Women and the Beretta 92

S

Sportcat

New member
Well... my search for a handgun has gone from the Beretta 9000s, to the Cheetah 84, to the Cougar 8000, and finally has arrived to the 92 (9mm). I'm 99% this is what I am going with.

A buddy of mine loaned me his 96 to bring home to show my wife. I showed her how it operated, she held it, loaded it, and practiced fired it. The only concern we BOTH have is the slide. She seems to have a little problem pulling the slide back (I don't think she is giving it 100%, but we haven't been married long enough for me to say that).

I think with some practice she'll get used to it, but just in case, is there anything that can be done to make it easier to pull? I'm still a newbie with handguns, so any insight or first-hand experience with this issue is greatly appreciated.


Thanks
 
You could have her cock the hammer first, then retract the slide.

When she retracts the slide, have her place her off hand over the top of the slide just over the safety levers and push with both hands in opposite directions, keeping the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
 
Yes, this has worked with GFs so it may work with a wife. You can have her rack the slide, dry fire, pencil trick, hold the pistol out for a couple of minutes at a time, squeeze a tennis ball, etc. Anything to build hand and wrist strength.

On a DA weapon, she can cock the hammer before racking the slide. This will help take tension off the spring.

IME, women do not like the M9. The thick stock makes it difficult to grip and carry. The silly dingus on the slide drops down (always in the dark) during mal drills. The magazines are wide and difficult to handle, especially in tac reloads.

IME, once you introduce women to the 1911 they like it just fine. It is much thinner and thus easier to handle. The mags are much thinner and easier to handle. Current GF likes the Kahr P9 for similar reasons.

Remember, she must choose or she won't like whatever you purchase. :D
 
really? I've found a lot of women like the 92.. my wife wants one.

some women have more luck holding the slide and pushing the butt forward, (sometimes push is stronger that pull). and of course. only have her try this with a unloaded gun of course.. you check it, then have her check it. then have her check it again.
 
To be honest, in a self-defense situation it really doesn't matter how stiff the slide is. That said, there is another way to "rack" the slide. Grab the slide serations with your palm and four fingers and "rack" it briskly. Same effect but a stronger way to do it. Best, J. Parker
 
My friend, a freshman, loves my Elite II. She wants one when she turns 21 (another 2 years) hopefully they'll still be legal in California.
 
One thing to consider is that the 92 has a weaker spring than the 96, making it easier to rack. The .40 S&W is a more powerful round, making this necessary (same chamber pressures+more surface area in chamber & same weight slide).
The spring on a compact would be stiffer, and the slide on the 9000s has a much smaller gripping area, making it even harder to rack.
The other day, I thought somebody was trying to kick the door in while I was napping. I immediately grabbed my gun (a Beretta 8045) and racked the slide. Then I went check the door. I can tell you that in that adrenaline rush I could have racked a slide with a spring 10 times the strength. The blood blister is fading quickly, and will probably be gone by the end of the week.
The point is simply that if she believes in self defense right now, she will find a way. If she is going through the motions to try to please you, now doesn't seem to be the time. Maybe you need to convince her that it is the thing to do.
Have you looked at the Browning HiPower? The slide seems easier to work to me, and the grip is smaller. It is generalizing, but on average, women have smaller hands than men, making this a consideration. With Navidrex thin grips, any hand should fit them. They are durable and accurate guns, and at one time or the other have been the issue side arm of most militaries. 13 round magazines are cheap and plentiful. Mine have been the most natural pointing gun for me, although I started with a Beretta 92.
 
I actually think that my 92 has the easiest slide to rack of any of my guns.

Everyone above has given excellent advice, but I would add that you don't really ever need to rack the slide except to unload the gun and make it safe. If you keep the gun with a round chambered, 16 rounds should be plenty. If not, the slide will automatically be left open after the last round, and after you replace the mag, all you need to do is hit the mag release. I'm confident enough with the Beretta and good ammo that it will not jam.
 
Only problem I have with the 92 slide is it's SO easy to rack to the point where it's a challenge to do a press check...I've had a round fly out on a couple occasions...little 120lb boy doesn't know his own strenght I guess!!! Me tactical strongman!!!
 
My GF and I were looking at guns. I wanted an excuse to buy myself a Beretta 92FS, so I had her fondle one, asked her if she liked it. "Yep", I said OK we'll take it, and handed the money over before she could object. She turned to me with delight and said "Thank you!" :(
I've got an Elite II on order for myself now.
For what it's worth, although she has small hands, she dosn't have a problem with reaching the trigger, mag release or racking the slide. The way she normally racks my glocks, which she can have a problem with, is to hold the gun in her strong hand, turn so she is at 45 degrees to the gun, with the muzzle facing down range, and wrap her weak hand over the slide serations to pull back. This keeps the gun close in to her body and gives her more leverage.

Radagast
 
I have two sons, both of whom are short and skinny. They both handle my 92 with excellent dexterity - neither has any problems with racking slides, width of grip, trigger reach, etc. They are both excellent shots with it as well.

If skinny kids can handle, operate and shoot a 92 just fine I doubt your wife will have a problem. (Just don't tell my kids I said they are "short and skinny"! :D )
 
My wife likes the 96. She got her Texas CCW license with it and routinely shoots it quite well. The key I think is reasonable re-loads and careful coaching.
 
how does the vertec measure up?

i heard that the new vertec may be a little friendlier to the ladies' hands...has anyone had any experience with them yet?
 
My wife, once she learned how to rack a slide, shoots my Beretta 96D pretty well. With time, patience, and practice, I am sure that your lady will be able to rack a slide.
 
My wife, said, "Uh, no." to my Beretta 9mm. Now we're looking at smaller pistols for her. She didn't llike the weight and the grip was too big for her.

Mike
 
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