Good Guns for Small Hands (please read 1st post carefully!)

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Hi Pax;

SO far these are the 4 that fit my wifes small hands (5'3", 110 lbs, size 0,1)

S&W J frame (airweight model 38 bodyguard) with pachmeyer 3 finger rubber grips (not boot grips) this little airweight recoils enough and she wants a firm full hand grip.

Colt Gov't .380 (her favorite, since she picked it out herself even tho all the men said don't go single action:eek: ) BTW, she has small hands but also has less strength (maybe) in her fingers? She prefers the single action trigger over the double action because it is easier and has less travel - something to think of that myself and the other men never considerred.

Sig P239 - the single stack magaznie gives this a much smaller grip - she still thinks the gun is "too heavy" tho. And the trigger is getting to the far edge of her reach - which is why she likes the single action trigger the best. This has the finger grove rubber aftermarket grips on it.

Kahr's we don't own one but when handling at the gunshow she really liked the grip - not as happy with the longer double action trigger.

Hope this helps.
 
Hey Pax,

I wear a medium men's golf glove, and my wife's hands are significantly smaller than mine, so her hands are probably in that range you request. Out of all the guns she has ever fired, the Kahr P9 was her favorite. Fit was perfect, including the trigger reach. Recoil was mild, as she would routinely fire 100 rounds per range session. Slide pull was difficult for her (a consideration you should include), but managable. Accuracy was excellent. Unfortunately, she hates Moonies, so we eventually sold the gun.

The SIG 232 also fit her hands well. Slide pull was unmanagable. DA trigger pull was unmanagable. Recoil was severe. Accuracy was excellent. We didn't own the gun.

RIA 1911 GM. Fit good with short trigger. Trigger pull excellent. Slide pull moderate and very managable. Weight was heavy. Recoil with WWB 230gr ball was moderate. Accuracy was good.

Walther (Manuhrin) PP 32acp. Excellent fit. Excellent weight. DA trigger pull impossible. slide pull moderate and managable. Recoil with 73gr Sellier & Bellot was mild. Accuracy was very good.

Ruger Blackhawk, 45 Colt 4.5" barrel. Good fit. Weight heavy. Trigger pull excellent. Recoil with Winchester cowboy loads was above moderate. Accuracy was okay.

On her CCW, she has 3 revolvers and 3 P32s.

Ruger SP101 357 w/ hogue grips. Excellent fit. Weighs a bit much, but managable. DA trigger heavy but managable. Only shoots 38 special. Recoil with 124gr Speer GD +P Severe. Recoil with standard pressure 158gr LSWCHP moderate. Recoil with Federal 110gr PD mild. Accuracy was good.

Taurus 85 38sp w/ wood Excaliber boot grip. Good Fit (grip a little small) Weight good. DA trigger good. Recoil with 124gr Speer GD +P Severe. Recoil with standard pressure 158gr LSWCHP severe. Recoil with Federal 110gr PD Moderate. Accuracy was good.

Taurus 85o 38sp w/ wood Excaliber full grip. Excellent fit. Weight good. Trigger good plus. Recoil with 124gr Speer GD +P very Severe. Recoil with standard pressure 158gr LSWCHP above moderate. Recoil with Federal 110gr PD above mild. Accuracy was good.

P32. Good fit (grip a little small). Weight a little light. Slide effort moderate and very managable. Trigger heavy but managable. Recoil with 73gr Sellier & Bellot moderate. Accuracy was excellent.

Hope this helps.
 
It took me a little while to get my wife to sit down and help out with this but we got it done with some interesting results. Hope it helps. Marcus

A) NAA Mini .22mag.
1) d? To the right of the web at the base of the index finger.
2) c
3) a
4) a
5) .22 magum rimfire
6) c, believe it or not
7) factory tiny birdhead grips
8) a
Notes: Made her giggle,until she shot it. ;)

B) Colt Government .380 PocketLite
1) c
2) b/c , c with the factory grips but just a little toward b with thicker stocks
3) e
4) b
5) .380 ACP
6) b
7) sim mother of pearl engraved Hello Kitty grips
8) a
Note: Her favorite. The controls fall easily to hand for her and she shoots it really well.

