Full sized handguns for smaller hands

T

Telgriff

New member
Been getting into IPSC at the range lately and going through the long process of acquiring a pistol license and then a pistol 6 months after that (as per the laws in Australia).

At the moment I have tried a CZ 75 SP01 and a Glock 17A (other members guns who have been kind enough to let me use for the comps). Here are the issues:

I have short fingers and a wide palm which makes reaching the controls on the CZ difficult (and requires adjusting my hand grip to even reach the slide release lever on the CZ). For the times I have used the Glock, I simply pull the slide to ready the weapon before firing.

As Pistols are very very hard to get here, no one has them in gun stores, so I cannot try out various pistols that may fit me better and the 120mm Barrel Length minimum wipes out all compact and subcompact pistols from my options. So I am stuck with trying to find a pistol that will fit better for my shorter finger reach..

My question is this, are there any other full size with a barrel length in excess of 120mm, that would fit my hand better? As I mentioned above, the CZ is just a bit too much of a reach, the Glock 17A (Australian version with extended barrel) almost fits me and I am wondering if the Beretta 92Fs or something else full size would fit me better with its controls further back on the slide.

Another member has a Taurus PT99 which from what I can tell has very similar dimensions to the Beretta so I might try that for a fit also.

Any suggestions at all? This is purely a range gun (only place we can use it), so accuracy is a requirement, weight is not as much of a concern as I am not going to be carrying it except for comps and no need for concealment.
 
Is the S&W M&P9L available Down Under? My DSW has very small hands and an M&P with the size "small" backstrap insert is one of the few pistols she finds comfortable to shoot.

The problem with the Beretta 92FS, the Taurus clones thereof, and most other DA/SA double-stack automatics is a long DA trigger reach.
 
Wife says I have short fat fingers. That being said, I shoot a full sized FNP-45 with the smaller backstrap insert. So if my metric to standard is correct your limited to a 4.5" bbl. I'm pretty sure this gun will fit that requirement. Plus it's a .45.
 
+1 one of the M&Ps. Maybe a Ruger SR9/40--similar to the M&P. Also the Browning HP 9 or .40 in addition to the 1911 suggestion. IIRC, someone posted on the Forum about a new Colt DAO 1911 for those goosey about carrying, cocked and locked with one in the chamber--but doesn't sound like carry is an issue.
 
Chadio has it right,,,

His suggestion of a 1911 is a good one.

I would take it a bit further though,,,
What makes it a good choice is the single stack magazine.

So in that vein,,,
Any single-stack mag pistol should fit a smaller hand.

At least that's the experience I have had with my K-frame hands.

Aarond

.
 
My wife has a Springfield TRP 1911 with a short trigger (smaller trigger, not shorter length of pull) , which fits her really well.
 
have you considered threaded barrels? it won't look out of place if the stock barrel is just shy of 4.7inches.


with that said I would not recommend Beretta 92/clones, USP full size, or Sig p226.

As another poster mentioned try the M&P or 1911
 
+1 on the idea of a 1911 ....chambered in 9mm or .45 acp .../ some of the younger shooters in my family with smaller hands ....like the 1911 a lot - for a full sized gun.

All of the double stacks are too wide ( Sigs, etc ) ...
 
I only own single stack guns for this same reason, the double stacks are far too fat for my small hands. I am a huge proponent of the 1911 as I think it's the most ergonomic design for me, but I believe for most other shooters as well.
 
A single-stack semi-auto, particularly one built on a true 9mm frame, usually fit small-handed people splendidly. Models to look at might include the Sig P210, S&W 952, Walther P38, and possibly Beretta 951.

While slightly larger in the grip, a single-stack auto on the larger .45/10mm frame is still quite slim and often fits people with small hands. The most natural choice here would be a 1911 of some sort but a Sig 220 or SW99 .45 might also work.

Certain double-stack semi-autos also have smaller grips that fit smaller handed people well. Models to consider would include the Walther P99 and S&W M&P since both have interchangeable backstraps.

Finally, you might consider a revolver. Because a revolver's grip is not limited by the shape and capacity of a magazine, it offers more room for customization. S&W K-Frames, Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six, and Ruger GP100 are all revolvers that fit a wide variety of hand sizes and shapes well.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, will look into all of those. One thing I forgot to mention in the OP is that we have caliber restrictions also. 9mm and .357 only.

Will look around and see what I can find in Single stack configurations. As for revolvers, I LOVE them, but they would be a disadvantage for IPSC when everyone else is shooting 10 round (the max allowed) magazines. Unless I can speed load really quickly.
 
sausage fingers?

Yeah, I too have sausage fingers. And a wide palm. I wear large or xl size gloves due to my fat fingers, but the glove finger tips are empty....

I'd take a look at the Ruger SR9. They have slime grips and two (I think?) grip insert options for a bit of fine tuning.

But the pistol that I like the BEST as far as fit goes for my hands is the SA XD9. The grip is smaller in circumference (Did I spell that right?) so I can wrap my fingers around it better. It seems like the distance from the web of my hand to trigger is shorter, and that feels great. I also like the ambi mag release, since I have a hard time reaching with my thumb so I have the option of hitting it on the right side with my trigger finger.

For me, the SR9 and XD9 fit the best. Try em and see how they work for you.
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GB!
 
Somebody educate me here a little. I know it's a learning curve to overcome, but why don't folks use their support hang thumb to depress the slide stop? That thumb is pretty much hanging around unemployed anyway, and it's right up there in the general vacinity getting ready to provide support after being present for the presentation of the magazine into the well.

I know for those of us who've been using the right thumb for 20+ years, this is a bit of muscle memory to overcome. However, I've taught new shooters to try that approach and they've been quite receptive to it. Also for thinking outside the box, I've taught my lefty neice to reach beneath the firearm and pull the slide release down with her right middle finger- Again, that seems to be working well for her.

OP- good luck with your search for a proper fitting firearm. Hope all works out well for ya.
 
I have small hands and short fingers. I tried many handguns including the Glock 26, Smith and Wesson MP&9C, Springfield Arms XD and XDM9 and the Ruger SRr9C. After shooting each gun multiple times I selected the Ruger SR9c because it was the most comfortable in my hand. the only way to know is to try them. Checkout the SR9C.
 
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