Big Bore - Small Hands?

A

AA080

New member
I have been thinking of adding a big bore to collection this year. My problem is I don't think the larger frames fit my hand well at all. I have been blessed with surgeon hands, which seem to put a hamper on my gun choices. The biggest revolver I current own is a GP-100 4". I can shoot it well, fits ok for the most part with the Hogue monogrip. Are there different grip sytles one should take to adjust for larger frames? I really have my eye set on a Ruger Alaskan, but it just seems that you need such a high grip on it. My natural grip, with stock grips is so low, that I fear the muzzle flip with be something fierce.

I'm a big guy, I don't want to make it seem like I have little kids hands or something. My fingers are more along the lines of what my Dad calls "Grippers". My main goal here is to research as much as possible before making an investment that I will regret after the first couple rounds. Would it be wise to go with the .44, and load up some special rounds while fine tuning my grip?

Your advice would be appreciated.
 
Yes, that is exactly what you should do. Practice to proficiency with specials, then master the magnums. I also have stout hands with short fingers. "Sausage" fingers. The Ruger Blackhawk fits me well, and the Bisley version would provide a little more room for your pinky. Wood grips on these guns will turn in your hand, thereby transmitting less recoil. Also, a single action does not pound the web of your hand like a DA revolver does, as it lacks the verticle lump at the top of the grip.

I just got done shooting a friends Desert Eagle. Though too big for my (or anyone's) hands, the gas action and weight make it the lightest recoiling .44 mag in existence. Not fast into action, but easy to control once it's up and running, it makes a good hunting handgun and a great BBQ gun, but not as good when ambushed by man or beast.
 
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SRH Alaskan?

The Super Redhawk Alaskan (or any of the SRH models) all use the very same grip as the GP100. Comparing my SRH with my GP100, the dimensions of the trigger housing appear to be the same, so I expect you will find (except for the balance) the guns will feel identical.

Even better, because of the post, both the GP100s and the SRHs can accomodate almost any reasonable grip shape. The trick is to find a manufacturer who has made one that fits your hand or to find an inletted blank that you can carve to your own preferred shape.

Good luck.

Lost Sheep
 
Actually, Lost Sheep, I believe that while the GP has it's grips mounted on a post, the SRH has a more traditional frame. Unless of course my SRH is an older gun; if they're mounting 'em like a GP these days, I wouldn't know.
 
Srh? Did I say SSSSSSSSSRH! Oh, my! I am embarrassed, for I do not own a SUPER Redhawk, but rather a very Non-Super Redhawk. I am sorry.

The RH has the regular frame, while the S-BH has the GP style post, just as Lost Sheep indicated.
 
Try a Ruger single action. They fit smaller hands well. See how A Super Blackhawk feels. Not having to pull a trigger through makes small hands work better on the single actions. The reach is generally less.

If you want a big bore but you do not need a 44 Magnum, consider the New Vaquero in 45 Colt. It will fit you smaller hands to a tee. And there is nothing weak the 45 Colt cartridge.
 
Since you posted in the General Handguns forum and not the Revolvers, I assume you are open to semi-auto suggestions, as well. I have short fingers, and a couple of semi-autos I feel comfortable with are the Glock 30sf and a 1911. The 1911 is customizable, with thin grips, short triggers, even lowered thumb safety levers, so it can fit about any hand, with some $$. The Glock, even though it is thick, just fits my hands pretty well.
 
I found I hated to shoot my .44 Magnums after I recovered

from serious chest surgery a few years ago - I never got all my strength back.
I tried .45 Colt in SAA type imports and never looked back. It is a great old round, and will serve you for mose .44 magnum purposes except huge bullets loaded very hot, something I never liked to shoot anyway.

I also agree on the .45 ACP - a very easy round to shoot well, many guns chambered for it including revolvers.

Try a lot of guns and see what fits you best, good hunting.

mark
 
I have been blessed with surgeon hands,

My natural grip, with stock grips is so low,
Click to expand...

Well, I understand there may not be a single "proper" grip, but IMO, at least part your trouble lies therein. Getting a high grip on a DA revolver is advantageous for a number of reasons, not the least of which is it gets your finger closer to the trigger. Particularly helpful for shooters with short fingers.

Another issue might be stance. I found that when I need to get closer to the trigger, like when I'm putting my 1st joint on the trigger during DA fire, something akin to an isosceles stance works best for me. In this stance, the gun isn't in line with my arm - the gun's pointed straight ahead, but my arm's not; wrt the gun, it's at about a 30 degree angle. The net effect is that the gun (and trigger) is rotated closer to my trigger finger.

As far as grips themselves, obviously, a grip with an open backstrap gets you closer to the trigger, but it'll likely increase perceived recoil.
 
A Ruger GP 100 and a SRH use the same grips. The Redhawk uses a different grip frame. If you like the feel of the grips on you GP and you want an Alaskan, the grips will interchange.
I have an Alaskan and the first thing I did after the first shooting session was to get a set of the original grips with the inserts and I like them better than the Hogue's that come it.
My thoughts are since you are familiar with the GP, go with the Alaskan, I know I really like mine.
 
Thanks for the replies, I figured I wasn't alone on this. I didn't know the grips were interchangeable either, that's a big plus!
 
AA080, have you tried Ruger's old factory grips on that GP100 instead of the Hogue ones yet? From what I remember they're not as large. You can still find some used, and last I looked Crimson Trace had some that were very similar. You'd have to add your own panel inserts with the CT ones, though.

It looks like Ruger stopped offereing their 3" GP100 with "compact" grips, which is a shame. They're even smaller, but not too small. They used the same panel inserts as a SP101. You might find those grips if you buy used.

I've held the Alaskan, and their grips are even beefier than the GP100's. They come with Hogue's "Tamer" grip, which has more padding than their regular rubber grip. If you bought an Alaskan, you could attach the non-Tamer GP100 grip or even old factory grips, but it might kick a lot harder that way.

You could try a Smith & Wesson, too. Their model 629 has plenty of aftermarket options for smaller grips; I think Hogue's "bantam" or Pachmayr's "compac" grips might tickle your fancy.

One way you could reduce recoil is to have porting installed on your barrel. I haven't tried it (yet), but from what I hear it cuts recoil by about 15%. Might be a good thing of you use grips that don't give you much padding. I don't think Ruger offers porting, but there are gunsmiths who would do it for you. I think Smith's Performance Center does do porting, and it wouldn't axe your warrantee either.
 
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