However, I'm of the strong opinion that if this device is a necessity for a self-defense situation, then one would be best served by leaving it and the weapon at home and switching to a wheel gun.
It is my opinion, and something that I used to teach to my CQB/concealed carry students, that anything, anything, that adds to the action of deploying a defensive weapon, necessarily detracts from the successful use of that weapon.
Having said that, I refer to that first rule of a gun fight, and that is that one must have a gun, but let us not forget that the ability to effectively deploy that gun must be paramount.
I see the effectiveness of the device only if the gun you need it for will never stovepipe, misfeed, jam or otherwise malfunction to the point of needing to be racked.
That gun does not exist, therefor the device is of little use for a defensive need.
So, I strongly, strongly recommend a revolver for anyone that lacks the hand strength to manually rack a slide, unassisted.
Take it to the range, go varmint-potting with it, teach your grand-children and children, as the case may be, to use the weapon with and without it...but please, do not rely upon it as a concealed carry defense.
That is my opinion...and I do respect your opinion in regards to it, but falling back on my experience and training, I can only say that I know it will cause problems under an adrenaline laden, tunnel-vision, time-stopping situation.
If you have no other alternative, then train, train, train...and then train some more with it, until it becomes as instinctive to deploy it, as it would be to, say, pull your shirt up as you draw your weapon from an IWB rig.
An alternative, for someone that just CANNOT give up a slide-type gun, invest in some good gunsmith work and have an assist attached to the slide.
I've seen them, I believe Reid Coffield and some other prominent gunsmiths have addressed them.
They are expensive, add weight to the gun, enhance the chances of hooking clothing, etc, but it is something to consider.
Good luck.
However, I'm of the strong opinion that if this device is a necessity for a self-defense situation, then one would be best served by leaving it and the weapon at home and switching to a wheel gun.
That's why my primary carry gun is a Smith & Wesson Model 60 stainless .357 Magnum! However, regarding:
I see the effectiveness of the device only if the gun you need it for will never stovepipe, misfeed, jam or otherwise malfunction to the point of needing to be racked. That gun does not exist, therefor the device is of little use for a defensive need. So, I strongly, strongly recommend a revolver for anyone that lacks the hand strength to manually rack a slide, unassisted.
Of course there isn't a pistol that can't ever misfeed, jam, etc. at some point, and I agree a revolver is a better choice. However, some people can't seem to deal with revolvers, either, whether it's a stiff double-action trigger pull, opening and closing the cylinder, etc.. In those cases what do you do, let the perfect be the enemy of the good?
In situations where I've had to advise someone with a hand strength problem, I always try to steer them to a revolver first. If they insist on a semi-auto, though, my reasoning is that it's better to have something than nothing, and to steer them towards a brand that has a reputation for reliability, e.g. the Sigs, the Glocks, et al.. Hopefully they'll be able to deal with their attacker before the gun jams.
I also try to drive home to them the necessity to practice, practice, practice (as you noted), but unfortunately, human nature being what it is, we both know that far too many will not. You just do the best you can for them.
Take it to the range, go varmint-potting with it, teach your grand-children and children, as the case may be, to use the weapon with and without it...but please, do not rely upon it as a concealed carry defense.
That's exactly why I got the Handi-Racker - to give myself a few more years of enjoyment of my legacy treasures, e.g. the Browning, or my Colt 1911, that deserved a better fate than being only safe queens! I have started looking at some of the pocket pistols such as the ones in this thread as a backup carry. If I need the tool to do the initial loading, I'll have to take my chances! The good news is I can still rack the Sigs, and will probably go with the P938.
for CodeToad, re: Nice tool, but if I was unable to rack an auto, I’d just go with a wheel gun. The tools would be good for general use otherwise.
Agreed, with the caveat that some folks just can't run a revolver. See my comments to OldSmaj above. One other really handy use of the tool, even for ordinary shooters who don't have a handicap, is for freeing a jammed slide/round in the chamber. It's easier and safer to force the slide against a post or table than tearing your hands up.
Good luck.
The sentiment is much appreciated! Even with the bullet we dodged in the election (actually like a 16" round from the USS Missouri!), the "collective crazy" is still in the ascendant and we're all going to need good luck in the year to come.