Mike,
I had a go with Cookies HW45 yesterday on one of the comps and had to ask him or Delta1 to close it for me as I just don't have the upper arm strength.
I had no problem on single pump cocking the Alecto. The Alecto has two clamps that need to be released at the same time, which I found a bit fiddly. Pulling it open was no problem and it needs little pressure to close it again. Two pumps was doable but a bit of an effort and three pumps - not a chance in hell for me.
Clare