S&W M&P slide assist?

[BlueMR2]

My wife *loves* her S&W M&P 9mm, however it's VERY hard to rack. Basically impossible for her and I struggle with it myself as the gripping surface is quite poor and the spring exceptionally stiff. I recently saw a "slide assist" clip designed for a specific make of gun to make it easier to rack back, unfortunately the S&W was not one that it would fit. Has anyone seen such a thing for the S&W M&P line, or have some other advice on problem that doesn't involve getting a new gun? She absolutely LOVES that gun and will not even consider getting another. Currently, she has me rack it as necessary, which I don't mind, but is inconvenient at the range and keeps her from actually using her concealed carry.

[TSiWRX]

Is the pistol new - i.e. will it break-in?

I'm not intimately familiar with the M&Ps, but, for example, with the Ruger SR9c, it's got a known notorious - infamously - hard-to-rack slide, which, over the course of some 200 to 500 rounds, just barely starts to become more reasonable. Heck, I've got 1000+ rounds on her, now, and it's still tougher than I'd like for it to be.

Another question, of course, is if you're using the "slingshot" method or the more ergonomic "powerstroke" method (thumb towards body)...but then again, without good traction surface on the slide or with something small and tight - like the SR9c - it's still hard.

[Tourist]

Have you tried gripping it with your weak hand, and "pushing" with your strong hand? Not the "sling shot" grip with the weak hand, but a full hand grip on the slide. I find this method works for guns that are hard to rack, even for women that have weaker hands.

I hope I have described it well enough for you to understand, but if you need more words let me know.

P.S. a location for you might let a local member help.

I see you are new here. Welcome!

[BlueMR2]

Purchased new and I'm guessing it's got 150-200 rounds through it now, really haven't been keeping track all that well. Been to the range with it a couple times, plus about half the CCW class shooting (it was slowing down the class, so they ultimately had her switch guns to something larger and easier to work with, so we could get done on time). If it relaxed a little, that would certainly help. Hopefully we'll be able to get some more use out of it this Summer and find that out for sure! S&W claims that there's no break-in period with the M&P models and that it shouldn't change any measurable amount, anyone have experience to confirm/deny?

Started with the slingshot, which was impossible for both of us (and I had an nasty little slip while doing that took a chunk of skin off a finger). After that we switched to the powerstroke method. That change made enough difference that I can operate it, but not enough for her.

Good point about the weak vs. strong hand. I can't believe it never occurred to try swapping it to the other hand! If we can safely work out the logistics to be able to lock it back as necessary, that might just be our solution!

If that doesn't work, maybe we just need to go hit the gym.

[TSiWRX]

...or the more ergonomic "powerstroke" method (thumb towards body)

and:

Have you tried gripping it with your weak hand, and "pushing" with your strong hand? Not the "sling shot" grip with the weak hand, but a full hand grip on the slide.

I hope I have described it well enough for you to understand, but if you need more words let me know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTt_rq7i ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

^ Hope this video shows the "powerstroke" or thumb-toward-the-body, "pushing/punching"-out with the firearm - or "overhand" - method.

The other stuff in the video is ancillary - what is illustrated is how to grip the slide in the "overhand" method.


< EDIT: Oops - looks like you already answered my questions/concerns. >

[chevysoldier]

I have two M&Ps, .40 and .45. I've also handled and shot some 9mm and have never experienced it being hard to rack. Have you field stripped it and see if there is any obvious damage or something else? I'd let S&W take it and see what they can do for you. It shouldn't be that tough to pull back.

[jeep45238]

I've found the compact models more difficult than the fullsize models.

I've also noticed that the full size models conceal just as well as the compact models, while being easier to manipulate, shoot faster, and be more accurate with.

Take it with a grain of salt.

[chevysoldier]

I've found the compact models more difficult than the fullsize models.

I've also noticed that the full size models conceal just as well as the compact models, while being easier to manipulate, shoot faster, and be more accurate with.

Take it with a grain of salt.

My .45 is a compact and the .40 is fullsize. I'll agree with you on the latter but I'd disagree on the compacts being harder to rack. Dunno though.

[Jake]

Thanks for all the comments ladies.

[pleasantguywhopacks]

Neither my wife or my mother can rack any 9mm or 45 I have owned. I had them try both over hand and sling shot with no good results. They can rack my LCP.

[BlueMR2]

Finally had a few minutes to try it out tonight. Powerstroke with opposite hands is a good deal easier for me, once I got comfortable with it. Definitely feels a bit odd, but works better. Fortunately the M&P has the slide lock on both sides. When she's got some time, I'll have to sit down with her and see if that works any better for her!

As far as it being a mechanical issue, it's been handled by several NRA instructors now, as well as a few local police officers (instructors/safety people at the CCW training and friends, no we didn't walk down the street asking for police to try out the gun ) and none of them found anything unusual about it. Appears to just be that we're weak.

[Jake]

Pick up some spinach.

[TSiWRX]

^ In all seriousness, is it a hand-strength issue? or one more of having to find just the right ergonomic way of going about racking?

If it is a hand-strength concern, consider working on it: it helps a lot, with a lot of different things. Start with those "grip trainers" that you find in the sporting-goods section of Target or Wal-Mart, and go slow. Start with 3 sets of 5 reps, and no more, but really try to fully "close" the ends of the grips. You don't want to over-do this training, as you'll have a hard time doing just about *anything* the next day, as, well, being able to have a good grip is vital.

Move on up to something like the "Captains of Crush." Over the years, as I've stepped farther away from martial arts, I've fallen out of being able to actually close "Level 2" . I don't think I can even close #2 once, now.

Unless, of-course, there's medical reasons precluding! Check with your doctor, first, if that's the case, and ask him for a referral to OT or PT specialists, who can help!

[Deezey]

The trick to racking a stiff slide is to not pull the slide back. Sounds odd I know. It is far easier to push the grip of the gun forward while you hold the slide "still". It is easiest to use an over the slide grip. Get as much of your hand on that slide as possible.

Also you can apply a little oil to your slide rails until everything loosens up. The best thing to do is just not give up. Soon you will be racking that slide without even thinking about it.

[DaveJ]

Try wearing a glove with grip on the "slide" hand and using the push pull method. I personally use a golf glove on hard to rack slide or when I am shooting alot.
Dave