Grip suggestions- new to semiauto's

J

jdhermit

New member
Hi...new to the forum...
I've always shot revolvers, tired of them and ready to get a semiauto. I've held about all of them in the last month and have a question about grips...I'm a male with fairly small hands. The guns I've found I like most are Kimber, Walther P99 and USPc, because they all either have the "beavertail" or a larger than normal groove in that specific area. I am more accurate with these, because I can "grip up" on the gun. So...
-Is this "normal"?
-I'm getting more accurate with the rental guns in these, so I assume I'm holding it ok?
-Any other suggestions (ie- other models, Hogue grip solutions, etc.?

I walked into gun store today w/ intention of buying Sig 239, but it had very little of this groove I'm talking about.
Any thoughts/confirmations/suggestions are appreciated in advance. Thanks.

jdhermit
 
As to the P99 you might ask if they have the other two backstraps. This would be an easy way to compair if you are more comfortable with a larger or smaller grip.
 
-Is this "normal"?
-I'm getting more accurate with the rental guns in these, so I assume I'm holding it ok?
-Any other suggestions (ie- other models, Hogue grip solutions, etc.?
Click to expand...
Sounds to me like you found good guns that fit. My personal preference is the 1911 type (the Kimber), but certainly nothing wrong with the others. The 1911 gives you a lot more options as far as grips, sights, etc.
 
Yeah, have had a couple people say I should go with the Kimber...but since I'm new to semiauto's, I'm a LOT more accurate with 9mm than .45...so I was leaning towards a 9. Wish Kimber made a 9.
Guess I'd get better with .45 in time, though.
I hold the Kimber and it just melts into my hand.
The Walther P99 fits close (not perfectly), but it seems like it would be harder to carry CCW than the Kimber. (Kimber in 3 or 4 inch barrel).
I don't have the money to keep buying guns and trading, already did that once (bought the Taurus PT-145 and the frame cracked the first time I shot it...after I get it fixed, I'll sell it.)
So I'm trying to make the perfect decision and getting analysis paralysis!
 
jdhermit,

This is my opinion, but I believe the whole size of person/size of gun idea is not as much of an issue as everyone makes it out to be.

People seem to think that the bigger your body is, the bigger firearm you can carry. I totally disagree with that. I honestly think bigger guns are easier to spot on bigger bodies.

As an example, I have a friend who carries a full sized 1911 IWB. I'm not sure of his exact dimensions (if he were a she, maybe I'd care), but he is a skinny runt and the gun just disappears on him. On the other hand, stick that same gun on me (6' 4" 220) in a similar type holster, and it is much easier to spot.

I believe the converse is actually true. The bigger your body (especially big in the waist area) the harder it is to conceal a big gun. Waist size compared to shoulder size is important.

Shake
 
Shake,
That makes sense, just never thought about it. If I had a huge gut, it would be much harder to carry than it is, guess there's more room to hide it with a smaller stomach...more incentive for me to stay on my diet, I guess.
Mebbe I ought to just get the Kimber .45, learn to shoot it just as well as a 9mm, and forget about it...

jdhermit
 
jdhermit,

I really think you would be ok with a .45. Especially having fired revolvers previously.

I would suggest using some lower power loads until you get comfortable with the .45 and then work your way up to full power loads. Reloading would make this the easiest, but if you don't reload maybe some of the other guys here can suggest some lower power factory ammo for practice loads.

It really wouldn't take much time to get used to the .45.

Good luck. . .

Shake
 
buy and shoot which ever is more comfortable for you. if a .45 fits your hand better, go for it. if a 9 fits and is more comfortable, go for that, which ever you buy.. practice practice practice.
 
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