How To Rack Any Handgun Slide
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- Опубліковано 2 тра 2017
- A common question both while I was instructing and here on the channel has been about how easy a slide is to rack or not on a certain handgun. Here I show you how to rack any handgun.
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Another tip that may be helpful is to push the gun forward with the dominant hand while pulling the slide back with the other.
Yep, this works really well if you're standing and pointing the muzzle toward the ground, too - lots of leverage that way. (Although be sure you're not pointing it at your own feet, obviously!)
@@hux2000 I am of at least average size and strength and I had never had any notable problem with racking anything... until I bought a tiny Ruger Max. I was surprised at how difficult that is. On that one I use the two handed push/pull thing, getting my right arm involved in doing most of the heavy pushing.
@@kpasa111 I'm jealous of you. I've had the Ruger LCP 2 for a while, and can't find the max nearby. The little Ruger's are so cool. I used to just rack it empty while relaxing (ammo in another room) just to soften the springs and get used to how it felt.
How do I rack the slide with the thing stopping the slide? He pulls it back multiple times and nothing stops it. Is there a certain distance I should pull it or am I pulling it too far back?
@@brokegamer3381 If the magazine (clip) is empty, the slide locks back. Take the magazine (clip) out and the slide returns to firing position when you rack it. Buy some snapcaps to practice cycling ammo through a semi auto. They are dummy bullets made of plastic. They won't damage the firing pin and it's a safe way to get used to your gun
I've been shooting for quite a while but sometimes I feel like a beginner. Arthritis in my fingers & wrist give me trouble racking my 1911. Especially my kimber 9mm. Kind of takes the fun out
I hope this method makes it easier for you. Thumb cocking the hammer first makes a huge difference too.
Excellent subject and very well presented, will make sure my wife sees this....to overcome it for her I picked up a Handi Racker but she wasn't much thrilled with it. thanks again.
Thank you. I used to teach full time and this was something that a lot of people had simply never been exposed to before.
Beautiful video. Really needed this one. Thanks
Very informative video...as a man new to the gun community I do tent to baby my gun afraid to pull the slide back to hard, but you said something that sat with me, a freaking bullet shoots through and knocks the slide back so why am I so worried....that really helped alot thanks for the video bud, I'm learning everyday
Thank you and welcome! Yeah, a 9mm round is about 34,000 psi of pressure!
@@GBGuns well you have a new sub here Graham, your videos are awesome brother...much success to you man 💯
Great Video Excellent Demonstration and explanation!
SUPERB INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO. THANK YOU!
Nice basic info, well done!
An outstanding video, thanks so much. The ravages of time constantly challenge us oldsters, while your valued experience and
Skill give us a welcome resource to "stay in the game."
Something I tell folks who struggle with it is to use split the load between your grip hand going forward and your slide hand going backwards. Many newer shooters try to do it all with the slide hand.
tcafan Great tip
Racking the slide with the hammer up is a much more satisfying sound, plus it cuts the ready time almost in half
It actually worked for me. I am a smaller framed man. I had a hard time with my desert eagle. 50.ae. great idea
Best way is a push pull rack which utilizes the power of 2 hands instead of one. ONe way is to point the handgun 45 degree angle to the ground push out with your right hand while simultaneously pulling back with your left hand. Same technique but point the handgun to the left while performing a push/pull rack slide.
I just got a P-01 and I cannot believe how freaking hard it is rack. I have S&W 45's and an FNX 45 Tactical and they are a dream to rack. The CZ is a PITA
This is a good way of racking the slide, but I've seen people, including myself, when we grab with full hand than just fingers, we let the inside part of our palm to drop down and when the slide comes back (if you're still holding on the slide) the plam's skin get's caught between the slide and the ejector hole and you get a nasty bite.
Best to grab the slide with your left hand thumb, index and middle finger, and keep the palm away from the ejector hole.
My two cents! :-)
Ben Hayat your technique is the one that works best for me I don't like the way that he shows in the video.i always cut myself when I try it that way
I'm new to gun. It happened to me once when I did on Shield. My cousin did nicely and bullet fall on his palm. Doing that way I felt comfortable to check port and magazine well, but need lot strength to slide. Sometimes I slide with thumb and index around front sight. Is it good safe practice?
