Added: 1 year ago
From: limalife
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  • Very well explained, thanks!

  • I don't see how anybody could not do this... I don't use this technique but i sure as hell don't consider it impossible. I can do it with all my guns and all my friends guns (no I do not want a cookie). My 1911 and SR9, my friends PT92AFS, XD, Px4 Storm. If you can't rack the slide, get a revolver.

  • Thank you very much for making this video, as a wiry male laborer I never knew the 25lbs spring in my P7 was heavy until I was told so. I have since been looking for a way to assist the women in my life who have trouble with such matters. For me this technique makes an easy task effortless, I think it will be of use to them. Thank you.

  • wow. that cdp's rails seem like its riding on BUTTER. nice. smooth

  • Lastly, it is unsafe to operate a gun while pointing it sideways. Always point it downrange and assume that it will malfunction and discharge. If west is downrange... and you want to point the pistol west, fine... turn and face westward before operating. You're not going to shoot the gun sideways so you shouldn't operate it sideways... If you are training for self defense, the proper way to use the overhand method is explained here: watch?v=DTt_rq7ikZ4 - note: how he puts his fingers at an angle

  • And when I say "My Method" I mean the standard method: You hold the gun sideways (like gang bangers in movies) so that the slide is facing your other hand. You grip the slide as you would grip a rifle... curl your fingers and twist your palm so that the sides of your fingers (not the fingerprint) is what grabs the slide. Then push your shooting hand forward while pulling the slide back and let it go.

  • The reason this methodmay seem like a good method to you is because you don't have a gun with a hard-to-rack slide. Try doing this on a Beretta 950 Jetfire. I'm 6'3" and 230 lbs with HUGE hands and rough skin... After a week of owning my Beretta I'm left with a permanant scar on my hands. LoL. Using your method (of course with less fingers since the gun has a tiny slide) -- I literally CANNOT cock the gun... it's not hard it's impossible... My method hurts but works...

  • Not all humans have the same body and some people have acceptionally strong fingers. Regardless, the method you're using simply makes it more difficult for 99% of humans. What you're doing requires you to focus your strength on your pectoral muscles... not most women's favorite. Try using the bow-n-arrow method and reversing your rifle-grip on the slide. This way you're using your whole body. This is not personal preference... This fact is recognized by martial arts, weight lifting and more

  • Ha ha, this is funny. I just did what she spoke of and come to find out I've racked a slide like a girl for decades. Merry Christmas to you all.

  • Great tip, I'll have to show my wife this technique too. She struggles with racking the slide at times. And thumbs up!

  • I feel comfortable by gripping the slide IN FRONT of the ejection port, is this good? I noticed that some handguns have serrations on the front of the slide as well, is this why?

  • @YayOrNay yes... some guns like the Ruger SR9 have front serrations so you can place your hand in front of the ejection port to rack the slide.

  • CaptainAPBT: Take a chill pill. Her finger was off the trigger and did a safety check prior to the video.

  • @tacticalkimchi Im glad you watched the safety check video, I didnt see it. I was simply saying the video could have been started with the slide locked back.

  • @CaptainAPBT Who cares? Not saying you don't, but if you don't know to safety check your weapon without being told, you have no business handling a firearm.

  • Interesting method. I couldnt help but worry that there could be a round in the chamber the whole time, even with no magazine in the weapon. I know you are experienced but many of the viewers are not and should be taught to check everytime until it becomes natural. Thumbs down for safety.

  • My girlfriend has a muscular disorder which affects her hands, she is unable to use ANY method to rack my 1911. She simply can't do it. :\

  • Great Video please make more pistol instructional videos for teaching women how to use modern firearms. Thanks your methods are useful.

  • Pla-ple-p- PUH! Place..

  • It works, that's for sure.

    I knew of this method for some time now, but never had to use it until today. This morning I went to the shop and bought 1911PD rail - there is no way I could even budge a slide using slingshot method. However, doing as displayed in the video I am able to rack the slide without much trouble.

  • if you have weak hands you shouldnt have a 1911

  • @reeding Piss off, she is showing a technique. You do not need strong hands to fire a 1911, my mom can after this still rack a slide. My P10 has a 18lb spring, my wife has weak hands compared to me. So you're saying weak handed people shouldn't be allowed to fire a .45. I say to you bullshit. Get your head out of your ass and get it into the gamel. You can clear a jam weak side with nothing more than a belt or clothing.

