What Handgun for Very Large Hands?

[3KillerBs]

My 17yo DS#1 (who is 6'3" and still growing), admitted tonight that the reason he hasn't been very enthusiastic about the handguns is that his hands are so big that holding and firing the guns we have is uncomfortable because he has to crank his fingers around strangely to reach the trigger, the safety, etc.

We have a Ruger Mark III, a Hi-Standard revolver, and an S&W M&P 9mm. He hasn't tried the last with the largest backstraps yet because he either didn't understand until this afternoon that his hand size was the problem or he didn't want to admit that it was a problem. He's also tried a S&W j-frame revolver and a Ruger Single Six.

So, the antithesis of the perennial small hands thread, ...

What guns do you suggest we try to rent/borrow for him to try?

We came up with the following possibilities:
Full-size 1911
S&W K or L frame revolvers
Glocks (though DS#1 may be the only teenager in the US who thinks that Glocks are boring rather than cool)
Beretta 92FS or the Taurus PT92 clone

He needs a large-framed, large-gripped gun, but not a large caliber -- .22 (or a .22 conversion), 9mm, or .38 special is what we can afford to shoot.

Here's some shots of his big mitts dwarfing our guns:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/MBVoelker/shooting/BigHandsrevolver.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a370/MBVoelker/shooting/BigHands.jpg

Yes, that thing in his hands that looks like a toy in the second picture is my Mark III Hunter, the physically largest handgun in the house.

[presspuller]

My full size Kimber 1911 fits my big ole mitts the best of any I have.

[Sistema1927]

Try square-butt S&W revolvers, either in factory configuration or with round to square grips.

[Technosavant]

The Smith N frame is pretty good in big mitts- the 627 can shoot .38 special (being a .357). Otherwise, the Beretta 92 is probably a good pick in 9mm, the CZ 75 might be worth a look (trigger reach on that can be a bit long for the small handed).

[treeprof]

I, too, have good size hands, which rule out a lot of cool handguns I'd like to own and carry.

Among semi autos I find the standard Glock 20/21 frame, the SIG 226 w/Hogue wrap-around finger groove grips and the Beretta 92 offer just about the best fit (.22 conversions are available for each of them). Among revolvers, the Ruger GP100 or Super Redhawk with the Hogue "Tamer" grips fit me well. I have a Super Blackhawk and a couple of Single Sixes that I detest when they wear with the standard grips (which might have fit me at age 8), but they are just about perfect fitted with the oversize Hogue Monogrip with the finger-grooves. Mind you, they detract significantly from the traditional SAA-like profile of those guns but I care nothing about aesthetics if it impairs shootability in any way.

Among dedicated .22's, my S&W 41 fits the best by far, but those are a significant investment (above $850 now in these parts). If you have regualr access to a Single Six, spending <$15 for the Hogue grip seems like a natural place to start:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=781093

[3KillerBs]

Thanks. The Single Six was borrowed for DD. She decided she wanted something else.

[lee n. field]

Full-size 1911
S&W K or L frame revolvers
Glocks (though DS#1 may be the only teenager in the US who thinks that Glocks are boring rather than cool)
Beretta 92FS or the Taurus PT92 clone


http://www.gunlaws.com/images/Photo/NoSecondPlaceWinner.jpg

Bill Jordan favored a K-frame Smith, and he had enormous hands. That's a Model 19 peeking out of his grip in this picture.

[Drgong]

I have big hands, and they where too small for the CZ 75b

[juk]

I'm voting for the Cz 75 or 97. I love mine although it may be a tad too large for my hands.

[Steel Talon]

Have him hold Springfield Armory XD

[herohog]

That and add a nice set of Pachmyer grips. If .45 is a bit much for him, get him one in .38 Super or 9x23 and hand load for it. He will love it.

[Furncliff]

Pachmyer grips... these have made ALL the difference for me. I have them on a 1911 and on a S&W model 15.. .38 spl. My cz75b is one that doesn't have a Pach grip, he should that try that for an auto 9mm.

I like the model called "Gripper".

[denfoote]

I would say N-framed revolver. You can buy extra fat grips.
The Glock 30 or 21.
Walther P99 with the biggest grip panel.

[Defensory]

Kimber 1911 chambered for 9mm

Springfield XD9 Service Model

Both are great for folks with big paws. ;)

[Ohen Cepel]

I would get a revolver since you can then easily fit the grips to him.