C) Kahr P-40
1) b, not real bad
2) b
3) d
4) b
5) .40 S&W
6) c
7) na
8) a
Notes: She liked the feel and fit in her hand as well as the short,smooth DAO trigger. The sharp recoil and muzzle flip eliminate it as a serious choice for her.

D) CZ-75B
1) b
2) b
3) c
4) c
5) 9mm
6) a
7) Hogue cocobolo grips,very slim
8) a
Notes: Felt a little big to her. Suprisingly the rather long DA pull didn`t bother her.

E) S&W 28
1) a
2) a
3) b
4) a
5) .357 magnum
6) b/c depending on the load
7) Miculek pau ferro wood competition grips with open backstrap
8) a
Notes: Didn`t like it at all. Too heavy,too big,too awkward. Had a hard time with the DA pull.

F) Auto Mag Model 180 (just for fun)
1) a
2) a
3) e
4) b
5) .44 AMP
6) c
7) Eagle checkered rosewood grips
8) a
Notes: The trigger reach didn`t work for her at all,it turned it so far in her hand it was practically pointed sideways. FWIW I wear a mens large or x large glove and I can`t comfortably engage the trigger with the distal crease of my trigger finger. I use the pad. In contrast the grip was very managable for her. She`s never actually shot this one but she wouldn`t care for it.
 
I'm 5'9", have small hands/short fingers and after 20+ years of buying, selling, and shooting handguns, I've found that these fit my small hands well:

S&W J-Frames revolvers
Colt D-Frames revolvers
SIG P225
SIG P220 9mm
S&W 3906
Browning Hi-Power
Steyr M9
1911A1
Colt 1903/1908 Hammerless
Walther PP/PPK


nero
 
Replying long but please.. take time.. ty pax

So I have contacted Pax (from this forum: she is GREAT!!!) and many other forums... I have really small palms and normal trigger finger length....
Before I begin this: in looking for a gun I set 3 criteria:
1. FITS MY HAND: listed what I wanted and what I would settle for.
2. I WILL CARRY (because what is the best gun you can have...the one that you have when you need it.)I like to carry in the small of my back.
3. ONE TO SHOT IN THE IDPA (my husband is a member: who better to have my back, thus who better to have his?)
With that said I will indicate the # 1 #2 or #3 the gun that I tried I will () (#1, #2, &/or #3-if they DON’T MEET THIS CRITERIA:
• I have been carrying a S&W .38 +P revolver Ultra-lite sub nose.... The SIZE was GREAT...the FIT was okay (#1) (still hit my knuckle of my thumb-{this is my husband's pocket rocket}) and the RECOIL was CORRECTABLE (#3) (but and forget the +P) to a certain extent. With that said before I bought my Love I shot a Walther P99... very smooth.. still big... (#1) and a random single stack .45..not so bad recoil and decent with the grip (still couldn't reach everything) (#1 & #2)
• So I went to my local gun shop the first one was not every lady friendly(went with my husband)... the 2nd was much better (i went alone) I went in with my list (of 7) they had 4 of them.
• I tried the S&W M&P with the interchangeable grips I loved the small (the guy was not thrilled with changing it but YOU ARE BUYING AN EXPENSIVE ITEM!!! You are not a king but come on...) (#2 GRIP SAFETY)
• I also tried a Taurus 1911, single stack .45- WAY TOO HEAVY (#2)
• I just feel in love with the Springfield XD9 Subcompact.... I just want you small handed folks to know though I just bought the last one in a 2 county area in north Georgia. None of the distributors know when they will get anymore.... sorry. NOW.... Oh my Gosh....this gun... after a 100 rounds 1st my hand didn't hurt 2nd my aim was right on 3rd heavy enough to carry the recoil (along with the double spring) I am in LOVE!!!
I know this is forum is old and I know this entry is long but if any of you have any questions (ladies I am tried and true about the gentlemen the sell guns to gentlemen. We must know what we are talking about to be heard.) Contact me here if you have more questions.
Thank you for your knowledge and I hope I can help ~G
 
guns for small hands

Pax,

As you requested Brenda shoots both my airweight bodyguard and my p7 m8 right well.