  • I prefer a slightly modified hand position: Instead of the thumb (strongest finger) hanging off the back of the slide doing nothing, I use the thumb on the left side of the slide, instead of using the palm of my hand there. In other words, gripping the slide between my thumb and first couple fingers.

    I feel that this gives a much more solid grip than using the palm. This can be demonstrated very easily, if you try to squeeze or crush an object with one hand. Adding the thumb adds more strength.

  • or oil your gun and quit being a fucking pussy(not intended to all handicaps)

  • Dunno if this has been mentioned in here, but years ago my father had a stroke and taught me a new way of racking a slide single handedly.

    Take said gun in main hand, swap mags and hook the rear sight on your belt then force the gun downward to load the gun.

    This can also be done on a countertop.

    This i would not use as a main technique but if one arm is out of the question it will work.

  • Good video. This is good for people with not much strength. Especially on hipowers and 1911's due to the heavy recoil springs. I was surprised by the force it took to charge a hipower until learning to push and pull at the same time.

  • racking the slide gets easier as a gun gets "broken in" that being said i tell people to use this same technique, the push pull method, when new to shooting. As you progress your "shooting muscles" will get stronger and this action will become easier. great video

  • Thank you. I have arthritis and the method makes a lot of sense and uses more muscle groups. No need to strain my hand anymore.

  • I never knew that

  • Sweet Pistols Lima Life. As in Lima OH?

  • Look at your video - your left elbow is up and away from your body - not touching your body. If you put the palm on top of the rack thumb on the side of the ejection port, the elbow is now lying close to and touching your body. You are using a larger gun so your grip is better, but this does not work with the smaller Walther PP. Thanks again for making these great vids.

  • I tried this method and even though I'm a 190lb guy, I could not do it with my gf's Walther PP, because my hand slips off. Putting the palm on the slide throws your elbow up. I put the palm on top of the rack, thumb on the side of the ejection port, allowing elbow to be down next to the body, then push pull works fine. My 140lb gf also had trouble with palm on side, but could easily rack with palm on top, thumb on port side. Thanks for making the vid, though.

  • @Badge01Kenobi I'm having a hard time envisioning why your elbow would have to go up... hmm.. hey.. whatever works for you guys though! :D

  • Thank you for this instructional video. My fiance has had trouble one of my more difficult to rack pistols; the Kahr MK9; The heavy double springs and limited slide real estate do make it awkward to rack.

    I guess I didn't even realize that I naturally use push/pull... This will definitely help her out!

  • I taught my brother this trick to show his girlfriend. He told me she was having a tough time racking the slide.

  • Great video! I'm totally sending a link to my wife! I think she'll take more of an interest if a woman is the one offering firearms advise and instruction. Girls with guns! Love'em love'em love'em!!!

  • Is that SpongeBob there on the floor?

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  • great looking pistol.

  • Ok, so I can rack the slide, but cannot engage the slide lock at the same time. Any suggestions for doing so?

  • @fil35pal Yes. You can rotate the hand holding the grip of the firearm so that the thumb is resting on the slide lock and as you push forward with that hand, push up on the slide lock.... OR move the hand that is on top of the gun forward of the ejection port (be VERY careful to leave a little space between the top of the ejection port and your palm so that your palm does not catch in the port) and pull up on the slide lock with your thumb as you pull the slide. I recommend the first method.

  • that glock looks gigantic in your hands lol.

  • Thanks for this video Limalife! I had my wife watch it and we practiced using a G23. Took her to the range today and she shot very well. She has weak hands and wrist but was able to rack the slide just fine. Thanks.

  • Wow. Still slamming the slide on the empty chamber I see. Makes me flinch every time I hear that whack.

  • decent instructions. Just as a side note too: In the film Valkayrie, Cruse plays a one armed Nazi officer and is seen using the edge of a table to push down on and rack the slide back with ease. Obviously you can't take a table with you where ever you go but it is interesting point none the less.

    Great Tut though!

  • 2:23 that barrel is ridiculous! haha

  • do I see Warren Tactical sights on that Glock? how do you like them? I've been thinking of getting them for my M&P.

  • A plus, tactical super star

  • YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL VOICE.....NICE VID, LIKE ALWAYS,,,,!!!!!!

  • Magpul calls this technique "power-stroke."

  • Great Video Lima, this is overlooked by a lot of people. Just like you said each semi-auto pistol has a different spring in it. I've seen girls rack one pistol with ease, then pick up the next - and can't budge it at all !