There are several surplus ones that have hit the market lately, check CDNN, I think they had them in both .38 or .357. Smith 64's and 65's IIRC.

Then you can change the grips as needed on them. On of the reasons I usually prefer revolvers. Also, .38 ammo is pretty cheap compared to other options.

[lechiffre]

large grip pistols that come to mind:
beretta 92
s&w n frame
cz 97
para-ordnance
hk usp .45
ruger redhawk
glock 20 or 21

[Taurus92 in KyleTX]

Sig P226 or P229 w/wood grips other than Nils.

I have medium sized hands, and the factory polymer grips on my 229 fit perfectly.

I added Hogue checkered wood grips, and it really screwed up my grip. (Guess which set my 229 wears now.)

[bwavec]

I don't know of anyone who has complained that the grip on the HK USP45 or HK Mk23 is too small for their hands........

[FlyinBryan]

the biggest grip ive ever felt was a desert eagle.

felt like i was holding a 2x4

[jcalys]

I have pretty big hands, I'm 6'3", and wear a XL golf glove. I just bought a SIG 226 and the stock polymer grips fit me perfectly. Also the grips on the Smith .500 magnum revolvers are big and comfy, and I think they fit on some of the other Smith revos. Hogue makes them, I believe.

[gtmerkley]

Tec 9, I am 17 and have big hands and thats the gun I want for carrying when ture 18 for ccw. besides It will fit in with my Xm15 G3 type and AK47 I have now.

[Clean97GTI]

gtmerk, how do you intend to conceal a Tec-9?

[Clean97GTI]

Also, I'm gonna throw my vote in for the Ruger P-Series and the CZ75 or CZ97.

[mtngunr]

Same problem here, huge boys....best fit to date that meets your caliber/budget requirements would be a used N-frame S&W .357 Highway Patrolman with used Herrett "Shooting Master" or "Jordan Trooper" grips, purchase the grips through auctions for $10-$40...those big grips add another 1/2" to an already long trigger reach, and Bill Jordan had HUGE hands....can't help you on a cheap HP as they've doubled in cost over the last 7yrs....but hey, look what gas is doing....

[gtmerkley]

I ware boots all the time. So I'm hopping It will fit if not I'll work something out. I may need to carry my raven on me and carry a Tec 9 in the car. The Tec 9 is mostly a scare tactic anyway if the bad guy sees a weapon like that staring at him hopefully I wont need to use it with any luck, which is kind of the point if carrying anyway that way. I will still have the raven if worst comes to worst.

[GRB]

His hands do not appear overly large. I do not understand the problem with his gripping a pistol, because they look as if they fit his grip well. Then again, I am not him and only see it in the pics. If he continues having such a problem, well just stick a Beretta 92FS into his hands with Pachmayer grips.

All the best,
GB

[GroovedG19]

HK USP 45, S&W 686, fullsize 1911.

[woad_yurt]

How about a CZ 52? And, the ammo (surplus) is really, really cheap right now. Just replace the firing pin with an aftermarket piece and bang away.

[Gordon Fink]

I have the opposite problem, but I couldn’t reach the trigger of the H&K USP I handled, so that might work for him. A 1911-style pistol might be too slim, but you can add a pair of extra-thick grip panels and an arched mainspring housing. The double-stack .45-ACP Glocks are also ridiculously large.

~G. Fink

[3KillerBs]

Thanks for the ideas. I'm compiling a list for him to try handling.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I'd say:

Beretta & Taurus 92/96

H&K USP family

CZ97 (the .45)

Glock .45s & 10mms

Double-stack polymer 1911s like the Kimber & Para

Square-butt N-frame Smith revolvers

Those are too bulky to be what I would call ergo in my hands, so may work well for him.

The CZ75 family is a bit of an enigma. The grip itself is medium-sized and ergo (not blocky), but the trigger reach is long (in DA mode). He may very well like this setup a lot because he'd have good control of the grip, but the trigger would feel about right for him.

[polekitty]

Suggestion: Either a S&W model 625 (45acp) or model 610 (10mm) revolver. You can put some really big grips on either one. They both use moon clips which load every bit as fast as any auto mag.

[Squidward]

S&W K or L frame revolvers a H&K USP .45; Maybe a BHP??

[only1asterisk]

An old, but still relevent post on the subject: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=27822

David

[Eightball]

Get a nice S&W, and switch grips until something works.

[Ceemack]

Sadly, being big is expensive.