@@Family1st2023 using his method is the correct way but be sure you have a gap between your hand and the top of the slide. The faster you rack the easier it is and use the push pull technique. The reason this is the best method is it's faster when you insert a new magazine with the slide locked back you're not reaching around to the front of the slide. Point your handgun in a safe direction and practice racking the slide ever chance you get and it will become easy in no time.
TY good info & will watch again 2 glean it all
Great information to have.
Thanks for being different than the other 20 videos for women.
It's not just for women, people of all physical strengths can benefit from learning an easier way to do things.
I have a Glock 42. My problem is racking the slide while at the same time trying to depress the slide stop with my thumb, which isn't easy. I've sent away for an Extended Slide Stop Lever, which should help, but this never seems to be discussed in videos on slide release problems.
good tip Mr Baates
i have gone back to double stack. single stack by 3rd mag id start stove piping. i think its bad mistake giving new shooter or weak handed a light weight small single stack.
i just bought ruger american compact yesterday :) weight and thickness does matter. not real easy to rack but i started resizing brass to build muscles
Try racking with the method I demonstrated.
Very helpful. Thanks.
simple , but very educational. 👍👍
I agree with everything you said, except that the pinch slingshot works far better for me. Not only is it easier, it also gives me a fluid motion to rack and present. The overhand slingshot leaves my support hand further away from my gun and out of position. It's what works for me.
I agree
Thank you for the information
That's one of the only complaints I have with my Rex zero 1s, is they frame mounted manual safety gets in the way of the racking the slide
Good tips. I remember my instructor also explaining to me the influence of stress on the motoric skills, so the method you shown on the glock is also much easier to do under stress. There were some female coleagues on range with us and none had problem racking the slide that way. Even on my friends G43 his wife has no issues whatsoever with this grip.
Well done
Nice Mosin and SKS in background
Nice ! Thank You👍
There is an easier way you are overlooking.
I'm a senior citizen undergoing chemo treatment. Surprising to me, chemo robbed a lot of my strength.
What worked was to hold on to the slide with the left hand as you show.
Then racking the slide by pushing the gun forward with the right hand and keeping the slide stationary.
Worked for me.
I found this only necessary if the hammer was down (like on my Ruger LCP 2).
That's essentially what this method is, but this method uses both arms to share the load.
Good job!
Terrific video!
Thank you
1st method can cover the ejection port and visibility for camber check. Also worst case you end up with your forearm in front of the muzzle.
Thank you, Sir
I bought a brand new PX9 Zingana at first I almost couldn't pull it back till I learned grab it towards front and push is easier than back pull a big gun .. I'm still pulling it back and releasing a couple times a day it gets easier ... It needs it's wear in to make it easier ... I owner a Glock 17 for years had no issues because it was a retired police weapon... This brand new PX9 is more Glock 19 size but a beast new to pull without doing that .
And the shorter the barrel the stiffer the spring will be.
good info educational
That hammer extra step took me a while to figure out. 😸
If it's really stiff, you can bring your left arm across your body so that it's straight and your right arm is bent. Then, you push the gun forward, rather than pulling the slide back
How about this on the 1911: Place your four fingertips along the front end of the slide, the heel of your hand and extended thumb along the other side of the slide in a kind of "thumbing a ride" configuration. I get a really strong purchase on the slide doing it that way.
Thank ya'll!
That SKS in the background is freaking gorgeous.
Thank you. It was unissued!
I grip the slide with my non-dominant hand and push the frame forward with my dominant hand. Racking the frame is much easier and looks badass.
Great video. So compacts work harder than say a 4 inch barrel? Does a full size 9mm work easier than a 45 slide ? Would appreciate a reply from anyone who knows. Thanks
Fact is not everyone can rack just any semi-auto pistol. Thankful today there are several made to rack easier in 9 mm concealed carry. Still there are times I can't even pull a trigger much less rack. SPS disease can be hell. Never give up!
