I would bet you're struggling smashing the strings down hard enough with your index (bar) finger, right? Unless you have strong fingers to begin with, very few can handle bar chords without lots of practice and muscle work.
But, in case you're not aware, you can:
1) Switch to nylon strings on your acoustic. [Assumes you are on an acoustic.]
2) Have the string height adjusted on the neck. Even the best guitars will have far better action when a professional adjusts them closer to the fret bars.
3) Use electric. Electric guitars require less effort to squash. Though item 2 can still be very helpful.
There may be some ball-squeezing exercises you can find on-line to help build your bar finger's strength over time.
You will be glad you went to the trouble since bar chords will make playing easier, ironically.
My near-pro friend once told me that the more you put into a guitar, the more it gives back.