Of the guns you listed, the only one that suits really big hands would be the Glock--but you'd have to go with either the 20 (10mm) or 21 (.45 ACP), neither of which is cheap to shoot without adding a .22 conversion. My G21 is the most comfortable factory grip I've ever found.

I've got a Walther P99 with interchangeable backstraps, and that arrangement is not all it's cracked up to be. Even with the largest backstrap, it's too small--the grip is just too short overall, and the fat part of the largest backstrap winds up in the wrong part of your hand. I haven't tried the M&P, but I suspect it would be much the same.

I manage OK with a 686 using the factory Hogue stocks, but it gets uncomfortable when the recoil gets stiff. There's just not enough to hold onto.

Eagle and Ajax both make decent aftermarket grips for revolvers, including the K & L frames. They're on the small side for me (XXL glove), but they may do okay for your boy. If they seem too small (depending on your locale, they can often be checked out at gun shows), Herrett's makes grips to measure. They made a set of Jordan Troopers for my Redhawk that are just massive. Unfortunately, I'm not wild about the Jordan Trooper design. Nill Grips makes some grips in an "extra large" size that I haven't had a chance to try out yet. They're not cheap, though--around $140 each (which is one reason why I haven't tried them yet).

If you're looking at a .22 semiauto, give some thought to the Browning Buckmark. It's got a longer and deeper grip than the MkIII, and with some aftermarket grips (either Eagle or Ajax makes a nice set of finger-groove grips for Buckmarks), they'd probably fit him quite well. I've got one myself, and while it could be a little bigger I can shoot well enough with it--even with the factory grips.

[Elvishead]

cz75

[Clean97GTI]

gtmerk, don't ever count on your gun to scare someone. You only draw if you're ready to kill the person you're aiming at. I'd also question the ability to reliably conceal a firearm as large as a tec-9 with its magazine in your boot.

Sounds to me like you need to do a lot more reading here and pay attention to guys who have been carrying firearms longer than you've been alive.
You've got a few years before most states will issue a concealment permit anyway. Start saving up now and when you hit 21, you'll have all the money you need to buy a nice gun and the training you need to handle it correctly and safely.

[tinygnat219]

I too have large hands:

I'd recommend your full size service pistols:
XD 45ACP
Glock 21 .45 ACP (NOT the Slim Frame)
1911A1 with Rubber Grips
CZ 97
S&W 686 with a Hogue Grip
Ruger GP100

[3KillerBs]

Thanks everyone.

After all the trouble I had finding suitable guns for my small hands I'm ashamed that I didn't think of that as a possible reason why he didn't want to join us shooting pistols. :(

I'm sending him the thread so he can look at the suggested guns and see what sort of options he has. Maybe he'll get excited about one the way he got excited about his shotgun. :)

[daddyo]

Ruger P-series. Lots of people don't like them because the grip is too fat.

[aka108]

S&W N frame revolver or, if you can find one, a Star 30M SA/DA high cap 9mm.

[waverace]

Another Idea that springs to mind is the contender or encore from TC , I have a contender and average hands , its a big pistol !! plus you can shoot different calibers off the same frame :) other than that any of the new big smiths 460 , 500 are physically large guns , just expensive to shoot unless you reload . Hope you get the guy comfortable with something though , the more people out there shooting the better . :D

[HB]

Beretta 92 They are huge

[Zip7]

I have pretty large handstoo, but don't mind smaller gripped guns too much. Some of them are awkward and some not. Of the guns I have, the S&W N frame and the Beretta 92 have the largest grips. Both are very comfortable to shoot as well.

[SDDL-UP]

CZ-75B is pretty good for large hands, but your son might want to try a CZ-97B (45ACP), if that isn't big enough I'm not sure where to point you.

[Rickstir]

I have big mitts. My 92FS fits like a glove.

[Stevie-Ray]

I was 6'3" at his age also. Now I'm 6'4" and 250 lbs, and I have a hard time getting guns to fit my hand properly. Best for me is a 1911A1 with an arched mainspring housing and smooth wood or ivory grips. Both my Colts are set up this way and are my personal favorites. My Kimber has a flat MSH and I had to find smooth grippers which gave it a far better grip for me. My Ruger Mark I and Mark II both wear aftermarket grips as well. They practically always are thicker than factory standard.

[jhco]

try beretta most of there guns have big grips

[KINGMAX]

S&W 686-1 - Try it you might like it.

[mike6161]

I have big hands. I like the S&W 66-1 with the 4 inch bbl it fits my hand like it was made for me.