H&K P7-M8
1) Gun fit question - c
2) Gun fit question - c
3) Gun type question. d
4) Gun type question. Is the gun a - (b)
5) 9mm
6) recoil - B
7) stock from factory
8) Your glove size is b) Ladies' medium
 
OUt of the many many guns my wife and I own she feels these fit her best

Beretta NEOS .22
Taurus PT111 and 145
Taurus PT22 and 25
Taurus M85UL

My wife is 5 nothing and a buck O five with pretty small hands
 
I know this thread is old but I am going to reply to it because as a woman with very small hands, I came here hoping to find information and was disappointed with the responses. I am replying now in hopes that other women with small hands will find my information useful.

SIG P239
1) Gun fit question. Place the distal crease of your trigger finger on the face of the trigger. Do not pull the trigger back in any way, nor cock the gun (eg DA/SA guns are measured in DA mode). When you wrap the rest of your hand around the gun to attain a firing grip, does the gun's backstrap connect with your hand

a) somewhere along the thumb itself, or
b) at the base knuckle of the thumb, or
c) in the web of your hand

(B) but approaching (A)

2) Gun fit question. Holding the gun as in Question #1, and with your wrist as straight as you can get it, you draw an imaginary line from the muzzle of the gun along the barrel. The line continues indefinitely. Does the line

a) run over your thumb, but no other part of your hand or arm, or
b) run sorta-kinda along your wrist for a short distance, or
c) run exactly parallel with your forearm

(B) but only for a very short distance, approaching (A)

3) Gun type question. Is the gun a

a) SA revolver
b) DA revolver
c) DA or DA/SA semi auto
d) striker-fired semi auto
e) SA semi auto

4) Gun type question. Is the gun a

a) revolver
b) single stack
c) double stack

5) What caliber is the gun you measured?
9mm

6) In your subjective opinion, is the gun's recoil

a) mild (without gloves, you wouldn't mind shooting 100 consecutive rounds)
b) moderate (without gloves, about 50 rounds would be okay, maybe not more though), or
c) severe (without gloves, you'd rather not shoot more than 25 consecutive rounds).

7) Note grips & any alterations done to the gun (eg shortened trigger -- brand, grip type -- brand, grip reduction -- gunsmith name)

None

8) Your glove size is

a) Ladies' small
b) Ladies' medium

Ladies Extra Small

Kahr K9
1) Gun fit question. Place the distal crease of your trigger finger on the face of the trigger. Do not pull the trigger back in any way, nor cock the gun (eg DA/SA guns are measured in DA mode). When you wrap the rest of your hand around the gun to attain a firing grip, does the gun's backstrap connect with your hand

a) somewhere along the thumb itself, or
b) at the base knuckle of the thumb, or
c) in the web of your hand

(C) but approaching (B)

2) Gun fit question. Holding the gun as in Question #1, and with your wrist as straight as you can get it, you draw an imaginary line from the muzzle of the gun along the barrel. The line continues indefinitely. Does the line

a) run over your thumb, but no other part of your hand or arm, or
b) run sorta-kinda along your wrist for a short distance, or
c) run exactly parallel with your forearm

(C) but only for a very short distance, but approaching (B)

3) Gun type question. Is the gun a

a) SA revolver
b) DA revolver
c) DA or DA/SA semi auto
d) striker-fired semi auto
e) SA semi auto

I'm not entirely sure about this one because I'm not that familiar with guns but I believe it was a (D)

4) Gun type question. Is the gun a

a) revolver
b) single stack
c) double stack

5) What caliber is the gun you measured?
9mm

6) In your subjective opinion, is the gun's recoil

a) mild (without gloves, you wouldn't mind shooting 100 consecutive rounds)
b) moderate (without gloves, about 50 rounds would be okay, maybe not more though), or
c) severe (without gloves, you'd rather not shoot more than 25 consecutive rounds).

I was unable to shoot this gun at the time so this is unknown.

7) Note grips & any alterations done to the gun (eg shortened trigger -- brand, grip type -- brand, grip reduction -- gunsmith name)

None

8) Your glove size is

a) Ladies' small
b) Ladies' medium

Ladies extra small
 
For a semi auto I would recommend the Steyr M9-A1 in 9MM , almost all of the ladies that I know that have held one, have commented on how well it fit their hand. For a revolver any k frame sized 38 Special or 357 Magnum would do with the right grips.
 
