My wife and I bought M&P 9Cs seven years ago and we love them. But her hand strength is weakening and it's harder for her to rack the slide. I could get her an EZ, but we've got a pretty big investment in 9C mags, holsters, etc. Is it feasible to replace the recoil spring with a lighter one, or will that cause malfunctions? Thanks for your advice.
Lighter recoil spring for wife's M&P
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ppkaprince98
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I wouldnt change the recoil spring due to increasing the chances if malfunction like you said.
Have you looked into the little handle you can put on the back of the slide for a better grip? Also make sure she is pushing and pulling when racking that makes it a bit easier.
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Have you looked into the little handle you can put on the back of the slide for a better grip? Also make sure she is pushing and pulling when racking that makes it a bit easier.
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Yes, Wolff sells lighter springs and a multi spring calibration pack. However, there is the fact that the stock springs have to be that stiff to prevent frame damage given the compacts shorter, lighter slide. The originals are good for 5,000 rounds/5 years on the full size guns, somewhat less for compacts, but that also allows use of +P/NATO spec ammo. The degree of damage rather depends upon how much shooting your wife is going to do and with what ammo. A couple of pounds difference while using standard pressure ammo might not be that big a deal. Frequent changes of the spring will help mitigate it somewhat.
I don't have a compact on hand, but if you look at the front of the slide of a full size, you'll see a rather prominent shelf outboard of the barrel at about the 1:30 and 10:30 clock positions. Has your wife tried resting those on a prominent solid object (table, door, door frame, etc.) and using both hands to press the frame forward to rack the slide?
On the push/pull slide manipulation, avoid the opposing hands version. It's much too easy for the support side hand/arm (especially with shorter slides) to end up in front of the muzzle. I've seen some horrendous ER photos of the results and knew a highly skilled young lady who suffered a groove in the hand. Yeah, the trigger digits weren't in the register position, but that's why we don't point guns at body parts.
I don't have a compact on hand, but if you look at the front of the slide of a full size, you'll see a rather prominent shelf outboard of the barrel at about the 1:30 and 10:30 clock positions. Has your wife tried resting those on a prominent solid object (table, door, door frame, etc.) and using both hands to press the frame forward to rack the slide?
On the push/pull slide manipulation, avoid the opposing hands version. It's much too easy for the support side hand/arm (especially with shorter slides) to end up in front of the muzzle. I've seen some horrendous ER photos of the results and knew a highly skilled young lady who suffered a groove in the hand. Yeah, the trigger digits weren't in the register position, but that's why we don't point guns at body parts.
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The Mighty S&W
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Depending upon how severely she is lacking in hand strength, and what is causing it, you might be in a situation where either your wife NEEDS something like the EZ model, or she may be unable to shoot at all. I suffer from a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. It is severe enough that when I have flare ups (which is frequently), I am forced to use a prescribed power wheelchair, and the strength in my hands/arms is so poor that I find myself unable to turn door knobs, button clothing, etc.
When my condition reached that point, I went from carrying and shooting whatever pistols I wanted to 100% of the time, to being completely unable to handle a pistol during flare ups. It was then that a friend mentioned the EZ models, and let me tell you that they are a tremendous blessing for those of us with disabilities. The pistols themselves are lightweight, the slides are easy to manipulate, the magazines are easy to load, and although they are a single action only pistol, they feel and operate similarly enough to a standard M&P that it’s easy to transition between them.
Granted, I still carry my M2.0 Compact every day when my body allows it as it is my preferred defensive pistol, and the one that I enjoy shooting more than any of my other handguns. But, without my .380 EZ, there would be a solid 30-40% of the time that I would be forced to go unarmed, and for me... that is unacceptable.
If your wife depends upon her firearm for defensive use, I would strongly recommend that you have her try out an EZ model. No matter how heavily invested you may be in her current handgun, it won’t help her if she cannot comfortably and confidently use it. Currently, the EZ models can be had for very reasonable prices. Just my dos pesos.
When my condition reached that point, I went from carrying and shooting whatever pistols I wanted to 100% of the time, to being completely unable to handle a pistol during flare ups. It was then that a friend mentioned the EZ models, and let me tell you that they are a tremendous blessing for those of us with disabilities. The pistols themselves are lightweight, the slides are easy to manipulate, the magazines are easy to load, and although they are a single action only pistol, they feel and operate similarly enough to a standard M&P that it’s easy to transition between them.
Granted, I still carry my M2.0 Compact every day when my body allows it as it is my preferred defensive pistol, and the one that I enjoy shooting more than any of my other handguns. But, without my .380 EZ, there would be a solid 30-40% of the time that I would be forced to go unarmed, and for me... that is unacceptable.
If your wife depends upon her firearm for defensive use, I would strongly recommend that you have her try out an EZ model. No matter how heavily invested you may be in her current handgun, it won’t help her if she cannot comfortably and confidently use it. Currently, the EZ models can be had for very reasonable prices. Just my dos pesos.
smithra_66
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That's the problem with autos compared to revolvers. With an auto pistol, you pretty much have to keep the springs in a narrow range if you want to shoot "normal" ammo. The gun is completely dependent on the ammo to function properly.
If you lighten your springs, you will batter the frame of the gun and increase the chances for unreliability. Striker fired guns magnify this as they generally need the strongest recoil springs. Hammer fired guns alleviate this to some degree (like the EZ) but you still need to operate in a narrow band.
Ranger17
Member
I had a PC Shield 1.0 (9mm) that I loved (and had extra mags, etc for) but over time it became harder to handle with a bad arthritic thumb. Yes I “could” rack it if needed but this is also a hobby fir me. Which means time at the range enjoying shooting whatever I own. And if I dont enjoy it I wont use it or practice with it.
So went from that Shield to an EZ 9, and it is easier to handle. Mags are like loading my 22’s, and frankly it has a nice trigger and is fun to shoot. I am happy with that change, as it worked for me.
So went from that Shield to an EZ 9, and it is easier to handle. Mags are like loading my 22’s, and frankly it has a nice trigger and is fun to shoot. I am happy with that change, as it worked for me.
AppStFan
Member
I would also look at the TacRack from Wright Shooting. It replaces the slide end cap and gives a little something to grab hold of while racking the slide. As I get older I also find some of my guns harder to rack at times. I replaced the end cap on one of my Glocks with one made by Vickers Tactical and it really helps a lot.
I agree that it's not a good idea to second-guess the S&W engineers regarding recoil spring weight, so here's another solution: Safest way to rack your pistols Handi-Racker
I've had one for years. It works exactly as advertised.
I've had one for years. It works exactly as advertised.
