Hi title says it... I have owned a couple walther p99 and one glock. Ive got tiny little baby hands. Ok not quite that small and they havent let me down yet.... But it means some pistols are harder to operate for me. Also left handed and right eyed if that matters. I am thinking 357 sig or 40 s&w. 9mm seems a little weak to me. Id appreciate any suggestions and reasoning. I was thinking of another P99 or a SW M&P. Thanks! Merry Christmas!
novice pistol guy needs recommendation.
- Thread starter dvdcrr
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Microgunner
New member
The Springfield Armory XDm with the small back strap installed accommodates smaller hands very well and mine has been absolutely reliable.
Cheapshooter
New member
For what purpose?
With the proper modern self defense ammo the 9MM is quite adequate for civilian use. Also, probably the widest used worldwide for LE and military. Keep in mind that what ever complaints you might have heard about the 9MM in U.S. military use, they are encumbered by the use of fmj ammo.
this is something you would definitely have to check out at the store. but the compact sar polymer cz copy, the last time I shot it, I was surprised at how small the grip was for a full size double stack. although you would have to check for yourself, especially in double-action mode.
http://www.impactguns.com/eaa-sar-b...pact-38in-17-rnd-mag-400426-741566600920.aspx
but of course, anything small and single stack would probably be the best, if your okay with 7-8 rounds, like a shield.
9mm is not inferior to the other common calibers, the differences between 9, 40 and 45 are o small it all comes down to opinion. but if your after a small grip, a smaller diameter bullet is going to be your best, maybe only, option. remember that 9mm has the extra speed to make up for the .044 less diameter. unless your talking 357, which I think is the best of both worlds, but I don't think your looking for a revolver, and the very few semi-auto .357mags are definitely not going to be your fit.
http://www.impactguns.com/eaa-sar-b...pact-38in-17-rnd-mag-400426-741566600920.aspx
but of course, anything small and single stack would probably be the best, if your okay with 7-8 rounds, like a shield.
9mm is not inferior to the other common calibers, the differences between 9, 40 and 45 are o small it all comes down to opinion. but if your after a small grip, a smaller diameter bullet is going to be your best, maybe only, option. remember that 9mm has the extra speed to make up for the .044 less diameter. unless your talking 357, which I think is the best of both worlds, but I don't think your looking for a revolver, and the very few semi-auto .357mags are definitely not going to be your fit.
The FBI is going back to the 9mm, but if you think you need more power out of a 9mm, you can always shoot these:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TMiI8VcPQ3c
Watch enough ammo tests from various calibers, and you might make your way back to the 9. I actually prefer the HST loads to that Underwood +P+ load due to recoil and follow up shots, but those rounds are as good as anything I've seen from a .357 Sig or .40. If I was going something above 9mm, I'd go to .45 ACP and shoot the 230 grain +P HST ammo. That same guy made a video of that round, and it is very impressive.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TMiI8VcPQ3c
Watch enough ammo tests from various calibers, and you might make your way back to the 9. I actually prefer the HST loads to that Underwood +P+ load due to recoil and follow up shots, but those rounds are as good as anything I've seen from a .357 Sig or .40. If I was going something above 9mm, I'd go to .45 ACP and shoot the 230 grain +P HST ammo. That same guy made a video of that round, and it is very impressive.
Uncle Malice
New member
I would recommend staying with 9mm. Quality 9mm JHPs give up NOTHING in performance to 40s&w.
Get Gold Dot 124gr +P, Federal HST 124gr +P or Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P and you are more than covered.
As for smaller hand sizes, you're on a good track with the P99 or M&P. The Walther PPQ would be a potential option. The HK VP9 is also a very good option with both replaceable back straps AND side panels. Ergonomics on the gun are very good.
The XDM is nice, but it's a long gun in the grip. I like it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a shooter with small hands.
Get Gold Dot 124gr +P, Federal HST 124gr +P or Hornady Critical Duty 135gr +P and you are more than covered.
As for smaller hand sizes, you're on a good track with the P99 or M&P. The Walther PPQ would be a potential option. The HK VP9 is also a very good option with both replaceable back straps AND side panels. Ergonomics on the gun are very good.
The XDM is nice, but it's a long gun in the grip. I like it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for a shooter with small hands.
WildBill45
New member
The new Walther CCP is a single stack and will do the trick for small hands. I Have big hands and the grips require me to pay attention to them while shooting. The 9mm, which the CCP is ... at the moment ... is adequate with good ammo but, and there always is a but in life, if not available they may less performing than the .40 and the .45 without question. The big bores don't have to expand to get to the caliber they are already there, expansion is a plus. This means mathematically they are still better if you want to use the word. Even the FBI test everyone likes to quote, they say the bigger calibers are better overall just due to the size, they hit an artery the smaller calibers may miss, etc... People are not tougher than African game and most Pros still like solids on some, and still like big bores if there is a choice, and for good reason they are proven... A 9mm you can shoot well if it fits better IS better than sloppy control with a bigger bore... Your choice, choose wisely, the penalty is severe for bad choices...
