Slide a bit difficult

[browntiger]

Hey guys,

Just purchased my first sidearm, and am now a proud owner of the XD-9 Service model. So far, I'm pleased with how it fits in my hand, but I have just one problem so far.

First, the slide seems a bit difficult to pull back (to cock the gun). I imagine this has something to do with the spring tension in the handgun... is this something that can be modified by a gunsmith?

I'm concerned because the flesh in the palm of my hand got caught once in the chamber when I was trying to manage a better grip-- which hurt like a #@$@. It's also a bit awkward trying to maintain a solid grip while twisting my arm and keeping the slide pulled back far enough to empty the chamber of any round that's in there. Bottom line, I just don't want to catch myself accidentally firing a weapon because of any difficulty I had trying to empty the chamber.

Thanks!

[jblakk]

I have the XD-9 service as well, and it does get a little bit better as it breaks in, but will still be stiff. that is due to the double captive recoil spring. You can get lighter springs for it, but then you might start running into cycling problems. I have caught my hand once or twice in the chamber when my hand slipped, but that will get better as you become better with the gun. The easiest way I find to rack/open the slide is to cross body the gun. Use your left hand, and grab the front serations, then pushthe bottom forward with the right. This way leverage will be on your side. As for accidently firing the gun, just remember to keep your finger off of the trigger when doing this, and there is almost no chance of it going off, since you will still have 2 safetys active (trigger, and striker block). Hope that helps.

BTW, welcome to the forums.

[rgeliske]

Try just holding the slide with your non-shooting hand and pushing with your shooting hand. If you are right handed hold the slide with you left hand and push the frame forward with your right hand. It is a matter of practice that you will eventually learn to do very easily.

[ForTehNguyen]

my service used to be difficult to rack, after about 500 rounds tho it was a lot easier to rack it. Just needs to be shot a lot. The trigger got smoother too

[mhillsing23]

Like others have said, it will loosen up. Most importantly, find a grip that works for you. I played around with a few different slide techniques until I found out what works for me.

[TMP]

It will only make you stronger!!!!!

Once you get the technique down you will be fine.

[D-FENS]

Originally Posted by rgeliske

Try just holding the slide with your non-shooting hand and pushing with your shooting hand. If you are right handed hold the slide with you left hand and push the frame forward with your right hand. It is a matter of practice that you will eventually learn todo very easily.

If you keep your finger off the trigger you will not fire the gun. Also remember to keep it pointed in a safe direction. I see no harm in practicing racking the slide without a magazine until you get the hang of it. The push/ pull method suggested by rgeliske is probably what you are after.

[Lefthanded Shooter]

Something that has helped me being new to handguns and having arthritis, is to do exercises to strengthen the fingers, grip and forearm. Try squeezing a tennis ball and work your way up to doing a lot of repetitions (10 - 30) and sets (3 - 5). Sitting and watching TV is an excellent time to do this. Risking distraction, you can also do so while driving.

Another inexpensive exercise is to purchase a set of hand grips (V-shaped spring type devices found in the sporting goods section of Wal Mart, Target, K-Mart and other similar stores) and use them, exercising as described above.

Another strengthing exercise is to take a five or ten pound wt. as tolerated, tie a rope to it, attach the other end to a 12 - 18" piece of closet pole or something similar. In a standing position (or even sitting) with the palms of your hands facing down, grip the piece of pole, roll it forward or backward (actually both ways) until the wt. reaches the hands. Then reverse the activity to let it back down. Start out with 10 reps for two sets. Increase the reps to 20 and sets, gradually over a number of days until you are doing maybe 4 - 5 sets a day.

If you stay with these exercises regularly, you will notice your grip getting stronger and racking the slide will be come easier. Wimpy handshakes might also improve.

Of course there are other exercises you could do and hopefully someone will suggest them. FWIW, you should exercise 5 - 6 days a week on a regular basis for good health.

I hope this helps.
LS

[Baldy]

I had the same problem, and a couple new shooters trying out my gun pinched their hand trying to rack the slide.

I'm right handed. I grab the slide with my left hand over the rear of the slide, with my thumb pad/palm on the left, and my index/middle/ring finger on the right, with my pinkie up (to keep that side of my hand from getting pinched).

This gives me plenty of friction so the slide won't slip out of my hand (ever worked after I used too much cleaner, and still was a bit slippery).

[zenner22]

As soon as I saw the title of the thread, I knew you were talking about an XD Service! My XD9 is hard to rack too, guess it's the nature of the beast. I've only got a few hundred rounds through it so far but I think it is getting a bit easier. Or I'm getting used to it!