Instead of generalizing to all women, I will just ask this question regarding my wife (but from what I understand, it applies widely).

Due to differing muscle structure between myself and my wife, my wife finds it extremely difficult to rack the slide on a pistol, or even cock the hammer on a revolver. She cannot pull a Double Action trigger. It is OK if I cock it first into SA but I can't be the only person to always pre-chamber a round, etc. which is also dangerous since the gun would then be in chambered mode or cocked and NOT locked. Not all guns have safeties and a decocker safety defeats the chambering.

So, what do you guys suggest? She can BARELY rack the slide, so she does rack the slide but prefers me to do it for her at the range.

Suggestions for her to improve muscle strength are well meaning but impractical as you can understand. Women generally do not prioritize firearms. Anyway there are cans and lids in the kitchen that I often have to open for her (and all her friends whenever we visit) and I found that almost all her female friends just cannot open very simple lids that I am surprised because I am not a huge muscular guy, but I opened those lids quite easily.

ANY FIREARM TYPE SUGGESTION? (I don't think my wife can chamber a round on the AR-15 with the charging handle; maybe the round might be loaded but not seated right, and require the forward assist; too many things for her to think about in case of urgency).

 

i have a friend (guy) who has small hands and arms (think that guy on the burger king commercials)
and he does better with h&ks
he thinks the tolerances are better engineered
another thing is that he learned to use his chest muscles more (move right and left hands across the chest rather than racking from behind)

Revolver with internal hammer.

ANY FIREARM TYPE SUGGESTION?

I suggest a DAO revolver or a double barrel shotgun (20ga) with a shortened LOP, youth stock.

Most DAO revolvers (bobbed hammer) have significantly lighter trigger pulls than a standard DA revolver.

My wife is tiny and these are what she likes.

IMHO, (if she is physically capable) you should teach her different ways that might be easier for her to rack your handguns instead of buying an "easy" gun for her. What if in an emergency situation she needed to use a weapon for self defense and only your gun was near her and you weren't around?

My gf had a hard time racking some handguns until she changed the way she does it.



you can also check this vid and pay attention to the points about revolvers

Hey thanks, let me review the videos with her. It's true that she really should be able to use any firearm on hand since usually the bad guys take out the males first.

BTW revolver with internal hammer... that is DAO only right? She is not able to press the trigger on an uncocked Beretta 92 for DA shooting. I don't know how much less of a DA trigger pull the internal hammer might be.

the 2nd vid is for you 

dirsh +1

My thoughts exactly. Try Different techniques before giving up on a firearm; its free. Some people have a difficult time racking the slide until they use a push/pull technique which employs the strength of both hands and arms working in opposite directions.

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A lot of it is understanding how to use proper technique, but in the case of your wife............damn dude really?  Is she not even able to carry a 10# bag of rice?

 

Ive seen extended slide racking posts on 1911s for ipsc, I'm sure that can help

dirsch - vid 1 my wife commented "why does she have porn music playing?" 

passivekinetic - this has been a factor here too (esp. as we age, arthritis, sports injuries, etc.).  easiest guns to rack have been small caliber with their lighter springs ie. Mustang & P238 (she loves it); SR22 (ditto).  her PT111-pro is also quite easy to rack.  the triggers are also nice with her small hands.  so my suggestion is for your wife to go store and try some out, *she* will find something and something is better than nothing even if "sub-caliber".   

forget about revolvers she will not be able to pull most of the triggers DA and it will suck.

+1 on the double barrel. Really doesn't get more simple than that, unless you use a single shot.

I might be getting rid of one soon, so let me know its something you might be interested in.

If someone doesn't have the strength to rack a semi auto pistol, do you really want to put a double barrel shotgun in her hands...

A lot of it is understanding how to use proper technique, but in the case of your wife............damn dude really?  Is she not even able to carry a 10# bag of rice?

10 lbs rice should be fine. But I have found that somehow the twisting action, such as twisting off lids, bottle caps, etc. even ketchup bottles, most of the women I have encountered just cannot do it if the lid is even a little stuck.

+1 on the double barrel. Really doesn't get more simple than that, unless you use a single shot.

I might be getting rid of one soon, so let me know its something you might be interested in.

Thanks but probably not on my acquisition list in the near term. I still need to buy more Glocks!!! 

If someone doesn't have the strength to rack a semi auto pistol, do you really want to put a double barrel shotgun in her hands...

Haha maybe she won't even have to shoot it. Just point at the guy and he will run. 

Haha maybe she won't even have to shoot it. Just point at the guy and he will run. 

petite woman holding a big shotgun  ...yep, I'd run!

If someone doesn't have the strength to rack a semi auto pistol, do you really want to put a double barrel shotgun in her hands...

Different muscles used.

Managing recoil is a whole body thing.

I've seen frail old ladies shooting skeet.

Shotguns are a miraculous thing.

Incredible power, extreme versatility, and universally adaptable to all body sizes and types.

How about this?

Conventional 1911 with 10-12 lb spring and light ball or semiwadcutter loads.
And a few minutes of practicing the push-pull technique.
This would be more reliable than a lightened DA revolver.
Maybe about the same stopping power as a 380 but that would be a guess.
Certainly more intimidating appearance than most other handguns.
The only downside is a possible limp-wrist malfunction.

You have a 1911 that you can try this out with?