For the "small handed" among us....

B

BigHonu

Inactive
Hello,

First, I would like to say that this forum is filled with some of the most helpful, knowledgeable, and patient members. Also, I would like to thank everyone in advance for their help.

I am looking for my first handgun (been into shotguns previously) and need some guidance.

This gun is to be used for mostly "recreational shooting", maybe competition, and home defense. No concealed carry. I would prefer something in 9MM as ammo is relatively cheap...

I want the biggest gun I can handle, because I think a longer sight radius would increase accuracy, and the larger mass would help with recoil and re-acquiring the target.

The problem is I have really small hands....7 inches from the tip of my middle finger to my wrist.

Some shooting and handling history..

I can comfortably hold and reach the trigger of various 1911 style guns, and have shot one while maintaining decent accuracy. This particular style "points well" for me.

I have shot a Glock 17 and a couple of other models, but the grip seems a little wide, and for me, the gun points upward when I bring it up to a firing position from my waist. I am wondering if I can unlearn this natural tendency and get used to the grip with practice.

I have held a Sig P220 and P225 and they are both promising, in terms of comfort and "pointability". but I have never shot one.

I am VERY interested in the SIG PRO 2009 (I have read the mixed reviews here) and was wondering how it compared in size with the P220 and P225

The HK USP line was WAY big, even in 9mm, but REALLY nice guns.

I like quality, reliability, and durability (LOTS of salt air here) and the price should be $650 or less

I am looking for suggestions so that I can try some out at the range.

Thanks again for everyones help.

BigHonu
 
Try the Walther P99 w/ the small backstrap. I have small hands too and I was going to get a Glock 19 until my local dealer showed me the P99. I held that baby once and I was hooked.
 
Welcome to TFL! :)

I also have smallish hands too, 7.25" from tip of middle finger to wrist line, with a stubby thumb. But I can easily handle the thick grip of my USP9 full size and shoot it with either hand. Maybe it takes a little getting used to.

I understand the grip of the compact version is much smaller. Take a look at those...

Regards,

New_comer :cool:
 
Thanks for the replies.

Walther P99 looks promising.
I have never been a big fan of the Browning from an aesthetic point of view, but thanks for the suggestion.

Any Glock owners who initially had the same problem (points high) and gradually worked through it?

Thanks

BigHonu
 
Steyr M9.

The Glock 19 grip was a little large for me also. The Steyr was much more comfortable. Also less muzzle flip and better trigger.
 
I have small hands as well- 7.25 inches from tip of middle finger to wrist (never measured it before, you made me go get a ruler).

My duty sidearm is a S&W 4506-1. If you've never seen one, its a handgun designed for Andre the Giant. I shoot it reasonably well, but it takes practice.

I second Atticus' nomination of the Browning Hi-Power. It fits my hand PERFECTLY. Nothing else comes close, not even the 1911.

Mike
 
I have really small hands. Here is list of full size guns that fit. Believe me, it seems like I've tried them all!!

  • Walther P5
    Walther P38
    Walther P99
    P08 Luger
    Beretta 92FS
    Ruger P95
    Glock 19
    Glock 30

The G30 fits, but is on the large side for me. The best fit in a full size gun is the P99!!
 
In your future I'm seeing... Sig 225 K-kote finish with a factory "short trigger" installed. Spray some Eezox on that finish and watch it soak it up - you'd never have to worry about rust. $499 NIB from kyimports.com Read up on this gun and you'll find it's near the top of most Sig lovers' lists

If you're interested in the SigPro and think the 220 fits well in your hand, I would think the USP compacts would fit you - did you try any of those?

denfoote - just wondering how can you get a grip on the Beretta 92FS if most guys with medium size hands think it's far too fat??
 
wildboarZ,

Have not tried the compact USP yet, but thanks for the suggestion.

Anyone know why the P225 is not listed on Sigarms.com?

So, is it that you can get used to a "larger" gun with practice, or it needs to fit comfortably from the beginning?

Aloha
BigHonu
 
i also recommend the Walther p-99. with the changeable backstrap it makes it the most "tuneable" firearm when it comes to hand size <i can't think of any others, if i'm wrong someone please correct me>. my under 5' wife can handle it with ease, using the small backstrap or even the medium. she just doesn't like the gun <never figured that out...shoots it very well, more accurately than i do most of the time>. she's wierd but i love her *grin*..