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marine6680
New member
9mm is fine... New Hollow point loading a like federal HST make it a great round. I switched to 9mm from 40, and I am happy I did.
A Walther P99 or PPQ are good choices. The PPQ has a great trigger.
The Canik TP9 SA is a P99 clone that is well made and inexpensive.
I own an M&P and I like it a lot. I wasn't a fan of the trigger, but a drop in kit from Apex fixed that, and it has become a favorite.
I forgot to hit submit on this hours ago... I was typing it up before anyone else had replied yet. Oops
A Walther P99 or PPQ are good choices. The PPQ has a great trigger.
The Canik TP9 SA is a P99 clone that is well made and inexpensive.
I own an M&P and I like it a lot. I wasn't a fan of the trigger, but a drop in kit from Apex fixed that, and it has become a favorite.
I forgot to hit submit on this hours ago... I was typing it up before anyone else had replied yet. Oops
Between 9mm and 40SW, I prefer 40SW for a few reasons, none of which necessarily good reasons or ones that would make sense or be important to you. Now, from a ballistics and numbers perspective, it seems one generally has to go to +P pressures to be very close to 40, and as a handloader I'd just prefer not to do that. If I didn't handload and had to buy ammo, I'd also prefer to try to find 40SW ammo of any kind than 9mm +P, but of course no one said +P is a requirement or anything. I simply would like to get the most I can from these little cartridges, and 40SW is as small as I'm willing to go. I actually carry 40SW rarely these days, and much prefer 10mm--with no sacrifice in capacity.
Also as a handloader, I like 40 because of the great variety of bullets that I can select from, AND that I can also load in 10mm Auto, which is a favorite of mine. 40SW and 10mm 'go together' for me at the loading bench, and I enjoy loading them both. I don't have any interest in loading 9mm, and I have no interest in shooting anything I can handload. As I mentioned, these are my preferences--nothing more. I'm happier with 40SW, and don't care much for 9mm--that's about it.
As for the M&P, I have two of them...on in 40SW and one in 45ACP. I love them both, and I think you'd be very wise to get hold of an M&P (in any caliber) to at least hold, if not shoot. Many shooters, myself included, find them incredibly comfortable and extremely easy to shoot. My current plan is to buy two M&P 40c compacts for my daughters, and I'll do that as soon as things come just right.
You didn't actually say what you wanted the gun for, but it looks like everyone assumed you wanted it for personal defense--based on my experience my No 1 recommendation would the M&P 40c (or 9c if you prefer to go 9mm)...that's why I'm comfortable arming my two daughters (who are fairly new shooters) with that gun. My M&P 45c is about the pleasurable and accurate handgun I own, but I'd prefer the capacity/size of the 40 cal gun over the 45 for them. The additional capacity or smaller size often afforded by 9mm isn't of enough importance to me, though, to warrant going to a cartridge I just "don't like". Again, preference here, not analysis.
My every-day carry is the Glock 29 in 10mm, but I think that would be a silly recommendation for a new shooter (who should be shooting a lot) and a shooter who doesn't handload (the ammo is expensive, pretty much only available mail order, or is loaded so as to have little advantage over 40SW).
It makes no difference to me what the FBI or the military shoots--and I don't think they generally base their selections on a whole lot that I care about--being mostly contractual considerations AFAIK.
Also as a handloader, I like 40 because of the great variety of bullets that I can select from, AND that I can also load in 10mm Auto, which is a favorite of mine. 40SW and 10mm 'go together' for me at the loading bench, and I enjoy loading them both. I don't have any interest in loading 9mm, and I have no interest in shooting anything I can handload. As I mentioned, these are my preferences--nothing more. I'm happier with 40SW, and don't care much for 9mm--that's about it.
As for the M&P, I have two of them...on in 40SW and one in 45ACP. I love them both, and I think you'd be very wise to get hold of an M&P (in any caliber) to at least hold, if not shoot. Many shooters, myself included, find them incredibly comfortable and extremely easy to shoot. My current plan is to buy two M&P 40c compacts for my daughters, and I'll do that as soon as things come just right.
You didn't actually say what you wanted the gun for, but it looks like everyone assumed you wanted it for personal defense--based on my experience my No 1 recommendation would the M&P 40c (or 9c if you prefer to go 9mm)...that's why I'm comfortable arming my two daughters (who are fairly new shooters) with that gun. My M&P 45c is about the pleasurable and accurate handgun I own, but I'd prefer the capacity/size of the 40 cal gun over the 45 for them. The additional capacity or smaller size often afforded by 9mm isn't of enough importance to me, though, to warrant going to a cartridge I just "don't like". Again, preference here, not analysis.
My every-day carry is the Glock 29 in 10mm, but I think that would be a silly recommendation for a new shooter (who should be shooting a lot) and a shooter who doesn't handload (the ammo is expensive, pretty much only available mail order, or is loaded so as to have little advantage over 40SW).