[3KillerBs]

He likes the looks and specs of the CZ's.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

[James T Thomas]

Try the various rack guns available for rent at a commercial indoor shooting range.

Or, the CZ 97 B or Ruger Redhawk. Big'uns.

[Matt-J2]

Did anyone suggest the Beretta 92/Taurus 92?

Fairly large guns, though I'm not entirely sure if the grip itself will be large enough. Like the CZ and 1911, you can buy aftermarket grip panels so maybe thicker set of those may help.
And, they're in 9mm, so it keeps the ammo budget down, which I know is important to you(same here!).

The CZs are nice too though. I know the DA trigger reach on those is typically too far for me, so that could be helpful to him, though IIRC the reach is shorter for SA shots, so it might not really be much benefit.

[Floppy_D]

226 with Hogue grips would do.

[jad0110]

This is a tough one to answer. My hands aren't "beefy", but they are large. I have found that it isn't the size of the grip, but the shape/design that matters most. I guess that is why I can't find a way to comfortably/effectively shoot a Glock or XD, but I have no problems shooting this:


http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/jad0110/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20Model%20642%2038%20Special/642righthand.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q139/jad0110/Smith%20and%20Wesson%20Model%20642%2038%20Special/642palm.jpg


I am able to get my little finger wrapped up under the butt of the 'lil gun, which I find to be quite comfortable. I just have a problem with my long fingers, so I use the joint of my finger to shoot this gun, instead of the 1st pad of my finger.

Again, just goes to show that a big gun + big hands = good fit is not always true.

[RDak]

CZ-97B

http://www.danwessonfirearms.com/product_detail.php?id=43

[theken206]

"I ware boots all the time. So I'm hopping It will fit if not I'll work something out. I may need to carry my raven on me and carry a Tec 9 in the car. The Tec 9 is mostly a scare tactic anyway if the bad guy sees a weapon like that staring at him hopefully I wont need to use it with any luck, which is kind of the point if carrying anyway that way. I will still have the raven if worst comes to worst."

really not to be a jerk here, but this may very well be one of the funniest "serious" post ive ever seen on here and im dying picturing this kid jam a tec into one of his boots.

seriously, not trying to be a jerk but man thats some funny stuff.

[M203Sniper]

Beretta 92 is the bigggest gun I've ever held. 9mm too ;)

[theken206]

my vote on no order that ive had experiance handling

Beretta 92
Glock 20/21/22 {my good buddie ivan has big hands and his model 22 fits them very well}
Full sized 1911
Ruger P series

[Phil DeGraves]

Steyr GB

[searcher451]

Put a set of Nill grips on a Walther P88 and you'll have a handful. You'll also have a beautiful 9mm semi-automatic at your disposal.

[doc2rn]

Big gun= Desert Eagle .357 or .44 Magnum! About the biggest danged grip I have ever come across.

[Walkalong]

You could try one of these (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=104418389#PIC). :rolleyes:

[JustinL]

Any double-column .45 Para Ordnance.

[Funderb]

cz52 or tokarev are big guns.

[jdc1244]

I’m 6’ 6”, 277 lbs – my sons are about as big…

The 1911s, GP 100 and CZ SP-01 work for us.

[SgtKnuckles]

CZ Clone
http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/3000/3047.htm
http://www.cherrys.com/sarsilmaz_pistol.htm
http://www.sarsilmaz.com/eng/urun_alt.php?id=73
Venting & Porting
http://www.cherrys.com/sarsilmaz/Kama%20Sport%20white%20chrome%202.jpg
http://www.cherrys.com/sarsilmaz/Kama%20Sport%20white%20chrome.jpg

Colored Frames
http://www.sarsilmaz.com/images/aksesuar/20b.jpg
~No Peeking~JAZZ PINK~CZ Clone
http://members.aol.com/normtrudeau3/pinkguns/GirlPinkGun.jpg

Nice Grips
http://www.sarsilmaz.com/images/aksesuar/24b.jpg
http://www.sarsilmaz.com/images/aksesuar/22b.jpg

[woad_yurt]

Look into a 9MM Star Model 28 or 30. I just got one and it's got ample finger room. Built like an old Buick, holds 16 rounds and very affordable, too.

[crabkiller]

My hands are of the large variety and the fist time I picked up an XD w/ crimson trace grips, I knew we were meant to be together. If you can Hold one of those at your gunstore, you might be suprised. So basically not only do you have brands to think about but what can you do to make any brand fit you.