Adept
 
I also have 7" hands. Except home defense, my purchase reasons were the same as yours. The only thing that I would do differently would be add night sites (if I were thinking HD), I might do that to help with the dark scenarios that I confront at indoor-IDPA matches. I too chose 9mm for your same reasons, and have NEVER regretted it.

Having gone throu alot of thoughts, let me spew what I came up with. There's a prize at the end if you take the time to read this....:cool:

Because we are really talking about our perception of recoil, it depends on physics and ergonomics. A pistols weight,action, the fit to the hand, grip angle and height of bore all are important there. Also, unless you mean bullseye competition, the kind of accuracy you will need is "combat accuracy". (need to be able to double tap, hit in a relatively large area of target). If you accept what I think about recoil and accuracy, AND IF a small gun fit your hand better you should go for it!.

I didn't know of them when I was buying, but the 1911 makers also do 9mm versions. So if you like the 1911 this is an option. An inexpensive way to try this is go for a Star model B. CDNN has them less than $200.

I tried a lot of guns to fit my hand. Here are MY top contenders, listed from least to best. Many pistols left off because they weren't close. ie beretta, ruger, larger sigs, larger HK's etc.

Sig 225 -deemed ok-
Walther P99 -with the smallest backstrap in-
Glock 17/19 -what's this doing here? If you put on extended controls and have a grip reduction done, it fits very nice. I talked a shop into mailing me a dummy gun with his grip reduction on it-
Styer -too obscure-
USPc -Very close to buying this one-
CZ -Very similar to BHP
BHP -I think they look good and can prove it, read below-
BDM -This gun is amazingly thin-

In handling all of these pistols, I learned that I prefer the heft of metal to the lightness of polymer.

I choose the BHP. The CZ was the same,but the Browning name spoke to me. Along with the superior ergonomics I get a battle tested pistol with a plentiful supply of non nuetered mags.
I opted against the BDM because it died too quick.(I think because it's appeal was slim hi capacity but was produced just before the mag ban.) I worried about parts/accessory availability for it. Hi caps are in the Glock price range!

I like the looks of my BHP (I got the practical model) and I LOVE the looks of the targets when I get finished. I have 6 hi caps (so far......)

Are you sure the it is aesthetically unappealing? go here. http://www.fnhipower.com/wforum/index.php3?bn=fnhp_fnhipower and click on the thread "Nothing like an almost naked woman with a HiPower"

If you go the glock route, the grip reductions are about 150. You can buy an old style grip for 50 and keep your original in case you ever want to resell.

Ramble off
 
I also have small hands. My first pistol was an HK USPc 9mm. I was going to get the full sized USP 9mm, but gripping both pistols, the USPc (compact) is just a wee bit smaller than the full sized. Note, several the the pistols you've named have double stacked mags and some have single stacked mags. I've found the 1911 (single stack) to be comfortable with the option of having thin grip panels, too. I've found an HK P7M8 (single stack 9mm) to be my favorite, but it is rather expensive. I think Massob Ayoob mentioned the 1911, P7M8, and BHP to be among the pistols he recommends for small handed people (recent magazine which he talked about different police guns and small handed officers).
 
The CZ-75 might fit your needs after you have replaced the Turkish grips and thrown them down the deepest well that you can find. It would combine the superb ergonomics of a BHP with a slightly different look that might appeal to you more. They are certainly well made enough that they will meet your specs for quality, durability, and reliability. Plus you can get a brace of pistols and still stay within your $650 budget.
 
In no particular order,

Guns that folks with small hands find very comfortable: Glock 17; CZ-75; Browning Hi-Power; Sig P-225; HK P7; and Beretta Cougar.
 
Using your procedure, my hand also measures 7". I am a gun nut and have owned just about every common, modern pistol at one time or another. To be honest, I have found the USP compacts fit the best. I can operate all controls without modifying my grip. I cannot do this to the same degree as the USP with any other pistol. They are chunky, but not so thick where I can't get a frim and confortable grip. One handed shooting was not a problem. They are also a little pricey but they are also of very high quality. The only thing I do not like about the USP compacts is the rattle that their recoil reducers make. You stated you liked the 1911's, so you have answered your own question there. You can find one in almost any flavor you could possibly dream of. Have fun and let us know what you decide.
 
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