It makes no difference to me what the FBI or the military shoots--and I don't think they generally base their selections on a whole lot that I care about--being mostly contractual considerations AFAIK.
this is becoming a caiber war, rather than a recommendation for a potential buyer with small hands. now that you understand that a 9mm will have a smaller grip profile and small differences over the other calibers ballisticaly, you wil probably mostly get turned toward 9mm's. so tell us now if that is not okay for you for whatever reason, and we wil try to suggest smaller profile 40's. if it is okay, then lets go from there. regardless of 9mm or .40, the grip profile wil be smallest with single stack mags. less capacity, but obviously, since rounds are one on top of another, rather than staggered in the mag, it will have the thinnest grip, giving your more reach to the trigger. so et us know before going farther, are you 100% stuck on .40 or better? what kind of capacity are you comfortable with? is this for carry or home defense/range work? is there a type of action you are most comfortable with(ie. striker, DAO, sa/da)? do you have access to a range that has a good selection of rentals? what state are you in, do you have restrictions? and above most else, what is your price range?
let's just leave it at, most people are comfortable for self-defense with 9mm or greater. so let's not go off on bullet caliber ballistics.....or your going to end up with a desert eagle .50 that you can't reach the trigger on. but try to answer that set of questions the best you can, and you will get a great set of good recommendations for firearms to try out
let's just leave it at, most people are comfortable for self-defense with 9mm or greater. so let's not go off on bullet caliber ballistics.....or your going to end up with a desert eagle .50 that you can't reach the trigger on. but try to answer that set of questions the best you can, and you will get a great set of good recommendations for firearms to try out
Cheapshooter
New member
He did, in post #8
Not really a caliber war as much as pointing out that the 9MM self defense ammo of today is much better than that of the past, or the fmj that he was thinking of.
Part of sound advise in recommending a firearm for someone with small hands.
marine6680
New member
I think his mention of 40sw is the reason for the defensive use assumptions. There is little need to go with 40sw on a range gun. Tests of bullets in test medium and statistics in real life shootings show little difference between the big three calibers when modern hollow point designs are concerned. If you live in a state that does not allow HP ammo and has mag restrictions, like jersey, then a 45 May be better in that case.
The M&P is a good pistol for small hands. The XDm is as well... Most of the striker guns with changeable back straps will work well for small hands. Though the gen 4 Glocks may still be a stretch.
DA/SA pistols can have issues with trigger reach for small hands.
1911s are good for smaller hands too, but I don't recommend them to novice shooters, and if the goal is defense use, I don't recommend them unless the shooter is adequately competent with firearms.
The M&P is a good pistol for small hands. The XDm is as well... Most of the striker guns with changeable back straps will work well for small hands. Though the gen 4 Glocks may still be a stretch.
DA/SA pistols can have issues with trigger reach for small hands.
1911s are good for smaller hands too, but I don't recommend them to novice shooters, and if the goal is defense use, I don't recommend them unless the shooter is adequately competent with firearms.
Independent George
New member
I'm a 9mm advocate, but I'll never begrudge anyone who wants to go bigger. That's why I bought my .357 - I still mostly own and shoot mostly nines, but it's comforting to have 158 grains of "Get the hell out of my house" on reserve for those special occasions.
Anyway, for small hands, I've noticed that the size of the grip is often less important than the the ability to reach the trigger and the controls. I think most striker guns have a shorter reach than the DA pull of a hammer-fired gun. If the OP liked the P99, then the PPQ sounds like a natural choice. If it's available, the M1 model might even be a better choice than the M2 - the paddle mag release is a bit easier to activate with short fingers than the button.
Since the OP has mentioned owning Glocks, I'm not sure that a single-stack is necessarily required. In my experience, Glock grips are a little bit longer and wider than its competitors. If you're comfortable with a Glock, most other polymer framed pistols should be just as comfortable, if not moreso. Again, the PPQ comes to mind immediately.
Anyway, for small hands, I've noticed that the size of the grip is often less important than the the ability to reach the trigger and the controls. I think most striker guns have a shorter reach than the DA pull of a hammer-fired gun. If the OP liked the P99, then the PPQ sounds like a natural choice. If it's available, the M1 model might even be a better choice than the M2 - the paddle mag release is a bit easier to activate with short fingers than the button.
Since the OP has mentioned owning Glocks, I'm not sure that a single-stack is necessarily required. In my experience, Glock grips are a little bit longer and wider than its competitors. If you're comfortable with a Glock, most other polymer framed pistols should be just as comfortable, if not moreso. Again, the PPQ comes to mind immediately.
You don't say how your past models fit your hand/s. That would give everyone a good idea and help with recommendations.
The P-99 AS and PPQ are both great choices. If you want something that size but want a little smaller grip, look at the current Steyr line. They are very comfortable but have a thinner grip than most others. The M-A1 is the 4" barrel version with the L-A1 being in the 4.5" class. You can get then in in 9mm or .40.
The P-99 AS and PPQ are both great choices. If you want something that size but want a little smaller grip, look at the current Steyr line. They are very comfortable but have a thinner grip than most others. The M-A1 is the 4" barrel version with the L-A1 being in the 4.5" class. You can get then in in 9mm or .40.