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  • Nice video very informative.

  • That Glock looks gigantic in your hands, I guess that's why you prefer the slim 1911.

  • Nice rack...;)

  • Good vid lima.

    Love that Wilson Combat

  • Hey Lima, I have a table cloth exactly like that shirt!

    That's not me being rude by the way, I love the table cloth, it was given to me by my late nan because she noticed a HUGE scratch in my kitchen table which to her was just not acceptable.

  • Thank You. My wife will enjoy that. She says racking the slide of a full size gun is a nightmare.

  • good vid, watch fer port pinch lol

  • Another great option when in some cases the serrations don't give you enough grip is to make small patches out of the grip tape to place on the slide. Seen it done by a female CHL instructor I know and it works very well.

  • whats up with the rail on your Glock? is that custom work? very cool

  • @tacticaltrigger I think it's just the 21 Short Frame model with a 1913 rail instead of the Glock proprietary "Universal" rail, although that's also an option.

  • Wow! This whole time I've been using a "pinch" method with just my thumb and curled forefinger. I'd be embarrassed when I was shown a gun, and I tried to rack the slide to inspect it but my hands were sweaty. :P What a practical approach! Thanks! I learned a lot from just this one video! :D. By the way, I'm normally rather neutrally-opinioned on Glocks, but that G21 of yours was quite pretty, being kinda hefty and having the tac-rails installed and all :). Keep up the awesomeness! ^_^

  • This method is not just for "weak" hands it just the right way to do it.

  • I saw ZombieTactics demonstrate this method with his 13 year old daughter. She could do it with about 5 or so guns without any problem. Certainly effective.

  • This is a good and often overlooked subject. Being able to prepare and use your weapon with your weak hand is extremely important. Additionally, keeping it closer to your body leaves you less exposed. Thanks again for a great video and have a nice Christmas.

  • I'm curious of your view fir safety checking...  Thanks!

  • Thank you for making this video. I'll share it with my wife, who struggles a bit with her XD 45.

    Oh, and Merry Christmas.

  • Good video. Nice technique. I think pete from armorychannel will like this.

  • Thanks Lima

  • my question is...why can't you live around here so we can shoot together?

  • well that wont work for me cause i was born with only 8 fingers

  • Any issues with that G21's ambi mag release?

  • @LynchYT

    -Absolutely-! Please hear this guys comment!

    This is a good technique for weak hands but carries two potential risks. First is that folks lose track of direction. Remember the first rule of gun safety is "Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction". You think that's a simple thing that you always do, but next time you're at the range step back from the line and watch a while. It's not just the newbies forgetting to turn their bodies around the gun to keep it pointed downrange...

  • @Galt425

    The other risk I was thinking of isn't a problem with the way demonstrated but with the way a couple posters have suggested placing the hand forward of the ejection port. It's a very low risk thing, but there have been cases of ejector springs moving in and hitting primers. So really unlikely to happen, but if it does, the gases coming out that ejection port would be enough to really damage your hand.

  • How many guns do you have? Almost looks like you own a shop

  • you dont look very weak to me

  • This is great! My wife has MS and sometimes has trouble racking the slide on her G26 because her motor skills are affected. I've tried to show her different methods of slide racking, but coming from a woman's perspective, instead of her husbands meaty hands, will definitely help her see the light. Thanks again!

  • thanks for uploading

  • Cool!

  • good infor limalife. ive never seen racking like that before. im not making a joke here. good info. ill show the wife.

  • I spy sponge bob

  • That glock needs oil on the recoil spring. it'll make that squeaky noise go away.

  • I like the angled mainspring housing on your 1911!

    And thanks for sharing the information.

  • Nice to have you back.

    Good gun handling suggestions

    Nice to see you guys picked up a Glock 21, I love them.

    It was my first firearm and I'm proud to say I still have it.

    I say its like a Timex. Takes a lick'n and Keeps on tick'n!

  • Makes sense nice info thanx

  • Great video Lima

  • Is that 21 the SF? I always thought I'd be neat to have a regular 21 with the picatinny style rail, but as far as I know, they were a limited run for the SF only.

  • Thank you for the tip, and congrats on your new HD camera. GB

  • Great pointers. Very good video idea too.

  • Could you review that Glock 21 and how would you recommend to conceal carry it?

  • omggg gun saftey omg rant rant rant omg didnt show the camera that its safe rant rant im gay rant

  • i'm liking that kimber.. good video lima thanks again

  • wasn't racking the slide without a round (non smoothly) in a 1911 a bad thing?

