask to return the gun. Most gun shops that I know of that is worth its grain in salt have a return warranty on USED guns only.

Good luck!

cbr6864 · Mar 28, 2012

tear it down check the guide rod, it will be pretty stiff but nothing like say a sub-compact the slide on my P11 is a beast to rack compared to my Sigma.

I hate gun stores that wont let you dry fire you never really know if the safety works or if the trigger works.

Jamie · Mar 31, 2012

dixierose said:
Hi,

I needed a gun for home protection and heard from my local gun range that the SW9VE would fit me and my needs perfectly. I fired a couple of different types of guns at the range and found I agreed. I then went to a reputable gun shop and purchased a used one.

My question is this; The slide is EXTREMELY hard to pull when chambering the first load. I mean EXTREMELY hard, and I'm no slouch either.

Is there anyway to have this adjusted? The slide of the gun I tried out at the range was not this difficult pull back, so I figure there must be some way to get it adjusted.

Thanks!

Judging from your name, I'll ASSume you are a woman. Women generally don't have the same hand/arm strength that men do, we can get away with 'muscling' things, women actually need to learn the correct way how to do some things, like racking a slide. My wife started off with a revolver, at 4' 11" and about 100lbs super strength isn't her strong point. With some help from other women and studying slide racking techniques on sites like Cornered Cat, going through gun shows trying different guns, she has no problem now racking slides on just about anything. By all means, make sure the gun is mechanically 'right', I'm sure the gun store you bought it from wants you as a long term customer, you'll be fine.

warrconn · Mar 31, 2012

Here's something you might want to look at...

Cornered Cat - Rack the Slide

SW9VE Slide is EXTREMELY hard to pull back

dixierose

truetopath

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copper06

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dixierose

OKFC05

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dixierose

Forester

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dixierose

OKFC05

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Jim H

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Knightrider03m

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cbr6864

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Jamie

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warrconn

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