The HK P30-L is a perfect gun for those with small hands such as mine.
I'm male with hands in the lower 5 percentile and the HK allows me to operate all of its controls without shifting my grip.
Mine is a Variant 3 DA/SA.
 
#1-c) web of hand
#2-c) parallel with gun
#3-e) SA semi auto
#4-b) single stack
#5-9mm
#6-b) somewhat snappy (19oz pistol)
stock grips
#8-b) medium

PT709 Taurus sub compact. I can reach all the controlls on the Taurus.

Everything else I own, I have to adjust my grip to reach the mag release, and forget about the slide stop. My other pistols are all full size 1911's or double stack semi autos.
 
I agree with its_kristy. I also have small hands, and find a child's size glove fits better than a small ladies. Small hands with the added benefit of short fingers.

The Walther PPK

1-c (fit's in the web of my hand)
2-c (parallel with forearm)
3-c (DA or DA/SA semi auto)
4-b (single stack)
5 - .380
6-a mild (without gloves, you wouldn't mind shooting 100 consecutive rounds)
7- stock
8- small ladies

I was looking for some recommends on a nice revolver.

I enjoy firing the S&W .357 Magnum but grip and the barrel length (9 inches) are not really working for me. The action is smooth and the recoil is, to me, mild, but because of the awkward grip my hand gets fatigued after about 25 rounds.
 
Ruger LCP

Howdy,

I know this is an old thread, but its a top result for googleing 'Guns for small hands'

ME: I've owned my Ruger LCP for two years now, and absolutely love it.

PAX: In this case, I define "small hands" as hands which easily fit within a ladies' small or medium glove. If your hands are bigger than that, they are not "small hands" for purposes of this question!

ME: I measured my hands for this, the width around my knuckles is 7.75 inches, and from the crease below my palm to the tip of my middle finger is 6.75 inches. One sizing chart I found put me right on the border of women's small and medium sized gloves.

PAX: If you recommend a gun for the list, I'd like you to also answer the following.

ME: Ruger LCP - no lasers. (See lasers note below)

Criteria:

1) Gun fit question (follow the link for pictures if my wording here doesn't make sense). Place the distal crease of your trigger finger on the face of the trigger. Do not pull the trigger back in any way, nor cock the gun (eg DA/SA guns are measured in DA mode). When you wrap the rest of your hand around the gun to attain a firing grip, does the gun's backstrap connect with your hand
a) somewhere along the thumb itself, or
b) at the base knuckle of the thumb, or
*c) in the web of your hand*

2) Gun fit question. Holding the gun as in Question #1, and with your wrist as straight as you can get it, you draw an imaginary line from the muzzle of the gun along the barrel. The line continues indefinitely. Does the line
a) run over your thumb, but no other part of your hand or arm, or
b) run sorta-kinda along your wrist for a short distance, or
*c) run exactly parallel with your forearm*

3) Gun type question. Is the gun a
a) SA revolver
b) DA revolver
*c) DA or DA/SA semi auto*
d) striker-fired semi auto
e) SA semi auto

4) Gun type question. Is the gun a
a) revolver
b) single stack
c) double stack

5) What caliber is the gun you measured?
.380 ACP

6) In your subjective opinion, is the gun's recoil
a) mild (without gloves, you wouldn't mind shooting 100 consecutive rounds)
b) moderate (without gloves, about 50 rounds would be okay, maybe not more though), or
c) severe (without gloves, you'd rather not shoot more than 25 consecutive rounds).

7) Note grips & any alterations done to the gun (eg shortened trigger -- brand, grip type -- brand, grip reduction -- gunsmith name)
None

8) Your glove size is
a) Ladies' small
*Right in between... I would probably go with a small and be a little snug in the knuckle area, since my hands are so short*
b) Ladies' medium

Note regarding LCP lasers:
If you want one with a laser, I would recommend the 'Crimson Trace Laserguard' over the 'LaserMax.' I found it to be too much of a stretch to reach in front of the trigger guard with my index finger to push the switch. I had a chance to try the Crimson Trace model at a CCW instruction class, and whenever I held the gun firmly, my other fingers never failed to turn on the laser.
 
