By TTAG reader Andrew Jennings
The world of firearms is full of accessories, from practical to tactical. Most gun enthusiasts are looking for adaptability: an accessory’s ability to seamlessly interface with the gun owner’s existing equipment. Products like the Hatfield’s Tactical Racker . . .
The Hatfield’s Tactical Racker replaces a GLOCK brand GLOCK’s rear slide plate cover, creating a wide surface area for racking the slide. Using the Tactical Racker you can rack a GLOCK’s slide with one hand against solid objects. That’s excellent for quickly addressing malfunctions. Yes, GLOCK fanboys, even one of Gaston’s finest can malfunction. The next question: why bother? Can you rack a GLOCK’s slide one-handed without it?
Yes and no. You can rack a GLOCK’s standard rear sight against something solid. But there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to master the motor skills necessary in a stressful situation. The wide, U-shaped Tactical Racker stands proud of the gun’s butt on both side of the pistol. This increases your one-handed racking options – and ability – considerably.
I test-racked the Tactical Racker installed on a GLOCK 17 one-handed against myself and a variety of objects around Mr. Hatfield’s custom gunsmithing shop: table top, door jam, pants pocket, plate carrier and so on. After forcibly racking the slide on a door frame several times, it laughed and asked for more. Importantly, the Racker worked perfectly when I used it against my belt, even when it was buried underneath my shirt. That is not a done deal with a standard GLOCK rear sight.
You can purchase a Tactical Racker for around $50 with an option of a Crimson Trace adaptation for an additional $10. It’s been over a year since I installed the Tactical Racker on my GLOCK 19. It’s improved the way that I manipulate the firearm, and given me even more confidence (yes confidence) in my choice of carry gun. Whether carried in an inside-the-waistband or outside-the-waistband holster, the Racker never protruded enough to pinch my person.
This simple modification could be a matter of life-or-death for an armed self-defender. Even if it isn’t, just knowing it’s there makes it worth the price of admission.
Ratings (out of 5 stars):
Build Quality * * * *
The Racker is rock solid on the rear of the GLOCK’s slide.
Finish Quality * * *
The finish is not perfect; there are machining marks. And? If you’re worried about marking up something meant to be used and abused, you’re doing it wrong.
Ease of Installation * * *
I had to lightly file one side of the inner lip to fit smoothly on the G19. It could have fit with force, but taking a hammer to the Tactical Racker didn’t seem like the best of options.
Value * * * *
I reckon it’s worth every penny. Given the odds of having to use it, others may disagree. Profoundly.
Overall * * * *
It works as advertised.
For 20 bucks I think I could go for it. 50 bucks for the infinitesimal chance I’ll need to rack my gun one handed during the already infinitesimal chance I’ll ever draw it in self defense? Not feeling it.
Agreed. $50 is way too expensive for a such a simple component as this, especially given the less than perfect machining/finish and the fact that Dan had to file the thing to get it to fit properly on installation.
“By TTAG reader Andrew Jennings”… 😉
50 is too high.
Some 3M skateboard grip tape on the top of the slide is adequate for one-handed racking maneuvers.
Seems overpriced and geared more towards those with the grip strength of 90 year old women. Oh and it looks dumb.
The H&K VP9 has a similar gizmo and once I used it I was looking for it on every other pistol I shot. It was a nice touch.
Or you could just rack it with your other hand and put that $50 into hookers and blow.
I like the way you think
That’s why I carry a Beretta 96. No one’s made a tac-racker for those, because we Beretta-carriers refuse to get shot.
Those of us Beretta carriers with only one hand, are more than capable of racking the slide with our teeth. If we have no teeth, we would then just use our eyelids.
put that $50 into hookers and blow
That $50 will get you a handshake from a Las Vegas hooker and a milligram of blow. And “handshake” is not a euphemism.
I’m not going to ask about the field work required to obtain that knowledge.
Remember folks: Ralph is a lawyer. If ANYONE on this board has working knowledge of the financial burdens of prostitutes and narcotics, it’s him.
Ralph, I don’t think I ever fail to enjoy your comments. Always a pretty good laugh.
+1
If you’re willing to forego fancy hygiene, $50 will get you round the world a couple times with the LA transient community. For the record, this wasn’t solicited information. And it’s not a “service” I’m interested in using.
Plus one…although Costa would disagree
For 50 bucks you get one or the other and not much of either.
Makes that Glock look like one of those Crossman 1911ish BB pistols that you had to rack for each shot and could just barely SPROING! a BB across the room.
I had the same thought.. The actual company name was “Marksman”. Not sure if they’re still in business, but you can buy them on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Marksman-BB-177-Air-Pistol/dp/B00069PQ5Y
I had one of those! Helpful tip… don’t try to “field strip” it.
Who doesn’t like a nice racker
Fifty bucks for a small piece of injection molded plastic that costs pennies to produce.
Somebody saw you coming.
As for this statement:
“Yes, GLOCK fanboys, even one of Gaston’s finest can malfunction.”
I have been unable to verify that through thousands of rounds of independent testing.
According to the website, they are made from anodized aluminum, not plastic. But even so, they are still grossly overpriced.
I’ve worn out the mags on a G35 and the recoil spring and striker spring on a G27. The G35 seems to be working fine with new mags and the G27 is still waiting for replacement parts.
Straight across, no wrap around, but for $35 on Amazon I put a “TacRack Glock Back Plate” on my Gen 4 19. Works great for me. Have lost muscle strength due to Myositis. I can rack the stock slide with difficulty, but the above works so much better.
For about $100-$150 you can replace the sights with a set that includes a flat spot for one-handed racking. Much better investment imo.
There’s a similar item called the TacRac that costs less, I think. It’s really a great idea, especially for shooters with low grip strength. My willow-armed pianist girlfriend and my aging mother both have issues with regular slides.
To me, 50 bucks on a goofy looking piece of metal strapped to the back of my Glock as a contingency plan for an event that has a negligible chance of occurring is not worth it. The rear sights will suffice.
More power to you though
This.
During an advanced handgun tactics and skills class (Spartan Associates) time was devoted to learning various ways of dealing with FTF/FTE issues among them using the rear sights on one’s belt, on the heel of one’s shoe, etc.
I also wouldn’t want that thing digging into my side 12+ hours a day or causing a holster sweat guard to bend and do the same thing.
Item is a solution looking for a problem. If you like it, buy it. I wouldn’t.
It makes the slide wider at the the very spot it’s most likely to print when carried concealed.
No thanks.
I have had personal experience with Hatfield and I would not trust them to tell me the time of day.
You, sir, sound like a McCoy…
(Twirling mustache menacingly)
Look! An answer to a question nobody will ever ask.
Consider the thinking behind this POS: I know, I want to add mass to my slide so that the recoil impulse I feel is even stronger, make my gun wider and more snag prone and less concealable, block the rear cover to make maintenance take longer, put the idiotic “tactical” label on one more piece of shit product no self respecting warrior would ever use and please oh please charge me 50 bucks for it.
Its a new level of paranoia to rack one handed. Get a revolver.
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