racking a slide - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

thomye · 12-12-2006, 11:34 AM

OK, i've now been watching the pro's on video and many youtube vids. it always seems that many of these guys can rack their guns with ease. in the 3GM video, i see the CZ shooter rack his gun as if he had a 2lbs spring. he actually racked it with one finger from the top of this slide. The guy shooting the STI limited gun in the video did the same thing.

What gives? Can you competitive shooters rack your XD's with ease? mine seem rather tight, 17#'s to be exact or 22#'s depending on the run i'm shooting. i can in no way do it like the guys in the video.

please explain...

ichy_trigger · 12-12-2006, 11:46 AM

I never had a problem racking any of mine. In my XD tactical though im running a 15 lb. spring and my STI Limited gun im running a recoil master, it is close to 15 lbs. too I believe.

Its all in technique I guess, hell, even my kids can rack the XD stock configuration.

Nerves · 12-12-2006, 12:34 PM

Most of them have a light spring. It's not out of the norm for an open STI to have a 9lbs spring. I have seen and used Glock 34 with a 11 lbs....

mullanman · 12-12-2006, 01:09 PM

Its easier to rack the slide on a full length gun. I run an 11# spring in my Limited gun, 8 in my open and a 15 in my full size XD's. Typically 14# in my single stack .40's and 45's.

My 4 " XD is much harder to rack the slide, shorter springs compress more and offer more binding.

Steel1212 · 12-12-2006, 03:34 PM

also you typically need to run a bigger spring in your XD as you don't have a mainspring taking some of the recoil like in your 1911/2011 style guns. Also, most of those guns have little play so there is no slop in the slide and movement is there fore easier as well.

gsh341 · 12-12-2006, 09:40 PM

Get stronger!

The Knight Of Light · 12-12-2006, 10:24 PM

I use the same rack technique they use and it works very well. If you watch Shooting USA at all you might see Todd Jarrett do the same thing. I tried it with the XD and it works very well. You can get your hand back to the grip much faster than over the top on the back of the slide like many LE instructors teach. Again this is a competition technique, don't flame me for not doing some ancient LE technique either. I have been trained in the techniques of Gunsite and some others. My shooting style has evolved a lot over the last year and I have become a much better shooter using these techniques.

I use this technique with a XD9tac with a 16lb spring.

**Loves2Shoot** · 12-12-2006, 10:37 PM

I use 16# springs in my limited guns (SVI's) and 1911's and no problems at all racking the slide. Angus puts tape on his limited gun so he can use his technique with CZ's.

Most folks make the mistake of "just" trying to pull the slide back. If you push with your strong hand as you pull with your weakhand, racking the slide is quite easy.

jednp · 12-12-2006, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Shoot

I use 16# springs in my limited guns (SVI's) and 1911's and no problems at all racking the slide. Angus puts tape on his limited gun so he can use his technique with CZ's.

Most folks make the mistake of "just" trying to pull the slide back. If you push with your strong hand as you pull with your weakhand, racking the slide is quite easy.

that's exactly what I was trying to explain to someone who said their wife couldn't rack the slide. I find that women simply try to just pull the slide, rather than push with the strong arm. I seriously doubt women don't have enough strength to rack a slide... i think they are just scared of trying too hard or something.

DNM · 12-12-2006, 10:47 PM

I've got a 22# spring in my bi-tone and my fiancee can even rack that by just pulling the slide back. She'd rather pull back the stock black one but point is she can do it.