    I think you said that in a video some time before xD

  • great vid....

  • You have such cute, little, but deadly hands. Great Vid, keep up the good work.

  • You forgot to safety check lol great video I learnt something new today.

  • Nice Kimber

    Thanks for the video .

  • That commander size looks huge in your hands!

  • Watched a firearms instructor try this method while showing us not to follow the slide forward. I have to say it was funny seeing that slide drop on his pinky. Gave whole new meaning to glock bite. Glad to hear you tell people to place hand behind ejection port. Thanks for video

  • Thanks for the response to my question.

  • you make that 1911 look like a desert eagle!

  • Thanks for the valuable instruction. Anthony.

  • Another great video, thanks

    Have a Merry X-Mas !!

  • Excellent tutorial! My mom has a lot of trouble with auto pistols, I've been meaning to show her this technique.

    As always, thank you, Lima!

  • Hey, lima. Great vid as usual!!!

    I was teaching my sister how to safety check my Sig P226 (9mm) and she had some issues racking the slide. She had even more issues trying to lock the slide back. Any tips I can pass along for locking it back after racking it?

    Keep up the good work.  I always look forward to your videos.

  • As a die hard revolver person (with the exception of the 1911) I am not familiar with the frame on that G21, what was up with that? It almost looked like a flared grip and a bigger rail.

  • THat's a well made piece

  • Good as usual!

    +++++

  • as a left partial hand amputee I use a system much like yours (very little grip strength) but I also practice one handed racking of the slide (using a boot or other object) you just never know if your going to have an injured hand and not able to use both to load and chamber a pistol

  • @weaponeer

    Hey, man, love your vids

  • hi limalife can you tell me what brand 1911 and what the size is i am looking to get one. i have a full size kimber tactical 2 that i carry every day and its way to heavy now but i don't want to go away from the 1911. thank you

  • Very nice. I'll show this to my wife. By the way, my favorite part of this video is Spongebob.

  • do you have weak poor body strength? you always seem to rack the slide much easier than i can.

  • Good info!

  • great vid!! i am a female and sometimes it's hard for me to rack my gun. i was able to figure this out on my own but its suchhh a big help. thanks!!

  • Nice grips. VZ's?

  • @RobbyKreiger Yep! We have lots of VZs in this household..lol

  • Great demo! Thank you!

  • Thanks...yeah!!! sometimes it would slip off....and now, no way!

  • @EDCO34 Exactly. Most gun schools teach this method for even the big, burly men because when your hands get wet and slippery you can still get a really good, sure grip on your firearm this way. It's by-far the best way I have ever learned and I've really never found anyone who couldn't rack a slide using this method.

  • you have small hands >.<

  • Good video:)

  • I'm definitely going to have to show my mother who has very bad arthritis this video ..... thanks again Lima.

  • It is also easier if you put your hand in front of the ejection port (but not in front of the barrel of course).

  • @fbs9494 It can be but you have to be careful not to get any of your palm flesh in the ejection port and therefore pinched (OUCH!).

  • @limalife Yep. that pinch happened to my fiance when she tried to rack the slide on her friend's gun. I'll teach her this and see what she can do when we go shopping for her handgun. Might end up with a revolver anyway but this technique should help.

  • @fbs9494 Unfortunately that method develops problems when you begin to do malfunction drills. As such, is inadvisable.

  • Great tip and video! Merry Christmas!

  • Great Video.. Short and to the point! Pull & Push!!

    Now you might want to look out for SpongeBob there behind you! I think he was checking out your Butt!

  • Nice video and great information you have. Happy Holidays to you and your family.

  • Good information there. I've added grip tape to the rear portions of the slides on many of my semi-autos. It really helps to get a grip if your hands are sweaty.

  • Magpul style :)

  • great video!! im strong enough to rack anything with no problem, but great for those who cant!

  • One of my criteria for a wife is that she can rack the slide on a 1911. Too bad you're already hitched! ;) JK

  • A lot of instructors fail to teach that. Great tip.

  • @ketel1 especially the push with the shooting grip hand.

  • great video lima i was wondering what muscles are worked out when racking a slide is there anyway to get better at it anway thanks for the video MERRY CHRISTMAS

  • Nice Vid

    and

    HAPPY HOLIDAYS

  • Awesome, I never get to be the first to post a comment, I love your videos, thanks for posting.

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