It has finally happened to me

[Hawg Rider]

Talon slide grip

Unfortunately, I suffer from these same types of problems concerning pain and stiffness in my hands.

Talon Grips sells a grip enhancer for the slide of many popular semi-auto pistols. This simple add-on requires no modifications to the slide, but due to the design of the product, results in a better grip during manipulation. The slide becomes much easier to pull rearward during loading and racking.

I currently use these products on my Shield, and they solved this problem for me without changing platforms. 30 day money back guarantee. (I'm not affiliated with the company)



Arachnigrip Products - TALON Grips, Inc.

I appreciate your suggestion. I just ordered the Talon slide grip for my PC Shield Plus...should help me with slide racking.

 

[MarvChamp]

You should look at the S&W EZ.
I guess the name takes because the slide is not so sprung.
I’m looking at this pistol in the near future.
My thumb “saddle joint” is already arthritic and I’m only 55.

Papa

Yes! EZ...Hammer fired, built to be EZ loading, EZ racking. Got mine after arthritis stopped me. It was then and is now a brilliant design. Please research it and get over any comments about it being made for the weak and the old. Best, -Marv

 

[usmcsgt]

Me too - USMC, 70 yoa now and shot for 60 years and the same issues - just purchased a S&W Model-13 357 Mag round butt for CCW. I can still rack the slides but carried revolvers when I was cop in the late 70's -80's and always felt comfortable with them. The Kimber Micro 9 is not bad for slide racking so do carry that CCW as well. Semper Fi, Jeff

 

[penmaker]

At age 80, this army combat vet has similar problems. I had to get a special spring set for my semi-auto Thompson, and I could no longer cock it. I still shoot my "magnums," although I switched to hard cast lead driven at lower speeds. I've always said getting old isn't for sissies.

 

[usmcsgt]

Good info, I just ordered a Crimson Trace K Frame grip laser for my Model 13 3 inch, it makes it super easy to do the Hawaii CCW shooting test. Also good if your eye sight is getting a bit off due to age - you still need to have the basic fundamentals for good shooting but I use lasers on all my carry guns - green laser if you can get them are fantastic.

 

[Rock185]

I can sure relate. I don't have experience with all the pistols mentioned, but racking the slide on any of my semi-autos has become more difficult. I still carry and shoot semi-autos, but it may come to revolvers only one day for me. The heaviest recoiling guns I shoot, and only occasionally, are the .357s, .45ACPs and 10MMs. No more .44 Mag., .454, etc. in my dotage..
FWIW, the little Ruger LCRs have a very smooth trigger pull. And pull weight , at least on the centerfire versions I've handled and the one I own, is not excessive for an old guy. A neighbor told me he bought his adult daughter a new LCR .22 Rim Fire. He said she could not pull the trigger. Said he went back to the shop, and traded in the .22RF on a centerfire LCR and all was well.

The J-Frames might be worthy of consideration too, though lighter springs or a trigger job might be required. My ~30 year old 640 is stock, but the trigger pull now feels like it has had a trigger job.

 

[UNCLE PAULY]

S&W 648 with Speer 38 spl

 

[revolver4954]

Same problem: age and a new S&W Shield Plus with a slide that I can barely rack. I’m now carrying a Kimber K6s revolver. It has a smooth trigger pull and good 3-dot sights supplemented by Crimson Trace laser grips.

 

[Tlanger]

Try an Equalizer

After shooting my whole life, Marine Corps and 30 years as a cop Arthritis is grabbing hold of me pretty good. I took my wife and daughter shooting the other day. I got a new S&W shield that I was going to use as a carry gun. Unfortunately I can barely rack the slide and can not get the slide back far enough to lock the slide to the rear. I never thought it would happen to me but it has happened. So looks like I will be switching back to revolvers for full time CCW and probably need a smaller caliber to carry because larger calibers are starting to hurt.

Anyone out there with the same problem? What have you done? What are you carrying ?

Hello. First, thanks for your service. Had a transplant and lots of other stuff leaving me with a weak hand/arm for racking. My solution was/is the S&W Equalizer. It is a hammer fired gun (internal) and is really easy to rack. Not a huge fan of the back strap safety, but a halfway decent grip will work. Might be just the ticket. And, it is considered small in size, so easier to figure out holsters. Oh, and the recoil is very manageable even with a weak arm.

 

[Capt. F.]

I like your idea of switching to a revolver, despite the loss of double the rounds.

Two years ago I had "trigger finger" in 4 fingers of my left hand requiring surgery. My doctor told me to eventually expect it in my right hand, and from what I can tell I'll have the surgery in about January of 2025. I'm already thinking about the effects on my shooting hand as I'm right handed.