I have a Kimber Desert Warrior. Very tight and precision made firearm. I'm left handed and don't (am 60 years old and have a few aches and injuries) have probably as much strength in my hands as I should have. In order to rack the slide, I have to hold handgun in right hand (my other handguns I do this left handed...no issues) and it's still sometimes with difficulty. The firearm is nice, easily shooting, well balanced to my hand. Just have some issues racking the slide. Do you have any recommendations to make it easier and/or for a left-handed operation. No, selling the gun is not an option. I really like it. I have no issues with my 19X, which is currently set up for a left handed person.
i know its 2 years late..but i just watched this video..cock the hammer back first..then rack the slide..way easier..love my 1911 kimber also
Does this technique work for a 22 hand gun
I don't know if it's a new mic or what but your current voice has so much more bass (which makes it so soothing) compared to your voice in this older video.
Goto hell thought I had a lash on my screen
@@mattdudley4782 "lash" Lush?
Some people have told me that with your right hand that's holding the gun that you push forward there while you're pulling back on the slide
I had to learn to rack and release the slide without using the slide release button as I have a terrible cyst in my right hand, making it hard to pull tension in the slide to press the button.
Does racking the slide frequently damage or wears down my gun?
Not enough to be an issue for decades
No, because when you shoot the slide will go back and forth. Especially when you rack the slide back.
I had a Glock in my hands at my very first gun show. I was shaking with excitement and couldn't rack it. Fast forward 8 years later I got to hold a newer Glock and put too much force into racking it and the owner was not happy 😅😅😅
If I put the hammer down will the gun still fire if I didn’t rack it?
It is sometimes helpful to not only pull with off hand but push with the strong hand.
Exactly
If I am empty slide rack to my canik sf mete for pistol break in..please tell me my weapon is save ??
My biggest problem with racking my LCP was getting the web of my hand pinched, and I do not have large hands. So I switched to the LCP II which I heard was easier. I heard wrong! There’s no noticeable difference. I carried a Colt 1911 for years and NEVER had a racking problem while using ANY gripping style.
Even a veteran range instructor had difficulty racking my LCP. He yelled, “Oil the gun once in a while!” I explained that I cleaned and oiled the gun every time it was fired. At that point I had put hundreds of rounds through the pistol. It was just difficult to grab the slide with any force.
I had the same problem with a CZ P-01 it was awful. I oiled it way more than any of my guns. Problem solved
How can I build up hand strength? The hard part for me is gripping with my left hand as you demonstrated.
Do grip and forearm exercises.
I need help. Just found this old video and I want to see if there's something I'm doing wrong racking a Diamondback DB9 Gen 4. It's requires almost superhuman strength. Guess you can load the mag with 5, rack it and then add another to the magazine after ejecting it.
Well, the need to rack the slide safely. (pistol)
Don't get caught in any other issue but to rack the slide it does not have to be complicate.
In an emergency call 911 if possible! Now follow all the safety rules, keeps your finger away from the trigger.
With the weapon "safe to handle" position and using safety caps as bullets, just practice.
If any of this does not make sense, you need to re-think your decision to buy a pistol.
Get a revolver instead, with a cylinder which has 6 holes, 5 is fine 6 is better. ( revolver with less that 8 pound trigger pull.)
Please take a safety course your local Police Dept. will be happy to teach you.
Ask, Ask, questions. Should you have a physical impermanent, please buy a revolver.
great vid, thumbed it graham. new2guns, hav a Taurus g2c, w/o bullets in the clip, and clip in, it wont fire, aftr being slide being cocked back, *(unless i release clip), tried using the slide latch, very stiff, ???u know y
Unfortunately I don't from that description. It sounds like it may need warranty attention
Just saw your video...I have an old Walther PPK/S .380...should I replace the spring with a lower poundage, say 15 lb, to help me rack the slide now since I am getting RA? And if I change the spring, will the gun still function as before?
Have you tried cocking the hammer before racking? Reducing the hammer spring risks reliability
Probably been asked and answered if i scrolled but what are some easier "slide" pistols. I have MS and my left hand has a limited amount of grip. Its also tough to load mags. Any help? Ty
In general the longer the slide the easier they are to rack. Weaker springs and more to grip. If you have a hammer-fired gun pull the hammer back before racking.
Just wanted to see how hard/easy to rack a 9mm. You make it look easy.
It's pretty east if you use the right method. The shorter the barrel the stiffer the spring will be no matter what the caliber. Use your bicep and triceps and it's easy.
