Looking for opinions

M

masseypuller44

Inactive
Looking for a 9mm. I have a kel tec pf9 i use for ccw. I am looking for more of a recoil friendly range gun to shoot with my son. I have small hands and at 11 obviously he does too. We have handled a lot of guns and narrowed the field to my favorite HK vp9 his favorite walther ppq we both like a m&p, glock 19, Sig 2022. A few things I would like maybe something with single action and a decocker? Shoot me some more ideas if you would. Ray
 
The CZ P-07 comes with a decocker, and it is nice and smooth in single action. It may be a bit big, but with the small backstrap installed, my wife has no trouble shooting it. If you want a range gun, you could also step up to the P-09 for a bit more stabalizing weight, longer sight radius and higher capacity.
 
Opinions? Boy did you come to the right place!

I like the list you already have. Any of those would be nice.

Just to add something into the mix and because I'm a Ruger fan I'd add the Ruger LC9 which I think would be a little small for what you want or better yet the SR series which are available with adjustable sights which I really like for a range gun.

http://www.ruger.com/products/srSeries/index.html
 
Beretta makes the 92 G (decocker only) DA/SA available now. Another option to consider is the S&W 5906 (DA/SA w/ decocker/safety). Both choices are all metal (Beretta has an alloy frame & the S&W is all stainless) which help tame recoil.
 
Colt is making some very affordable 1911's in 9mm now ....one model is blued the other is stainless....and both under $ 900 in my area.

For smaller hands ...a single stack is the way to go.

( I also like the Sig 239 in 9mm ) ...not a single action ...but it has the DA/SA trigger and decocker.

My younger grandkids ( 10 - 13 or so )....like the Sig 239 and a 1911 in 9mm.../ Kimber has a light weight 1911 with an alloy frame and a 4" bull barrel ...in 9mm...Tactical Pro II model ..about $ 1,300 list - but I see one around now and then for about $1,000...
 
You need to take the boy on a road trip and try a bunch of pistols on for size. It's highly unlikely any DA pistol will fit your hand. Try a BHP or a 1911 and use target velocity ammo.
Your Kel-Tec PF-9 has excessive felt recoil because it only weigh 12.7 ounces. Too light for anything. Moreso if the recoil bothers you enough you don't practice with the thing.
 
Has your son ever shot a handgun? If not, I would first introduce him to something in 22LR. If he is already comfortable/proficient with a 22LR, then, I think you're on the right track.

For hammer fired DA/SA with decocker, in my opinion, it'll be hard to beat the SP2022. I like all the others on your list too. In bang for buck, for a reliable, striker fired 9mm, I will second the Ruger SR9.
 
I don't know too much about them, but you might check out the FEG Gkk-92C. It's a DA 9mm based around the Hi-Power. Hopefully, it has a similar grip to a Hi-Power. If so, then this might be exactly what you are looking for. For a double-stacked 9mm, the original Hi-Power is hard to beat for not-so-large hands.
 
None of my full size handgun fit my 11 year old son.
So, when we go shooting, he shoots a Ruger SR22.
My Kahr K9 9mm fits him OK but he does not like the recoil.
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My wife has small hands (slightly bigger than my son's hands); an Xdm works for her.
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maybe a Sig 239.
 
Check out a Grand Power. Not real familiar with their line but I think the K-100 might fit your requirements. I think it can be had with a de-cocker as well as a standard safety.
 
FNX9 comes to mind. The 3rd gen Smith mentioned, 5906, or just about any 3rd gen 9mm. The CZ, and clones, are always regarded as very ergonomic.
 
For your purposes, the PPQ would be top of my list. Great trigger, great ergo's and very accurate.

I own every gun on your list and for that size of gun, it is my favorite.
 
and every kid...male and female...is different too / and their hands are different sizes...

I have a 10 yr old grandson - that wants to shoot everything in my extensive collection ..as soon as he can hold it level... .../ a 15 yr old grandson that doesn't want to shoot anything other than a .22.... and his 13 yr old sister wants to shoot everything....and the other 7 grandkids are a mix of those three...( and some of the grandkids will grow up to be 5'8" and 160 lbs...and some will grow up to be 6'5" and 275lbs...)....

lots of things go into fitting a gun to a kids hands....( most important issue, is that they have Fun )...and that you do everything you can to reduce recoil. Recoil - ruins a lot of young or inexperienced shooters. And reduce range noise...double ear plugs...and good electronic noise cancelling ear muffs - so you can still talk to them a little..../ longer barrels are better than shorter - to reduce muzzle blast and noise....
 
Another vote for a 1911 in 9mm. Great for small hands and light recoiling. Wish I could find the colts around here(western ohio) only thing I can find are springfields in 9mm. Might have to order a colt from buds.
 
I have the VP9, PPQ, and SP2022 and they are all great pistols however the VP9 has the most customizable grip with both changeable back straps and palm inserts. I had my wife, who has smaller hands, hold both my PPQ with small back strap and my VP9 with small back strap and small palm inserts. The VP9 fit her best as in reach to trigger and controls.

IMHO it would be hard for you to go wrong with the VP9 and it has an excellent trigger out of the box.

The SIG P226 is an excellent handgun with soft recoil but on the higher side price wise and may not be the best for smaller hands unless you try handling one with the E2 style grips.

Here is a link to a video on pistol grip. Travis calls if the high tang 360 grip and it IMHO is excellent in control of a handgun and minimizing felt recoil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMzQIHN-LiI
 
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Heard a lot of great ideas! Tonight we ran into a guy at the range tonight with a m&p compact. My son 11 5'1 110lb asked if he could shoot it. He shot 50 rounds at first pretty rough but found a groove at 7yd put last clip in 3" group. Not bad said recoil was nice and little thick on grip but enjoyed it. So I think that the group of guns we have been looking at is right on.
 
$900 is not an affordable pistol. That's all I got other than an SR9 or, a CZ ??,(don't remember the model number, just the fact it felt like love in my smaller hand), and an FNS 9 are ergonomically hard to beat for smaller hands. God Bless
 
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