Lately I've been carrying my S&W Model 49 in preparation of the 4-6 months of recovery.

It sucks getting old(er).

Let’s see, Carpel tunnel surgery both hands at 50, metatarsal surgery right foot at 56, both knees replaced at 65,
Right hip replaced two weeks ago.
Yep I agree, getting older sucks and the “golden years” have been replaced with the color of titanium.

 

[JoeIdaho]

I also have the arthritis problem. I ended up buying a Taurus stainless model 856 w/3" barrel and shoot .38 specials in it. The frame size is more like the S&W J frame but instead of 5 shots, it is a 6 shot. It weighs 23.52 oz unloaded. Works well, shoots well and conceals well, plus it is a lot cheaper than a S&W model. Was a good choice for me.

 

[SpikeS]

S&W has a great design in the EZ models insofar as easy slide operation. However they hinged the grip safety at the bottom, and I don't always have the high proper grip to release the safety, It has become a problem since ulnar drift in both hands, a real distortion of joints and fingers. On to the M&P9 2.0 or the Model 638 for carry.

 

[szyg6h]

After shooting my whole life, Marine Corps and 30 years as a cop Arthritis is grabbing hold of me pretty good. I took my wife and daughter shooting the other day. I got a new S&W shield that I was going to use as a carry gun. Unfortunately I can barely rack the slide and can not get the slide back far enough to lock the slide to the rear. I never thought it would happen to me but it has happened. So looks like I will be switching back to revolvers for full time CCW and probably need a smaller caliber to carry because larger calibers are starting to hurt.

Anyone out there with the same problem? What have you done? What are you carrying ?

Me too! Could no longer rack the Shield 40. Loading the mag was difficult too even with a loading tool Got the EZ 9mm. No problem with that. Gave the 40 to my son. "Don't let the old man in"
Good luck

 

[charlie sherrill]

I like your idea of switching to a revolver, despite the loss of double the rounds.

Two years ago I had "trigger finger" in 4 fingers of my left hand requiring surgery. My doctor told me to eventually expect it in my right hand, and from what I can tell I'll have the surgery in about January of 2025. I'm already thinking about the effects on my shooting hand as I'm right handed.

Lately I've been carrying my S&W Model 49 in preparation of the 4-6 months of recovery.

It sucks getting old(er).

Getting old ain't for sissies. We didn't get this way being stupid.

 

[Florida_Cracker]

380 Cheetah

You might also try the tip up barrel Berettas; Tomcat in 32acp and the Cheetah in 380. I'd go for the S&W 340PD or 360PD; the 340PD is about the only thing I carry these days.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Only the Cheetah model 86 is a tip-up in 380. The other 380's in the series do not have the tip-up barrel. The model 86 is hard to find and I can attest to the fact that they are pricey too.

Beretta Cheetah - Wikipedia

 

[reccpd101]

I have 2 30-1s modified to 32 Magnum. I carry both. I have added grip adapters. I can not rack autos except the EZ's which are too large a frame for my lifestyle in retirement, The 32 mags with a hammer I can thumb cock if needed.

 

[AJ]

I have 2 30-1s modified to 32 Magnum. I carry both. I have added grip adapters. I can not rack autos except the EZ's which are too large a frame for my lifestyle in retirement, The 32 mags with a hammer I can thumb cock if needed.

I too, have a Model 30-1 modified to .32 H&R magnum. When I find the need to carry that is what is in my pocket. Which is getting more and more often. The area that I grew up in is changing. We use to leave the cars unlocked with the keys in them and the house doors unlocked. My Grandparents lived in the same house for over 40 years, when it was sold we could not find the keys........

 

[jcs266]

No arthritis here (knock on wood so far), but I sure empathize with you. Many of us will get there soon enough also.

Give those revolvers some life and you'll be well heeled.

 

[MG34/bar]

Coming up on age 82 and frequently use J frames without difficulty. Have always loved 1911 but it’s hard to rack some in .45 acp, so I tried 1911 in other calibers: 9mm, .38 Special wadcutter (mid-range target) and .22 rimfire (Colt conversion unit on my old 1918 frame). All of those are much easier to rack and allow me to keep using the 1911 platform. Worth a try for others in my situation.

 

[wproct]

Arthritis demands that you make changes to what you shoot and how you can shoot. I find myself liking revolvers more. The hammer on my single-six is easier for me to cock than some others. I have also become quite partial to my Kimber Stainless Target II in 9mm. The slide has a reduced power recoil spring and it's easier to rack the slide. I also realize the difference with rheumatoid arthritis as my mother in law and a brother in law both have it.