Try it with a Kimber micro 9 with a slick slide. Doesn’t work unless you cock hammer. If you carry in condition 3 you have to do it another way, otherwise another step to get it in battery. If you carry condition 1, no need on general to rack slide back after hammer is cocked and round chambered. This is a popular gun and some additional discussion is in order…
It's a red herring. This has nothing to do with carrying in one condition or another.
What’s that in the front?
With a red dot? Any tricks?
Great information but it was 5yrs ago if any changes please do a 2022 update 👍🏿
A new video today might have audio-visual but the principles remain the same. We me make a new versions.
I struggle with mine and I'm a 6'1" man. Not sure what my problem is. Maybe it needs more lube or maybe I just need to shoot it more to break in the spring.
Have you tried the method I demonstrated? Technique seems to help most.
Sling shot method is the way to go as it helps with muzzle control. Pointing the gun forward.
Yes those C z's are definitely a little tougher.....
ty i needed to put my dog down. this helped!
Lol wtf
If you have a wagon in front of you and want to pull it straight back, you don't stand to one side and pull it back. You pull from the back. A person is much stronger pulling the slide from the back in a slingshot method. Physics dictates a person has more leverage from the back. If you want to grip over the top and pull from the side, that's your prerogative of course. But a person is simply has a stronger and more secure grip from the back.
totally false pretense. the massive difference in surface area with palm plus 4 fingers requires less hand muscle to maintain grip and the majority effort moves to the gross motor function of your upper arm. This aint towing and recovery. Your totally forgetting the force of stress at the point of contact. It is also WAY easier to utilize the push-pull technique (push frame forward with grip hand while pulling back on the side with supporting hand to split effort between two arms.) with palm grip. This can still easily be done while maintaining muzzle straight in front of you.
@@jusimplicit I'm sorry but you are incorrect. Natural physics dictates, that while you do not have as much grip on the surface, you do indeed have more strength pulling from the rear just as I explained in my wagon scenario. Its not a matter of opinion. It is a physical fact. Having said that, we are all free as long as we are safe to work the slide as we see fit. I think griping over the top is something people should practice ,simply because one may have to do it that in a certain situation. But we simply have more strength pulling from the rear. Actually pushing and pulling.
@@rustyyates421 you are totally ignoring the fact. the importance of grip. Let's use your "wagon example" I offroad and fully understand what you are trying to say, BUT no matter how much strength you have if you have poor grip all the strength is useless. If you are recovering a vehicle. You can have a 12,000 lbs. rated tow winch, amd all the strength is useless if the bow shackle or recovery point fails. The recovery point is basically the grip you have on the slide. All the extra strength is moot without a good sure grip. "weaker" people will be splitting too much effort maintaining a pinch style grip (which is a fine motor skill) and trying to rack the slide back. Gross motor skills is ALWAYS easier and stronger than fine motor skills. That is why babies develop palm grip (gross motor) before finger grip (fine motor skill). We're not talking physics here. we're talking BODY MECHANICS.
@@jusimplicit your grip doesn't mean much if you don't have as much strength. If you grip the slide from the back you can actually have practically as much finger surface on the slide simply by reaching a little more forward. I'm not ignoring anything, I've been shooting my entire life, some 40 years. The method you are referring to, from the side fingers over the top came into the picture about the time UA-cam came along. I hope you will understand, I'm not saying your way is an incorrect method, I'm saying that I see videos talking about how it is the correct way and an easier way and that is factor just not the case. When you rack from the side fingers over the top you are using mostly your hands ,arms with slightly more finger surface on the slide. Prior to the advent of youtube, it just wasn't done that way at least by most people. There is another problem, I see far too often with your method and I see even respected shooters making this mistake and it can be dangerous. When you rack the slide from the side and fingers over the top, there is sometimes a tendency for the elbow to be on the wrong side of the barrel. We know of course that keeping all of your body behind the shooting end of the barrel is paramount. All I'm saying is physics dictates that pulling the slide from the back is naturally stronger. It is safe shooters prerogative to rack the slide safely as the see fit.
Those little tiny Beretta 21As or 3032s are not easy to rack at all. The tip up barrel is a great idea. I wish Beretta would rerelease the 86FS.
The Beretta Pico .380 doesn't have the tip-up option, and it's a little bugger to rack. Even Hickok45 commented on it.