12-12-2006, 11:34 AM	#1
thomye XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OC, California Posts: 761	racking a slide OK, i've now been watching the pro's on video and many youtube vids. it always seems that many of these guys can rack their guns with ease. in the 3GM video, i see the CZ shooter rack his gun as if he had a 2lbs spring. he actually racked it with one finger from the top of this slide. The guy shooting the STI limited gun in the video did the same thing. What gives? Can you competitive shooters rack your XD's with ease? mine seem rather tight, 17#'s to be exact or 22#'s depending on the run i'm shooting. i can in no way do it like the guys in the video. please explain... __________________ Next XD-45 SC "still waiting" STI 2011

12-12-2006, 11:46 AM	#2
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,533	I never had a problem racking any of mine. In my XD tactical though im running a 15 lb. spring and my STI Limited gun im running a recoil master, it is close to 15 lbs. too I believe. Its all in technique I guess, hell, even my kids can rack the XD stock configuration. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

12-12-2006, 12:34 PM	#3
Nerves XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Jacksonville, Fl. Posts: 2,028	Most of them have a light spring. It's not out of the norm for an open STI to have a 9lbs spring. I have seen and used Glock 34 with a 11 lbs.... __________________ \"WHEN YOU PUT ON YOUR GUN LEAVE YOUR MIDDLE FINGER AT HOME\" NRA Member IDPA Member--Wilson Combat CQB (CDP) USPSA Member--New XD 9 Tac & G34 (Production ) IPSC Open Major--STI Trubor Grandmaster CCW's: -- XD-45 ACP 4" with Truglo TFO's & M6 Laser/Light --Kimber Tactical Pro II, ...Many More

12-12-2006, 01:09 PM	#4
mullanman XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,909	Its easier to rack the slide on a full length gun. I run an 11# spring in my Limited gun, 8 in my open and a 15 in my full size XD's. Typically 14# in my single stack .40's and 45's. My 4 " XD is much harder to rack the slide, shorter springs compress more and offer more binding. __________________ USPSA L2683

12-12-2006, 03:34 PM	#5
Steel1212 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The Bluegrass Posts: 566	also you typically need to run a bigger spring in your XD as you don't have a mainspring taking some of the recoil like in your 1911/2011 style guns. Also, most of those guns have little play so there is no slop in the slide and movement is there fore easier as well. __________________ Corey Estill USPSA: A57351 IDPA: A26629 "Master or bust!!"

12-12-2006, 09:40 PM	#6
gsh341 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 2,394	Get stronger! __________________ "For those of us who exercised our privilege to serve our country, I can honestly say we did it proudly and shared a common bond of patriotism that those who were unwilling to answer our country's call will never understand or appreciate." - Dennis Foell

12-12-2006, 10:24 PM	#7
The Knight Of Light XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 8,840 Blog Entries: 12	I use the same rack technique they use and it works very well. If you watch Shooting USA at all you might see Todd Jarrett do the same thing. I tried it with the XD and it works very well. You can get your hand back to the grip much faster than over the top on the back of the slide like many LE instructors teach. Again this is a competition technique, don't flame me for not doing some ancient LE technique either. I have been trained in the techniques of Gunsite and some others. My shooting style has evolved a lot over the last year and I have become a much better shooter using these techniques. I use this technique with a XD9tac with a 16lb spring. __________________ No Matter Where You Go, There You Are. USPSA #L3077 What a great number!!! http://theknightoflight.blogspot.com/ Creator of TOP 'O' THE PAGE!!! Moose Fight

12-12-2006, 10:37 PM	#8
Loves2Shoot XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 2,614	I use 16# springs in my limited guns (SVI's) and 1911's and no problems at all racking the slide. Angus puts tape on his limited gun so he can use his technique with CZ's. Most folks make the mistake of "just" trying to pull the slide back. If you push with your strong hand as you pull with your weakhand, racking the slide is quite easy. __________________ www.SpringerPrecision.com The XD Specialists - Our web store is now online!

12-12-2006, 10:47 PM	#10
DNM XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Western WA Posts: 1,390	I've got a 22# spring in my bi-tone and my fiancee can even rack that by just pulling the slide back. She'd rather pull back the stock black one but point is she can do it. __________________ "As I walk down the valley of the Shadow of Death I have no fear because I am the meanest motherfu**er in the whole valley" - General George S. Patton

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