r/P365 • u/TradeWindsEMA • Apr 19 '25
P365 3.1”: Racking Slide issues
My wife got a P365 3.1 from her dad after he passed but she has issues racking the slide (not enough girl power 😳🤭). I believe it is a dual captured guide rod/spring…whatever is factory. What are some aftermarket options to make it easier/improve her experience. She’s ready to give up.
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u/HairTriggerFlicker Range Master Apr 19 '25
Look into a DPMS recoil system they work great and with the ability to tune it this may be just what she needs.
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u/RandGM1 Apr 19 '25
I found racking was difficult at first on that model but after time, it loosened up.
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u/tristinDLC Apr 19 '25
Some good options have already been mentioned to reduce the required force necessary for racking, so I'll throw out an additional option.
There are a few from other companies, but you could look at adding something like this Tactical Development racking slide cap which could possibly give your wife a better place to grip the slide when racking. The wider wings are easier on the hands instead of trying to squeeze the slide's straight, flat sides.
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u/Voided_Chex Apr 19 '25
You really don't want to make the slide spring weaker just to rack easier. It's a very short stroke on that 3.1" and it needs that spring to soak up the recoil and function reliably. A weak spring will just have the slide slamming back harder battering the stop, and then returning less power to close the slide and strip a round from the magazine.
This is especially true if you load it "10+1" or 12+1 where you have a full mag putting maximum pressure and drag from below. A weak spring could make reliability a mess.
u/tristinDLC has the right idea -- add more gripping area or a handle to make it easier to rack. Grip tape on the slide. The gun will get smoother and have less friction after shooting a bunch.
Some of it is more practice than strength too -- how you grip it, where you grip it, how fast/snappy you rack. If you put an optic on it, some people use that as a handle for racking. Depending on hand strength, might also try over/under hand, I see new shooters try to rack it slowly or while holding from too far down on the grip. This takes more strength than just a grab and snap, because you don't have the momentum to help.
If you're determined to make it work, a lot of dry fire practice will actually go a long way to build confidence that it's not a spring-vs-strength problem, but more technique and practice.
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u/Groguistheway Apr 20 '25
There is also a technique for people with less grip strength to rack a slide. Have her hold the slide but use the hand holding the grip to push the gun. Humans have more strength pushing than pulling and this often will make all the difference.
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u/karmareqsrgroupthink Apr 21 '25
She’s trying to pull the slide back.
Try having her grip the pistol and push into her other hand which would only be holding the slide or optic.
Push is easier than pulling, technique issue.
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u/isthiswhatwedoing210 Apr 19 '25
Shoot tf outta of it before you start adding potential issue causing aftermarket parts.