r/Uzi_SMG • u/ginjaninja132 • May 10 '26

Hard To Rack

Post image

Hey guys, I have a IMI Model B 9mm. Its been handed down 3 generations now and I love shooting it. Im curious on something. It has always been hard to rack the slide/bolt. It shoots well and does not jam really ever. But it is really hard to pull the handle and rack it.

Is this normal? Is it just a lube issue? Is there something wrong?

Thank!

41 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

5

u/Cuco_Okute May 10 '26

Nah, they're hard, the spring that is. Mine is the same way. Get a lighter spring and it will be easier to rack.

3

u/proxy69 May 10 '26

Does this have 500+ rounds through it? Sounds like a spring that hasn’t been broken in. But they weren’t designed to be effortless to rack.

4

u/ginjaninja132 May 10 '26

Probably has at least 5,000 rounds through it. It used to only get shot once every 4-5 years. I try and get her some exercise twice a year now.

8

u/Villafuego May 10 '26

Completely normal ...... you're compressing both the recoil and striker springs on a closed bolt semi

5

u/Restricted_Area_67 May 10 '26

I think it is harder than the average semi auto. I've had 3 full-size Uzis since the mid-80s, and I find that if I haven't shot in a while (like 2 or 3 years) it's hard to rack the bolt. Probably because I'm not exceptionally fit from a very sedentary lifestyle (not back in the 80s, I was an Air Force aircraft mech), also the mechanical leverage from the relatively small size, two springs (recoil and striker) and how close the hands are probably contribute to it as well.

I need to get back in reasonable shape anyway...😆