Ironically, I read this thread for the first time just now. This morning I finally got a chance to take my good friend shooting. He is short, around 5'6" or maybe 5'7". His hands are small even for someone his size. I tried to bring handguns that I thought would fit his hands. Here is how it worked out:

Ruger Bearcat SA 22 revolver - no problem, could have shot it all day.
Browning Buck Mark 22 auto - liked it just fine and shot it well.
NEF 32 H&R magnum - np, 32 S&W longs were nothing, the magnums were a little snappy but did not bother him.
Czech CZ70 32acp - did not like it at all, too much felt recoil, shot one mag and was done.
Beretta model 84 - liked it a little better than the CZ, but not much. Felt snappy and uncomfortable. One magazine and done.
Taurus Ultralight 2" snub 38 special DAO - hated it, too much felt recoil, fired two shots and set it down.
1928-29 vintage S&W pre model 10 38 special - slightly big for him, and noticeable recoil, but he shot it well, enjoyed shooting it, and went through about half a box of ammo.
Ruger LC9 9mm automatic - liked the size, noticeable recoil, but didn't mind shooting it and went through several magazines.
Browning High Power 9mm automatic - he was so-so on it. Shot a magazine or two, but kind of big for him and the recoil was more than he preferred. He liked the LC9 a lot better.
Rossi 720 44 special DA revolver - I really brought it for me to shoot, but he wanted to try it, maybe just once. He surprised us both by shooting it very well and enjoying it very much. It fit his hand well and he described the recoil as "gradual". We shot a whole box of shells through it.

All in all the old-fashioned NEF/H&R 32 revolver probably fit his hands the best. He shot the Browning Buck Mark 22 very well and with zero difficulty. The LC9 and old-fashioned S&W 38 special (it has the original grips, which are smallish and skinny) were just fine, with a preference for the 38. He enjoyed the Rossi 44 special, but keep in mind it has an outstanding trigger and his hands are not at all weak, just small.

My ten-year-old daughter is about his height (my wife and I are 6'4" and 6'6") but has much weaker hands. Her two favorites are the Buck Mark 22, and the NEF 32 loaded with the S&W longs.
 
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I'm not sure the exact size of my hands as measured by womens glove sizes, but they probably fit a womens medium glove. A G26 is too wide for me.

Kahr is the best fitting semi-auto I have found. I have a T9 and with 9mm and its all steel mass recoil is pretty tame. I don't have the guns with me right now to check their fit exactly.

As another stated, the real issue is with reaching the other controls.
 
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Not sure how much the difference is, but my wife and I both have men's glove size small hands. Some weird size where small is almost too tight and medium is too big.

Anyways. My personal handgun is a Glock 30. It's a bit thick in my hand, but it sits about center for me to reach the trigger.

Trigger is good. My first pistols all had heavy trigger pulls so I consider the glock trigger pretty good. Even though I can't get my distal joint on the trigger, I can still dry fire it without the sights moving.

I can almost pull the trigger with my distal joint, but there's no way I'd be gripping it properly if that happened.

I shoot left handed so I engage the mag release with my middle finger, not my thumb. If I shot right handed I could not reach the mag release without shifting my grip.

Recoil isn't bad.

Weight is nothing to argue with.

I also slingshot the slide because the slide release isn't workable for a lefty.

Having small hands and being a lefty I've learned to live with it.

My wife has a Ruger P90 .45acp.

It is single stack. Grip is a bit big but she likes it. DA/SA. She can do both double and single action just fine.
 
When I think of the guns that I own that "fit." It's my Beretta Vertec, and Cheetah 85 - not so much the standard 92FS (not that it stops me from owning it.)

Most revolvers - for some strange reason, I don't like mouse guns...even with small hands, they're hard for me to handle unlike a 4" 686+ or the S&W 4" model 10 I hope to buy, or the 3" SP101 - I do own the SP DAO and a Colt DS - so maybe if the small mouse gun has heft, I can deal.....

I like my Sig 228 with thin grips and my Glock 19 and 17 better than the 26. I do wish S&W would bring back the 3913ST again.....

Laura
 
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