There is always a better way, and with a bit of thought it can be found. The folks at TGR Enterprises/Brass Stacker have found a better way—and for me it came just in time.
Several of my basic handgun students have expressed a preference for a semi-auto striker-fired pistol for personal defense. At the same time, they said that they could not use one because, for a variety of reasons, they could not function the slide. For some it was arthritis in their weak hand; for others it was carpal tunnel syndrome. In my case, I had to have surgery on my support hand, and the last thing the doctor said was, “Don’t make a fist for the next two weeks!”
While my regular carry guns were already loaded, there was no way I could function the slide if I wanted to shoot my Springfield Armory XD. Even after I was allowed to move my fingers, I could not pinch the slide due to the location of the stitches—not without ripping them out. Then the mailman delivered a way I could work the slide.
TGR/Brass Stacker have developed a ½-ounce addition for an XD, Glock or other striker-fired handgun that lets you use just one finger of your support hand to work the slide. The Slide Pull is shaped like a figure 8 with the bottom open. It clamps to the slide below the main portion of the cocking grooves. To function the slide, stick a finger in the loop and pull.
It seems effortless, and I was able to do it with the little finger of my support hand without popping a stitch! A friend with arthritis, who was previously unable to function the XD, tried it and also could work the slide. So could her husband, who has some muscular problems. He’s going to trade in his revolver for an XD! Every person who was previously unable to function the XD tried it and now wants a Slide Pull.
Each model of XD and Glock calls for a different model of Slide Pull. I’m not sure about other guns, like the S&W M&P series. The differences are slight but important. The Slide Pull will exhibit some very minimal up and down movement when properly attached— not to worry, it is intentional.
As the Slide Pull only adds one inch to the length of the slide, guns will still fit into a concealment purse. It makes almost no difference in on-body carry. If you choose a thumb-break holster, it may slightly displace the thumb break. On a leather holster, this only calls for a few seconds’ work with a sharp knife.
In working with the Slide Pull, we found you can use just about anything that will fit into the hole and is strong enough—coat hooks, dowels, etc. One shooter found the “purse hook” on her wheelchair ideal. We even found another use for the Slide Pull—put a peg or hook into the headboard or wall near your bed and hang the gun from it. When you hear that bump in the night (or more likely, the sound of breaking glass), just grab your gun and stand by to repel boarders without fighting with a holster.
When mounted on the XD, the Slide Pull must be removed to take the slide off for cleaning, adding about five seconds to the process. On Glocks, it can stay on the slide.
The Slide Pull does not interfere with the operation of either gun, including malfunction clearance. In fact, malfunction clearances become easier. We have run hundreds of rounds through the XD with the Slide Pull installed without a hitch. The gun remains 100% reliable fired two hands, strong hand only or weak hand only.
The stitches are now out of my hand, but I’m keeping the Slide Pull on the XD. I have been in situations where my support hand was not available to function a slide, but now any minor projection becomes a point I can use if needed.
In the words of one student, “It opens the door to using striker-fired highcapacity semi-autos for me!” It may for you too.
