sd9ve Failure to Feed - Female user

[tnc110]

Bought my girlfriend a new 9mm sd9ve. We have fired about 180 rounds through it. She get FTF about every magazine. I shot about 3 mags and not one failure. I told her to firm up the grip and threatened to take the gun away from her if the issue continues...well it still happens. Is the problem all her, do I need to find her a different gun or is there something that can be done to make this gun work? I polished the feed ramp, but didn't seem to help.

She doesnt want a revolver, but this clearly isnt working...

 

[Bengal07]

It obviously is not the gun

If she gets FTF and you do not--it is the operator not the gun---she must be limp wristing

 

[GKC]

I told her to firm up the grip and threatened to take the gun away from her if the issue continues...well it still happens.

I would guess that it is limp wristing as well. I would also suggest that perhaps you should have her take some lessons from an instructor. She may feel intimidated or threatened by you, especially if she feels that she is disappointing you, or that you will take the gun away from her.

The other thing I would mention, and I have learned this the hard/expensive way, is not to buy something for my wife...at least not something like a gun...let her pick it out. It may involve some trial and error (if you have other guns she can shoot, or try renting some different models) but what works for you and you like, may not work at all for her.

 

[FloridaFlier]

I have to ask, why not a revolver. 100% reliable action, shoots from inside a purse or pocket if needed, unbelievably simple reload. just as light. I used to carry a pocket pistol, but am now a revolver guy, and feel that it is better for my needs.
'Point and pull trigger, repeat as required." How do you beat that? Also, as a reloader, I can make weaker loads for new shooters. Autos, not so much.

 

[tnc110]

Yeah...but she can fire my glock .45 no problem. And with all the rumors of glocks being victims of limp wrist...

I told her that I was going to get her a revolver...might be the answer...

 

[GKC]

She doesnt want a revolver

I told her that I was going to get her a revolver

Good luck with that!

 

[Scottwig]

>>>>Yeah...but she can fire my glock .45 no problem.<<<

Then get her a Glock.

 

[stringpicker]

Do you have a range where you can rent different handguns? If so, have her go with you, let her pick out 5 different weapons, and find out what she likes best...then buy that for her.

I didn't pick out my wife's weapon for her...she spent 2 months going to different places with me and shooting a multitude of weapons. In the end, it wasn't a S&W that she wanted...she wanted a Kahr CW9.

It was the most comfortable in her hand and the easiest for her to control and hold accuracy. As soon as I saw that she was having issues racking the slide, I showed her a different way. She absolutely loves the weapon, and carries it with her everywhere she goes.

Carrying and shooting firearms are no longer boys only events. Drop the male bravado and let her pick out what she wants to own and carry.

All of that being said, her issue with that firearm is her shooting style. She's either limp wristing or flinching in anticipation of the recoil.

 

[tbury]

I agree with the limp wrist comments. I experienced a similar situation with a guy having problems with a Sig 226. Once we got him to stiffen his wrist the problem went away. You might have her go to slow fire where she concentrates on every shot. I would guess she is shooting fairly rapid and hitting a fatigue point which causes a weak wrist shot.

 

[08-105th]

I agree 100% on the "limp wristing/grip/anticipating recoil". The SD9VE was my first semi auto - first new firearm in 25 years! I had the same problem, then got some good advice from this site and local dealer on how to grip the pistol next time to range 200 rounds NO FTF or stove piping...

 

[snubbyfan]

Ok, the way I see it there are a few solutions. If she has a limp wrist either get an auto with a steel frame which will retain more inertia due to its mass or go to a higher caliber which will impart more inertia to the slide. The reason the .45 works is because the larger caliber imparts more inertia to the slide enabling the gun to function correctly. If she's reluctant to get a larger caliber then discuss going with a revolver. It's very important that the gun work properly is she's going to use it for self defense.

 

[coolaide]

Tell her to Sqeeze her butt cheeks together when she shoot. Sounds weird but when you do it Limp wrist wont happen. Naturally your trigger hand will press down in your steady had. Dont believe me try it where you sit right now.