Tried pulling back the hammer and it helps a bit. I have a Beretta 92FS Compact L (bought a number of years ago) and now have arthritis in distal finger joints and proximal thumb joints which makes getting a good grip to rack the slide very difficult. I've looked at a number of videos on "how-to..." and on slide assist tools but none look like they'll work on this firearm. (I emailed Beretta to see if they have any suggestions so...we'll see!) Any other thoughts or just give up, sell it and buy a different 9mm?
It doesn't get much easier than a DA with the hammer back unless you go to a longer slide
Dude looks like a sous chef in a French restaurant.
You are the first one I have seen telling someone to cock, the hammer, before trying to rack the slide on a hammer fired weapon.
It makes things a lot easier
I have Springfield its so hard to rack back!
It doesn't matter who made it, the shorter the barrel the stronger the spring has to be.
@@GBGuns im thinking glock would be better?
@@GBGuns ok ty
It's not about the brand, it's the barrel length, shorter barrels require stronger springs. I'd be happy to walk you through it. Send us a message to the GBGuns Facebook page.
Message sent
I have seen where people rack back the hardgun slide and it stays back, how is this done.
When the slide is back press up on the slide lock lever.
Thinking i should get glock?
cz75 compact is so hard to rack idk or i just have weak fingers or grip
The CZ 75 has a small surface are to grab, but you can make it a little easier by thumbing the hammer back first.
If you really have issue with racking a pistol slide using the normal Sling shot method then get a revolver.
How about a Desert Eagle
They are tough
All that is cool and all, but how do I rack a revolver?
How?
I'm planning to join the the drug enforcement force one day but I have a really irritating problem with my hands sweating a lot (and I mean a lot). I wont have any problems in physical trainings, but with practical and gun trainings? that's where I'm worried... Just watching this video makes my hands sweat like crazy >:(
Correction: its not an explosion. Its 'deflagration'.
how do i make it stay back ????
Pull the slide fully to the rear while pushing up on the slide stop. The cheater method is to put an empty magazine in it and just pull the slide to the rear. The only exception to these two methods would be if your pistol doesn't have a slide stop but those are rare.
@@GBGuns i have a glock 19 gen 5 but thanks ! im new to the gun world so i appreciate this alot ! stay safe my brother
its much harder with a full magazine.
Slingshot the Slide
I have a cz75 and I can't rack it at all.
Have you tried the method demonstrated? Message us on Facebook and we can walk you through it.
Another tip with hammer-fired guns is to cock the hammer first, that's where most of your resistance comes from
You’re not using your biceps, biceps are supinators meaning the work when the palm of your hand is up, you use the brachialis.
Another tip on slide racking is that unless you are the one having difficulty, don’t be so positive that it can be overcome.
I have a few pistols this method does not work well on. Both (a Magnum Research Baby Eagle & a S&W 6906) have the ambidextrous safety on the slide, right where you’re grabbing it in this video. So instead of having that nice flat area to grab, you’re grabbing a safety lever that’s pretty sharp on its edges. I’ve seen several videos on how to rack slides and they all demonstrate as you do, but none address pistols with safety levers on the back of the slide.
some people just sand down areas where point of contact irritates their hand over the time of use; that or just build callouses over time; you can also utilize gloves if it is that much of a issue. nothing wrong with shooting with gloves
4:38 - Nice cover up saying "Its that easy" after your grip failed and the slide went forward prematurely.
Nope, that's how it works on a Xcalibur
@@GBGuns Love the answer, liked and subscribed.
im a grown ass 23 year old man and I'm literally having hard time handling the my new handgun, it is even hard to release it with one finger for me and i see kids do it easily, wonder why? It is Canik t9 sc too hard man should have gone with the bigger one.
If you're new to handguns, it's much easier with either a loaded mag or no mag. With an empty magazine the gun is trying to do its job of locking open.
Wrong, you’re supposed to remove the clip before you rack the slide, and then tap it back in, also, make sure you’re aligned with the North Pole.
Rack it from the front it’s easier and you get back on target faster just sayin
I'm a human
Not a cuman
All good reasons to own a Glock
This is extra helpful on a slippery Glock.
Great video. So compacts work harder than say a 4 inch barrel? Does a full size 9mm work easier than a 45 slide ? Would appreciate a reply from anyone who knows. Thanks
Compact is 4". In general the shorter the slide the stiffer the spring.