CM9 - difficulty racking the slide

[Oldcrow]

71 yr old new member here. I'm not new to gun ownership. I just bought a new CM9 and haven't fired it. I have gone thru the setup procedure posted here. I have trouble racking the slide, not enuf strength I guess. I was wondering if it becomes easier after firing this baby a few hundred times? I have a Glock 27, Springfield XDs, Walther PK 380 and a few others. I'm hoping this one becomes easier cuz it's intended as my primary carry piece. Thanks for the help.

[CVMA.Monk]

I just got my CM9 and have put 200 some rounds through. The slide is noticeably easier racking now than when I took it out of the box, although it's still pretty strong.

[Scarywoody]

51 yr old. It is a very stiff spring. The smaller the auto the harder it is to rack. It will loosen a bit with use. Off the shelf the CM9 is very tight. After the 200 plus rounds everything loosens and lightens up. I put a Pachmyr rubber grip (I talcum powder it so it's not too sticky) on and it does make a difference in handling and shooting.

[xsailer]

I'm olderin all of ya and I've put 800 thru my CM9 and IT'S STILL HARD TO RACK THE SLIDE. Albeit a bit easier.

[deadeye]

I'm 70 and have arthritis so am aware of the problem. Mine has a little over 2500 rounds through it. At 2000 rounds I replaced the recoil spring with a Wolff. It is still very stiff though. I found that holding the slide with my left hand and pushing forward with the grip makes it much easier. It will loosen up in time. It is my daily CCW and I wouldn't part with it.

[berettabone]

If you think it's tight, it won't loosen up much more................................it's part of the deal when you purchase a small Kahr. I changed out to a Wolff spring and it helped a bit.

[marcinstl]

"... holding the slide with my left hand and pushing forward with the grip makes it much easier. " yes, thumb on one side of the serrations, couple of fingers on the other side, palm on top of the slide, good grip on the handle and push. do that a couple of times, then use the thumb on your grip hand to push up the slide lever. you can also try leaving it locked open for a few days, might take a little tension out of the spring. some days all of this is easier than others. (I sure like giving advice to old guys, I'm only 69.) have fun with the CM9.

[sas PM9]

"... holding the slide with my left hand and pushing forward with the grip makes it much easier. " yes, thumb on one side of the serrations, couple of fingers on the other side, palm on top of the slide, good grip on the handle and push. do that a couple of times, then use the thumb on your grip hand to push up the slide lever. you can also try leaving it locked open for a few days, might take a little tension out of the spring. some days all of this is easier than others. (I sure like giving advice to old guys, I'm only 69.) have fun with the CM9.

+1, exactly as marc has explained above.
Hold the cm9 in front of you as instructed and push your arms together keeping them in line and you will find that the cm9 racks easy as pie.

And it does get much easier as you put the rounds through it.

Darn, looks like i'm the youngster here. (64)

-steve

[Tilos]

I'm 70 and have arthritis so am aware of the problem. Mine has a little over 2500 rounds through it. At 2000 rounds I replaced the recoil spring with a Wolff. It is still very stiff though. I found that holding the slide with my left hand and pushing forward with the grip makes it much easier. It will loosen up in time. It is my daily CCW and I wouldn't part with it.
This^ with the gun turned sideways, and extend/stiff arm both arms, push your right SHOULDER forward.
just sayin'

[Ikeo74]

I am 77, we have all had that same problem. It is just a matter of getting used to the stiff springs. They get softer as you shoot it and you will also learn new ways to rack the slide.

[Dave Nowlin]

I guess you'll have to get a younger girlfriend to rack the slide for you. LOL

[marshal kane]

In cases like this, I always look for the biggest, brawniest, shooter at a nearby shooting table to rack the slide. Once done, the slide lock is my best pard for the rest of my shooting session.

[muggsy]

CM9's are for virile young studs like myself. A mere 68. Fat, bald headed old men should stick with their 1911's. :)

[deadeye]

Where's the moderator!! That was hurtful. In fact I resemble that statement.

[jkar4242]

I am on the down side of 71, past the break-in period and then some. Slide is still strong but smoother if that makes any sense at all. Good advice on the racking method and it does make a difference. You have a great firearm and the more you shoot it the more you will become comfortable with its little nits.
jkar

[Harrylee]

Hey don’t you guys remember this thread I did this was for my old friend of 72 had the same problem and this made all the difference in the way he could pull the slide back. Not hard to do give it a try

http://www.kahrtalk.com/showthread.php?21958-Better-slide-grip&highlight=harrylee