BearcatShack

Oh, you picked up the SD9VE. Let us know how that works out! Congrats.

polaris754

Well not to jump ship here, had the same problem with the wife, couldnt rack bout anything Its a little awkward but she can do it by herself , bought her a Beretta cheehta 86 , she keeps the clip loaded, n just pops the barrel up ,slams a round in n cocks the hammer, it goes bang

cluznar

I have a SR9c and it is one EXCELLENT gun. Just rack the slide about 75 times when you first get it. After about 250 rounds she will be able to rack it.

ikar

There's the obvious choice, what I carry, the SP-101. It's a good weapon, new or used. A S&W model 36 might work out too but I'd stay away from the airweight models from anybody.

If you insist on a semi, one trick someone showed me when handling a slide that's hard to work would be to hold on to the slide with one hand and push the weapon straight out with the other arm. It might help.

TOMD1943

wife has a sr9 full size. she can not rack the slide with the factory spring 18lbs i think. so got a new wolf 14lbs spring that she can rack slide. so when she shoots i reload lite loads of 115gr bullets for her so the gun will cycle them.

Redleg

The SR9/9c are great pistols. There is no getting away from the fact that the slide on these pistols is darned stiff and a lady may find it difficult to rack.

If you are set on a 9mm have her also look at the M&P9. Another excellent choice is the Beretta M9/92fs. The latter is very easy to rack and very accurate and reliable.

I agree that a wheelgun is also something to be considered.

Trucker

As far as shooting is concerned I don't know how any 9mm could possibly shoot any sweeter than the SR9C. However, racking the slide would probably be a problem for the lady. You may wish to consider the Walther PK380 .380 ACP Pistol. One of my buddies has one and the slide racks the easiest of any Auto I've ever handled ... which confirms the stated opinions in several professional tests I've see on that model.

Just something to think about.

tjblue

My wife uses the push/pull method on racking the SR9C. She has no problem with mananging the recoil.

Sr40ken

technique can make it easier to cycle the slide of most weapons. For those with less upper body strength grabbing it with the whole weakside hand and shoving the frame forward works better than cycling it the slingshot method.

jcohen24

I had the same issue with my wife. We wound up with a 4" SP101 and a SIG 2022. We use .38 in the revolver and 9mm in the semi-automatic. The 4" barrel in the SP helps to control the recoil and the polymer framed SIG brings the price under $500.
As stated before, let her try the different guns and let her decide. If she's the decision maker, the she'll be happy with the purchase and will practice often.

rhg

My daughter went to range with me when we were both fairly new with guns. At the time I only owned my S&W Governer. We rented an LCR and a 4" barrel S&W 38. She hated the LCR. Too much recoil rise. She liked the Smith 38. No doubt about it, barrel and weight make a difference. Even though my Governor is a short barrel 45, because of weight and balance, she didn't think it was bad at all, although she liked the 38 better. So, if you don't need to get a compact, you can help solve the recoil with barrel length and weight. Whoops, forgot to page the thread and just read you got the SDVE. Personally, I think that is an excellent choice.

Please post your experience with it. What does your wife think about it?

mndoggie

Although the OP has already purchased a S&W 9mm, the issue about racking the slide is one that affects many women.

Technique, as mentioned by some, is the key. Most men simnply use brute force. Many women just don't have the grip strength and need an alternate methodl

The following link may be helpful:

Rack the Slide | Cornered Cat