Welcome. For one gun to rule them all I would suggest a S&W M&P or a Glock with an optical sight like the Burris Fastfire. You can use the blade of your hand against the sight to rack the slide. No grip strength necessary. Also the space the sight take up is negligible in a good holster.
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Hello all! Before I start asking questions, here’s some background about me.

My name is Dan. I live in Lexington with my wife and three children… In a townhouse. A bit cramped.

I’ve had some firearms training and experience, including a little bit of IDPA, but I’m 37 and that was about 10 years ago. Mostly at the range I’ve had the fortunate ability to sample a wide variety of pistols, rifles, and shotguns.

Through my Dad and friends I’ve had experience with quite a few different firearms, but never owned one. That’s about to change.

Fast forward to the present time.

With the current craziness abounding, my wife and I want to get a pistol to fill all roles. Home defense, concealed carry, target/sport shooting, everything.

For reasons no doctor can attest, my left hand is now 80% weaker than my right. I didn’t make up that number. Test results confirm it. This has been within the last 3 years. With such a severe loss of grip strength I literally can’t rack a slide anymore. I still refuse to give up semi autos, so I won’t go with to revolvers.

I recently discovered something called a “slide pull“ or “charging handle“ that can be attached to some firearms as a replacement back plate for striker fired pistols. This would address the left hand grip problem, not interfere with holsters, and still allow for concealed carry.

Brass Stacker and Clipdraw make versions of some thing that’s like a ring attached to that back plate. Whether it be a solid machined piece, or silicone rubber, the effect is the same. I would be able to rack the slide again.

That slide pull is cool and all, but are there other options out there that would do the same thing? What guns do they fit? This is the rabbit trail I have been going down recently.

In short I’m not a complete noob, but I’m seeking wisdom outside of my own to help solve the problem I’m having.

***Please reply with pistol recommendations with a very particular set of qualifiers:

- 9 mm (cheap and plentiful)
- semi auto
- not tiny (I don’t like subcompacts in my big hands)
- has to be compatible with something that helps me rack the slide such as a slide pull or similar. Preferably that wouldn’t get in the way of concealment or holstering.
- which slide pull device works with that gun you recommended, and where can I get it?
- sub $500 new or used (I’m unemployed with long-term disability from my previous employer so money is pretty tight.)

I would be a fool not to seek wisdom outside my own. Please help me figure this out. Looking to expand my options to figure out what I should buy.

Welcome
 
Welcome to CFF enjoy the forum
 
First of all, Welcome!

I can offer very little more than what has already been presented. Good luck!
 
Welcome to the family!

I wouldn't presume to give you advice on a handgun without working with you. But there are plenty of people with far more knowledge than I around here, so you're in good hands.

Enjoy the forum!
 
Welcome to the forum. The only other information I can share is to go to gun stores and try all guns until you find one you can operate.

Good Luck
 
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